Claire Hohman - NMU Blog

I came to NMU because it was close to home and located in one of the most ethereal towns, Marquette, Michigan. Even though I have lived here all my life, I couldn't part with this place just yet. To add to its beauty, there are also so many fun activities you can do throughout the changing seasons.

I came to NMU undeclared, I just wasn't sure what I wanted to do. I started out as a psychology major, then a computer science major, eventually I took a class that led me to become an international studies major. As for deciding on my French major, that wasn't as simple. I took my first French class as an elective to fulfil a general education requirement, but I ended up falling in love with it-courtesy of Professor Tara Foster. From there, I decided that I would minor in French. After taking more and more semesters of French, I met Professor Nelly Kupper. She persuaded me to instead pursue a major in French. Now here I am, entering my senior year as an international studies and French major.

Each week on Wednesday evenings, intermediate and advanced students of French are able to engage in an hour or more of speaking entirely in French. Often times in class we have a main focus on reading and writing, but the French Table gives students the opportunity to work on new vocabulary and answer on the spot questions to better prepare for speaking in French. It has been a great tool all while being a safe space for engaging in French conversation.

I am involved in the French club here at Northern, I have only been able to attend a couple of meetings, but they have been filled with lots of laughter and enjoyment. I believe it was last year that I went to my first French club meeting and we shared a night of great conversation, microwaveable popcorn, and we watched a short French film. From that moment on, I knew that French was the right path for me.

Be Northern means to not take life too seriously, to remember to have fun, and to not lose sight of what's truly important to you.