<p>Uhh, I really don’t think that Bowdoin DIScourages kids from studying abroad. There is however, a certain mentality on campus where kids don’t want to stay away for too long. I knew someone who wanted to go away for a whole year, and people would question her and say to her, “I really don’t think I could stay away for a whole year.”
They have study abroad programs, but last I heard, it’s pretty much the same as Bates and Colby in that they all use each other’s resources so their programs are pretty much the same.
I don’t know much about the German department, but my friend who is majoring in German loves the professors. She’s excited about the new professors for next year (visiting? not sure) who came to talk. Bowdoin encourages students to go listen to their talk and considers their opinions on them.
I love the french department. I’ve taken classes with two of them already and they are nothing but motherly, patient and encouraging (which is very very important characteristics in language professors). I’ve only heard good things about the other ones.
They also hire some pretty cool Teaching Fellows from France, Spain, Italy, Russia who handle discussion groups for the lower levels and other things.</p>