Merrit Hall

Sitting at a table outside on the plaza with an afternoon espresso, is one of the most vivid memories I have of my study abroad. Now, as a Junior, I am a CIIS Peer Advisor and would like to take the time to say Hello, I'm Merrit Hall and I am here to help. We all realize deciding to go abroad and choosing a specific program is difficult but take the first step and we will find a program for everyone.

Going abroad my sophomore fall I had the chance to visit a different culture, language and society. Now it is my job, to get you to do the same and partake in one of college's best experiences. I decided upon France because I wanted to learn another language, and live like the French do.

The France program is one of a kind. Taking classes in small groups we were able to pursue our own interests whether that be Art, Politics, Literature and of course the French Language. As well we all took a course on Senegal, as part of the program is a weeklong stay in and around the bustling capital of Dakar a metropolitan area on the Atlantic coast. Some of my fondest memories would be waking up after sunrise and taking a dip in the Atlantic. The waves were huge, which allowed us to body surf. Not only this but we were introduced to the local village chiefs and saw the informal powers of village life. On top of all this there were two other excursions; one was a week in Paris. Paris is one of the world's greatest cities and we took full advantage, seeing museums, ballets, an opera and a jazz concert. Not only this but the abundant amount of free time let us explore the city on our own.

The other excursion was to Le Mont St. Michel, an abbey fortress built on a rocky tidal island on the English Channel. The ancient island was ours to explore. We spent the night there and as the tides came in we were all but cut off from the mainland except for the raised roadway. The quick sands and tides are famous there and we explored them along with the ancient abbey, which sits atop the island.

I can confidently say I would not have spent my sophomore fall in any other way.