The Study of Languages and Cultures
“The cultural component of my studies allowed me to understand people beyond just having the language skills to communicate with them.’
Major: Romance Languages and Literatures, International Relations
Internship: German Marshall Fund of the US
Advanced degrees: M.A. in Law and Diplomacy, Fletcher School, Tufts University
As an aspiring foreign diplomat, I was seeking to combine my interest in international affairs with language skills that would allow me to be posted across different geographies. Whether a national or international organization diplomat, having studied multiple languages was going to perfect my global perspective on international affairs.
The study of languages at Mount Holyoke also includes a significant cultural studies component, which allows me to understand people beyond giving me the skills to communicate with them. For example, in studying French (one of my languages of focus) professors taught contemporary French culture classes, contemporary African literature etc.
I used both my French and Italian during a Lynk-funded internship in Brussels, with the German Marshall Fund of the U.S., where I was working on security policy.