In events held around the world over the past two weeks, international alumni of French higher education have come together to celebrate their learning experiences as part of the second French Alumni Day.
Hosted by Campus France, a public institution under the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the event was held from May 11 to 26 under this year's theme. French-speaking talent, global experience.
Through panels, roundtables and networking opportunities, the annual event highlighted intercultural skills and the benefits that language learning, especially French, can have on graduate employability.
Events have been held in the UK, Philippines, Thailand, Australia, USA, Argentina, Democratic Republic of Congo, Afghanistan and many more countries around the world.
The France Alumni Network was launched by the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs 10 years ago and now has 380,000 members from around the world who have studied in France, connecting alumni with local embassies, higher education institutions, corporations and other partners. We aim to do so.
At an event held in London's French enclave, this year's theme inspired conversations about the value of the French language, wider language learning, international mobility, cultural exchange and employability.
“Just speaking French makes us part of an international community around the world, which is really exciting,” said Clare Siviter-Groschwald, PhD in French Studies, Senior Lecturer at the University of Bristol and Patron of France Alumni UK.
There are more than 320 million French speakers worldwide, and attendees gathered at the embassy building. French is the fifth world language after Chinese, English, Spanish and Arabic. In particular, French, along with English, is the only language spoken on every continent.
“It’s not just language. The important thing is travel. You have to travel. That's what makes augmented people. Emmanuelle Bury, UK Country Manager at BNP Paribas Group, told the audience:
Bury spoke with other leaders in French and international business about the link between the French language, international mobility and employability.
“This is more than adaptability. “As you learn to be open, there are times when you feel lonely even if you speak the language of the country you are in,” he said.
The path may become more difficult and more expensive, but opportunities still exist.
François Landers
The challenges that international experience brings and the tactics we follow to navigate them (building relationships, connecting with diverse groups, etc.) are what Bury believes create the most employable graduates.
“It’s all these aspects that really set you apart and make you a very valuable asset to international companies,” she said.
Siviter-Groschwald added, “Intercultural skills allow us to better understand the humans around us, the world around us, and the roles we can play as individuals within groups.”
International research routes may become increasingly difficult and expensive, but “the opportunities still exist,” said François Landers, executive director of the British-French Chamber of Commerce.
“Knowing the language is only the first step,” declared an Oxford University student attending a French alumni event.
“I found that spending a year abroad during my degree not only improved my French skills over the past year, but more importantly, it gave me experiences outside of university life.” Jolina told The PIE.
“Of course, trying to assimilate into the culture and understand the language is a big part of it, but you can’t underestimate the experience of a French university, or even in the French system.”