Congratulations to French minor, Ayodele Theard -Lewis!  Ayodele Theard-Lewis has been selected as a 2021 Frederick Douglass Global Fellow, an honor awarding her a full scholarship to represent Xavier University of Louisiana in a summer study abroad program focused on leadership, intercultural communication, and social justice.  Ayodele shares how learning a second language has helped her achieve her goals:

Learning any foreign language is always a great way to diversify your capabilities and expand your perspective on the world around you. Knowing how to speak French was definitely one of my greatest assets when it came to applying for all kinds of programs and scholarships. I can even attribute my current position as an intern for a board member at Lycée Français de la Nouvelle Orléans to my French language skills. Not only is it an essential tool for my success as a student, French is also a great mechanism for relationship building in general.

Studying French at Xavier is a very unique and valuable experience. I have had the pleasure of taking French courses from three different professors’ in the department and it is clear that they have created a tight-knit community determined to ensure their students’ success. I don’t think I have been in any non-introductory class with more than seven students in it. As a result, each classroom culture is really authentic, and we are able to engage in the information on a more personal and profound level. French at Xavier, c’est magnifique!