Dear Murray,

I first want to thank you for giving me the opportunity to be an intern for the Eur-Am Center at the Abbey here in Pontlevoy. To be living and working at a place that is so special and historic feels like a privilege every day I wake up. I am not the only one that feels that way; I can guarantee you that every single person that comes to the Abbey feels fortunate to have been a part of the history and magic.

When I first arrived here at the end of July, my first impression of the Abbey was really shear amazement. In a town where everything else is quaint and small, the Abbey and its grounds are magnificent structures sure to awe even the most critical of skeptics. Every building on the campus has its own past and personality, from the Maison Brûlée, which the Nazis set ablaze during WWII, to the main Abbey building itself, where George Washington’s own nephew studied at military school.

Also fit to mention are my impressions of the larger entity of Pontlevoy itself. Even though I did not know any French when I first arrived (learning more everyday), I never felt afraid to venture into the city, be it for dinner, groceries, or a relaxing evening at the bar. The citizens of Pontlevoy, as I am sure anyone who visits the Abbey will see, are genuinely excited to have new life and people in their city and make attempts on a daily basis to try and learn more about me and the new programs taking place on campus. Thanks to the Pontiléviennes, my adjustment to Pontlevoy required only an open mind.

The Abbey is absolutely spectacular. The renovations that have been completed make for an interesting dichotomy of new v. old; the facilities here are state of the art, yet the age and past of the Abbey make it hard to forget where you are. A walk through the Abbey garden or perhaps the jardin francais reveals the meticulous care given to the landscape by the master gardener. The Abbey, after being relatively empty for several years, is now alive again with young people and professors -- the sort of intellectuals who simply belong in a place like the Abbey.

Again, let me thank you, Murray, for the chance to be a part of such an incredible place. While others may be able to mention that they have seen L’Abbaye de Pontlevoy, I will be able to boast that I lived there and helped make the program what it is today.

Sincerely Yours,

David W. Griffus
Eur-Am Center Work/Study Intern
University of Michigan Evans Scholar