Abigaile Luber
I am a fourth-year double major in Romance Studies and Classics. As a lifelong history lover, I jumped at the chance to study Latin in high school, an experience which both deepened my enthusiasm about the ancient world and led me to become curious about the modern Romance languages. During my time at OSU, I have studied Italian, French, and Spanish, as well as Latin and Ancient Greek. Every professor that I have worked with in the FRIT department has been incredibly supportive and gone out of their way to help me develop my interests, which has opened doors for me that I never thought possible. With the help of a research scholarship, I have traveled to France in order to work on my senior thesis, and I have also spent a summer studying in Siena, Italy, where I volunteered with a local organization to help provide Italian language lessons for refugees from countries such as Pakistan, Mali, and Afghanistan. Being part of FRIT has given me the opportunity to connect not only with other OSU students and faculty, but also with people from all over the Francophone and Italophone worlds, which has been an unforgettable experience.
After graduating in Spring 2024, I am planning to earn a Master’s degree in Classics and Ancient History with the hope of eventually moving on to a doctorate. I would love to become a professor or to work in historic preservation —even better if it meant I could return to Italy or France to stay!
Alex Fulkerson
Hello! My name is Alex Fulkerson, and I am a fourth year double major in French and Italian at The Ohio State University. My main areas of interest are second language acquisition, queer studies, and the ways in which our identities intersect with culture, especially when learning a second language. Language learning in general is one of my main passions—I have also studied Romanian and Japanese in my time here at OSU. I chose FRIT because their French and Italian courses are excellent for consistently improving and becoming more confident in my language skills while also addressing other important subjects like history, environment, and art through the lens of culture. The diversity of these offerings is what impressed me the most about FRIT; it is a great place to be if you wish to pursue a career involving either of these languages.
Ben Veres
My name is Ben Veres and I am Majoring in Biochemistry and Minoring in both French and Political Decision Making. I am also a TA for the Organic Chemistry Laboratory! I love Biochem and plan on getting my Ph.D. in Medicinal Chemistry. I also love to hang out with my friends, play volleyball, and sing. I decided to minor in French because I wanted to be able to open my career opportunities with my future medicinal research. Health care is necessary everywhere, and if I can help save the lives of francophones and anglophones, I will.
Connor Estrel
I’m a fourth-year student studying English (Writing, Rhetoric, and Literacy) and French with a minor in Studio Art. My academic interests include literature studies, writing, and any context where I can practice my conversational French. Outside of class, I love painting, drawing, going for walks around campus, and trying different coffee shops around the Columbus area.
I chose French because I love learning about French culture and have been taking language courses since middle school. Starting at Ohio State as a French minor, I added it as a second major once I learned of the academic resources and various class subjects the department has to offer. My favorite things about FRIT are the study abroad programs and funding available for undergraduate students–I spent this past summer studying in Montpellier, France, and it was an incredibly fun and enriching experience, filled with countless 90 cent baguettes.
Deepta Paramasamy
Hello, my name is Deepta Paramasamy and I am a senior double majoring in Chemistry BS and French! Since I was young, Marie Curie has been a major inspiration to my life. This later lead to me discovering and falling in love with the French language, culture, philosophy, literature, art, music, history, and of course the food. I have studied French since I was 12 and wanted to continue my education, more intensively, throughout college. I was able to study abroad in Montpellier, France during the summer of 2022 through an Ohio State Global Education program, and it was the most memorable part of my college experience. My favorite part of FRIT are the incredibly supportive professors. I have been able to form an amazing connection with each French professor I’ve had. They are truly committed to seeing students succeed and supporting them by any means possible. After graduation, I plan to get my PhD in chemistry, potentially in France!
Dominic Kestranek
My name is Dominic Kestranek but mostly everyone calls me Dom. I am a third-year Biology Pre-Med student with a minor in Italian. Since kindergarten I have been learning foreign languages starting with Spanish. I was able to switch to Italian in high school as it was a new course offered. It was instinctive for me to switch because of my strong Italian heritage. Not only is foreign language important to me because of the correlative benefits in many different subjects, but Italian holds an even deeper place in my heart. For me it is not only a way to show appreciation to my grandparents, but also a way to preserve our family's legacy and name.
