French Studies
Why French?
I have been studying French since the 7th grade when I took my first French class. Something clicked for me and I've loved the language ever since. I completed an independent study in French during my senior year of high school, and I received a high score on the AP French exam, but I knew that I still had a long way to go towards fluency. That's why I decided to continue my studies at UC. I currently am working towards a BA in French with certificates in Business (Professional) French and French/English Translation.
In July of 2023, I took the DALF C1 exam in Bordeaux. I passed the exam and am now certified as a C1 level French speaker. C1 is defined as "proficient users of the language, i.e. those able to perform complex tasks related to work and study". I aim to take the C2 exam in 2027, once I have finished my degrees in the United States.
DEFLE Program
During the summer of 2023, I traveled to the beautiful city of Bordeaux, France, to study with the DEFLE (French as a Foreign Language) program at Bordeaux-Montaigne University. While in Bordeaux, I completed 2 3-credit hour classes of intensive French language study, in addition to cultural excursions. I took the DALF C1 exam at the end of my studies in Bordeaux.
Paris Trip
My first experience in a French-speaking country was during a family vacation to Paris in 2023. I finally got to speak in French with native speakers, and I got lots of practice reading and translating for my family.