A Different Kind of Working Vacation:
Baton Rouge Businesswoman Studies French in
New England
WELLESLEY, Mass. -- Baton Rouge entrepreneur Lisa Cypel
always wanted to speak French. This summer, she closed her
yoga and fitness consulting practice and spent four weeks at
Wellesley College
near Boston in an intensive French language course. "I
wanted to do something more with my vacation than just
travel," commented Cypel during her last week of summer
school. "Wellesley provided the perfect mix -- a great
French program, a beautiful campus, and the chance to
explore Boston and New England."
A Baton Rouge native and 1995 graduate of Florida
International University, Cypel had studied French before
but was looking for "a more practical experience, one where
I would be required to speak the language most of the day."
Since Wellesley's intensive course combined a semester's
worth of work in only four weeks, Cypel spent much of each
day in the classroom, language laboratory, or working with
other students and her professor.
But her vacation was not all work and no play. "Being at
Wellesley allowed me to explore a part of the United States
that I'd never seen before," she said. "Everyone here has
been so accommodating and friendly. Students and
administrators invited me on beach trips and gave me tips on
great places to visit in Boston. This part of the country is
so rich in history, a different history than we have in
Louisiana."
Although Cypel said that it took her a couple of days to
get used to living in a dormitory again -- "all my memories
of dorm life came rushing back" -- she loved living on
campus and being part of an academic community. "I'm already
thinking of coming back to Wellesley next summer," she said.
"Who knows -- maybe I can study French and teach yoga!"
The
Wellesley College Summer School offers two four-week
sessions for all college students in good academic standing
as well as to college graduates. Although Wellesley grants
degrees to women only, the Summer School is coeducational.
It offers small classes taught by Wellesley's renowned
faculty with a spectacular campus, state-of-the-art
facilities, and a convenient location 13 miles west of
Boston.
Wellesley College is a prominent liberal arts college and
has been a leader in the education of women for nearly 125
years. The Collegeís 500-acre campus is home to about
2,300 undergraduate students. Wellesleyís
distinguished alumnae include First Lady Hillary Rodham
Clinton, Secretary of State Madeleine K. Albright, Madame
Chiang Kai-shek, and broadcast journalists Cokie Roberts,
Diane Sawyer, and Lynn Sherr.
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Wellesley College: Providing an excellent
liberal arts education
for women who will make a difference in the world.
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