revision of an essay

Taisha Alexandre

Nadia E Gonzalez

401 French & Francophone Cultures _

December 19, 2025

Final Reflection Essay

This semester was challenging but also very rewarding for me. Taking this course while balancing school, personal responsibilities, and everyday life pushed me in ways I did not expect. Throughout the semester, I was introduced to readings, films, and discussions that helped me see France and Francophone cultures from a deeper and more realistic perspective. At the same time, the course helped me grow as a writer and a student, especially as someone learning how to manage multiple responsibilities.

One of the most significant films we watched this semester was La Haine. This film stood out to me because it showed a side of France that is rarely talked about. Instead of focusing on beauty, fashion, or romance, it focused on social inequality, police violence, and the struggles of young people living in marginalized communities. Watching La Haine made me realize how important it is to look beyond surface-level images of a country. The film felt real and uncomfortable, which is why it left such a strong impression on me. Other readings and videos also stood out because they focused on identity, protest, and power, and helped me understand how history continues to affect people today.

Through this course, I gained a lot of new knowledge about France and Francophone countries. Before taking this class, my understanding of France was mostly based on stereotypes, such as food, fashion, and tourism. While those things are part of French culture, the course showed me that there is much more to learn. Topics like colonialism, immigration, and social protest helped me understand the challenges many people face in France. Even when some readings were difficult or not my favorite, they still helped me learn because they introduced me to perspectives I had not thought about before. Being exposed to new ideas helped me become more open-minded and aware.

Balancing this course with my personal life was not always easy, but it taught me important lessons. There were times when managing deadlines, readings, and writing assignments felt overwhelming. However, the structure of the assignments helped me stay on track and motivated me to keep going. The reflections and essays encouraged me to connect what we learned in class to real life, which made the work feel more meaningful and easier to understand.

This course also helped me improve my writing and critical thinking skills. At the beginning of the semester, I struggled with organizing my ideas and developing strong thesis statements. Over time, I became more comfortable expressing my thoughts and supporting them with examples from readings and films. I also learned how to analyze material instead of just summarizing it. Writing regularly helped me gain confidence and become more aware of my own voice as a student writer. Managing my time between school and other responsibilities also helped me improve my discipline and focus.

Overall, this course helped me grow both academically and personally. Reflecting on the readings, the knowledge I gained, and my writing progress showed me how much effort I put into this semester. Even though balancing everything was difficult at times, it made my success feel more meaningful. This course gave me a stronger understanding of France and Francophone cultures while also helping me become a more confident and capable college student.