I came to The Ohio State University with no original intent to pursue an Italian minor, however, due to being in the College of Arts and Sciences, I was required to continue my study of foreign languages. In light of the connection the Italian language gives me to my heritage, I chose to continue on this path. I loved every aspect of the courses and professors which made me grateful to continue my studies. This decision led me to participate in the Italian City Study Abroad Program. This was one of the most significant experiences in my life, not only because of the unimaginable memories and life-long friendships I created, but because it helped me solidify my decision to minor in Italian. Ever since then I have never looked back and truly believe it has been one the most influential decisions of my life. My colleagues in the FRIT program are some of the best people I have met since coming here, and some of my favorite extracurricular memories come from FRIT events such as movie nights or soccer tournaments.
Emily Powell
Hello! I’m Emily and I am a 3rd-year pre-law student studying history and French & Francophone studies. Outside of class, I love spending time quilting and playing video games (in French of course!) I started learning French in high school and fell in love with the language! When I got to OSU, I was unsure if I would have time to continue my studies. The French & Francophone studies major is a perfect fit for me! The degree requirements allow me to count courses for both of my majors! Further, I love being able to explore the Francophone world culturally and not just linguistically. I’ve been able to pick classes and projects that allow me to study my specific interests, like the Francophone colonization of Africa. One of my favorite parts about FRIT is how tight knit the community is! The small department allows you to get close with both your professors and your classmates. Whether your goal is to be a lawyer, teacher or diplomat, the FRIT department is incredibly encouraging of your dreams!
Julia Bonafede
Ciao! I am Julia, and I study aviation and Italian. I chose the FRIT program because it was a dream since I was little to be able to speak the Italian language. I have Italian heritage on both my parents side yet no one speaks the language so I am excited to be the first person in a few generations to speak Italian! My favorite thing about the FRIT program is the education that it has given me as well as the professors! I love learning about the culture, traveling throughout Italy as well cooking Italian food! I would love to visit all the regions in Italy, as of now I have been to 9 out of the 20 regions. I studied abroad in Lecce in 2022 and spent a month in Grosseto this summer as an au pair for an Italian family.
Liliana D'Alesio
My name is Liliana, and I’m fourth year neuroscience major and Italian minor from Park Ridge, Illinois who plans on attending medical school after graduation. In addition to my studies, I am a volunteer Crisis Text Line counselor, player for the OSU Soccer Indoor Club, assistant for a pancreatic cancer research lab, and employee for SLDS. My family history and culture formulated my passion for learning Italian; my maternal grandparents arrived in the U.S. from Bari, Italy in the 1950s, while my whole paternal family, including my father, still reside in Rome. I even spent the first four years of my life in Rome! My favorite thing about FRIT is that the program truly feels like a family, united by a common appreciation for European culture and language.
Past FRIT Ambassadors
Lu Kurucz
Lu Kurucz is a fourth-year studying neuroscience and French. She has studied French for over ten years and been fortunate to use her language skills while traveling to francophone countries. While she began her time in the FRIT department as a French minor, she quickly changed to a double major after experiencing the welcoming and supportive environment of the major. One of Lu's favorite parts of being a French major is the close-knit feel. Not only has she been able to make many close friends, but she's also been able to take multiple classes with the same professors, making the department feel like a close network of friends and supporters.
After graduating in the spring, Lu is planning to pursue a Master of Social Work. One of her post-college goals is to live in a francophone country for a period of time. Speaking a second language provides Lu and all other students the ability to get to know the world in a more intimate way and feel more confident abroad. Her time spent in the FRIT department has allowed Lu to be prepared for the future, not only with her language skills, but also with confidence and open-mindedness.
Tara McClenaghan
Tara is a fourth year student pursuing a French major, a minor in Computer and Information Science, and a certificate in Translation and Interpretation. Her interests and hobbies are varied: writing fiction in both English and French, music, miniature painting, dance, gaming, anime, and cosplay. She has also served as the Vice President of OSU's Scarlet and Gray Anime Club for the past 2 years.
She studied at the Université de Bourgogne in Dijon, France in the spring of 2022 and gained a newfound appreciation of mustard and French culture while there. She has dreams of one day becoming a polyglot, but the French language will always be her first and oldest love. After graduation, she plans to eventually immigrate to France, become a citizen, and pursue a career in either literary translation or video game localization.
