Meagan Donermeyer: Fueling a Cross-Cutural Love for French
Major: Psychology
Minor: French
Class of 2020
By Ana Mitchell
Riding a boat along the Seine River at dusk in Paris was a moment Meagan Donermeyer would never forget. As the boat passed the Eiffel Tower, it began to sparkle for five minutes, an incredible welcome to the city after a full day of travelling and little sleep. “When I first saw the Eiffel Tower it was such an emotional experience. I started tearing up a little bit because I never thought I would be there,” she described. The rest of the month-long trip, spent between France and Morocco, would continue to be an unforgettable time.
Between France and Morocco: Diversity in the Francophone World is a new study abroad program that had its first run May of 2018. It is a 3000 level history course that explores how French colonization has impacted ethnic, racial, and religious minorities, as well as how the two countries approach issues of inclusivity and respect diversity. The month-long trip started in Paris, France, continued into a southern city, Aix-en-Provence, and concluded the final week in Morocco, visiting Marrakech, Rabat, Fez, and Casablanca. Although French was not a requirement for the program, Donermeyer was able to exercise her French skills throughout the trip.
