Studying abroad is often a part of the Wofford experience. Gorgeous landscapes, decadent foods and rich histories are some of the appealing aspects to the programs offered, but Wofford students are not the only people who benefit from opportunities such as these.
Chloé Robin has spent the past nine months working as a French teaching assistant at Wofford. Robin is from Liffré, France which is a part of the northwest region called Bretagne.
She worked with a program called International Education for Students (IES) to make this possible. As a TA, Robin is in charge of planning events for the French program and works to enrich students’ knowledge of Francophone studies.
She frequently converses with her students in French to help them practice the language at events such as the Francophone film and game nights.
Why Wofford? She understands that Spartanburg may not be the most bustling city to choose from, but she is very happy with her decision and the tight community she has found here.
She shared that although other TAs from her program went to grand cities like Los Angeles, C.A, she does not regret her decision one bit taking her job in Hub City
“I love the professors here and all of the staff. I love my students. This is amazing,” Robin said.
One of her favorite parts of working with the students over these last two semesters has been her ability to share part of her culture and identity with them.
At the movie nights, for example, she explains how special it is to be able to reveal parts of her childhood that were so transformational for her with the students.
“The movie nights are really great because I can share a movie that I love and that is part of my life with the students,” Robins said.
When she returns to France, she plans to pursue a career utilizing her master’s degree in International Solidarity. Although she is not pursuing a career in education, she shares how valuable this experience will be to her nonetheless.
She hopes to be able to work with immigrants and help assimilate them to French culture as well as teach them the language.
Aside from academics, she has enjoyed learning American culture from her students. She loves to talk and joke with them about music, food and even slang.
“I am very proud of where I’m from because this is where the crepes are from,” Robin said.
She even planned an event around her love for French food on Wednesday, April 30 dedicated to making crêpes with her very own recipe.
She has greatly enjoyed getting to share and teach her students so much about her own culture, but Robin shared that her students are not the only ones learning.
A valuable aspect Robin has learned from her students is religion. She shared that religion is not a huge part of French culture, and her students have opened her mind to a greater understanding and appreciation for it.
Sharing cultures, language and laughs are just a few of the many reasons why the French department will greatly miss Robin. Her presence has no doubt enriched not only the students, but all of her colleagues as well.
Robin encourages students to take advantages such as these, be bold and never be afraid to try new things. She does not regret it and knows her students won’t either.
