French is a truly global language. It is the fifth largest language in the world, and it is spoken worldwide. Studying French at UAB allows you not only to speak French but to learn about and connect with French-speaking cultures around the world.
Studying French will help you in any field because language study strengthens your communication skills and global awareness. Here are some other reasons French can help your career:
- France has some of the best scientific and medical research labs in the world, including the Pasteur Institute opens a new website. Doctors without Borders opens a new website and the Red Cross are active in many French-speaking countries as well.
- France is a leader in business and industry opens a new website, including in aeronautics with companies such as Airbus (which has a plant in Mobile, Alabama). They are a major player in the automobile and agriculture industries as well, and lead world-wide in the “Three Fs”—Fragrance, Fashion, and Food.
- As for international relations, French is one of the official languages of the United Nations, the Olympic Committee opens a new website, the World Health Organization opens a new website, NATO opens a new website, and the European Union.
- If you’re interested in books and movies, France has a vibrant publishing industry opens a new website (French books are the second-most frequently translated, after English) and the fourth-largest movie industry in the world, including the yearly Cannes Film Festival opens a new website.
Programs
Questions?
Contact Maury Young Bruhn, PhD.
