Alex Zapata
Staff Writer
Parlez-vous Français? That is, do you speak French? Well do you? If you’re looking at Pepperdine’s new overseas program, you should try and pick up a few words. This coming spring Pepperdine will premier a new French Language program, in Lausanne Switzerland.
Lausanne is a city of 130,000 about 40 minutes from Geneva. It is a city of rich history, hosting 23 museums. It is geographically located in the middle of a wine-growing region.
The first class will take 42 students. Students will stay in a hotel near the center of Lausanne. The primary academic study will be the French language.
Sophomore Bridget Nielsen, currently abroad in Paris, will be changing to the Lausanne program next semester. She chose the new program because the current French program in Lyon was discontinued. Nielsen, who has visited Switzerland before, is excited about the upcoming semester, “it’s a great central location for traveling.”
Classes, mostly G.E. and of course French, normally meet four times a week. On their three-day weekends students can travel, interact and learn from locals. Nielsen is quick to add: “I’ll be snowboarding on the Swiss Alps all spring.”
Besides the regular G.E. classes the students will be taking during their stay, they have the option of enrolling a “Recreation Class.” The class takes advantage of the surrounding environment and Swiss recreation. One of the many adventures will be boating on Lake Geneva.
Nielsen, who is double majoring in Art and Business administration, believes she is going to benefit from the program I many ways. “Just being in Europe helps me with both majors. Western civilization’s greatest art is right here for me to see. I also get to understand and see how the EU countries run businesses and their economies.” For Nielsen it’s all about the “experiences and exposure” to something new to assist her in learning.
When asked about any apprehensions or the pressure of being the founding class of the new Lausanne program, Nielsen is confident. “I’m actually excited to be the first ones. We get to set traditions, find all the cool stuff to do, and in a way sculpt the program. Not to mention there are great people in the going to this new Switzerland program so we’ll for sure make it fun.”
Nielsen’s excitement for her upcoming venture can only be rivaled by sophomore Carrinicole Pittman’s. Pittman will also be part of the first class. “I look forward to Switzerland everyday. I know it’s going to be an experience that I’ll remember for the rest of my life. We’re all very fortunate that we were selected and get to do this first.”
As the new program is coming together, teachers have been and are being selected to teach their respective courses. Some of the G.E. classes offered are American history, introduction to astronomy (a science class), religion classes, literature and non- western cultures classes.
One of the many advantages to a small program like the Lausanne program is that the cultures are intact and their aren’t many tourists. Not to mention that students can experience all Switzerland has to offer and the surrounding European countries for the same price as a semester or year at Pepperdine. There are approximately 10 spots still available for the spring semester.
Fact Box:
· Lausanne is the home of the Béjart Ballet
· International Olympic Committee headquarters are based in Lausanne
· Average January Temperature: 37.4 degrees F
· Average July Temperature: 68 degrees F
· Tuition for the 2006-2007 Academic Year is $16,310 per semester for 12-18 units. International Programs Charge, covers room and board, travel to and from the program, and an educational fieldtrip with the group. The International Programs is $7,740 per semester.
· The CHF 1000 equals $720.00 the highest denomination note in the world.
· The average Swiss eats 23 lbs. of chocolate each year
· James Bond’s mother was Swiss
· The Swiss flag is the only square banner in a sea of rectangle-shaped flags at the United Nations.
12-02-2006