French Program Alumni

Here are a few examples of what our students have done after graduating from Wheaton.

Angélique Salib '11

Translation

"I have used French in so many ways since Wheaton. After graduating, I worked as an interpreter for a while with asylum-seekers. In law school, I worked as a research assistant with a professor, translating constitutions from French to English (Gabon, Senegal, Cote d'Ivoire etc...). I have travelled to several international institutions where French is an official language. Even domestic employers have looked favorably at my candidacy for positions based on my language abilities."

Brian Rowe '12

Translation

"While I worked for a large software company, I did get the chance to translate a Request for Proposal from a hospital organization in Nantes for my company. It was really neat to be able to help the company in-house in that way and also to have variety in my work. I've also occasionally run into someone who speaks French and it's always a pleasure to speak with them."

Kevin Marble '13

Church planting, Internship in France

"Currently I'm in France interning with a church plant. It has really helped to have the background I have with the language and the culture, especially since I am only here for a few months and would have been lost without that background. It has allowed me to study abroad in Senegal, begin an internship in France, play a concert in Québec at a French speaking church, make many friends who only speak French, and see God at work in the world." 

Rachel Steeves '16

Teaching

"I have not yet graduated, but my French major has already prepared me well to teach French after school at an elementary school near campus on a weekly basis. I started second semester of my sophomore year, and I plan to continue."

Isaac Kawate '15

Refugee Work

"My French degree from Wheaton allowed me to connect with other Wheaton grads and gave me the opportunity to use my French ability and work for an organization that aids the transition of refugees to the United States. For example, just next week I will pick up a Congolese family from the airport and take them to their new home in Central Pennsylvania!

My knowledge of French has allowed me to visit and interact with cultures in Western Africa and Southern France. My French major helped me develop a strong appreciation and curiosity for global cultures, and gave me the confidence to learn new languages!"

Parker Nelson '11

Mission Trips

"I've really enjoyed traveling post-college, and speaking the language when traveling in France is always helpful and far more fun. I have recently started studying Italian on my own, and my French background has made the grammar and vocabulary much easier to grasp. I have now been able to use my Italian to connect with Italian youths these past 5 summers on mission trips (and most recently, vacation), and French is certainly the door that opened up this path. My relationships have expanded across the globe because of Italian (so, French as the foundation), and my understanding of the global Church has exploded."

Amy Early '16

Culture and Travel

"Knowing French has definitely enabled me to enjoy more activities than I otherwise would have been able to such as attending French film showings in Chicago, listening to French music, and reading French literature in its original language. In addition, I have the opportunity to travel to Rennes this Fall and live with a host family."

Elizabeth Dresser '11

Travel

"I still enjoy listening to French radio periodically and I appreciate how my life has been enriched through living abroad. After I finished Wheaton in France, my family met me there and we spent some time in the town where one of my ancestors was from. Due to our familial connection, we were invited to dinner at the mayor and vice mayor's homes. Neither of the families spoke English so I spent both evenings translating. It was exhausting, but also really gratifying."