Support the ProgramLatin American, Latino/a
and Caribbean Studies at Miami University
Student Profile: Tom French
Tom French is a junior from Chicago, IL, with majors in history and Latin American studies. He has a minor in Spanish.
My professors strongly encouraged me to spend time abroad and the university made the transfer of credits a very easy process. To be certain, it was my Latin American Studies classes that changed my preconceived notions of Latin America and, ultimately, why I chose to study in Argentina.
"Hi, I'm Tom French. Miami was the last college that I visited before choosing a home for the next four years. I had applied, and visited, eleven colleges before Miami but when I set foot on campus, I knew I was home. The beauty of the campus, the size of the university and the amount of personal attention available from faculty made my choice relatively easy.
As an undergraduate, I have found Miami's curriculum to be interactive and engaging. I have always been a dedicated student of history and Spanish, and this combination led to a new interest: Latin American Studies. The LAS curriculum and outside-of-class programs have brought an international consciousness that I did not expect to find at Miami. LAS enriched my knowledge of history and how we, as Americans, view our neighbors to the south.
My professors strongly encouraged me to spend time abroad and the university made the transfer of credits a very easy process. To be certain, it was my Latin American Studies classes that changed my preconceived notions of Latin America and, ultimately, why I chose to study in Argentina.
I spent six weeks in Argentina in summer 2009. I lived in an apartment with my host mother, Stella, in downtown Buenos Aires. Stella introduced me to the "real" Buenos Aires and we keep in contact today. I experienced this huge city through tours, nightlife, and day-to-day activities. From the cuisine, to taking classes at the University of Buenos Aires, I received a true taste of life as a Porteño (resident of Buenos Aires).
That summer I also traveled throughout South America. I visited wine country in Mendoza, went horseback riding in the Andes, and traveled to Colonia, one of the oldest cities in Uruguay. All in all, it was the experience of a lifetime and six weeks I'll never forget.
Miami is a vibrant place with many student organizations, including a large and active Greek community. I participate in the water polo club, and I am a proud member of Delta Tau Delta fraternity and currently serve as president for the chapter. I cannot accurately put in words what being a Delt means to me. However, I will say that I am privileged to live and work with an exemplary group of gentlemen that I'm happy to call my best friends."
[March 2010]