One of the main reasons I chose Georgetown was for the study-abroad partnership between Georgetown and the Université libre de Bruxelles in Belgium. Fascinated by the linguistic divide and the political controversies that have erupted from these tensions, I hoped to study in Belgium itself in a fully immersive French program. Though I was ultimately unable to go to Belgium because of the pandemic, I dedicated almost every country-specific project I’ve done in French (and English) classes to Belgium, from Professor Webel’s devoir de culture général to an investigation of Belgian laïcité and an analysis of the Belgian national football team. As a French major, I not only improved substantially in my linguistic capabilities, but I had the chance to engage with subjects that aren’t offered anywhere else at Georgetown. Courses such as Colonialism and Ecology and Caring in Crisis with Professor Boum Make, Football and Francophonie with Professor Twohig, and Feminist Francophone Thought with Professor Santoro have given me opportunities to read, learn, and discuss aspects of French and Francophone culture outside of hexagonal France across fields ranging from environmentalism to women and gender studies and sports. My French major senior thesis focused on Delphine Horvilleur, the third female rabbi (out of six) in France, was extraordinarily fulfilling not only as the culmination of years of intensive French study, but also for my own personal exploration into my beliefs.
Coming full circle, in 2025 I completed a master’s degree in political science from l’Université libre de Bruxelles, earning “la plus grande distinction.” My master’s thesis was a comparative study of migrant integration policies across 14 EU countries over a period of thirteen years, examining changes in definitions and regulations of citizenship and belonging in Europe. Throughout not only my coursework, but my engagement in political life in Belgium, I have developed a network of wonderful friends and mentors across the Atlantic Ocean. I am currently working at an EU public affairs consultancy, where I use both French and English regularly to try to make sense of complex EU environmental regulations. While I have not lost my American accent, most people cannot tell where I am from, which I consider to be an enormous achievement.
I am grateful for all the support I’ve received from the French and Francophone Department and the relationships that I have built that continue long after my graduation from Georgetown.
(11/7/2025)