If Paris has ever been a dream destination of yours, you’re in luck because McDaniel’s French Club is bringing France to the Hill! French Week is Nov. 4 to Nov. 11, and it will be a time to embrace anything and everything pertaining to French culture.
French Week is an annual, national event designed by the American Association of Teachers of French. Here at McDaniel College, the program is organized and managed in collaboration by the French Club, the Foreign Language Department, and the French House.
The purpose behind dedicating a whole week to French culture is to allow as many students as possible to engage in it and learn. French Club Vice-President Bill Sands stated, “French Week can really help the McDaniel community learn about other cultures. As a campus with several international students, it’s important to understand the differences and similarities we have with other countries”.
There will be a series of fun events on campus to celebrate the francophone cultures with “a little bit of everything to appeal to everyone,” said Sands. Plus, all of them are free!
On Monday Nov. 4, you can join the French Club in Red Square to share your favorite French expressions and grab a tasty croissant. While 
you’re here, channel your inner Monet as you create your own chalk drawings. The best drawing will win a prize!
At 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 6, students are invited to the Hill Hall lobby for a “Soirée québécoise,” an evening dedicated to the unique French culture found in Quebec. Sample some delicious poutine (a gravy, cheese and fries dish from Canada) and then enjoy the French Canadian comedy film La grande séduction in Hill 108.
On Thursday Nov. 7 from 6 to 8 p.m., there will be a treasure hunt in the North Village Quad and in PA 199 Apt. 102 (The French House), followed by a homemade French dinner.
And to finish things up, on Monday Nov. 11 from 4:15 to 5:30 p.m., McDaniel’s own Francophone students will present about their home countries, which include Burkina Faso, Senegal and Haiti. There will also be a presentation from McDaniel students who recently studied abroad in French-speaking countries.
Don’t worry if your French language skills are a little rusty (or non-existent) because all the events are open to anyone, no matter what their language proficiency may be. Besides, it’s a great opportunity to learn. Cicely Hazell, president of McDaniel’s French Club, hopes to introduce the culture to people who otherwise would not be exposed to it.
“One of our primary goals is to introduce Francophone culture to those who don’t study it—so the more the merrier! We want to celebrate the rich French and Francophone cultures with anyone who wants to celebrate with us,” she explained.
So, all you Francophiles out there, put on your berets and mark your calendars for this year’s French Week from Nov. 4 to 11. Not only will you get to learn about other fascinating cultures, but you’ll do so through fun games, movies, and delicious food!
