I’m currently starting residency training in Emergency Medicine and I know that the skills I have acquired with my French degree have helped me in unexpected ways throughout my medical career. As a future physician, I have to be able to communicate effectively with a variety of individuals in sometimes chaotic situations; French has helped me understand how to communicate with patients with diverse backgrounds and some of whom cannot speak English. I can empathize with these patients because I know how difficult it can be when speaking a foreign language. Occasionally, I am able to surprise French-speaking patients by providing care to them in their native language and providing a little bit of comfort during a difficult time.
While earning my French Degree at Boise State I always felt encouraged to share my opinions and to try to experiment with my abilities to speak French. Throughout that process, I made plenty of mistakes, but I also gained valuable experiences. The French courses helped me become a motivated self-learner which is essential when it comes to staying up-to-date on the latest research and knowledge that is prevalent in my chosen profession.
As I progressed in my courses and my ability to speak French, my confidence grew, and I feel this confidence has translated to all aspects of my life. Specifically, I am confident in my abilities to interact with my patients, my instructors, and I’m confident in my ability to make the correct medical decisions. Most of all, French has given me the ability to relax in a unique way, by watching French cinema, listening to French music, or reading classic literature from Dumas or Hugo in the language it was intended to be read. I am very grateful for the time I spent at Boise State and I know that I wouldn’t be where I am today without the abilities and skills I learned while studying French.