Spring 2021 Featured Undergraduates
Georgia Knoles
Double Major: French and Journalism
Minor: Spanish
For my French Senior Essay, I'm analyzing the comic book "Algues vertes, l'histoire interdite" (which more or less translates to "Green algae, the forbidden story") written by Inès Léraud and illustrated by Pierre Van Hove. The book recounts the history of industrial farming and toxic green algae in Brittany, France, and of the grassroots environmental activism that it has generated. My focus is on the effectiveness of this comic book as a tool for activism. Given my other major in journalism, I've found this topic extra intriguing because in many ways "Algues vertes" is a journalistic work, yet the medium is quite unique.
I've adored my experience within CU French. Each class has provided opportunities to expand my mind in ways I haven't found in many other departments. I've formed lasting bonds with classmates each semester and our professors have guided us with knowledge, patience, and kindness.
Georgia has been accepted into the Teaching Assistant Program in France (TAPIF) for the 2021-2022 school year. She will be teaching in Clermont-Ferrand, France. Congratulations, Georgia!
Jakob Rheins
Major: International Affairs
Minor: French
Thank you to the faculty and staff who made my studies in the Department of French and Italian so meaningful.
I will be graduating from CU Boulder’s International Affairs Program summa cum laude with a minor in French. My postgraduate plan is to pursue a Master’s in International Relations at King's College London. The courses I took in the Department of French and Italian developed my knowledge of the French language and enhanced my appreciation for French culture and history. Every professor with whom I studied clearly is passionate about teaching French and expanding students’ language skills and knowledge. My experience in the Department of French and Italian inspired in me a greater interest in France and led to my studying abroad at Sciences Po Paris during my junior year and, during my senior year, writing an honor’s thesis about the Reign of Terror during the French Revolution.
Again, my sincere thanks to all of the faculty and staff of the Department of French and Italian.
Bergen Sanderford
Major: International Affairs
Minor: Italian
The CU Italian department is special to me in more ways than one. Every professor, from beginner level to advanced Italian composition, has guided me in the direction of knowledge, community, and adoration of the language. No amount of CU Italian classes was enough! As I navigate post-grad life, I intend to continue expanding my knowledge of Italian. I plan to gain work experience before receiving further education through a graduate program. I would like to thank CU's Italian department and all of my past Italian professors for giving me such a memorable education!
Laurette Selleck
Major: Strategic Communication
Double Minor: French and Business
I am receiving my B.S. in Strategic Communication with an emphasis in Media Design, as well as minors in French and Business. I am so excited to work as the Marketing Manager for Coltivar following graduation.
CU's French program has been an incredible experience for me and I have grown so much as a French speaker and writer thanks to the incredible department. In every class, I was met with patience and kindness. All of my teachers were always willing to provide help in any way they could. I hope to use my French minor to travel abroad, as well as working for a French company someday in the future.
Cheers to the class of 2021! :)
Miguel Guerrero
Major: Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology
Minor: French
After graduation, my plans are to travel for a while then find a research job before I go to Graduate School.
Anastasia Mathews
Major: Cinema Studies
Minor: Italian
As a Cinema Studies major, I was introduced to a variety of Italian cinema and therefore developed a strong appreciation for Italian language and culture. I decided to pursue the Italian minor so that I could learn as much about the history, language, and culture as I could during the years of my undergraduate studies. I am so thrilled that I made that decision, because not only did I deepen my knowledge of Italian studies, but I also met many incredible people, from fellow students to faculty. The Italian department was incredibly welcoming and allowed me to expand my studies beyond my major in very rewarding ways. I particularly enjoyed the myriad events that were offered outside of class, from visiting guests, the annual French/Italian soccer game, to the Italian Table discussion events. Next year I will complete my Master’s at CU before pursuing an education in film preservation. Thank you to the amazing students and faculty that helped and encouraged me as I completed this minor!
Dylan Yachyshen
Double Major: International Affairs and Economics
Minor: French
Dylan has been accepted into the Teaching Assistant Program in France (TAPIF) for the 2021-2022 school year. He will be teaching in Créteil, France. Congratulations, Dylan!