Two students return from separate study abroad trips in France

Update | Tuesday, August 1, 2023

Above, Columbus State student Brittany Blevins, standing at the very back of the table on the right, gathers with other international students and faculty at a dinner in La Pecherie, France, on July 7 as part of a study abroad program.

Two Columbus State students spent a portion of their summers focusing on sustainability as part of a Community College in France program. Tessa Hammond was with an international group examining sustainable city campuses in June. Last month, Brittany Blevins researched sustainable management of marine ecosystems. The programs are organized and hosted by French higher education institutions, with the support of the FACE Foundation, the Embassy of France in the U.S., and the L’Oréal Fund for Women.

Hammond said, "It was so interesting learning the sustainability techniques that are being utilized in France and comparing those techniques to what we have here in America.” 

Blevins said the program was life-changing. “On our first morning, we met on campus to discuss climate change and work on a group activity consisting of flashcards with an image and explanation of human activities and environmental changes that we arranged in a cause-and-effect map. This gave us a visual representation of how human activities drastically affect our world and negatively affect humans,” said Blevins. “Following a lecture on day two, we were given guidelines for a video project that we would later present on any topic related to marine environments, climate change, or sustainability.”

The Columbus State students were able to participate due to the support of the Sustainability Student Group, the Columbus State Foundation, the Columbus City Council, and numerous areas throughout Columbus State, from academics, advancement, study abroad, and student engagement.

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