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Department ofModern Languages and Literatures

Students share why they studied languages

Annie De Brock, French Major, Class of 2011
Digital Media Coordinator at Girl Rising

Studying French at SCU was a wonderful experience that has opened up many opportunities in my life.  As a junior, I studied abroad in Paris, taking classes ranging from French film and theater to politics and literature.  After graduating, I was able to take a teaching job at a French high school in Cannes because of my background in French and film.  I had the opportunity to teach, travel, experience French culture, and even apply for a pass to the 2012 Cannes Film Festival where I saw and met some of my favorite directors and actors, including Agnès Varda, Alexander Payne, Brad Pitt, and Robert De Niro.

After returning from France, I moved to Los Angeles to pursue my interest in film editing.  I landed an assistant editing job at Girl Rising, a film about nine girls from nine countries and the role education has played in each of their lives.  Girl Rising is not only a film; it is a movement spreading like wildfire promoting girls? education all around the world.  The team is incredible and diverse.  Many of us speak more than one language.  I have no doubt that my French background and life experience gained from knowing French helped me acquire this dream job.  I am now the digital media coordinator who runs our video department, which includes making the film and related videos accessible in over twenty different languages.