Students in the Hamilton in France Program recently embarked on a weekend visit to Burgundy, a region located in east-central France. The excursion was planned by Director In-Residence Roberta Krueger and Assistant Director Laurence Lemaire, both of whom accompanied the students.
The excursion started with a visit to Burgundy’s capital, Dijon, where they learned about the history of the old sector of the city. During the tour, the group followed “the Owl’s Trail,” path markers leading to a stone owl that is said to have the power to realize wishes that one makes while touching the owl.
The next stop was the Chateau of the Clos de Vougeot, where a guide explained the environmental criteria for cultivating grapes in this wine-making region. This was followed by a visit to the Grand Cave de Vougeot for wine-tasting.
For dinner, the HiF Program offered students a sampling of French cuisine, which included foie-gras, Epoisses cheese, typical of the region, and mille-feuille.
After spending the night in Beaune the group paid a visit to the Hospices de Beaune. A guided tour of the Hospices revealed that it was once a charitable hospital and is an outstanding example of 15th-century architecture.
Later, the group went to Semur-en-Auxois, where students had the chance to have lunch independently. The excursion concluded with a visit to the Abbey of Fontenay, located in the commune of Marmagne, for a guided tour during which the students learned about the history of the Abbey, which was founded in 1118.
During the excursion, students exchanged conversation only in French. This HiF Program policy enables students to perfect their French-speaking skills. The excursions in France provide students with the opportunity to sample the history and culture of various regions in France. These trips are a fundamental component of the study abroad experience.
