SHREVEPORT, La. – As college students across the country return to campus, a unique group of freshmen from Centenary College in Louisiana are beginning their academic journey with memories from Paris, France. This year, as part of a now well-established tradition, these students spent their first week of college abroad, exploring the cultural and historical richness of Paris.
Since its inception in 2014, Centenary College has offered this extraordinary opportunity to all incoming freshmen, fully covering the cost of the trip through their tuition. What started as an ambitious idea has since evolved into a cornerstone of the college’s first-year experience, fostering both academic and social bonds among students.
“They’re here on campus for a few days, and then we gather everyone, board a plane, and head to Paris for a week to ten days,” explained Jefferson Hendricks, an English professor at Centenary College. “The program is designed to expose them to the world beyond North Louisiana and East Texas.”
The Paris trip is far from a simple vacation; it’s a structured study abroad program, with students enrolled in a course tailored to their academic interests. “The courses are based on the professor’s discipline,” said Mark Miller, Vice President for Student Affairs at Centenary. “For instance, one professor might teach a history course, while another might focus on art. We even have a course called ‘Pinot Noir,’ which examines the experiences of Black Americans—mainly writers and artists—who moved to Paris in the 1800s.”
After returning from Paris, the students are now finishing up their last few days of the course back on campus. The experience has left a lasting impression on many of them.
“It really expanded my view of the world,” said Basil Pugh, a Centenary freshman. “It was fascinating to be in a foreign place for the first time.”
Fellow freshman Brianna Hightower echoed this sentiment, describing her time in Paris as “such a beautiful experience—walking through the city, being there, and immersing yourself in the Parisian culture. It’s an electrifying feeling that feels so natural.”
For some, the Paris trip has sparked an interest in further study abroad opportunities. “I would like to study abroad again,” said Peyton Burford. “You get to meet new people and see new things.”
Others, like Tristin Dean, are already thinking about future destinations. “It was a pretty cool experience. I’d like to go to Scotland or somewhere like that.”
However, the trip wasn’t without its challenges. The cultural differences in France, particularly the lack of air conditioning and the absence of ice in drinks, surprised some students. “Their culture is interesting,” said Owen Guth. “Being from Louisiana, you need AC to sleep. I don’t know how they manage without it over there.”
This year, 195 students participated in Centenary’s Paris program, contributing to the college’s ranking as the No. 1 institution for undergraduate study abroad student participation. As these freshmen transition into their college careers, they do so with a broader perspective, having already experienced a taste of the world beyond their home state.
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