Centenary freshmen study abroad in Paris | News

SHREVEPORT, La. – Many college students are heading back to campus. For freshmen, college is an all-new experience from high school, but for many Centenary College freshmen, they spent their first week of college in Paris, France.

Since 2014, Centenary College has allowed all of its incoming freshmen the opportunity to visit Paris, and it’s all included in their tuition.

When plans for the first Paris trip began in 2014, the college wasn’t sure if it was even possible. But it’s become a success and allows the students to bond.

“They’re here for a few days, and then we grab everybody, jump on an airplane, and go to Paris for a week to 10 days. It’s really designed to show them the world beyond North Louisiana and East Texas,” said Jefferson Hendricks, Centenary English professor.

This isn’t just a vacation, though; the students are studying abroad and taking a class for a grade.

“The course is based on the professor’s discipline. And so we might have one professor doing a history course and another doing an art course. We have a course called Paris Noir, where they look at the experiences of black Americans who moved  —mostly writers and artists who moved to Paris in the 1800s,” said Mark Miller, Centenary student affairs vice president.

The students just got back from Paris Saturday night and are wrapping up their last few days in class.

“It really kind of expanded my view of the world. It was really fun. It was just so interesting to be in a foreign place for the first time,” said Basil Pugh, a Centenary freshman.

“It’s such a beautiful experience walking there, being there, experiencing it, and being a part of all of the Parisian people. It’s such an electrifying feeling, and it feels so natural,” said Brianna Hightower, a Centenary freshman.

Some students say it has opened their eyes to future study abroad opportunities.

“I would like to study abroad again. It was really fun. You got to meet new people and see new things,” said Peyton Burford, a Centenary freshman.

“We got to see new people and see new things. I would do it again, but not anytime soon,” said Jordynn Patton, a Centenary freshman.

“I think it was a pretty cool experience. I’d like to go to Scotland or something like that,” said Tristin Dean, a Centenary freshman.

The students said they had some big cultural shocks while in France.

“Their culture is pretty interesting. They don’t have any AC, and in their water, they don’t believe in ice. Being from Louisiana, you need AC to sleep. You can’t sleep in the heat, and, to be honest, I don’t know how they do it over there,” said Owen Guth, a Centenary freshman.

This year, 195 students attended the centenary in Paris. The school is currently ranked No. 1 in undergraduate study abroad student participation.