Interested in pursuing an American degree in France? Her first big break, she said, came due to the French-language skills and self-confidence she learned from studying abroad.
Arriving as a young officer at the U. Embassy in Paris, fluent, and very comfortable working in the unique work environment of France, thanks to the French I learned here. This included being the youngest career diplomat to be named Ambassador, and later on the first woman from any country to serve as Ambassador in the Arab Gulf, in the Sultanate of Oman.
To read the full text of Ambassador Cook's commencement address, please follow this link. See the full text of their speeches below:. This past May, classmates from the IAU class of reunited in Florida to reconnect and reminisce on their time together in Aix-en-Provence.
It was a volatile period of civil unrest throughout France. There were demonstrations, riots, major strikes and the occupation of universities and factories. As many of us were not living with French families, this brought us all closer together sharing our centimes for food and 'beverage. Nina Pinches Berkheiser and Gerald York planned this recent reunion and did a fantastic job organizing all of the festivities. The reunion took place at the Dolphin Beach Resort in St.
Petersburg, Florida. The next day we were free during the day to sightsee and that afternoon, Nina hosted a pool party at her house. Gerald brought out his guitar and played during the evening as we reminisced about Aix. On the final day, we enjoyed a dinner at a French restaurant in downtown St. Back at the resort, there was further musical entertainment as we made fools of ourselves at the karaoke bar. Thank you, Helen Ann! Are you interested in gathering your IAU class for a reunion?
