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Jason Mills ’09 (Stony Point, N.Y.) is an electrical and computer engineering major with a minor in Asian Studies. He spent his winter break taking the three-week interim-session course French Commerce and Culture in the European Union: London, Paris, and Brussels, taught by Rose Marie L. Bukics, dean of studies and Jones Professor of Economics and Business, and Susan Averett, Dana Professor and head of economics and business. Below is a first-person account of his experiences. Many students share their experience and images of interim-abroad courses in “Through My Eyes, In My Words.” Mills is also a defensive lineman for the football team.
Over the January interim session, I joined 21 other students and two professors on a 15 day excursion that would forever change our lives. My group went to Europe to learn about French commerce and culture but we left Europe with a whole lot more. The course was taught by two wonderful economics and business professors, Rose Marie Bukics and department head Susan Averett.
Our course gave us a full immersion into French lifestyle and culture. The first couple days of classes were held at Lafayette and the awkwardness of the group’s first meeting set in. These awkward days started off with a 50 question test, but tensions were definitely lifted once we arrived in Paris. We checked into our first hotel, which was very small compared to hotels in America. Shouting from floor to floor was easier than using the hotel phones.
Our first experience of French culture was a walking tour of Montmatre in Paris. This was followed by a group dinner with President Daniel Weiss. President Weiss accompanied our tour group and showed us some of the most amazing buildings and architecture in Paris. He gave us a quick, but thorough, tour of the Louvre and Notre Dame. Along with Musee d’Orsay, we were able to see some of the real beauty of Paris. Maybe that’s why it is considered the number one tourist destination in the world.
After those short days of sightseeing, we got down to business going to the Chamber of Commerce and the EuroNext Stock Exchange. In these places, we learned how to start a business and had an overview of the economic differences between the United States and France. Most of the students were amazed by the fact that even though the economy and culture of these two top powers were very different, they were both successful in the world market.
After we spent a week in Paris, it was off to Brussels. Once there, we learned everything there is to know about the European Union. We attended lectures by many professors at the Vesalius College in Brussels. The importance of Brussels was emphasized because it is the location of the headquarters of the EU.
Next we hopped on the Eurostar, which is the train that runs underneath the English Channel. It was an amazing experience to be on a train that goes that fast. We went from Brussels to London in a little over two hours. Once in London, we went on a tour and were able to go to the Bank of England. I also think, as a group, we were very relieved that we could speak English again. Most of our group did not know a bit of French.
This trip was amazing. I suggest any person who can study abroad should do so. It really is an experience that you can not get anywhere in the U.S. I had an awesome group with two smart and funny professors, and this trip to Paris, Brussels, and London will forever be one of my best memories of college.