An experiential tagged course in Paris, France
In Fall 2024, Professor Honorine Rouiller led 18 students in Intermediate French Language and Cultures. On a ten-day immersive experience in Paris over Thanksgiving break, students applied the language skills they had practiced all semester in real-world context, ordering meals in restaurants, describing favorite works of art at the Musée d’Orsay, and recording vlogs comparing their routines in Paris and at Vanderbilt.
Instead of traditional exams, students created travel journals filled with reflections, photos, tickets, and drawings, as well as short videos capturing the trip. These projects encouraged authentic communication and cultural awareness, helping students gain confidence in their ability to interact with native speakers.
The course also tied into Professor Rouiller's research on French graphic novels. After reading the opening chapter of Famille nombreuse by Chadia Loueslati, students met the author in Paris, asked questions, and even learned to draw the main character—a highlight of the program that connected classwork with contemporary French culture.
Pictured left is Professor Honorine Rouiller and Fall 2024 students at a museum in Paris, France.
