By mastering the French language, students can take advantage of the many transformative experiences that await them throughout the French-speaking world. Students in OWU's French program discover exciting and compelling ways to combine their French studies work with other fields of study, especially through OWU Connection grants, Travel-Learning Courses, study away opportunities, international internships, and more.
About the Major
The French program at Ohio Wesleyan University trains students to understand, read, write, and speak the French language; appreciate the language's role and place throughout the world; analyze and interpret cultural documents with rigor and precision; pursue meaningful educational and professional opportunities throughout the French-speaking world; and communicate effectively across cultures and differences.
The French program at OWU excels in both French-language and cultural training. Language and culture are taught in tandem at beginning, intermediate, and upper levels alike. Furthermore, the French studies program works closely and personally with students to design personalized and guided experiences throughout the French-speaking world.
Every student in French at OWU can pursue OWU Connection experiences combining their interest in the French-speaking world and with another major by the fifth semester of language and cultural study.
Think Big
Undergraduate research, performed under the mentorship of expert faculty, is a central component of The OWU Connection.
We emphasize intellectual curiosity, creativity, initiative, and synthesis. OWU provides opportunities, including traveling abroad, for you to explore an existing problem or develop a totally new avenue of exploration. You can work with a faculty mentor and apply for grant funding—and present your research at the Student Symposium in the spring.
Exploring the French-Speaking World, Trip to Martinique and Guadeloupe
Arrival at the Aimé Césaire International Airport in Martinique (Creole Cultures in the French West Indies Theory-to-Practice Grant, Spring 2014)
Go Global
Travel-Learning Courses combine classroom study with travel to areas of the world where you may study the issues discussed in class in the settings where those events are occurring. French classes have traveled to Paris, France to expand their study of French literature.
Other travel-learning options include semester-long programs and Theory-to-Practice Grants.
Julia Stone '16 lived with a host family while studied abroad for a semester in Aix-en-Provence.
Students Present Original Research on Cultural Questions
French Students present at the Spring Symposium in 2016.
Research with Global Experts
French students meet with Martinican Artist Laurent Valère in 2014.
Inspired Teaching
OWU faculty are outstanding scholars and researchers—and passionate teachers. They will push you, challenge you, inspire you, and work with you on your own research and creative projects.
They can even pack a 3-minute lecture with ideas, insight, and imagination. Check out our unique I³ lectures.
Students can apply to live in two different Small Living Units that focus on learning languages and celebrating international cultural diversity. In the House of Linguistic Diversity, students can explore and share their interests in language, diversity, and culture. The house hosts language talks and other cultural events on campus. The Citizens of the World House provides international, social, and cultural events and discussions from members who are from both near and abroad.
Enjoy performances and sample foods representing different parts of the world at Ohio Wesleyan's annual Culture Fest, hosted by Horizons International with support from the Wesleyan Council on Student Affairs.
Language Learning Center
The Language Learning Center (UN 213) offers language students a space to read, study, work on projects with classmates or attend language tutoring sessions supported by the WLC department. Advanced students and/or native speakers can apply to become language tutors with faculty endorsement.
Film Festival
The French Program has hosted several Tournée Film Festivals, featuring films from the Francophone world with English subtitles. Admission is always free and open to the public. Post-screening discussions with OWU faculty and students follow the films.
After graduating, Raissa was accepted into the Graduate Institute of Geneva (IHEID) in Switzerland. While at OWU, Raissa had an internship with the Borgen Project, received several OWU Connection grants on topics ranging from imperialism in France to spatial justice after Apartheid in South Africa, and conducted research on the redlining system between Chicago and Paris.
French majors emerge with highly developed content mastery and skills in effective communication, intercultural understanding, critical thinking, oral presentation, close reading, writing, research, and argumentation. They leverage these skills to earn rewarding positions in graduate programs and employment alike.
International Opportunities
Recent French graduates moved on to work in humanitarian assistance in Sudan, with the Peace Corps in Morocco, as a medical student in Ghana, and as graduate students in Berlin and Geneva.
OWU French graduates are teaching and working as principals in high schools in Ohio and across the U.S. Some also choose to teach English in France after graduating from OWU.
Preparation for Professions
Studying French and other langues can serve as preparation for law, business, and other professional graduate programs. OWU French graduates are lawyers, doctors, accountants, marketing professionals, project managers, and more.
Exploring the French-Speaking World, Trip to Martinique and Guadeloupe— Arrival at the Aimé Césaire International Airport in Martinique (Creole Cultures in the French West Indies Theory-to-Practice Grant, Spring 2014)
