Two students from Palm Beach Atlantic University’s (PBA) French program have been selected for the highly competitive Teaching Assistant Program in France (TAPIF).
For seven months, Carolina Atkins and Nicole Hirt will serve as English language assistants. While abroad, they’ll not only grow as educators, but also serve as cultural ambassadors between the United States and France.
Sponsored by the French Ministry of Education and the Cultural Services of the French Embassy in the United States, TAPIF offers recent college graduates the opportunity to teach English in public schools while immersing themselves in French language and culture.
The program accepts a limited number of applicants nationwide each year, making Atkins’ and Hirt’s acceptance an honor and testament to the excellence of PBA’s French curriculum. Under Dr. Mirela Garren’s leadership, the program fosters a vibrant, Christ-centered learning environment.
“We are incredibly proud of Carolina and Nicole,” said Dr. Garren, chair of the university’s department of modern languages. “Their achievements reflect the academic rigor, spiritual growth, and cultural curiosity we strive to foster in our students. We know that their time in France will be a blessing both to them and to the communities they serve.”
PBA’s liberal arts curriculum, rooted in biblical principles and American free enterprise, is enhanced by its many international engagement experiences—including the Rinker Center for Experiential Learning, the Fulbright U.S. Student Program, and student missions. These programs empower students to enhance their careers and broaden their perspectives through prestigious global opportunities.
To learn more about PBA’s study abroad programs, click here.
Carolina Atkins
Nicole Hirt
