University of Minnesota Athletics
Rowland Reflects on Trip Abroad
8/1/2016 12:00:00 AM | Gymnastics
Gophers gymnast Rachel Rowland spent her May term studying abroad in Montpellier, France. Hear more about Rowland's experiences in this Q&A.
What interested you in studying abroad in France?
The location is what excited me most! I have always wanted to go to France. It was a perfect fit because this trip didn't conflict with any training.
What did you study?
The course I took looked at sport and culture in France, explored the ways in which leisure time and activity developed in France, the impact and implications of tourism in France, and the differences between French and American culture.
How did you spend your free time?
Montpellier is just a short tram ride from the Mediterranean Sea, so in our free time we rode down to the beach to swim and play beach volleyball! One weekend, we took a train to Paris, which was one of my favorite parts of the trip.
What was the most memorable part of this experience?
On the last couple of days on our trip, we traveled to the Cevennes--one of the few national parks in France. We took a bus, which dropped us off in a narrow valley surrounded by large hills (being from Colorado, I'm hesitant to call them mountains). From there, our tour guides, who were natives of the region, led us up to their home which was an hour hike away.
Our purpose was to experience a small portion of The Stevenson Trail, named after Robert Louise Stevenson, who first took the journey in 1878. He later published a famous book, "Travels with a Donkey in the Cevennes", which sparked an interest in the area.
Many people, like our tour guides, made their living by opening their homes to the tourists passing along the trail, and continue to do so today. It was really awesome to read Stevenson's book and experience the trail for ourselves!
What surprised you?
It surprised me how kind people were in Montpellier. Many people warned me that the French are not fond of Americans, but most of the people I met were kind, welcoming, and eager to speak English with me!
I was also surprised by all the strikes and public demonstrations. There was a weekend my classmates and I had planned to travel to Barcelona but there was a strike on public transportation and we were not able to go.
What was the best meal you had on the trip?
I didn't have a single bad meal while I was abroad! I really enjoy seafood, which is a specialty in the south of France. One of my favorite meals was a huge seafood salad with salmon, shrimp, cod, and mussels.
Where do you want to travel next?
Due to class, I wasn't able to travel to any other countries while I was in France. I would love to go back to Europe and spend a month or two bouncing from country to country.
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