Welcome to French and Italian at OSU!Bienvenue!Benvenuti!

What Do Our Students Think of Us?  ||  Why Study a Foreign Language?  ||  Why Study French or Italian?  ||  Why Study French or Italian at OSU?  ||  Why Major in French at OSU?  ||  Why Major in Italian at OSU?  ||  Why do Graduate Studies in French at OSU?  ||  Why do Graduate Studies in Italian at OSU?

What do our students think of us?

Bryan Esser

Bryan Esser really likes studying the French language and culture, so that he can expand his "horizons and be able to communicate with people in many different countries." Bryan plans to study at the Sorbonne in Paris for two quarters, or, perhaps, at the Ecole Polytechnique.

Cari Mullinax

Cari Mullinax is majoring in both Italian and French, seeing both sides of the department. During her freshman year at OSU, Cari wanted to start a new language, but couldn't decide which one. Then, she "heard two professors speaking Italian on the Oval one day, and decided that Italian would be it!" Cari thoroughly enjoyed studying in Lecce, Italy in 2007.

Brittany O'Neill

Italian major Brittany O'Neill has been named to the Humanities Alumni board of Governors. Brittany is an honors student, a double major (with molecular genetics), a University Ambassador and a musician. Why did Brittany choose to double major? "I really enjoy expressing both my scientific side and my creative side. Learning Italian helps me do that and gives me a better understanding of different cultures."

Jessica Hanzlik

Jessica Hanzlik, a double major in French and Physics, has been named a Rhodes Scholar. Jessica has "always been a huge proponent of the value of learning foreign languages." One of Jessica's interests is the role of French women in science. She is currently completing an honors thesis on that subject.

Adriana Lamonte

Adriana Lamonte, like Peter, hopes to work in a career "in which I can use my language skills." For AIESEC Ohio State, the local chapter of an international student-run organization that promotes peace and cultural understanding by sending students on work exchange programs, Adriana is helping to plan a spring quarter event called Global Village. If anyone is interested in participating in this project, please contact Adriana at lamonte.2.

Lisa Miyake

Lisa Miyake learned French in order to communicate while traveling in France. "Also, I had a friend who was from Quebec, Canada who always spoke French at her house. Whenever I would hear her speak, it amazed me how pretty it sounded." Lisa enjoys learning about different cultures, and says, "it makes me happy when I am able to communicate with other people in French after learning all the vocabulary and grammar in class."

Peter Carlson

Taking business courses in French with students from around the world attracted Peter Carlson to study this winter and spring at the Hautes Etudes Commerciales outside Paris. Peter views French "as a key to opening the door to a whole new world/culture. It allows one to understand a whole society of people."

Caroline Sims

Caroline Sims began studying French "because of an English translation of 'Ode à Cassandra'. I wanted to read it in the original language." For Caroline, the best part of learning French is "being able to go to Paris and speak it ." Caroline studied in Paris in Autumn 2007 and said, "It was phenomenal, and I would stay there forever if I could."

Laura Belland

Laura Belland decided to study French, "one of the most beautiful-sounding languages", because "it enhances my cultural education, helping to connect me to people around the world, to culture of other countries and to new ideas." Laura has enjoyed the FR 401 and 601 classes because "they focused mainly on grammar and vocabulary, areas which I desire to learn because they help me understand and have a strong command of the language."

Keri Yourick

Keri Yourick was looking for smaller, more interactive classes at OSU when she discovered Italian. Last summer Keri studied in Lecce where "there are not enough words to describe how much fun I had." "The thing that made my time in Italy memorable was meeting so many people. The Italians are SO easy to make friends with!"

Jenine Larrabee, Alumna

Setting challenges for herself is not a foreign concept for Jenine Larrabee (Masters in French, 2005). While teaching ESL in Rennes, France, Jenine learned about U.S. government sponsored English language fellowships (similar to Fulbrights) for setting up educational programs in Africa. So, she came back to OSU to get the necessary masters degree in French. Then she spent fifteen months working in Antsiranana on the northern coast of Madagascar building an English department at the local university.

As part of her duties, Jenine ran the department, lead faculty meetings, made curriculum and policy decisions, and consulted for the Malagasy Minister of Education. In addition, she developed an 80-hour Teacher Training course based in the communicative method for qualified fourth-year students, in the hopes of creating a much needed pool of qualified English teachers for the area. Jenine's teacher training efforts also took her to South Africa where she trained over 160 South African teachers in communicative methodology and vocabulary building at the annual U.S. Embassy-sponsored English Language Fellow Conference for Sub-Saharan Africa.

