"My study abroad experiences had a big influence on my education," said Chris LaPorte ‘96, AQ Assistant Professor of Art and ArtPrize 2010 winner. LaPorte, who has a passion for travel and new experiences, approached previous Art Department chairperson Ron Pederson four years ago about the possibility of a French study abroad program for art students and the rest, as they say, is histoire.

"The advantage of a small school," said LaPorte, "is more opportunity at experiential learning." The art department at Aquinas proved to be no exception to this flexibility of a smaller college. A few years ago, Ron Pederson asked LaPorte's honest opinion on how to improve the art department at AQ. What the department needed, he expressed, was an art-focused study abroad program that could expose his students to new ideas, history, and the origin of artists and their works. After shaping the idea for a couple of years, LaPorte and fellow art faculty began interviewing interested students in the Fall of 2012. With Joelle Baldwin, Director of International Programs, LaPorte was able to determine how the trip should function, as well as the overall cost. "She was incredibly helpful," said LaPorte.

After creating a special fourth quad class with a 17-day extension for the trip itself, LaPorte traveled to Paris himself in January 2014 for reconnaissance, and was able to limit the price of the trip to under $3,000 per student. This low cost, in addition to a one-day fundraiser that assisted with additional costs such as food for each student, appealed to a variety of students. Not limited to higher level visual arts students, the group of 12 included one sophomore, as well as an art history major and a dual business and art major. "The dynamic of the trip was great," said LaPorte, of a group that gelled well together. Also, "Everyone was there for the right reason," that is, to seriously immerse oneself in art and history.

The twelve participated in their fourth quad class with co-professors LaPorte and Dr. Amanda Lahikainen, Associate Professor of Art History. "It was a wonderful experience to teach with her," he said. In the class, Lahikainen taught students the artworks they would view while in Paris, as well as the history and logistics of creating certain works. Thus, students were thoroughly prepared to view each artwork in the context of its own historical moment. After completing the class, LaPorte and his students were off to Paris from May 12-29, 2014, residing in a hostel that was just a 20 minute walk to the Eiffel Tower. Other sights that they viewed included the Louvre, Versailles, Notre Dame, and the Bastille. In addition, "We did a lot of drawing," said LaPorte.

After years of planning and a successful experience, LaPorte has already begun planning for next year. "As long as we have enough [students], we'll do it again next year," said the professor, who has already held a fundraiser that successfully garnered $3000 toward the program. Above all, LaPorte's goal is to make available a new world of art, culture, and history to his students. When you study abroad, he noted, "The bubble that is your experience expands tremendously." Only then, on an uncharted course in the midst of new experiences, will students become lifelong learners.