Students from nearly 100 countries are studying at Saint Louis University today, according to SLU’s official website. Some head to SLU to study medicine; some set their sights on theology. Still others are here to study about the United States of America-let us introduce you to Guillaume Teboul.
Teboul came to SLU last semester from Sorbonne University, in Paris. While there, he said he was fascinated by American culture and life. This interest developed from the fact that “American culture is everywhere in the world,” he said.
Teboul is a French teaching assistant in the language department. He also perfo-rms research as part of his employment and is taking two classes to further his studies of American literature.
“In France, I studied American literature,” Teboul said. “I wanted to come to America to [study] because it’s obviously easier to study American literature in America. So, I put in my application to an international exchange program, and SLU chose me.”
Teboul said the chance to come to SLU provided “an interesting opportunity to teach and do research at the same time.” He is studying for a master’s degree in American literature. He will finish his master’s in France, but hopes to come to the United States to earn his doctorate.
Teboul was attracted to American literature, saying it is “more ambitious” than contemporary French literature. He also likes the fact that “someone comes along every 10 years and changes how things are done.”
In 2002, Teboul attended Milliken University in Decatur, Ill., as part of an exchange program. Last January, he visited New York City.
He said there are a number of differences between both European and U.S. universities. He said that everything in Europe is smaller, and that U.S. campuses have impressed him. Campuses in France don’t have libraries or gyms, and SLU’s campus is “very green.”
When he isn’t studying the works of Phillip Ross or Henry David Thoreau, Teboul said he enjoys reading, watching movies (his favorite is Rashomon) and listening to American music, although his favorites are the British rock bands. He lives in the French house on campus.
