The Tufts in Talloires program is seeing a dramatic spike in interest from students who want to spend their summer in France.
"The available spaces were filled before the application deadline," Talloires Chair Emese Soos said.
In the six-week Tufts in Talloires program, 93 undergraduates from Tufts or other universities take two courses for credit while staying with French families.
According to Soos, greater publicity accompanied the program this year. "The new administrative director of the program, Gabriella Goldstein, stepped up events to publicize the program to students," Soos said. "Through her efforts, many people became aware of a great educational opportunity."
Soos credited higher enrollments in the French language courses as another reason for the increase in Talliores' popularity. "The increased enrollment suggests that students are aware of the continued importance of French used all over the world," Soos said.
Talloires' location in the heart of France and Europe near the headquarters of the United Nations and many non-governmental organizations is also a draw for students interested in international issues. "Students, increasingly aware of the importance of international diplomacy, may be drawn to Talliores," Soos said.
A wide offering of diverse courses from many departments makes up the essence of this years' program.
Procedures for selecting which courses to be taught also were clarified, working against ambiguity in its selection process.
According to Soos, faculty this year who had proposed courses were not allowed either to discuss or vote on courses in competition with their own, as they could in previous years.
Talloires courses draw from many different disciplines, including alpine botany, economics, international relations, and French.
In addition to their classwork in Talloires, students also develop a greater understanding of and appreciation for the surrounding area.
"Courses are selected in part to promote on-site learning, whether studying alpine flowers, the education of French schoolchildren, fine arts in visits to museums in Paris or the Riviera, or simply French proficiency through daily contact with host families, local merchants, and disco partners," Soos said.
"I'm really excited about staying with a host family and to learn more about the French culture," said student Kara Davidson, who will participate in the program this summer. "I want to learn about the people who live there, and not just visit the sites."
Sophomore Katherine Zouein said she was attracted by "The fact that I would be in the Alps and taking classes at the same time."
Tufts in Talloires is one of five programs that takes place at the Tufts European Center, which also offers programs for high school students, alumni, and adults.
