Attended FAA: Pre-K2 to 8th Grade
Current School: Vanderbilt University
“I believe my ability to speak French is a secret weapon. I have been able to take my studies and opportunities to the next level, setting myself apart from the rest, greatly thanks to my bilingualism.”
Q: Tell me about your background, interests, educational journey thus far?
I attended FAA my entire childhood, from Preschool up until 8th grade. It was the only school I knew, and my second home. The summer after 8th grade, I moved to NYC and began attending the United Nations International School, where I’ve been a student for all 4 years of high school. Now, I am days away from graduation, and am awaiting to start my academic journey at Vanderbilt University in the fall. I will be majoring in Political Science and Economics, but I know I will play around with my college courses to see which I choose to pursue seriously. Economics has been my main academic interest throughout high school, as well as Global Politics. I’ve been a part of many clubs regarding political issues and reform throughout the past 4 years, my main focus being an organization unique to my school, named “UNIS-UN”, where we organize a yearly conference in the UN General Assembly Hall centered around a global issue and invite over 300 international visiting school students. We curate the conference using guest speakers, debates, and much more. UNIS-UN has been my main focus club-wise, as I grew to be head of the Logistical Committee, and have poured countless hours into it. I am also a student-athlete and have run Cross-Country, indoor Track and Field, as well as outdoor Track and Field for the past three years. Being a part of a sports team truly taught me amazing lessons, whether it be in leadership or time management, as well as helped me clear my mind and not solely focus on school. Other hobbies of mine include cooking, fashion, and exercising, as well as spending lots of quality time with my friends and family.
Q: You’re trilingual, speaking English, Farsi, and French. Can you talk about your experiences being raised with three languages?
Honestly, I have been speaking Farsi, English, and French for so long, I often forget which one is my true native language. I would argue English is my native language (but my parents would angrily disagree). I am the sole fluent French speaker in my immediate family, which has been challenging and interesting, but I have grown to love it and believe it greatly adds to who I am. Being raised trilingual was often confusing–I have been known to mix all three languages in one sentence–but as I grew older, I grew to love my secret talent. My parents would often take me to visit my family in France, as a way to allow me to speak to native speakers and build my knowledge not only in the French language but the culture as well. I consider Nice, France to be one of my homes, and the city will always have a very special place in my heart, as will the entire French culture.
Q: How have speaking French and being connected to “le monde francophone” affected you?
I believe my ability to speak French is a secret weapon. I have been able to take my studies and opportunities to the next level, setting myself apart from the rest, greatly thanks to my bilingualism. I attended a two-week long course at SciencesPo Paris the summer before my junior year of high school, where I stayed with host families in Paris and took online college-level courses, in both French and English. Not only did I learn immense amounts of information from these courses, but I also set myself apart from my peers, who had all never experienced an international education. Especially considering I am looking to enter the world of politics, speaking multiple languages is a gateway to so many more opportunities. I have been able to make new connections, discover new issues and topics, and be able to explore ideas I would have never known of without being francophone. Being connected to “le monde francophone” has made me a unique student and person, and set me apart from the rest of my peers. I know that my skill is something I will carry along with me as I enter higher education, as well as when I enter the workforce, as it will never stop being important and helpful to my development.
Q: Have you got any specific memories or anecdotes that you treasure from your time at the FAA? Are there any teachers that stand out in your memory?
I truly cherish every moment I spent at the FAA. Some of my most formative memories were made in both the New Milford and Jersey City campuses, and I know I will carry them with me for the rest of my life, whether it be sneaking away to Radia’s office to gossip, or dancing with Mme. Venturelli, we truly did it all. Every teacher at the FAA truly left an impact on me, but I must say, Mrs. Karam, Mme. Venturelli, Cathy, and Mr. Tourais are the main ones I still think about daily. They all truly taught me foundational tools and lessons that have guided me through every step of high school, and I know I will now take them with me throughout college. I truly thank them every day for how much they have helped me grow and evolve, not only as a student but as a human being. And, of course, Anne-Sophie Gueguen, who is the one who created this amazing experience for me and all my fellow FAA peers, the one who allowed us to flourish and learn so much over our time at the school, and the one I give all credit to for the student I have become today.