Christina Intili
Christina Intili is a double major in French and Political Science with a focus in International Relations. She has been studying French since the age of 13 and did a study abroad program in Nantes through IES Abroad and Ohio State OIA. The experience of becoming a FRIT major and studying abroad has been a life changing experience, and unlike other majors with potentially large class sizes, FRIT offers a special sense of community and solidarity with other students and professors. What Christina appreciates most about FRIT is the facility of student accommodation and wide access to financial scholarships, in addition to the tight-knit interpersonal relationships.
Brando Bond
I am majoring in Romance Studies and Security and Intelligence, and I plan to graduate in May 2022.
I chose to study Italian in college because since I was very young, I had always had a fascination for the language and the culture. My mother would tell me about my Italian grandparents that she grew up knowing. She always wanted to learn the language and grew up hearing it often, but it was hard for her since she is deaf in one ear. This inspired me to want to connect with my heritage, and so I did. I grew up speaking Spanish since I was 12 because I had many Hispanic friends. After becoming fluent in Italian, I found the Romance Studies major to be a great way to refine my Spanish. Then, I decided French would be a proper third language to pursue as it is very popular around the world. I began to see the connections between all the Latin languages and many even with English which I find fascinating! I have since become fluent in Portuguese outside of my university studies. Now, I am serving as a ministry leader in a Hispanic church and working as an interpreter for the Spanish community in Dayton, Ohio. It is one of the most rewarding experiences being able to speak multiple languages and using them to serve the community. The programs at OSU truly equip you and immerse you into the many different cultures like no other.
Upon graduation, I will begin my journey in finding the best place to offer my language skills and will build upon them even more through the experience I gain by traveling and working abroad and here in the states. I have considered many intelligence agencies and will continue exploring ways to serve my country and other countries with these languages. I am also a musician, so I plan to continue serving in the Hispanic church and other churches, singing in each language.
Cailyn Boyd
My name is Cailyn, and I am double majoring in French and Communication with the plan of graduating in the spring of 2022. When I first began at Ohio State, I declared French as my minor. However, I quickly realized that I wanted more opportunities to spend time in the language and learn about the culture, so I decided to study it more seriously. The experience, to say the least, has been immensely rewarding. As someone who values open-mindedness, diversity, and intellectual growth, learning a second language has been as fulfilling as it has been exciting. I am so grateful for the new perspectives and people that French has introduced me to.
After graduation, I would love to do international business and travel abroad for my work. Afterall, “if something is both terrifying and amazing then you should definitely pursue it.” -Erada
Kiernan Clegg
Hi! My name is Kiernan Clegg, and I am a third year student with a double major in Italian and Fashion Merchandising.
I plan to graduate in May 2023 and after graduation I am planning to join the fashion industry and use my knowledge of the Italian language and culture as a major asset for my employer. I hope to live abroad in Italy for a little while as well.
I decided to study Italian because I fell in love with the language while studying it in high school. Participating in my high school’s student exchanges, both hosting and traveling to Italy, made me realize the value of speaking Italian. Learning about all things Italian also allows me to feel more connected to one part of my ethnic heritage.
Initially, I was a Marketing major at Miami University, and after taking my first class of Italian there, I knew it would become a major or minor in my college career. After transferring to Ohio State the Italian and FRIT department made sure it was a very easy transition for me. The Italian department at Ohio State is like a close knit family. All the professors and faculty truly care about you and your progress in school. Everyone is constantly striving to do better and we work together to do that.
Maddie Conley
My name is Maddie Conley, and I am a fourth-year undergraduate student majoring in English and History with minors in Italian and International Conflict & Peace Studies. I’ll be graduating this spring in May 2022. After graduation, I plan to enroll in a Masters program in Library and Information Sciences, with a specialization in Archival Records Management. I declared my Italian minor not long after my freshman year here at Ohio State! I’ve loved my time with the Italian Department, which has radically shaped the course of my college career. Learning about intercultural competency in my Italian classes has had a large impact on my International Conflict & Peace Studies minor— just one of the many examples of how my time with FRIT has shaped me and my other paths of study for the better. Another amazing thing about the Italian Department is the incredible people — professors and fellow students — that I’ve had the opportunity to meet. I’ve made some great friends and gained some great mentors! Finally, FRIT’s location in Hagerty Hall introduced me to Crane Cafè, which may be the most important development of my college career.
