<p>for seven months, her days will be spent teaching children in northern France how to speak English, while also trying to visit as much of Europe as she can.</p>
<p>Samantha Gutierrez, who will graduate from Franklin College this month, hopes her experience will help her reach her career goals to become either a professor or a United States diplomat.</p>
<p>A 2014 Center Grove graduate, Gutierrez is earning her degree in the double-major of French and International Relations. She has been accepted into the masters degree program at the School of International Relations and Diplomacy at Seton Hall University and at the University of Denver.</p>[sc:text-divider text-divider-title="Story continues below gallery" ]
<p>But after landing a contract with the French government, she decided to put those programs off for a year. The experience will be worth it and make her a better graduate school student, she said.</p>
<p>This fall, Gutierrez, 22, will embark on a seven-month journey in northern France where she’ll teach English to French children. She’s contracted with the government of France from Oct. 1, 2018, to April 30, 2019.</p>
<p>She understands putting her education on hold is unusual, but said the experience will be worth it. And she has been assured both opportunities will still remain when she returns to the United States.</p>
<p>“Samantha is willing to try something new. To get out of her own comfort zone,” said Dr. Randall Smith, associate professor of political science at Franklin College. “She challenges herself and the results are readily apparent.”</p>
<p>Growing up, Gutierrez remembers her mother, Lisa, taking her and younger sister, Sophia, to the White River Library in Greenwood each summer. Samantha would walk to the travel books and imagine being there while looking at photos.</p>
<p>“For me, my love of foreign language, especially French, happened when I was in high school. I had two really fun teachers. I really enjoyed learning about different parts of the world,” she said.</p>
<p>“I guess growing up in the Midwest, there’s not a lot of diversity, and I got to take a trip my senior year. We went overseas for three weeks, and I got to see London and northern France.”</p>
<p>Gutierrez leaves for the Lille region of France in September. She will live in subsidized housing and been instructed to have at least $2,000 saved for food and other expenses.</p>
<p>Her home will be approximately 50 minutes from Brussels and an hour from Paris. Contracted to work 12 hours a week, Gutierrez will have plenty of time to read, relax and take in the sights. She wants to visit Portugal and spend Christmas in Switzerland, she said.</p>
<p>In the fall of 2016, Gutierrez studied in France and Belgium, interning with the West Foundation in Indianapolis that works in international community development through partnerships in the United States.</p>
<p>“Obviously, being abroad you learn a lot about yourself. Traveling alone is difficult, but you grow and you learn,” Gutierrez said. “It’s how to be an adult. The first time I had to go and get my own visa, deal with my own finances and set up a budget.”</p>
<p>Gutierrez will graduate from Franklin College with a cumulative grade-point average of 3.54. Earning her college degree marks the end of her four years at Franklin College.</p>
<p>“It’s bittersweet,” Gutierrez said. “I’m going to miss the people. Going from a big high school was kind of a culture shock. Everyone knows everyone’s business and everyone knows everyone’s name. My first year, I was like, ‘I’ve got to get away from campus,’ but now it’s family.”</p>[sc:pullout-title pullout-title="Samantha Gutierrez bio" ][sc:pullout-text-begin]<p>Name: Samantha Gutierrez</p>
<p>Age: 22</p>
<p>Born: Indianapolis</p>
<p>Family: Parents, Greg and Lisa; sister, Sophie, 18.</p>
<p>High school: Center Grove – 2014</p>
<p>Majors: French and International Relations</p>
<p>GPA: 3.54</p>
<p>Career goals: “To be a professor with my PhD or a diplomat working in politics.”</p>[sc:pullout-text-end]
