Student in the United States, this young woman from Orne also teaches French to Americans

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A bachelor's degree with mention Very Good in hand, obtained in 2022 at Alain high school has Alençon (Orne), Léonie left the family cocoon ofAncinnes (Sarthe), to continue his studies at Sciences Po Strasbourg.

Go to the United States to complete your third year of compulsory studies abroad, it was obvious for the young Sarthoise ! Always attracted by the “American dream” as much as by the contrasts that divide its society, “it’s the whole complexity of the United States that fascinates me and that I longed to fully discover,” she summarizes.

“They know nothing about France”

Retained by the University of Kalamazoo, Michigan, Léonie therefore began a university course related to her specialty and is taking “courses in political science, economics, sociology, history and law”.

But that's not all: living to the American rhythm, the young Frenchwoman doesn't just wear the student hat, she is also language assistant at the French Department of the university. “I give French lessons for four hours a week, for complete beginners. I teach them the French language but I also learn from their culturethere is a real exchange between us, it’s really nice! »

She describes her students as “very curious.”

Their knowledge is limited to American geography, they know nothing about the rest of the world, Europe and France especially!

His daily life in Kalamazoo is also made easier by this dual status of student and assistant because it allows him to benefit from numerous advantages. “I don't have to pay registration fees for the American university, nor those for Strasbourg. And I am lucky enough to be housed in a single room with a private bathroom, which is rare on campus! »

Friends from Strasbourg with her

A few thousand kilometers from France, Léonie does not find herself completely in unknown territory: she found two of her college friends there, Mathis and Lucas who both also come from the University of Strasbourg. “We had time to get to know each other and plan the trip together.”

Future journalist?

With plans in her head, Léonie plans to take full advantage of her stay on American soil but she already knows what she will do when she returns: “a master’s degree at Sciences Po Strasbourg in international relations”. And later? “Maybe a career in journalism.”

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