FFS Majors Spotlight
Name: Enathe Muhawenimana
Class: 2026
Where is home for you? Rusizi, Rwanda
What would you wish your first word in French would have been? Pouvoir
What are your academic interests? I am pursuing a double major in Biochemistry and French and Francophone Studies. I’m passionate about using my knowledge to make a positive impact in the world. This connects closely with my French thesis, which explores the integration of Sub-Saharan African immigrants in Maine and how their culture is preserved across generations. I enjoy applying scientific understanding through a public health lens, and I appreciate how my French studies allow me to deepen and broaden that interest.
Who are your favorite Francophone artists? Dadju, Tayc, Amir, Jungeli, Slimane, Stromae
A Francophone movie you loved? Le Fabuleux destin d’Amélie Poulain de Jean-Pierre Jeunet
A book in French others must read? Bel Ami de Guy de Maupassant
A quote you often think of? “Pour réaliser de grandes choses, il faut d’abord rêver.”
Did you study abroad? Yes, I did study abroad in Copenhagen, Denmark
What do you miss from your experience abroad? I miss the good public transportation system, clean subways, the warmth of people, good pastries and friends I made there.
What is your favorite Francophone dish? Tagine
Among all the great courses you took in FFS, which one would you recommend? I loved all my French courses but the one that really picked me up was “Migrations Francophones/French 102” with Laura Balladur.
Your favorite French expression? Oh là là!
What is your dream job after Bates? I want to work in a clinical research institution where I can apply my public health skills and passion in designing sustainable healthcare strategies to all.
Name: Jackie Coraci
Class: 2026
Where is home for you? Formerly Hoboken, New Jersey, now New York City.
What would you wish your first word in French would have been? Brouillard
What are your academic interests? I have always loved grammar and writing, and my interest in French started at a young age. I’m an education minor currently completing my student teaching, so I do a lot of thinking about how different types of people learn. In the FFS and education departments, I have been able to explore interesting concepts in history, and if I had another year at Bates I would love to take a history course.
What links do you have with the French and Francophone Studies department? I am a French and Francophone Studies major and a TA for French 101.
Who are your favorite Francophone artists? I like Jacqueline Taïeb’s music, and we have the same name.
A Francophone movie you loved? 8 Femmes by François Ozon and La Belle Saison by Catherine Corsini.
A book in French others must read? Le Baobab Fou by Ken Bugul, which I really enjoyed.
A quote you often think of? “Si six saucissons sont six sous, ces six saucissons sont pas chers”
Did you study abroad? Yes! Fall 2024 in Paris, France and Spring 2025 in Dakar, Senegal with a 6-week internship in Sokone, Senegal.
What do you miss from your experience abroad? My Senegalese host family.
What is your favorite Francophone dish? The Senegalese dish, yassa guinar. I still dream about it sometimes.
Among all the great courses you took in FFS, which one would you recommend? Everybody should take “Oral French 205” ! It is so much fun, and really essential to helping you speak more fluently.
Your favorite French expression? Pas mal.
What is your dream job after Bates? EFL teacher in a Francophone country!
Name: McKayla Kendall
Class: Senior
Where is home for you? Bangor, Maine
What would you wish your first word in French would have been? Papillon
What are your academic interests? I’m both a Biochemistry and French major with a Public Health GEC. I’ve loved studying the intersections of these different disciplines, and I hope to be able to use my knowledge of French and the Francophone world as I pursue a career in medicine.
What links do you have with the French and Francophone Studies department? I’m a French major!
Who are your favorite Francophone artists? I’m a big fan of Angèle.
A Francophone movie you loved? I enjoyed Les Intouchables by Olivier Nakache & Eric Toledano
A book in French others must read? I think Mernissi’s Dreams of Trespass: Tales of a Harem Girlhood is a must-read.
A quote you often think of? “On ne voit bien qu’avec le cœur. L’essentiel est invisible pour les yeux” by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
Did you study abroad? Yes! I studied abroad Fall ‘24 in Senegal.
What do you miss from your experience abroad? I miss my host family and all of the kids that I got to work with during my internship.
What is your favorite Francophone dish? Sticking with the abroad experience, the yassa poulet in Senegal was amazing.
Among all the great courses you took in FFS, which one would you recommend? “Oral French: 205” of course but I also really enjoyed “Maghreb: Vue de l’Enfance.”
Your favorite French expression? Lâche pas la patate!
What is your dream job after Bates? I’m going to be entering the medical field and hope to be able to work both in the US and in Francophone countries.
Name: Quinn Hughes
Class: 2026
Where is home for you? Villanova, Pennsylvania
What would you wish your first word in French would have been? Loup-garou- it’s so fun to say.
What are your academic interests? I am a major in French & Francophone Studies and Biology with a concentration in Philosophy & Psychology. I am very interested in the intersections of biology and psychology, leaning more into the psychology side of things.
What links do you have with the French and Francophone Studies department? I am a major, I work closely with all the professors as Co-President of Le Club Francophone to plan inclusive and interesting events, I am a teaching assistant for Elementary French I, I was a writing course attached tutor for Professor Rice-DeFosse’s FYS: “Through the Eyes of Children.”
