The lifelong dream of studying in America carried Anaïs Bocher over 7,000 miles from Orléans, France, to Martin, Tennessee, in order to pursue a career in medical journalism. Bocher, who began her nursing career in France at 18 years old, knew she wanted to help others with their nutrition through broadcasting.
Bocher was intrigued by the medical field but decided after a year of working as a nurse that she didn’t enjoy the responsibilities of the job as much as she had hoped. However, when the opportunity to teach others about health and nutrition through journalism arose, Bocher hopped on the first plane she could to America to begin studying journalism.
“As a nurse, I am much more credible (as a journalist) because I know what’s happening in the hospital,” Bocher said.
Bocher’s inspiration comes from American filmmaker, Morgan Spurlock, who directed and starred in Super Size Me, a documentary on the dangers of poor eating habits. In the film, Morgan eats only McDonalds for every meal for a month and documents his weight gain and the health problems that follow the experiment. Focusing on obesity, Bocher wants to help others live healthier.
“I really love what he’s doing,” Bocher said. “When I saw his documentary, I was just like this is so amazing! I stopped eating McDonalds for a year.”
“That’s why I came to America, I wanted to study about… nutrition because you are much more advanced than (France) in surgery and medicine.”
The contrast in medical techniques is not the only difference that Bocher has noticed since arriving in Martin. From casual clothing to the amount of time allotted for crossing the road, Bocher says the biggest difference she has encountered is how kind people on campus are.
“If I have a problem, people will just say ‘Hey, can I help you?’,” Bocher said. “It’s not like that in France. I am happy to be here, I’m really happy to be here.”
While Bocher has enjoyed being immersed into a new culture and getting the chance to improve her English, she says being the only French foreign exchange student on campus has been a struggle for her.
“It is difficult for me sometimes,” Bocher explained, because while she has made many friends, being away from everything she knows is difficult. “I do feel a bit alone… I have met some very nice friends though.”
To combat the loneliness, Bocher fills her time by participating in multiple student organizations including the Scuba club, Japanese club, French club, Korean club, Rotary club and the Baptist Collegiate Ministry on top of going to classes. She also writes for The Pacer, is a Senator for the Student Government Association, plays on an intramural tennis team, and hosts her own radio show on WUTM 90.3 The Hawk titled “Lost in Translation.”
“Lost in Translation” is Bocher’s show dedicated to bridging the gap between France and the United States. Bocher spends the hour long show talking about the differences and similarities between France and the U.S. from fashion to cuisine, as well as current affairs. Bocher is on air every Tuesday from 6-7 p.m.
“I’m trying to show the best side of France to American students because when I tell them I am French, they are all like ‘Oh, I know France! Eiffel Tower!'” Bocher said laughing. “But it’s more than the Eiffel Tower.”
She was even impressed with West Tennessee’s version of the Eiffel Tower in Paris, Tennessee, even though it does not compare to home.
“It makes me really happy to see in the countryside of Tennessee the symbol of my country,” Bocher said. “It reminds me that our countries are friends and united.”
Bocher chose UTM after taking the Test of English as a Foreign Language (Toefl test) and researching the broadcast opportunities she would have through the radio and tv stations.
“I like small universities, I didn’t want to go to a very big campus,” Bocher said. “I like the ‘family’ university.”
The “family” university is just what Bocher has found at UTM. She believes her time at UTM will influence the rest of her life, wherever she goes next.
“I think I will be (much) more mature after this year because I have done so many things… It’s hard to be alone and to speak English all of the time,” Bocher said. “I will be ready after this year though.”
While she hasn’t decided if she will continue to work in the U.S. after her studies at UTM end, she knows she will leave Martin a better person than when she arrived.
“American people are so nice, so friendly. You (all) are great, and I really like you (all) because you are so nice and so helpful. I will take this with me,” Bocher said. “I will be more like you. I will be nicer, more helpful.”
“I will remember this.”
Anaïs Bocher of France works on air at WUTM 90.3 FM The Hawk as part of her curricular requirements for the broadcasting sequence at UTM. The only French foreign exchange student at UTM, Bocher came to America to study broadcast journalism so she could use that platform to teach others about health and nutrition. | Photo provided
