A year-long study abroad program can be challenging for students at first, as they have to find housing, open bank accounts, set up medical appointments and more, all in a foreign country that has systems that work differently than what they are used to.
One of Dr. Taub Robles’ main goals as resident director is to help students transition to living in France for the duration of the program.
“It can be very stressful at the beginning, so I want to help them navigate the system so they can start off the academic year with all the bureaucracy taken care of,” she said.
Dr. Taub Robles said she also wants to create more opportunities for students to participate in cultural activities and events during their time in France so they can interact more with local French students.
One of her other major goals as director is to expand the programs offered by the CSU in France so students can take a wider variety of courses.
“In addition to maintaining and strengthening the Language and Culture program, I would like to help expand some of the programs that exist so that we can also offer courses for students majoring in different areas, so they’re not only taking French language classes but can also take some of their major coursework in France,” she said.
Upon completion of her one-year appointment, Dr. Taub Robles will return to CSUB to resume her teaching responsibilities. She hopes her experience as a resident director will help expand the university’s international presence and lead more students to participate in study abroad programs.
“I see this as part of my goals at CSUB, as I’ve always encouraged study abroad and international education,” she said. “I look forward to playing a more active role in recruiting students to participate, not just in French and Modern Languages and Literatures but also across disciplines so we can send many more students abroad in the years to come.”
As an undergraduate and graduate student, Dr. Taub Robles studied multiple times in France and understands firsthand how much of an impact those kinds of experiences can have on students.
“I’ve seen how world language education has enriched and helped students reach both their academic and professional goals,” she said. “It gives them an edge in getting into graduate programs and helps them be stronger candidates in different job markets. I look forward to seeing more students on our campus benefit from these exciting opportunities.”
For more information on CSUB’s study abroad opportunities, visit csub.edu/studyabroad. To learn more about CSU International Programs, visit csuip.calstate.edu.