CSUB professor named resident director for CSU International Programs

Dr. Lena Taub Robles will oversee CSU’s study abroad program in France

By California State University, Bakersfield

May 12^th, 2022

Dr. Lena Taub Robles — an associate professor of French at California State University, Bakersfield — has been selected as resident director of the CSU’s study abroad program in France.

For a year-long period starting August 1, 2023, Dr. Taub Robles will be stationed at Aix-Marseille University in Aix-en-Provence in Southern France under the direction of CSU International Programs. She will oversee the France: Language and Culture program in Aix and will work with MICEFA, a partner exchange program in Paris.

“I’m very excited. This is a great opportunity and a challenge I am eager to experience at this point in my career,” she said. “It will allow me to continue supporting students in study abroad and language education across the system.”

Dr. Debra Jackson, associate vice president for academic affairs and dean of academic programs at CSUB, said she is happy for Dr. Taub Robles.

“Dr. Taub Robles’ experience as both a student participating in study abroad programs and as a faculty member supporting students in study abroad programs has provided her with the academic, administrative, and fiscal skills to excel in this role,” she said.

Students from across the CSU system can apply to participate in the year-long France: Language and Culture program, during which they receive credits from their campus. The program helps students develop their language skills while also taking courses covering the history, culture and politics of France.

Students pay tuition at their CSU campus but get the educational benefits abroad. They are responsible for covering transportation, room and board and other expenses through Financial Aid or other means.

“It’s a wonderful opportunity. I always encourage majors and minors in French to participate in study abroad because it’s an important step in an immersive education that will help them achieve fluency and better communication skills,” Dr. Taub Robles said.

Creating new opportunities

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.

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Footnotes

Story by Joseph Luiz, writer/marketing and communications specialist; feature photo contributed by Dr. Lena Taub Robles, associate professor of French

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FootNotes

Story by Joseph Luiz, writer/marketing and communications specialist; feature photo contributed by Dr. Lena Taub Robles, associate professor of French