Reflecting on my French minor after graduating a decade ago, I recognize the large influence it has had on my life in unexpected and rewarding ways, both personally and professionally.
After graduating from the University of Florida, I worked at the Hippodrome Theatre in Gainesville, where I supported the theatre’s marketing department. I applied my interest in Francophone film into the promotional activities for our art house cinema, leading talkback sessions for French films we screened. I also supported Dr. Sylvie Blum-Reid in running the successful France-Florida Institute French Film Festival, which featured exciting and unexpected films.
Eventually, I left Gainesville to pursue a career at a brand marketing agency in South Florida. During this time, I was able to visit Paris, discovering the locations I had only read about, heard in songs or seen in films. I now understand why it is so easy to romanticize Paris. I was able to visit the tribute-adorned home of Serge Gainsbourg, the infamous chanteur who I had featured in a fanzine project during my studies at UF and someone I had been a big fan of at the time.
After a few years in South Florida, I felt a need to reconnect with my home country of Canada. Equipped with French language skills, I was able to move to one of my favorite cities in 2015, Montréal, Québec. During this time, I was able to use my French professionally at an educational marketing company in the city. However, I returned to my previous Florida-based brand marketing agency, working from Montréal remotely and in English primarily for American clientele. I navigated my primarily Francophone new home through frequent French interactions. From spending time with Québécois friends during cinq-à-septs on breezy terraces to learning about the complicated history and unique culture of Québec’s people, I felt fulfillment having gained a deeper understanding and appreciation of Québec. Not to mention, I have a new appreciation for Céline Dion that I didn’t have before living in Québec.
After 6 years in Montréal, I recently decided to split my time between Miami and Montréal in order to maintain a better balance between my role as Vice President of Creative Strategy at my company in Florida and the community in Québec that I worked so hard to create. The future is exciting, and I am very fortunate to be able to spend meaningful time in two vibrant cities that are so important to me.
I can confidently say that studying French was the best educational decision I have made. Yes, it has awarded me with career opportunities. But ultimately, it has opened doors to new cultures, strengthened intellectual curiosities, exposed me to Francophone artists and creators, and most importantly, helped me find my community in Québec. I am incredibly grateful to UF’s French Department for lighting that spark.