It is not by chance that Renee and Amara became enrolled in one of the highest French-level courses at the home of the Mavericks, also known as The University of Texas at Arlington. It was almost instantly that we meshed over our love for the French language. Between the two of us, we have been fortunate enough to be immersed in the language for over 25 years. Soon after our first semester, we came to the realization that we needed to challenge our minds and take advantage of a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity: studying abroad in the City of Love, also known as Paris, France.

The Program https://utainparis.wordpress.com/ is especially unique since the professors from both the French and English departments are responsible for putting together such an amazing experience. We will have the opportunity to take college courses and explore the city, which is literally the best of both worlds. Submersing ourselves into such a beautifully complex language. We plan to experience the culture, embrace the different dialects, and challenge our fluency.

Even though we are such different people with different upbringings in perspective, it is no mistake how well we mesh. There’s a term used by Paul Coelho in his famous novel The Alchemist — Maktub. It is the concept that signifies that everything in life is written.

How YOU Can Help:

In addition to the program information linked above, here are our anticipated expenses for the entire trip.

Your support means the world to us as we work to make this dream a reality. Every contribution — no matter the size — will certainly help us take this vital step toward achieving our academic and personal goals.

What We Promise:

Taking the above into consideration, we want nothing less than to bring you along with us on this unique adventure! We have created an Instagram account (@amanee.fr) where we will detail our journey, from classes to excursions to popular monuments to exploring French cuisine. If you have any suggestions or ideas from your experience in Paris or things you’ve seen, please feel free to let us know through this form.

Please continue reading below to learn more about our stories and the impact your support would make!

Renee's Story

Overcoming unforeseen circumstances and pushing through life’s obstacles has been an intense and humbling journey, to say the least. Not in a million years did my parents think that a routine doctor’s visit would turn into an overnight stay, resulting in a cancer diagnosis for their 3-year-old. Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia with a life expectancy of 10 years.

Growing up on the West Coast in an inner city, where the predominant language spoken was Spanish, was quite an adjustment. Once my parents decided to enroll me in a French immersion program at the local public school, I often found myself in my own world. Learning French at such a young age was riveting, intriguing, and, of course, impossible at times.

I often found myself with my back up against the wall since the Internet wasn't an option to assist me with my studies. The more I studied and submerged myself into the language, the more I fell in love. By the time I was in middle school, I was nearly fluent. My teachers began to hold me to a higher caliber than some of the other students because they saw how deeply my passion had developed over the years.

Unfortunately, when it was time for the annual 8th grade Euro trip, my parents simply couldn't afford to send me. I was hurt, confused, and devastated. From that minute on, I promised myself that I would make it to Paris to study abroad by any means necessary. Over 20 years later, here we are.

By the time I got to high school, my middle school transcript afforded me the ability to be placed in the highest-level French course at Lincoln High School in San Diego, California. It ended up being a breeze, and I tutored high school seniors as a freshman.

Even though I was on a hiatus from taking French courses for the rest of my high school years, once I got to college, I dove back in head first. Despite my mother’s sudden passing in my Freshman year, roughly a decade later, l earned my Associate of Arts in French. After several years of experiencing the mundane nature of the jobs in corporate America, I was fed up. I didn’t feel challenged or valued, so I made the brave decision to return to college to finally pursue my current degree program at UTA.

There is something to be said about being in the right place at the right time, and I don’t say that lightly. So the mere thought of accomplishing a lifelong goal of this magnitude gives me the utmost pride and joy.

Amara's Story

My journey with French began in Nigeria, where my curiosity for the language first took root. Learning French was part of my school’s curriculum, and I was immediately captivated by its elegance and rhythm. I didn’t realize it at the time, but this would spark a lifelong connection to the French language.

When my family moved back to the United States, I continued studying French, taking my first major class in 7th grade. In my adjustment to American culture, French became more than just a school subject—it became a way to connect with cultures that felt familiar, yet new. I found comfort in discovering the diverse Afro-Francophone cultures, with a particular connection to the French-speaking countries in West Africa, like Cameroon and Senegal. Their histories, traditions, and customs resonated with me deeply and propelled me along in my language-learning journey.

One of the most transformative parts of my journey was exposure to French and Afro-Francophone music. Songs from artists in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Cameroon, and other Francophone countries felt strikingly familiar. I could hear echoes of my own Igbo culture in their rhythms, melodies, and storytelling, ultimately deepening my fluency in French.

From high school, I dreamed of studying abroad, and I had planned to do so during my sophomore year of college. However, my college journey didn’t go exactly as I had envisioned. While there were challenges and detours, I’ve come to see that every step was purposeful. I’m so grateful to God for the path He is leading me on and for the opportunity to finally fulfill this dream in my senior year at UTA.

This study abroad trip to Paris is more than just a chance to travel—it's an opportunity to fully immerse myself in a language and culture that has shaped my perspective in countless ways. I don’t take this opportunity for granted.

We both would like to thank you in advance for your donations, prayers, and support. We truly appreciate you!