Students from Carroll College’s French program gathered on April 21 for a memorable evening celebrating French language, culture, and community through a traditional homemade French dinner.
Hosted at the home of Carroll student Anne Cossit and her husband Carl, the dinner brought together students from three French courses offered this spring: FR102 Elementary French II, FR204 Intermediate French II, and FR205 French for the Workplace. Throughout the afternoon, students prepared the meal together before sitting down to enjoy an evening of conversation and connection.
The menu featured a variety of classic French dishes, including tapenade, coq au vin, an assortment of cheeses, and tarte tatin. The event was organized by Associate Professor Dr. Julie Crohas and supported by Carroll’s Languages and Literature Department.
The evening also served as a celebration for graduating student Ella Kuenzli and Class of 2025 graduate Trey Melton, both of whom completed Carroll’s new Certificate in French for the Workplace program this spring.
“It was a wonderful experience to see students of all levels in the French program gathering for a meal celebrating French cuisine, language, and culture,” said Trey. “The fact that Anne, a Helena local who is auditing French classes at Carroll out of personal interest, offered to host the meal at her house served as a great reminder of how language and culture have the power to bring people together and foster community.”
Trey added that the evening’s French conversation and shared meal created a meaningful conclusion to his experience in the program.
Beyond practicing language skills, the dinner reflected the close-knit and experiential nature of Carroll’s language programs, where students engage with culture not only in the classroom but through shared experiences and community-building opportunities as well.