Who are your favorite Francophone artists? Indila (French singer), Agnès Varda (French director/filmmaker), Amadou et Mariam (Senegalese musicians, one of my favorite collaborative songs is “Senegal Fast Food” with Manu Chao)
A Francophone movie you loved? Les 400 Coups by François Truffaut
A book in French others must read? Le Fantôme de l’Opéra by Gaston Leroux. I actually would like to read this, I have not yet, but it is a goal of mine. I enjoy the musical and am familiar with the original story, so this is my next project!
A quote you often think of? “C’est pas si facile de tourner la page” lyrics by Zaho, from her song Tourner la Page.
Did you study abroad? Yes, I studied abroad for a summer (six weeks) in Arles, France.
What do you miss from your experience abroad? I do miss my experience, but I am still in touch with my host family and hope to visit them again after graduation.
What is your favorite Francophone dish? Les moules frites- mussels and fries. I had these in Arles when I was studying abroad, they were running a deal at a little restaurant, absolutely incredible!
Among all the great courses you took in FFS, which one would you recommend? I think the course that made me want to not only minor but fully commit to the major was “Gender, Race, and Social Class in French and Francophone Film.” I am a self-proclaimed film buff so it was great to consume these films, but I also found it to be a lens in which I could explore the Francophone world.
Your favorite French expression? “Ce n’est pas grave”… “It’s alright/it’s not serious.” I used this a lot when I was abroad, it sort of turned into a joke/endearing phrase with my friends abroad.
What is your dream job after Bates? While I do not have a specific job in mind, I know I want to work with and advocate for kids, particularly supporting their academic and social development through accessible extracurricular activities and continued peer support.
Name: Trinity Poon
Class: 2026
Where is home for you?
Sandwich, Massachusetts
What would you wish your first word in French would have been?Anticonstitutionnellement
What are your academic interests?18th-19th century literature (American, British, French), gender and sexuality studies,
What links do you have with the French and Francophone Studies department?My very first college class was FRE 205: Oral French with Prof. Read! I fell in love with the department and haven’t left since! The department has led me to so many great opportunities and people!
Who are your favorite Francophone artists?Aya Nakamura, Camélia Jordana
A Francophone movie you loved? Little Senegal by Rachid Bouchareb
A book in French others must read? Les Précieuses ridicules by Molière
A quote you often think of? “Live the questions.” Rainer Maria Rilke
Did you study abroad? Yes! I studied abroad in Montpellier, France for the 2024-25 academic year.
What do you miss from your experience abroad? I miss the parks and the cafés. Cliché, I know, but I loved setting up outside at a café or in one of my favorite parks and reading, journaling, and people-watching. The convivial and relaxed atmosphere is so different there!
What is your favorite Francophone dish? My host dad would make Rougail saucisses– a sausage stew from la Réunion.
Among all the great courses you took in FFS, which one would you recommend? I’m partial to “Oral French” as the class that introduced me to the French department. You make such wonderful friends in that class and push yourself outside of your comfort zone– not to mention you have a great time. However, I’ve learned so much in each class I’ve taken with FFS that you can’t go wrong.
Your favorite French expression? C’est pas grave! Also a great reminder to not take anything too seriously.
What is your dream job after Bates? I’d love to work in public relations or journalism in some capacity. Either way, I’d love to keep writing and learning new things every day.
Name: Verina Tinashe Chatata-Rao
Class: 2026
Where is home for you? Malawi
What would you wish your first word in French would have been? Vas-y!
What are your academic interests? Neuroscience and French & Francophone Studies
What links do you have with the French and Francophone Studies department? I am a French Writing Tutor at the Student Writing and Language Centre, and a Teaching Assistant for FRE205.
Who are your favorite Francophone artists? Micha, Aya Nakamura, Franglish
A Francophone movie you loved? Avril et le Monde Truqué (April and the Extraordinary World) by Franck Ekinci et Christian Desmares
A book in French that others must read? Le Ventre de l’Atlantique by Fatou Diome
A quote you often think of? “Yo bro, tu as €1000 en liquide là? —Même en poudre j’ai pas, frère”
Did you study abroad? Yes! I did one semester in Paris, France, and another semester in Maastricht, the Netherlands.
What do you miss from your experience abroad? I really miss all the yummy food, the pastries, and having to speak, live, breathe French.
What is your favorite Francophone dish? I LOVE cassoulet. I also LOVE thieboudienne, which is a Senegalese dish.
Among all the great courses you took in FFS, which one would you recommend? “Borders and Disorders”!! As an international student, I resonated with a lot of the topics and readings, it’s also just a good way to know about what a francophone identity can mean. Also “Oral French 205,” because you have so much fun, and I made lifelong friends in that class.
Your favorite French expression? Bahhh du coup pffft.
What is your dream job after Bates? I would like to have a small café in Côte d’Azur while also doing neuroscience research in my free time.