It’s that time of year again when French professors and former students visit our classes to discuss study abroad programs we can apply for and have the time of our lives. Other departments do this too: everyone is prepping for a new learning experience. It’s certainly a change of pace, but the chance to wake up in an idyllic city like Aix-en-Provence, study French within your major and live independently abroad — all at a cost comparable to IU — feels almost too good to be true.
But it’s not. According to IU, more than 3,000 IU Bloomington students study abroad yearly, and 1/3 of students will study abroad during their time here. Although my short-term study abroad experience was outside the French department, I’ve heard countless stories from students who cherished their time abroad — and I believe them.
When I traveled to Paris as a part of the Kelley School of Business’ Global Business Immersion program, I had a wonderful time studying luxury brands in various seminars and then finishing off the day with sightseeing and walks along the Seine with friends. Beyond learning about a new industry and networking, I had the opportunity to practice French outside the classroom, observe local traditions and cultures and be part of a global community.
Of course, this isn’t an advertisement for any departments or their study abroad programs. I also understand that spending at least one semester internationally isn’t an easy decision: we must consider costs, balancing course loads, being away from loved ones and so many more factors.
But I also know my experience as a French minor deeply enriched my life. It allowed me to continue learning a language I’ve enjoyed since middle school and work towards becoming a polyglot.
Learning French didn’t just expand my linguistic abilities: It also deepened my relationship with my best friend, Alice, whom I met in middle school. She is French and helped spark my interest in her language and culture. She taught me vernacular phrases and lessons in etiquette and introduced me to her favorite places. Beyond that, learning French in school helped me appreciate the nuances of her beliefs and values, which often stemmed from her French upbringing. For instance, I learned about her schooling system and how it shaped perspectives that sometimes differed from mine as an American with Indian parents. These differences weren’t barriers but opportunities to celebrate and better understand each other. Studying French brought us closer and made our friendship even more meaningful.
Due to our conversations and my classes, I realized I have a better sense of the working culture in France and applied for international jobs hoping to use that knowledge. I can speak to different industries about the differences between French and American practices and have been told in interviews that my background appears multi-faceted and interesting. According to a Lingomelo article, “bilingual employees earn, on average, 5-20% more than their monolingual counterparts” — a statistic that motivates me as I pursue international opportunities.
Over four years, I’m grateful to have met kind, motivating professors and fellow students. While some students may take language classes to fulfill a requirement, there’s something uniquely inspiring about being in a classroom where everyone is striving to master something that doesn’t yet feel intuitive. Granted, this motivation isn’t specific to world languages, but I find the sensation more satisfying because languages aren’t as heavily enforced in schools: It’s become more of a choice than an obligation whether we pursue learning further.
For those who do make that choice, I hope you love it and the ability to immerse yourself in another culture. By seeing the world from a different perspective, you can cultivate empathy and understanding for other communities. Likewise, you can adapt to cross-cultural situations you would have been less likely to process, let alone recognize before.
Studying French has broadened my horizons and fostered deeper connections, like my friendship with Alice and my understanding of global cultures. It’s a journey that has exposed me to the beauty of diversity and the power of empathy. As Dan Jurafsky, a professor of linguistics at Stanford University, aptly said in an article, “discovering what’s universal about languages can help us understand the core of our humanity.”
Whether or not you choose to pursue a foreign language, I hope you remain open to the opportunities it offers — opportunities to grow, connect and see the world through a new lens.
Meghana Rachamadugu (she/her) is a senior studying marketing and business analytics as well as pursuing a minor in French.
