In October, the Middle Georgia State University Department of Teacher Education and Social Work welcomed three education faculty members of Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne (URCA). Their visit is part of a burgeoning partnership between the two institutions. URCA, a public university based in Reims, France, has previously hosted a few MGA teacher education students, as well as some faculty, including Dr. Rhonda Amerson, MGA’s teacher education department chair, and Dr. Christopher Blake, MGA president.
Currently, URCA and MGA faculty are collaboratively teaching a virtual study abroad course with synchronous class sessions. MGA plans to host up to six teacher education students from URCA in spring 2023, with more student exchanges to follow.
The URCA visitors are Dr. Thierry Philippot, dean of education; Frédéric Castel, deputy director in charge of international relationships; and Sophie Hourdin, teacher trainer specializing in foreign languages and international partnerships.
During their visit, the French educators sat in on MGA education classes and talked with students who are taking the virtual study abroad course. They received a tour of MGA’s aviation campus, stopped by two Bibb County elementary schools, and toured the Ocmulgee Mounds National Historic Park.
