French Archives

Compter sur soi-même: How I learned to travel solo without feeling alone

During my semester studying abroad in Tours, I traveled mostly by myself, hopping into the backseats of Blablacars. Each new driver meant new conversation, French practice, and tips for when I arrived at my destinations.

An Unexpected Love

Before I decided to attend Hillsdale, I was dead set on double majoring in English and Chinese somewhere. I took Mandarin throughout high school, studied abroad in China, and worked at a Taiwanese bubble tea shop frequented by Asian customers. Halfway fluent in Chinese, I wanted to finish what I’d started.

The Heart of the Western World

While some might associate the study of a foreign language with boring memorization of grammar and syntax, students who choose to pursue the study of French at Hillsdale receive more than just language training. They are immersed in and given a full appreciation of the French language and heritage.

Spotlight on Dr. Theobald and Dr. Rose

Last year, Hillsdale College hired two new French professors, Dr. Anne Theobald and Dr. Sherri Rose. I was able to sit down with both professors and discuss their experience both with the study of French and at Hillsdale.

When the Exam Ends

“So, do you have any questions for me?” I was putting on my backpack, about to leave a French oral exam. A little surprised, I saw that Madame Theobald was giving me an encouraging smile.

Aerial view of Paris, France showing the Eiffel Tower against the clouds.

Taking on the City of Lights

Immersion is the name of the game, and immersion is what senior French major Emma Takach experienced when she spent the entirety of last year studying in Paris, France.

Why I Chose Hillsdale: Katie Kortepeter

I love my grandpa. When I was a freshman in high school, he was already scheming to get me into an Ivy League school. “Brown or Harvard would be great,” I remember him saying. “Or you could go to Canada! The healthcare there is terrific.” One day, when I was fifteen, he made me sit on his lap and firmly explained why the one school I must never, ever apply to was Hillsdale College.

Hillsdale Reflections

Yesterday, I finished my last class at Hillsdale College: French 201. After the students left, I stood there for a moment trying to take in this really important event, and what should pop into my head but the Carol Burnett song: “I’m so glad we’ve had this time together / just to have a laugh or sing a song / seems we just get started and before you know it / comes the time we have to say so long.”