Immersion in Cultural Diversity: A Year on Georgetown's French-Themed Dormitory
Living the Francophile Dream: My Time on Georgetown's French Floor
Welcome to another exciting installment of the Student Life Blog, where fellow Hoyas share their tales and insights about college life at Georgetown.
Meet Ninabella Arlis (C'26), a savvy junior pursuing a dual degree in the College of Arts and Sciences and the McDonough School of Business.她喜欢新闻记者、ieckleball、和戏剧。
Last academic year, I resided on the sixth floor of Arrupe, a prime dorm for sophomores boasting contemporary amenities and a prime campus location. But what truly sets this location apart is the Living Learning Community (LLC) it accommodates. Known as the French Floor, this LLC offers an unrivaled opportunity to immerse oneself in the French language and culture beyond the classroom.
My journey with French began in the seventh grade when I switched schools and found myself surrounded by peers who had been learning the language since kindergarten. This was undeniably nerve-wracking, but it also sparked a sense of excitement within me. I'd been dreaming of learning French for years - the allure of Paris, the ballet's historic connection, and the fashion forwardness all painted a vivid picture of my future as a fluent French speaker.
Arriving at Georgetown, I possessed six years of French under my belt and dove headfirst into an intensive course that ran five days a week, along with a "lab" where students practiced French with a buddy studying English at a French university. I diligently continued this academic path until I completed all grammar classes. However, this specific coursework path is not necessary to become an LLC member.
Applicants may have my level of French language proficiency or none at all; the sole prerequisite is an authentic passion and commitment towards learning French. Each year, prospective students are asked to submit several essays detailing their reasons for joining, proposed activities, their prior French experience, and preferred roommates. The year I applied, we had students who were learning French, European students, and linguistics majors.
The French Floor cultivates an environment where French is the primary means of communication, ranging from meetings with the Resident Assistant (RA) to signage in the hallways. It's not just about language practice but exploring the humanities and social sciences through a Francophone perspective. Residents were required to enroll in a one-credit experiential course related to the LLC to ensure continuous engagement. Activities included French film screenings without subtitles, board games, and guest speakers. The academic component of the French Floor includes weekly journal entries. Students were encouraged to showcase their creativity with entries such as children's plays and musical monologues. In some weeks, attendees at events could substitute for journaling.
My favorite experiences were a visit to Mount Vernon with the French Floor's director and a meeting with author Kim Thuý.
During the Mount Vernon outing, I was joined by three other French Floor students, including my roommate, whom I had originally connected with via a DM due to her French quote in her Instagram bio. We selected French brochures and followed our director on a tour, focusing primarily on George Washington's French connections. On the day we went, there was also a colonial market, where we sampled pastries and tried on clothing. We spent the entire day conversing in French and forging new friendships. This experience significantly boosted my confidence in spoken French and offered me new French friends!
The Kim Thuý encounter felt like a full-circle moment as we studied her work in my advanced French grammar class. I so enjoyed her poetry that I did a class project and presentation on it. Coincidentally, her 2009 novel Ru had recently been adapted into a film. It was a thrill to not only listen to her speak but also engage in conversation and share charcuterie with her and my neighbors.
Living on the French Floor was an exceptionally Georgetown experience that extended beyond classroom learning. It provided numerous opportunities to delve into French language and culture in fun and unconventional ways, from chatting with new friends to embarking on enriching adventures. It was undoubtedly a highlight of my sophomore year, and I believe my experience will serve me well as I pursue a French major and aspire to study abroad.
If, like me, you're captivated by the idea of a Living Learning Community for French students at Georgetown, you might want to explore the Department of French and Francophone Studies' first-year seminar, "Français Sans Frontières," which delves into the fundamentals of the French language while uncovering its cultural, historical, political, and contemporary aspects. For more detailed information on potential Living Learning Communities or special programs for French students, consider reaching out to Georgetown University's Office of Residential Living or the Department of French and Francophone Studies.
Voici à toi, mes amis, de trouver ton propre chemin en français!
- The French Floor, a Living Learning Community (LLC) at Georgetown, offers more than just language practice, providing an environment where education-and-self-development takes a holistic approach, delving into the humanities and social sciences through a Francophone perspective.
- As a business student, Ninabella Arlis (C'26) found that her university life extended beyond her coursework, enriched by immersive experiences like living on the French Floor, actively engaging in the environment and lifestyle it fostered.
- For those seeking to immerse themselves in the French language and culture beyond the classroom, Georgetown University offers various opportunities, such as the first-year seminar "Français Sans Frontières" and the Living Learning Communities, providing a chance to enhance their business, education-and-self-development, and overall student life.
