Languages and Linguistics

Danielle
BA (Hons) Language Studies with Business (2001)

Following university I wanted to continue to improve my French but also to travel, so I moved to Casablanca in Morocco where I started working for the British Chamber of Commerce. My job including helping British businesses set up in Morocco and Moroccan companies to work with the UK . After 3 years I moved back to Paris where I worked for Cartier in the jewellery marketing department, before moving to Cannes where I worked for Chanel and then for two luxury villa rental companies.

In my current role I rent luxury villas from Monaco to St Tropez. As part of my job I assess the new villas, take photographs and write about them, meet clients and answer their requests. Worst part about the job - my high season is everyone else's holiday! Best part - being out in the sunshine and visiting some beautiful houses. The sacrifices I made were leaving my English friends and family behind. However they are happy to come to visit and my parents now live in France too.  

I would never be in France if I hadn't chosen a BA in language studies with business. My year abroad in Bayonne was essential and I never looked back. I'm now totally bilingual but wish I had listened a little bit more during the grammar lessons!

My future career aims include continuing to develop my company in the south of France and become Director of a rental agency.

Jean Douglas-Laird
BA (Hons) Applied Language (1991)

Whilst working towards my BAAL degree (Applied Language) I studied Linguistics and French.  After graduating with a 2:1, I went on to do a PGCE (Postgraduate Certificate in Education) at the University of Sussex. I subsequently taught French and Spanish in a local comprehensive school for 5 years, followed by a further 6 years in an independent school.

In August 2005 I went to the Maldives to work with VSO (Voluntary Service Overseas - an international development charity) as a volunteer, where I trained English teachers and wrote a Language Teaching Methodology course. 

In September 2007 I will be embarking on an MA in Theatre and Media for Development at Winchester University, before returning to the Maldives for 4 months to carry out a research project. In the meantime, from time to time I have also taught adults English, French and Spanish and have had some useful and well-paid interpreting/translating work.

Without my degree none of the above would have been possible and I have been able to use my language skills in a very rewarding way. Now I hope to use them practically as well, as when I finish the Masters degree at Winchester I hope to gain some short-term consultancy work in development, possibly in Latin America or a French-speaking country.