“Understanding more than one language opens the door to understanding more than one truth. That’s the mindset I want to bring to global advocacy work.”
Attended FAA: 1st Grade to 8th Grade
Current School: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (Morehead-Cain Scholar)
Q: Tell me about your background, interests, and educational journey thus far?
I was born in France to Senegalese and Guinean parents, and I moved to the United States at the age of six when my dad’s job brought our family here. I’m a passionate soccer fan (Go PSG!) and played on my high school’s varsity team all four years. I also love traveling, my current dream destination is Chennai, India. I spent eight years at the FAA, an experience that fundamentally changed who I am now and how I approach new experiences. Thanks to the FAA, I am insatiably curious and constantly seek out new challenges. I now attend McNair Academic High School in Jersey City.
Q: Tell me about your “bilingual journey”, that is, when and why were you enrolled in the French American Academy?
I was enrolled at the French American Academy shortly after moving from France to the United States. My parents wanted to ensure I maintained my French while learning English in a structured environment. Ultimately, this was the best choice because I wasn’t intimidated or scared starting school in a new country, and I could learn English very quickly.
Q: Sometimes bilingualism benefits us in unforeseen ways … you never know when knowing multiple languages will open the world up unexpectedly. How have you benefited from your bilingual education?
Bilingualism has become my secret toolbox, something I draw from in unexpected moments. Most recently, during spring break, I missed my connecting train in Lyon because of issues with my train. I instinctively pretended to be a lost American tourist, which helped me secure a refund from the frustrated SNCF worker who had just dealt with a long line of grumbling customers. Beyond travel hacks, bilingualism has helped me build bridges between cultures. Understanding francophone cultures and my French, Senegalese, and American identities has allowed me to really connect with people from vastly different backgrounds.
Q: Were there any particular experiences, classes, or projects at The French American Academy that influenced your future field of study in college?
Absolutely. My interest in public policy is the product of years of formative experiences at FAA. Being elected class délégué in third grade was my first taste of civic responsibility. In middle school, classes like Monsieur Tourais’s math lessons or Madame Spettel’s history and geography class, where we explored urbanism and the future of cities, shaped how I think about systems and how people interact. Ms. Karla’s Spanish class debates pushed me to think globally, and Ms. Karam’s history lessons on Reconstruction made me curious about justice and social systems.
Q: How did your time at the FAA prepare you for the challenges of High School and College?
FAA’s small, supportive community empowered students to take initiative. If you had an idea, like organizing a talent show or hosting a cooking competition, you just had to raise your hand. That “say yes to everything” mindset stayed with me. In high school, launching new initiatives was harder, but I had already learned how to lead and build momentum. That’s how I did the morning announcements and served as the Jersey City Board of Education student representative. FAA gave me the confidence to speak up and take action.
Q: Where do you see yourself in five or ten years, and how do you think your bilingual education will continue to shape your journey?
I plan to work in international human rights law in ten years and pursue a J.D./LL.M. through a dual-degree program like the one between Sciences Po and UPenn Carey Law. My bilingual education has already taught me how to navigate and bridge different cultural and legal systems. Understanding more than one language opens the door to understanding more than one truth. That’s the mindset I want to bring to global advocacy work.
Q: Can you think of any fond memories, anecdotes, or unforgettable teachers from your time at the FAA?
There are so many. After college, I plan to do Teach for America, which I can trace directly back to the incredible teachers I had at FAA. From Sophie and Ms.Christina in first grade, to Mathieu and Ms. Radoncic in third grade, to Ms. Correa, Ms. Amanda, Jamila, Madame Venturelli, and Mrs. Karam, each left a lasting impression. They made learning feel magical.
One specific memory I frequently look back on fondly is my 5th-grade Exit Project. It was the first major presentation I ever gave, and still one of the best. I practiced for weeks and knew my material inside and out. Alongside the presentation, I wrote a paper on climate change that, at the time, I was convinced was the most brilliant piece of writing on the subject ever produced. Whenever I take on a big project or walk into a college interview, I think back to that presentation, a time before I learned to doubt myself. I saw myself as an expert then, and honestly, I was.
Rayana Ba’s journey from the French American Academy to becoming a Morehead-Cain Scholar at UNC Chapel Hill and a 2024 Bezos Scholar is a testament to her dedication and the solid foundation she built during her formative years.
