Recent graduate Julien Palliere completed a Bachelor of Music in Composition (Piano), with a minor in Field Studies. He spent a semester abroad in East Africa, and also completed an internship in Paris during his undergraduate studies here at Schulich. We asked him some questions to find out more about his experiences overseas, and his advice to other students thinking about spending a semester abroad:
Where are you from?
I am a French-American born in Hong Kong. After 10+ years in South-East Asia, I spent four years in the Midwest and four years in California. I spent a large part of each year in France with my family. I moved to Quebec in late-2015 for my studies.
What made you choose McGill University for your studies?
Of course, most notable was the composition program. With roots in many musical periods and traditions, focus on research, and emphasis on diversity within the composition staff, I felt the program could really support my own variety of musical interests. And because of the joint conservatory+university structure, I really valued the ability to set my path at my own pace.
I was also drawn to the quality of life that McGill and downtown Montreal had to offer. The prospect of spending my time in two stunning music buildings, RVC and the Elizabeth Wirth Building, was very appealing. McGill’s main campus, downtown Montreal, McGill Ghetto, etc. were so beautiful. And- of course- it’s affordable!
When and where were your semesters abroad?
My semesters abroad all happened during my fourth year. I spent my Fall semester working as an intern at IRCAM (L’Institut de recherche et coordination acoustique/musique) in the centre of Paris. Soon after my internship ended, I joined McGill’s East-African Field Studies Semester (AFSS) with a small group of students and professors for the Winter semester. We split three months evenly between Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania.
How did you come to choose these locations, and what motivated your decision to do a semester abroad?
Through my studies at McGill, I was exposed to IRCAM and its contributions to contemporary music. IRCAM is one of the largest public research centers, dedicated to both musical expression and scientific research. I hoped to gain experience in professional contexts with music and audio research. I reached out to the head of IRC, Mr. Greg Beller, and, through several back-and-forths, he generously invited me to intern during the Fall.
My personal studies at McGill centred strongly around non-western musical traditions; especially in Sub-Saharan Africa. I had been hoping to develop my understanding by travelling there. In my penultimate year, I learned that McGill hosts a field-studies semester in Eastern Sub-Saharan Africa. After a few meetings with the organizers, I decided to apply!
What did your semester abroad and your internship involve?
Every day I took the metro line 1 to the 3rd arrondissement where the institute, flanking the busy Centre Pompidou and the Gay Village, is located. Our office is a big, yellow open-space; work was lively and headphones were a must. My role as intern to the IRC team (Interfaces, recherche, et création) was threefold: advance the forum community through content creation, contribute to the development of vocal synthesis software, and participate in the creation of a sonic installation for an exposition in Sharjah, UAE. There were always presentations, talks, and reunions to partake in.
AFSS was very different to my IRCAM internship. We were never fully unpacked, relocating every 4-5 days, on average. There were so many new sights, foods, climates, and situations to confront. Amidst all the change, I grew very close to members of my group… they were the only stable part of the trip (some of them are best friends today). Academically, we split our time between group context courses, small professor/class meetings, and independent studies. The latter was my favourite; my focus was on culture - it’s development, manifestations, and interaction with natural and emotional aspects. I spent so much of my time with a translator interviewing local residents about their values, practices, and perceptions.
What were some of the highlights from the two overseas experiences?
During my internship, I contributed to the creation of a sonic installation for theatrical artist Annie Dorsen’s commission in the Emirates. The experience was my first practical application of the knowledge I gained through my studies. Being given a voice in the artistic process was exhilarating; from the kitchen table, to restaurants, to our group chats, we were constantly tackling and debating abstract ideas. I had fun representing the project at highfalutin fundraisers around Paris, interacting with other artists and their teams. The intensity and satisfaction of working on a professional artistic project is everything I hoped it would be and a pleasant continuation from university.
One of the most memorable moments during AFSS was our 4-hour hike to the top of Mt. Longonot, Kenya. Our day began at 4:45am and I slept quite poorly due to the loud hippo mating calls. Halfway up the climb, I realized I had not paid attention to the morning announcements when - to my amazement - I peered into a massive bowl with its own forest at the bottom— Mt. Longonot is actually a volcano! It felt like we had stepped into ‘The Land Before Time.’ The next half of our climb was dedicated to making our way around the rim of the bowl and up towards the peak. (Unfortunately, a friend’s Nalgene bottle was sadly lost to the volcano). The top was stunning; hundreds of miles of terrain in every direction. With my small group, we spent a while up there just picnicking and laughing.
Was there anything that surprised you, or specific things that challenged you?
I did not know a single person in all of Paris. On top of that, I worked in an institute where my coworkers were older and went home to their families at the end of the day. I’m a social person— the loneliness set in after 48 hours. Luckily, in the summer, there are always students hanging around outdoor cafes. Unfortunately for me, Parisians aren’t known for being welcoming to strangers; the chances of me looking like a lost tourist or someone asking for bus money were overwhelmingly high. I sucked it up and bit the bullet. I can recall that first, anxiety-ridden introduction that took me 20 minutes to work up the courage for. Each time got easier, and by the end, I had a few big groups of friends and a relationship. I now laugh and know that the worst that can happen is just a simple ‘no thanks.’
Due to my background, I am very accustomed to conflicting cultural perspectives. But, my interviews in East Africa lead me to study conflicting perspectives of people close to each other talking about the same topic. I was forced to confront what it really means to see the world differently, even when the experiences which give birth to these perspectives are so similar. I would often struggle with questions like “well, who is telling the truth?” “which way of thinking/doing is the right way?” etc. Eventually, I would struggle with the validity of my own perspective, reassessing my values and beliefs. With the help of my professors and peers, it became clear that no way is the “right” way and that “truth” of perspective is useless. I learned to let go of stability and permanence as the defining features of perspective and look at the mess of perspectives as an integral part of culture. Each perspective is a window on cultural and natural facets: the more perspectives had, the greater understanding of a region’s culture and nature.
How has your semester abroad affected your work, or generally influenced your outlook, since returning to Montreal?
What I just mentioned – considering all perspectives as having equal value and pertinence – is one of the biggest influences in my work today. While I have always practiced this understanding in music, expanding the understanding to culture, in general, has affected much of how I approach people and the art they make. I value the perspectives which lead to artistic expression as equally pertinent for study as the expressive item. I removed the need to validate a perspective before considering it. I view my own tastes and dislikes as a direct consequence of my lack of understanding. As this list grows, I am increasingly humbled and gain mobility as an artist.
What advice would you give to other Schulich students thinking about doing a semester abroad?
1. Know what you are looking for. A good experience comes from a balance between pushing your agenda, on one end, and staying open to the ideas of others, on the other. Whatever the balance, it is important to maintain relevance.
You are the best person to guide your experience, and knowing what you’re looking for is important to being an effective guide. This takes some preparation, but your goals could lie anywhere from research questions to life experiences. Help those around you understand how they can best help you— talk to people and give them options. That, and a bit of perseverance, should keep you well-balanced and satisfied.
2. Prepare to be uncomfortable. Study-abroads are often unfamiliar in every way imaginable. This can be uncomfortable, if not overwhelming. Discomfort, however, is often where personal growth happens. I have found that the fastest way to grow out of discomfort is by embracing it. Jumping into a situation will help you quickly gain familiarity and control. The sooner the unfamiliar turns into the familiar, the sooner you’ll feel right at home.
Building a good support system and recognizing your discomfort (write in a journal!) are really helpful tactics.
