Oui can learn a lot about ourselves through language

It shouldn't have been a surprise but I was immediately seduced by French! Before starting my French language journey, my familiarity extended only to the phrases you’ll see on t-shirts in clothing stores. In no time, I progressed from casual conversations about the weather to semi-confidently defending arguments in my Honours dissertation. Today, I continue to use my knowledge as a Corporate Communications. Consultant. Consider this a call to action: Take a foreign language.

Initially, I was still determining what academic path to pursue. My adoration for history and literature was clear, but I had yet to settle on a specific field. Ultimately, I decided to pursue a Bachelor of Arts in Languages. While initially intending to focus on English for my Honours, I also chose to explore French and Spanish purely out of personal interest. It shouldn't have been a surprise but I was immediately seduced by French (typical Romance languages, am I right?) 

Before starting my French language journey, my familiarity extended only to the phrases you’ll see on t-shirts in clothing stores. However, once I enrolled in the course, I discovered a meticulously crafted curriculum delivered by an exceptional team of professors, lecturers, and tutors. In no time, I progressed from casual conversations about the weather to semi-confidently defending arguments in my Honours dissertation. 

During my Honours year, I got the opportunity to intern at schools in France, on behalf of France Education Nationale. I was able to immerse myself in French culture and professionally contribute my knowledge. Today, I continue to use my knowledge as a Corporate Communications Consultant. I ensure French bankers/engineers/recruiters can speak appropriately to their English counterparts. I didn't even know this was a career option. That's what taking a foreign language does! This career path, as a fly on the wall, has put me in rooms with very impressive people and has been unfathomably helpful in discovering other skills I can combine with my language expertise. 

Consider this a call to action: Take a foreign language. Doing this will open so many unique and captivating opportunities. Even if you can resist making French the centre of your universe (unlike me), imagine how much you can stand out from the crowd when combining your passion for accounting and French. Such a combination will undoubtedly set you apart from the crowd.