I graduated in 2023 with a major in French and a minor in history. Throughout my experience in the French department, I loved the sheer breadth of course offerings and specialties of each professor. From French politics with Professor Webel to literature with Professor Santoro and food and race in the French empire with Professor Durmelat, my French major was so much more than just grammar and oral proficiency (which was an important part too, of course). I was lucky enough to study abroad at Université Lyon III for an entire year, where I took courses in a variety of subjects, including geography, urban planning, Arabic, 19th and 20th century literature, medieval papal history, French contemporary history, and more. The city of Lyon and its cuisine made a lasting impression on me, which is why I chose to write my senior honors thesis about the French tacos. Under the guidance of Professor Durmelat, I explored the multicultural influences and performative consumption habits of this fast-food phenomenon originating in Lyon’s distinct culinary and social context. Looking back, I feel so fortunate to have had the freedom to explore so many diverse subjects within one major.
After graduating, I spent two years in Burlington, Vermont, working in restaurants as a server and bartender while enjoying the great community and recreation opportunities (as well as the proximity to Montreal). In summer 2025 I worked on a small organic farm, inspired in part by discussions of food systems in Food and Race in the French Empire. In fall 2025, I moved to Montreal, where I’m pursuing a master’s in urban planning at McGill. My in-depth knowledge of French has helped me integrate into my new home and I’m excited to use it in the field of urban planning in Montreal.
(11/2025)