After fifteen months of negotiating the challenges of Malagasy society, Jenine came back to Columbus where she draws from her wealth of experiences to teach Global Cultures at Franklin University and ESL at both Franklin University and Columbus State Community College. She is still looking at other possibilities for teaching overseas—perhaps in Asia—wherever opportunity leads her.

Mark Parker, Alumnus

Mark Parker has a private practice in pediatric endocrinology in Charlotte, N.C., caring mostly for children with diabetes, but also for those with thyroid, growth, and other glandular problems.

Dennis Salerno, Alumnus

Dennis P. Salerno, B.A. Spanish, 1972; M.A. Italian, 1974, has relied on his language skills throughout a 25-year military career and now as a NATO International Civilian living and working in Verona, Italy.

Upon commissioning in the U.S. Army Signal Corps, Dennis was sent to Vicenza, Italy where his fluency in Italian enabled him to assist in security matters with the Italian carabinieri as well as in negotiations with local landowners for military exercises. He later served on an international NATO staff working to integrate American and Italian armed forces in Cold War European defense plans and peacekeeping operations in the Balkans.

Dennis retired from the military in August, 2000, and now works as a senior telecommunications engineer for NATO at a remote satellite communications site near Verona. He and his wife Patricia (Holmes)—also an OSU graduate—purchased, restored and live in an old farmhouse in the Valpolicella wine district north of Verona. Patricia teaches 4th grade Italian for the Department of Defense in Vicenza Italy. Named the DODEA Teacher of the year in 2006, Patricia was honored at a White House reception.

Karen Rugani Loy, Alumna

Karen Rugani Loy "stumbled" into Italian as a major that fit into her schedule as an undergrad at Ohio State while getting certification in dental hygiene. "Because my father was a first generation Italian-American, the language interested me. After taking my required three quarters freshman year, I decided to major in the language. I loved it!

"My grandmother took me with her to Italy for a month—the summer between my freshman and sophomore years—to visit her sister. My great aunt lived just outside of Florence, so I got to see most of Tuscany, and we made trips to Milano, Venezia, Pisa, and other small villages, too. t was an incredible experience. The language endeared me to my Nonna, as we could have wonderful conversations in Italian."

Justin Ehrenberg, Alumnus

The M.A. program in Italian at OSU was an ideal match for my academic interests and needs. The small faculty-to-student ratio allowed me to develop a close professional relationship with each of the professors, to assist with their research, and to undertake my own. In addition, I became active in various departmental and university committees. I was able to grow both as a teacher and a scholar, enjoying the many resources that a large university like OSU has to offer.

The GTA workshop, as well as the mentoring that I received from language program directors, lecturers, and experienced TAs, motivated me to complete further studies in foreign language pedagogy. After receiving my M.A. in Italian, I pursued a Masters of Education and obtained teaching licensure for grades K-12 in Italian and French. This allowed me to begin my career as an Italian Teacher at St. Francis DeSales High School in Columbus. Currently I teache French and Italian at Torrington High School, in Torrington, Connecticut.

Damien Marshall, Alumnus

I chose to enroll in a Masters program in order to make myself more desirable to employers, and I specifically chose the Italian program because of my excellent study abroad experience in Italy during high school. The encouragement and support of the Italian faculty, as well as the bonds I formed with my Graduate Teaching Assistant colleagues, created an ideal learning environment. I learned a great deal about Italian language and literature, and I enjoyed doing so. I also learned a lot about myself as I worked to balance my roles of student and Graduate Teaching Associate. It was especially challenging during the last two quarters when, in addition to my teaching and class work, I worked on completing my thesis and studying for exams. However, after emerging successfully from this difficult yet rewarding time, I had a newly found confidence in my abilities and felt much more prepared to enter the job market.

I believe that having a graduate degree in an international field was one of the key factors that enabled me to be hired in my current position of Midwest Regional Coordinator for the American Institute for Foreign Study. While I am not teaching, I think that having had that experience is extremely useful. During my time at Ohio State, I learned to deal effectively with students, professors and administrators, all of which I work with on a daily basis in my current position.

Keith Davis, Alumnus

I received my undergraduate degree from Ohio State in spring, 2005, and my M.A. in Italian in 2007 after working for two years as a G.T.A. So far, it has been an awesome experience and I have met so many people. These people are not just in the same program as me but they are also in other language programs. This really does give me a sense of community when I am able to share ideas with other foreign language instructors. Since I have started teaching, I have been amazed at the amount of information that I have learned regarding teaching foreign language and the philosophy behind it. I feel really lucky to be a part of a university that is on the cutting edge of foreign language instruction. The knowledge that I have acquired will definitely help me in the future.

