This post is part of a periodic series in which we highlight students in French & Italian courses and how language learning relates to their goals. Are you a student in one of our courses? We'd love to hear from you!
My name is Gwen, and I'm from Spokane, Washington. I am majoring in Political Science with a concentration in International Security, as well as Global and Regional Studies, focusing on Eastern Europe and former Soviet states. During my time at the University of Washington, I studied abroad in the Czech Republic, which ignited my passion for living abroad. This experience revealed to me the immense value of cross-cultural connection and friendship, and I believe that immersing oneself in a foreign environment is a profound way to challenge and discover oneself. After studying abroad, I knew I wanted to live abroad again and test whether I want to pursue a career abroad or work in international relations domestically.
Initially, I was planning to join the Peace Corps after completing undergrad. However, during my application process, I came across the Princeton in Asia (PiA) fellowship and realized it was a perfect fit for me. PiA partners with organizations across Asia, offering fellowships to a cohort of about 60 individuals in various fields. I indicated a preference for the English Teaching options and Central Asia in my application.
The application process for PiA involved several stages. After applying, I interviewed with PiA, then was nominated for a fellowship at Narxos University in Almaty, Kazakhstan. I interviewed with the university directly, then received an offer to teach advanced English classes and work in the International Office, helping to enhance Narxos's international reach and reputation. While the process was straightforward, choosing a post and the long waits between each stage were challenging. Moving abroad is a significant change, and there's still much I don't know about what next year will look like. However, I view the entire process as an exciting adventure and embracing the uncertainties. I look forward to immersing myself in Kazakh and other Central Asian cultures, enjoying the beautiful mountains surrounding Almaty, savoring their famous tea, trying local cuisine, and traveling around the region.
While this program isn't directly related to French, my experience learning French has been invaluable in preparing me to learn (at least some) Russian. It has shown me that learning a language as an adult is challenging but possible. Additionally, I got TESOL certified, and the excellent language teachers from the French department have provided me with outstanding examples of effective language instruction. They demonstrated that while each teacher has a unique style, they all emphasize the crucial aspects of language learning. Ultimately, being a French student and learning from exemplary teachers reinforced the concepts from my coursework, making my learning experience significantly more meaningful. I will certainly draw from their example as I develop my own teaching philosophy and can draw inspiration from activities that I enjoyed or found useful as a student.