Considering the amount of time she’s spent there, it might come as a surprise that Tammy Kinney’s passion for France came about just a few years ago.
“I went to France my junior year of high school for a French class,” Kinney said. “The teacher told me, ‘Only a few people I would encourage to go abroad. You’re one of them.’ That stuck with me.”
Kinney, a senior French major with a music minor, subsequently studied abroad for a full year, though the choice was a difficult one.
“I struggled with the decision for two years,” she said. “I had found a home here at Le Moyne. But France was still calling for me.”
Ultimately, the trip was more than worth the wait.
“Studying in France was life-changing,” Kinney explained. “It was great to see how the other corner of the world lives. It was actually a rough transition coming back. I keep comparing and contrasting life here to life in France. Here, it’s so fast-paced, whereas Europe is all about drinking in the culture and self-enrichment. I loved meeting people and delving into questions on life, philosophy, politics and religion.
“I was doing everything that I wanted to do and more,” she continued. “I’d love to go back and integrate myself even more.”
When she wasn’t taking in everything France had to offer, Kinney still managed to keep herself busy.
“Starting in October, for twice a week, I worked in a soup kitchen that’s been around since the late 1800s,” she said. “I also sang in church while I was over there. I was the assistant for the English songs, the pronunciation coach.”
Service, like France, is a staple of Kinney’s lifestyle. At Le Moyne, she does work for campus ministry, has been on several alternative breaks (Operation Southern Comfort in New Orleans, the St. Francis Inn in Philadelphia and a trip to Dominica with the LEAD learning community), is a member of Ignatian Ignite and the faith-sharing community and is a retreat leader and participant.
“I’m leading the discernment retreat in November known as Pathways,” Kinney noted. “I’ll help people answer questions like ‘What brings you joy?’ or ‘What does the world need you to be?’”
Though Kinney hopes to someday work for urban ministries and teach English to French-speaking refugees, becoming a singer is also an option on the table.
“I’m a member of the Le Moyne College Singers and a cantor on the music industry team,” she said. “I’d love to be a professional singer. It’s ambitious, but it’s been a dream of mine since I was a kid.”
When all is said and done, Kinney just seems to love life.
“I love baking, singing and working with kids,” she said. “When I have time, I’m an avid journaler. And I love making people feel welcome and awesome.”
