Summer Study Abroad: A bridge to understanding cultures
The sound of French conversations echoing, the smell of fresh pastries in the morning
air, and the sight of medieval streets leading toward a 2,000-year-old theater: This
is just a glimpse of the summer a group of WCU students spent in Lyon, France.
Led by Dr. Roxanne Petit-Rasselle, associate professor of languages and cultures and coordinator of French, who was born and raised in the city and whose family still lives there, the month-long program (May 28 to June 25) gave students four credits in French, with courses ranging from second-semester to advanced levels. It provided them an opportunity to sharpen their French skills and explore France’s second-largest city.
Dr. Petit-Rasselle said this trip is not only transformative for students but is deeply personal for her. It is where she earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees and curated relationships with friends who still reside there today. She describes Lyon as “super exciting” yet “very manageable,” a place where history and modern life crossover. “Lyon is French students’ favorite town, she said. “It’s very ‘young,’ dynamic, and cosmopolitan. Lyon also has the advantage of being a lot more affordable than Paris and, best of all, students can practice French there as opposed to more touristy areas.”
For French minor Ashley Tyrrell, it was the perfect blend of guided exploration and independent adventures she’ll never forget. A communication sciences and disorders major (pre-speech-language pathology) entering her fourth year, Tyrrell said the trip was a chance to put years of studying into practice. With her French and linguistics minors, she had already taken French through the 300 level, but being surrounded daily by native speakers gave her a new, culturally rich perspective.
“Hearing locals talk at their normal pace was something I wasn’t used to, but by the end of the trip I felt like I could understand more than before,” she said. Navigating train stations, translating menus, and chatting with workers and natives became part of her daily routine.
Tyrrell’s favorite memory came during the group’s weekend in Menton. The calm pace, warm people, and bright blue Mediterranean water made it feel completely different from busy Lyon. She spent her free time shopping in the outdoor market and walking around the cape with friends. “It was so peaceful and an experience I’ll never forget,” she said.
From a mentor’s perspective, Dr. Petit-Rasselle found joy in watching the students’ growth and independence whether it was exploring the area, putting their French skills to the test, or planning their own adventures. In fact, 9 of the 11 students who had not already planned a trip for the last weekend organized one themselves in Nice. “It was lovely to receive their pictures and see how they kept the habit of eating together,” she said.
Both Dr. Petit-Rasselle and Tyrrell agreed that a study abroad trip is worth stepping out of your comfort zone.
“Speaking the language of the country you are visiting makes it a great experience,”
Dr. Petit-Rasselle said. Tyrrell added that even if you start the trip not knowing
anyone, you’ll leave with friends for life. “Stay open to new experiences, new foods,
new ideas, and you’ll have a great time. Also apply for all the scholarships you can,”
she suggested.
For those who take the leap, the rewards go far beyond academic credits. As Tyrrell put it, “It is such a privilege to be able to stay in a foreign country for an extended period of time and get a taste of what it’s like to actually live there.”
Associate Provost for Global Engagement Dr. Angela Howard tells students, “The world is your classroom, and study abroad opens doors to experiences that will shape you for a lifetime. Whether you dream of exploring art in Florence, conducting research in Ghana, or interning in Tokyo, West Chester University offers more than 500 programs across the globe for you to choose from. These opportunities aren’t just about where you go — they’re about who you become: more confident, more adaptable, and more connected to the world around you.”
The Global Engagement Office (GEO) curates a diverse range of education abroad programs including traditional semester, winter, and summer experiences; internships; research; service learning; performances; and teaching experiences. GEO maintains a database of more than 720 education abroad programs and facilitates the application workflow, deadlines, visa requirements, payments, and travel logistics.
Explore WCU’s study abroad opportunities through the Global Engagement Office.