Anne West (PhD Candidate)

In 2006/07 I worked as a Lectrice at the Sorbonne as part of an exchange with FSU’s French Division. Before this, I had only visited France for weeks at a time. Living in Paris for an academic year is an entirely different experience! At the Sorbonne, I was one of the native speakers in the English Department and as such became a resource for the French professors, covering everything from explaining cultural references and idiomatic expressions to recording exam readings. I was one of two American lectrices. The other lecteurs came from England, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand. We became close friends and often laughed about our different dialects of English.

I lived in an apartment near some of the famous landmarks in Paris because our campus was in the 18th district. Montmartre, the artistic quarter, and the Sacré-Coeur basilica were literally just up the street. Spending the year in Paris is an incredible experience and has so many benefits ¬ improving practical language skills, studying in the national libraries, learning about French culture, and watching Paris change through the seasons. For me, Paris is no longer just a great tourist destination, but a place I consider home.

Currently, I am working on my dissertation under the direction of Dr. Walters, titled “Doulce chose est que mariage: Exemplarity and Advice in the Works of Christine de Pizan”. Christine, often cited as the first professional French woman writer, used her autobiography and knowledge of French history to challenge the critique of marriage and women prevalent in medieval literature.