Recipient Profile
E-mail: jfrench5@nd.edu
Language: French
Location of Study: Tours, France
Program of Study: Standard Language Course and Weekly Volunteering at the Institut de Touraine
Sponsors: Center for the Study of Languages and Cultures; College of Arts and Letters.
Blog URL: http://sites.nd.edu/sla2019/author/jfrench5/
Pre-departure
A brief personal bio:
My name is Julia French and I am a rising sophomore studying philosophy and peace studies here at Notre Dame. I’m originally from Raleigh, North Carolina, but I currently reside in Flaherty Hall. After taking four years of Latin in high school, I decided to start learning French in college, and I have loved both of my beginning French courses this year. Outside of classes, though, I spend my time down at the ND boathouse with the varsity women’s rowing team, running a news camera for a sports game, or working as a fellow for God and the Good Life philosophy classes.
Why this summer language abroad opportunity is important to me:
This opportunity through the SLA Grant to become further engaged with the French language and international living is important to me because I hope to pursue a career involving international human rights. Whether that goal translates into working as a human rights lawyer, an ambassador, or an interpreter for non-profits, I’m looking forward to developing my communication skills to connect the French language to real people and participate meaningfully in their individual stories. Through my language courses and weekly volunteering excursions at the Institute of Touraine, I’m excited to begin building my first experiences abroad in Tours and their global classrooms.
What I hope to achieve as a result of this summer study abroad experience:
This summer in Tours, I hope to have an incredible experience learning about myself and a European country I’ve only dreamed of visiting. Living as a student in France with a host family for seven weeks will be quite an adventure on its own, but I’m eager to take on the challenge. In addition to taking language courses, I will also be volunteering once a week with a local organization in Tours. Through these activities, I hope to apply my French speaking skills to real-life situations that will serve the needs of others. For these reasons, I’m grateful for receiving the SLA grant which will allow me to have these amazing opportunities which will transform who I am as an American student in today’s global society.
My specific learning goals for language and intercultural learning this summer:
1. At the end of seven weeks, I will be able to answer questions and converse in both general and specific terms about American politics.
2. By the end of my summer program, I will be able to speak, read, write, and listen at a level of proficiency one or two semesters beyond my current course level.
3. By the end of the summer, I will be able to communicate effectively with native speakers on not only everyday topics but also more academic subjects like the French healthcare system and work culture.