” Growing up trilingual taught me that, while there is only one physical world, there are many lenses through which to understand it.”
Q. Tell us a bit about yourself. Where did you grow up? What languages do you speak at home, and what are you currently studying or passionate about?
I was born in Atlanta, Georgia, but my family moved to New Jersey when I was six. I grew up speaking three languages constantly: French with my dad and his side of the family, Spanish with my mom and her side of the family, and English at school. I used to think this was completely natural, and it took me a while to realize it’s a skill! Currently, I’m a high school senior at The Hudson School in Hoboken, working on my college applications, and I’m planning to major in Communication Arts with a minor in Film Studies (art and visual storytelling is what I’m most passionate about!).
Q. What inspired your family to choose The French American Academy, and how did your experience there strengthen your connection to different languages and cultures?
I joined the FAA in fourth grade. Switching schools was my mom’s idea. At the time, she wanted me to learn to write in French (I was already able to speak and read pretty well). At first, I really didn’t like the idea of changing schools, but it turned out to be one of the best decisions I’ve made. It gave me a chance to make friends who had grown up in France and in many other parts of the world.
Q. You grew up speaking French, Spanish, and English. How did learning in such a multilingual and multicultural environment influence the way you think, learn, or connect with others?
I think growing up trilingual and seeing it as something “natural” rather than a challenge or a special skill has a lot to do with my current interest in communication and art. As a child of immigrants who had to constantly navigate three different languages, I’m very aware of the need for dynamic, cross-cultural understanding. Growing up trilingual taught me that, while there is only one physical world, there are many lenses through which to understand it. I’m drawn to art because it offers yet another lens, another language, with the potential to foster a sense of multicultural understanding. That’s why we easily find ourselves laughing or crying while encountering art produced by people with whom we seem to have very little in common. Whether in games or films, I hope to contribute to international projects that foster artistic innovation, enable broad collaboration, and have a lasting impact.
Q. Were there any teachers or classmates who made a lasting impression on you? What lessons or moments from them have stayed with you?
There were many. A few that come to mind right away: Ms. Jamila Idnnajem (my 4th and 5th grade teacher) and Ms. Venturelli (my middle school French teacher). As for projects, I will never forget “Face à Face,” the one-hour musical we produced back in 2020-2021. Even though I did not feel prepared to act at the time, I was put in charge of the lighting and other technical aspects. I will never forget how happy I was to see how much I was able to contribute, even if I was not on stage per se. Fast-forward to high school, I have since had roles in two plays (“Rosie” and “The Radium Girls”), which I enjoyed a lot, and I’ll be playing the guitar in a musical next April. I really think that my experience with “Face à Face” was key in developing my interest in these kinds of projects.
Q. Speaking more than one language can open doors in surprising ways. Can you share a moment when your bilingual background helped you connect with someone or experience something new?
My high school recently hosted exchange students from France. Because I can speak their native languages fluently, I was able to host some of the visitors for a week. I think it made a real difference for them, as they felt a little closer to home because they could speak French with me.
Q. Where do you see yourself in the next few years, and how do you think your bilingual and international background will continue to shape your goals and identity?
Whereas in the past I drew as a hobby, I came to realize that I want to make art not just my career but my way of life. I am confident that working as an artist is a profession I am eager to pursue. I look forward to turning a childhood hobby into a career that doesn’t feel like “a job” but the best path to continue my personal journey of learning, understanding, and communicating (in many languages), one artistic production at a time.
