Keely Loh, B.A./B.S.
French and Cognitive Science
I studied French in high school and initially took French classes at UC Davis as a way to fulfill the language requirement to receive a B.A. However, I fell in love with the major through great learning experiences with the faculty and making connections with my peers! The courses captured my interest and the professors are all so engaging that I really enjoyed taking French classes each quarter! I would suggest that students who are new to UC Davis take a wide variety of classes to fulfill their GE requirements — it is a great time to explore different subjects and find new passions. For example, the French major introduced me to the subject of linguistics, which I never would have considered studying before, but it was one of my favorite things to learn about! The French major taught me a lot about how people communicate and pushed me to think critically about our increasingly globalized world. This is incredibly useful to me in my current work in education.
Studying literature, linguistics, and culture through the French major helped me practice many transferable skills (such as speaking, presenting, and analysis) and opened my eyes to many topics that inform my worldview. Classes on decolonization are especially relevant to me as an educator who is interested in culturally and historically responsive pedagogy! I absolutely recommend pursuing a major in French because it is so rewarding to study another language and it is so friendly to add as a double major. The faculty are amazing and the major makes up a very close-knit community that helps you feel more connected on a large campus like UC Davis! I made lifelong friends and really rounded out my education by completing the French major.