Deciding to pursue a double major in International Relations and French was surprisingly easy for me. Not because the work isn’t difficult, I sometimes find the combination of IR theory, French literature, and French language practice to be a lift, but because Tufts offers the tools and support to make it feel not only accessible but also incredibly enriching.
International Relations was one of the first subjects that caught my attention. I was aware that I wanted to study IR prior to attending college; however, the way Tufts was able to tackle the challenging material was the way in which it emphasized the importance of critical thinking over memorization. The key factor that made IR so intriguing was the faculty. From the first day of the first IR course I took at Tufts, I recognized that these were not professors who were simply lecturing about the world; they were teachers who were passionate about the way in which their students interact with the material. Their mentorship goes beyond the classroom walls as they promote research projects, independent studies, and are always available for discussion on everything from career paths to current events.
French has always been a passion of mine, and Tufts has made it possible for me to explore it in full. The faculty here does not just teach grammar and words; they open the doors for you to explore the world of Francophone literature, film, history, and culture. They push you to think critically about the material you are reading, to think about the way language influences thought, and to make connections between the material you are reading and the world outside.
For me, combining IR and French was not like choosing between two different paths. It was more like creating a cohesive approach to the world. IR provides me with the tools to understand the world in terms of systems, and French provides me with the tools to connect with the world on a deeper level. Moreover, at Tufts, I've never felt like I was forced to go it alone. The academic resources provided by the school have allowed me to complete both majors while continuing to dive as deeply as possible into both.