I chose my experience working with my classmate Katie on our French podcast as my artifact because it is a good representation of what I learned this semester. This podcast was an assignment in our Francophone Studies course, and its purpose was to showcase our conversation skills through a pair of interviews. We both had to recount a terrifying experience, followed by a series of questions from the other person. Our eight minute conversation was recorded at Katie’s house.
This podcast showcases how far I’ve come in speaking in French, my second language. I was asked to describe a time I was in fear, and I think that emotional impetus pushed my storytelling ability to a new level. The process of asking and answering questions gave me an opportunity for deep introspection, which also represents a new benchmark for me as a French speaker. I have plenty of experience talking about my past, but not in such a meaningful or emotional context. Sharing this challenge with another person added a personal dimension that had been lacking in my studies beforehand.
I believe that this project will inspire me to actively seek meaning in future academic experiences. What I mean by that is that I will not merely look to complete an assignment, but rather derive something more valuable or personally fulfilling if I can.