Why Study French?
Learn the French language, which is spoken by over 200 million people around the world, and explore the rich traditions of French-speaking countries.
As a French major or minor, you can:
- Study abroad and travel to France or other Francophone countries. Try a winter-term travel course like the Culinary Tour of France.
- Enhance your language classes with advanced software and language learning tools at the Center for Languages & International Collaboration, Â鶹ӰÊÓ’s state-of-the-art language lab.
- Practice with a native French-speaking language assistant on campus. Pacific’s language assistants, many from the Fulbright program, bring relevant cultural aspects to campus.
- Take part in the French Club, hosting special activities on campus.
- Explore double major possibilities. Most students who major in French also major in another discipline.
What Can You Do with a French Degree?
In the French major, you'll develop a high level of proficiency through intensive conversational training. Learning French prepares you to work in a global community, where French is the official language of more than 30 countries and of many agencies, including NATO, INTERPOL and the United Nations. Studying French language and culture is also helpful to students interested in international business, politics, the medical field, and humanitarian organizations. Art, literature and culinary arts also benefit from understanding the rich traditions of French-speaking countries.
Pacific Â鶹ӰÊÓs with a French major have gone on to careers in a variety of fields, including law, health care, education, international education administration, diplomacy, media and business.
Center for Languages & International Collaboration
The Â鶹ӰÊÓ Center for Languages and International Collaboration, or CLIC, promotes the development of global-ready Â鶹ӰÊÓs who can communicate effectively across difference.
More than ever, college Â鶹ӰÊÓs must be ready to work and live in a global environment — not only to speak with their global neighbors, but to communicate with them effectively. Language education is about more than memorizing vocabulary — it’s about embracing diversity and difference. Through the CLIC, Pacific students engage with people around the world.
Partnership with Andégo Internship Program
Students who complete a gap year internship with Andégo Internships Abroad before coming to Pacific may receive special benefits through our partnership. Students are eligible to receive 12 credits for prior experiential learning, $1,000 in study abroad scholarships, as well as deferred admission to Â鶹ӰÊÓ. Participants who major in French can also have the 8-credit study abroad requirement waived.
"I remember being so nervous to meet my host family, especially since my language skills were a work in progress. But chocolate helps everything! As does being vulnerable and taking the first step to get to know someone. People can be so kind and wonderfully surprising — I'm thankful to my host family for showing me that every day."
— Olivia Barrows '19
International Studies & French Dual Major