Lina Quimjian, Current Graduate Student

My experience with the Department of French and Italian at OSU has been both enriching and rewarding. After having experience in the workplace and having raised a family, I had the opportunity to return to school to pursue both my passion and an advanced degree. I initially had some apprehensions concerning my status as a "non-traditional" student in the university environment, but those worries were soon alleviated by the interest and encouragement shown to me by my professors. They have instilled in me an enthusiasm for the study of French, whether it is grammar, literature, or civilization. In addition, their professionalism, impressive credentials, and knowledge in their particular fields of study contribute immensely to the high standards set by the department. The French program has provided me with me a sense of fulfillment, and I look forward to my years of graduate study.

Adriana Golumbeanu, Alumna

One of the most important aspects of the Department of French and Italian at the Ohio State University is being exposed to a great deal of diversity. Such exposure has helped me overcome my inner fears as a thirty-something PhD student having left her country of origin for the first time. I have found here great friends, wonderful professors, and a very supportive staff. Our wonderful secretaries, Marlyn, Jodi, and Patty, have been, in so many cases, Ariadne’s thread in the labyrinth of graduate education and college teaching.

I have enjoyed all my classes, but what captivated me most was a francophone literature class, taught by my current advisor, Dr. Conteh-Morgan. He helped me discover what now constitutes my area of specialization: francophone literature of Sub-Saharan Africa and the Caribbean. To continue your education is above all to find out what drives and captivates you. I am very thankful to the Department of French and Italian for this opportunity that has changed my life for the better.

Kevin Snorteland, Current Graduate Student

What first drew me to the Department of French and Italian was the faculty. Entering my freshman year at OSU, I wasn’t sure what I was going to major in. That all changed by Winter Quarter. My 201 class was outstanding, and the professor encouraged me to study abroad that summer in Quebec. It was one of the best decisions I have ever made! After being there for the summer, I never wanted to stop studying French, and I haven’t since. After getting my B.A. in French from OSU, I entered the Graduate Program in French, where I hope to get my M.A. and eventually my Ph. D.

Mike Bierschenk, Former Undergraduate Student

I had a great experience in the French Department at Ohio State. As an honors student, I was very pleased with the willingness of the faculty to work with me in helping me to achieve my own goals and follow my own academic interests. My advisor, Dr. Marx-Scouras, helped me develop a plan of study that allowed me to investigate relatively uncommon topics in French Studies, such as the music of Quebec. I´m currently enrolled as a graduate student at Louisiana State University, where I´m pursuing a doctoral degree in French. The education I received at OSU prepared me well for my current studies: my coursework -- along with the study abroad experiences that are so easy to find at OSU -- let me develop my language skills, and the research I did during my undergraduate years gave me a very solid grounding in research. I would definitely recommend OSU´s French Department to anyone who asked me; I wouldn´t be where I am today without my experience there.

Mike Bierschenk
B.A. in French, 2004
Graduate student in French
Louisiana State University

Ebun Taiwo, Former Undergraduate Student

One of the things I loved about my Ohio State experience was the ability to craft a program that combined many of my interests. My studies included work in several departments, including political science, African and African-American studies, and of course the French department. I´ll admit that as a freshman I never envisioned becoming a French major. Although I had come to Ohio State with enough AP credit to fulfill my language requirements, I decided to continue to improve my language skills. Surprisingly, as I became more interested in my studies in the other two disciplines, I realized how important the French language and culture have been in shaping international affairs. I especially enjoyed how OSU’s French department integrated language study with literature and culture encouraging us to go beyond grammar to grasp the full history and depth of French society. When taking advantage of the department’s many opportunities to study abroad, it meant we were much better prepared to take full advantage of the experience. While studying at IES Paris for a semester my third year, I took classes on subjects as diverse as French politics, African art, the language of business, and a philosophy course examining the works of Franz Fanon. While in France I also interned at L´Afrique Conseil, an organization that helps recent African immigrants navigate through institutional bureaucracy. The experience led me to spend a year studying at the Institut d´Etudes Politiques in Paris, where among other things I studied theories of integration in French society. I am currently on a fellowship researching political participation of ethnic minorities in Brussels and getting ready to attend law school this fall at Yale.

Ebun Taiwo
B.A. in French, 2003
Yale Law School

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