French
Ingrid Burchill '28
Why did you decide to study French?
I love the French language and wanted to strengthen my skills and have the opportunity to study abroad! I am bilingual in French and wanted to maintain my fluency while in school. I also want to work abroad and understand more about the French culture and feel that this is a great opportunity.
What class has been your favorite so far?
My favorite French class so far has been Food Culture in France. I have learned so much about the gastronomic culture in France and what customs and traditions are practiced, as well as tasted some delicious French food!
Tell us about a unique experience you've had or project you've worked on for your major.
I have been able to work closely with Professor [Bendi Benson] Schrambach on finding French films that capture great French conversation and culture. I feel that this work has really strengthened my French listening skills, as well as enabled me to watch some amazing films.
What advice would you give to someone thinking about majoring in French?
Even if you do not speak any French yet, this is such a fun and great opportunity to take! The faculty is so supportive, and it is such a great skill to be able to communicate with others from all over! This major is one of the best ways to expand job opportunities, as well as get to live in a francophone country and experience others' culture.
What's your dream job?
I hope to work for a human rights nonprofit in West Africa or France. There, I hope to use my French language skills to advocate for others. I also plan to attend law school and become an international human rights lawyer.
Who are three people who have made a difference for you at Whitworth?
In the political science department, Assistant Professor [Matt] Rains and Assistant Professor [Aaron] Hitefield have made such a difference for me and my Whitworth experience. I have been fortunate to gain some of the best academic opportunities and connections thanks to their support. Professor Schrambach in the world languages & cultures department has also made such an amazing difference for me! She has really advocated for helping me find the best ways to expand my French skills.
How would you describe Whitworth?
I would describe Whitworth as a small, Christian school where students can connect with each other about the Lord, live in a beautiful area, and have true, genuine connections with their professors and staff. It is a game-changer to be at a school where the faculty and staff can work so closely with students and really support them!
Alexis Dubreuil '24
Why did you decide to study French?
I decided to study French because I speak the language (brokenly) at home with my family. I come from a Haitian American household, so my dad speaks Creole, and we try our best to speak good French, but it's not completely there. My grandparents do speak it fluently as well, and I'd like to have good conversations with them. Lastly, I just love linguistics, and one day I'd like to know the basics of the Romantic languages.
What are some of your favorite classes so far?
I really enjoyed my French 301 class because my technical French skills grew the most in that class. I am currently in French 230, Oral French, and I also quite enjoy that class. Essentially, it is a speaking course where we speak for three hours a day about various subjects. I enjoy learning about Francophone culture, whether that be in France or other French speaking countries, such as Morocco.
Tell us about a unique experience or project you've worked on for your major.
A unique project or experience that I've had within my major was during my Jan Term course. We spoke French the entire time, and my partner and I had to present a project on the Paris Catacombs from the point of view of a historian and a ghost. It was fun.
What advice would you give to someone thinking about majoring in French?
If you're considering the major, you already know that French is difficult. And it's not going to get any easier. Sometimes I feel like the language is so pretentious what with all its random conjugations and exceptions and tenses, but that is also what makes language and linguistics beautiful. As you continue to grow in the language, you are going to be increasingly surprised with what you can comprehend, and you'll fall more in love with it. AND you get to go to a French speaking country and live there for a bit. So, stick with it. I believe in you!
What's your dream job?
I am also a political science major, so I would love to work in the State Department at some point as an ambassador or the aid to an ambassador.
What is something that has surprised you about your major?
I was surprised that we are REQUIRED to go to a French speaking country to graduate. That excites me!