French student
Scharen to study in France
Spring has begun to show us the new beginnings
with the flowers in bloom, the cherry blossoms on the
trees and the beautiful warm weather. These signs
show us that summer is on its way. For Diana Scharen
her summer may be a dream come true.
Scharen, an Elementary Education major, is in
her third term in French at the College. Recently, she
heard about the “Study Abroad” program, took an ap
plication, and filed for a scholarship.
Applicants from all over thé United States filled
out the form and sent it in. The wait seemed to last on
and on for Scharen. “I wasn’t really expecting
anything,” said Scharen, a modest student with a
G.P.A. of 3.8. “There were so many who would app
ly,” she said.
To be able to study at the University, of Caen, in
France would be a dream come true for any promising
French student. “I am interested in history and ar
chitecture. I think that in France I would be able to
study and observe both,” Scharen said.
A letter arrived, Scharen received a $600 scholar
ship from Bergan College who sponsor thé Study
Abroad program. “I had been saving my income tax
returns for two years so I could go to France as a
tourist, now I’m going as a student,” Scharen said.
Her savings may come in handy.
Story by Kristi Blackman
Photos by Duane Hiersche
hopes to take some art and history plus some music
appreciation classes.
“During that time of study, ten days will be spent
in Paris. It’s a pleasure study' to learn more about
students,” said Scharen. Scharen s school day will
begin in the morning at 8:30 and continue to 4:30
p.m. with a two-hour lunch.
“I wonder how much you can learn on a trip like
this,” Scharen said of her month abroad. “I feel this
trip will allow me to have a better understanding of the
French and their language,” she said.
Scharen has accomplished many things in the
past few years. She came to the College in search of a
better education and has been tutoring students in the
basics (English, Math, Science, etc.). Scharen said
“I wonder how much you can learn
on atrip like this."
“I don't care much
about machines. I
care about people."
Tuition at the University of Caen if $1990, ex
cluding book costs. “That fee includes,” Scharen said,
“all ground transportation (for school related events),
air travel to and from France and meals,” said
Scharen.
Money will be ‘a problem for Scharen as her
16-year old daughter will be going as well. Scharen
said her daughter received a scholarship also and she
will be studying french cultures and basic studies there.
Scharen will be going tv the ASG to see if they
can help her out with the expenses. Scharen will pre
sent her case Thursday at the noon ASG meeting.
“We will be leaving on July 3, and the day after
we land we will be tested on our abilities and then plac
ed into classes,” Scharen said. Scharen’s class routine
will consist of French studies, and culture, and she
“I feel this trip will
allow me to have a
better understanding
*
of the French and
their language."
Wednesday, April 28, 1982
during her tutoring career she received a student who
couldn’t pass one of his general courses. “Other tutors
had tried but failed,” Scharen said. However, her
assistance helped him pass the class.
Scharen, a mother of seven and the head of her
household says, “I’ve always communicated well Vvith
children. It has always been easy for me to handle
them. Some people would go crazy having a lot of
children around, but not me,” Scharen said. “Going
back to school has helped me work and be more at
ease with adults,” Scharen added.
“I want to learn more,” she said, of her evening
French conversation class. “I guess at times I expect
more from myself,” With both french classes Scharen
claims, “I’m getting better in hearing the language.
“If I could learn to speak French well enough, I’d
like to be an English instructor for French students
someday,” said Scharen.
“I don’t care much about machines,” Scharen
.said, “I care about people.” For the past two summers
the Scharen family has hosted French students in their
home. “The boys taught us many new customs. For
instance table manners,” Scharen began, “The person
who has the.food first serves the persons to his right
and left before taking his serving,” Scharen com
mented. “That’s the way the family dined from* then
on.”
“This trip will be good for me,” said Scharen, “In
the past few years I had to begin to do things on my
own, you might say I’ve just started living after I.turned
thirty.” Scharen said, “I didn’t learn to drive until after
thirty, and now I’m beginning to go on my own.”
’
During Scharen’s stay, she will be roomed in the
student dormatory that houses 12,000 students. “I
know that most of my time will be spent studying,”
Scharen said, “I hope that on weekends I will be able
to mingle a little with the people and then maybe make
some new friends.
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