Aminata Diallo
My name is Aminata A Diallo and I am a fourth-year undergraduate student majoring in International Relations and Diplomacy. I am minoring in French and also African American and African Studies. I am from West Africa therefore I always had a bit of a French background. This is why I decided to pursue a minor in French studies at Ohio State when I enrolled. In the near future I want to become a diplomat which is why French will always be useful for me.
During my time at Ohio State, I’ve met so many different people from all over the world. It has been an amazing experience and I can’t wait to carry many relations into the future. After graduation I plan to volunteer with nonprofit organizations to gain experience. I plan to use my degree to make many connections and explore the world ! I am very grateful for this chance to be an ambassador because there are so many OSU experiences I would love to share with others !
Jarod Griffith
My name is Jarod Griffith and I am a fourth-year undergraduate student majoring in Romance Studies and a minor in Neuroscience with the plan to graduate in 2022. Initially, I planned on majoring in neuroscience but after taking some French classes I realized that my true passion was learning languages. I remember attending a FRIT welcome event to learn more about the French major but then I discovered Romance Studies. The possibility to learn more than one language within four years was something that I could not let pass me by. I’m glad to have made this decision as it is extraordinarily fulfilling.
What I love the most about this department is the welcoming atmosphere. I feel like I could approach my professors and have meaningful conversations not only about the course, but even about what is happening in my own life as well as the world around us. I feel that they care for me and my success as a student.
After graduation, I plan to apply for the Teaching Assistant Program in France where I would be getting first-hand experience of being in a French classroom teaching French students.
Kala McClure
My name is Kala McClure, and I am a fourth-year undergraduate student majoring in French with minors in Higher Education & Student Affairs and Women, Gender & Public Policy. I originally chose to come to OSU because we are one of the only schools in the state of Ohio with a World Language Education program. For most of my life, my dream was to become a French teacher. Although I changed my career trajectory during my second year, I knew that I wanted to stay a French major-- after almost nine years of studying French, I cannot imagine my life without it.
After graduation, I plan to go to graduate school to pursue a master's degree in Higher Education & Student Affairs. Although this does not have a direct tie to French language and culture, I will be far better equipped to support college students because of my well-rounded education on intercultural competency, intersectional feminisms, and inclusive leadership, each of which is represented by one aspect of what I study.
I am extremely grateful to the Department of French & Italian, not only for playing a major role in my academic development over the years, but also for providing me with mentors and role models that genuinely care about my success.
Tristan Monteith
My name is Tristan Monteith, I am majoring in Public Affairs, Political Science and French and Francophone Studies. The first day that I walked into my French 1103 class, my first college-level class ever, I was expecting it to be a General Education requirement. That class reminded me of my passion for French. I decided that I wanted to study French in my college career in some capacity, even` just minoring. The professors I have had in the French department have been my favorite at this university and have truly made my college experience what it has been thus far. I am so lucky to have these people to support me in my academics.
After Graduation I would like to obtain my Master's in Public Administration and potentially attend law school after that to work in family, environmental, or international law. I hope that French serves as a way I can communicate with different people in my job if I am able.
Preston Newkirk
My name is Preston Newkirk and I am a senior studying Civil Engineering and French. I’m fortunate enough to have studied French since kindergarten and over the years I’ve witnessed first-hand how language can help build friendships with people from all over the world. The French language has expanded my opportunities and provided me the tools I need to work internationally. I plan to focus my career around humanitarian engineering work and my French language skills. After graduating, I hope to join the Peace Corps and teach math and science in a Francophone country.
Dakota Daniel
My name is Dakota Daniel and I have a double major in nursing and Italian. I will be graduating in the spring of 2021 and while I am not sure of my exact path in nursing, I hope to work in critical care. In addition, I am looking into being a medical interpreter for the Italian and Italian-American population in Columbus. I decided to continue studying Italian in college after taking four years of the language in high school, and Dr. Aski encouraged me to take the minor to a major. As I’ve continued learning Italian, I have realized how valuable it is to speak a second language, not just for communication but the critical thinking skills and cultural appreciation that come with language acquisition. Learning Italian here at Ohio State is also particularly special because you are able to form personal and professional relationships with your instructors. Every professor cares deeply about their students and truly wishes for them to excel in all aspects of their life.
