La Route to Immersion: An Elon Student Shares Her Experiences With French
Meet Lucia, expert world traveler. (Photo provided by Lucia Lozano Robledo)
It is a satisfying feeling to learn a language and then go out and actually use it, especially after spending so much time learning the grammar and vocabulary. Some people love this learning process so much that they even declare said languages as majors or minors.
Due to the popularity of Elon’s study abroad programs, even if you thought you would never learn another language, you too may experience the satisfaction of going out in the world and speaking in a foreign tongue. But, how confident do you have to be to immerse yourself in a foreign language and culture?
Lucia Lozano Robledo ‘21, who majors in French, tells The Edge about preparing and finally getting to show off her French skills while studying abroad in Paris.
Ever since eighth grade, Robledo said she has been learning French. She even decided to take French classes every semester in college to keep improving. Robledo’s first language is Spanish, which also came in handy when learning a new language with similar structure and words.
When the time came for Robledo to finally head to Paris, she was ready for the language immersion.
Since Paris is an international city, Robledo was able to communicate in Spanish or English if she found it necessary. However, she managed to speak in French to everyone that she could, which ultimately increased her speaking ability and comfort with the language.
“The hardest part about the immersion for me was using French socially,” Robledo said. “This is something that cannot be taught in an academic setting.”
Robledo’s favorite, La Recyclerie. (Photo provided by Lucia Lozano Robledo)
Robledo worked on her social speaking skills by becoming closer to the friends she made at La Recyclerie, a restaurant and urban farm where she volunteered/interned. With time, Robledo said she was able to speak French 40-70% of the day.
She remembers one of her favorite memories being at La Recyclerie when she participated in an event that explored bird biodiversity in the surrounding neighborhood. The event brought people in to go on a walk and note all of the different species of birds they found.
“After the event, we had lunch as a group and I had some very memorable conversations with a few individuals about the importance of biodiversity in urban spaces,” Robledo said.
How do we tell ourselves that we are ready to show off what we have spent so long studying for? How do we prepare ourselves to use the language outside of the classroom?
Robledo tells us to seek connection with people outside of the study abroad program, join volunteer groups, participate in outside activities and attend social gatherings.
Those are great ways to gain practice but also ways to meet people, especially people who can impact your experience abroad.
She mentions that what was important to her when beginning her study abroad experience was to not close herself off to people outside of the program.
“It can be very rewarding and valuable to form relationships with people who are from there,” Robledo said, “but since it can be hard and awkward to make these connections on your own. Volunteering or social activities are a perfect way to begin a casual relationship with people to get to know them.”
Now it's your turn. Would you dare to immerse yourself in a foreign culture?