Hi everyone! My name is Drew, and I’m Connecticut but grew up in Tennessee. I will be spending my gap year studying French in France from October to June.
I am using this year to connect with my ancestral roots and Louisiana Creole heritage. Historically, Louisiana Creoles have struggled with systemic cultural erasure that has caused generations of Creole families to become increasingly distant from the culture. For years, I have committed myself to countering that loss through my dedication to learning the French language. Due to the lack of resources to learn Kouri-Vini (the language of Louisiana Creoles), I have chosen to learn French because it is the closest to the Creole dialect. It’s also the language my great-grandmother wanted to be passed down.
During my time in France, I will be staying with a host family while immersing myself in the language and culture. While there, I hope to explore neighboring countries, make new friends, and reach C-1 level fluency.
I am beyond grateful for this opportunity I am embarking on, and I’m excited to evolve as a person and as a student.