Tristan Monteith
My name is Tristan Monteith, I am majoring in Public Affairs, Political Science and French and Francophone Studies. The first day that I walked into my French 1103 class, my first college-level class ever, I was expecting it to be a General Education requirement. That class reminded me of my passion for French. I decided that I wanted to study French in my college career in some capacity, even` just minoring. The professors I have had in the French department have been my favorite at this university and have truly made my college experience what it has been thus far. I am so lucky to have these people to support me in my academics.
After Graduation I would like to obtain my Master's in Public Administration and potentially attend law school after that to work in family, environmental, or international law. I hope that French serves as a way I can communicate with different people in my job if I am able.
Rose Tyler
Hello! My name is Rose Tyler, and I study French and psychology here at Ohio State and plan to graduate in the spring of 2021. After graduation, I plan to enroll in a doctoral psychology program where I'll research children's cognitive and social development. I loved taking French in high school and wanted to continue practicing the language and learning more about French culture. I love how the department here is big enough to bring professors from France and to offer amazing study abroad opportunities, but also close-knit enough that I know most of my fellow French classmates and have grown close to them over the years. I'm so grateful for everything I've learned from the FRIT department and my summer abroad in Paris!
Jarod Griffith
I plan to graduate in 2022 with a major in Romance Studies and minor in Neuroscience. I initially did not plan on majoring in Romance Studies but rather in Neuroscience. I had planned to take French 1103 as my last language course but it was during this class that I really began to understand the language and the culture. I enjoyed that I could think in a different way, communicate with more people across the globe and better understand the differences as well as the similarities across cultures. I then went to the FRIT welcome party to learn more about the professors and the majors that were offered. I was most intrigued by Romance Studies major. I liked the idea of being able to learn multiple languages during my undergrad and wanted to know if this is something that I would be interested in. So I took a Spanish class to see if I felt the same joy that I had while learning French… and I did.
What I love the most about this department is the welcoming atmosphere. I feel like I could approach my professors and have meaningful conversations not only about French, Italian or the course program, but even about what is happening in my own life and in the world around us. I feel that they care for me and my success as a student.
I am uncertain of what career I would like to pursue after graduation whether that be teaching, interpreting, continuing my education or even something entirely different. I do know for sure that I do not see a future where I don’t speak another language every day.
Owen Morrish
I am a senior with majors in Romance studies and migration studies and a psychology minor. I first became interested in language learning after visiting Montréal at a young age, and have since enjoyed learning French, Italian, and Spanish on the Romance studies major. I am proud to be part of the inclusive FRIT community and love the department’s emphases on intercultural competency and post-colonialism. After graduating in May 2021, I plan to pursue an MA in Migration Studies.
Athena Markowski
My name is Athena and I am majoring in Journalism and double minoring in Italian and Media Production and Analysis. I plan to graduate in 2023. I study Italian because it connects me to my heritage. My grandpa immigrated from Italy, and I want to pay homage to my family by continuing to study the language and culture. After graduation I would love to move forward with sports journalism and one day travel to Italy to experience their sports culture.
Preston Newkirk
My name is Preston Newkirk and I am a junior studying Civil Engineering and French. I’m fortunate enough to have studied French since kindergarten and over the years I’ve witnessed first-hand how language can help build friendships with people from all over the world. The French language has expanded my opportunities and provided me the tools I need to work internationally. I plan to focus my career around humanitarian engineering work and my French language skills. After graduating, I hope to join the Peace Corps and teach math and science in a Francophone country.
Alexis Vance-Townsend
Hello! I am a senior majoring in Biochemistry and minoring in French. At first, I chose to study French as a minor because it was a natural continuation of my studies in high school, but I quickly found out that it was a nice break from the heavy science/math curriculum of my major and rounded out my college education. I’m also very interested in French aesthetic and francophone culture, so it has been very rewarding to further my knowledge and experience with it. I love that the department is relatively small because you really get to know much of the amazing staff on a fairly personal level. It personally makes me more likely to come out of my shell during class. Upon graduation this spring, I am planning on taking a gap year before I apply to medical school so one, I have a bit of a break before drowning in work again, and two, so I can gain some more valuable experience in the medical field. In the more distant future, I am excited to use my French experience in working abroad for doctors without borders, and upon retirement, it is my dream to have a small house in the south of France.