Machamer Helps Restore Medieval Castle in France

2016 Jul 18

Ashley Machamer, of Lykens, Pa., was one of eight students from Susquehanna University who recently helped with restoration efforts at the Chateau de Villandraut, a 14th-century castle in Villandraut, France. As part of the university's Global Opportunities (GO) program, students spent two weeks in this southwestern French village, 25 miles from Bordeaux.

Activities included stone-cutting, work on an archeological dig and general maintenance of the chateau site. Students studied social structure in the Middle Ages and issues relating to historic preservation in both France and the United States. Included were field trips to other historic monuments of the same era, a stone quarry and a vineyard; students also had a chance to explore Paris.

As a cross-cultural requirement, study away is an integral part of a Susquehanna education. All students spend at least two weeks off campus, immersed in a culture different from their own, in the U.S. or abroad. Students reflect upon their experiences when they return, guided by faculty members and coursework that promotes discovery and personal growth. Susquehanna students can choose from study-away programs, ranging from a few weeks to a full semester, in Africa, Asia, Australia, South America, Europe, Puerto Rico and Hawaii, among other options. For more information, visit www.susqu.edu/GO.