Alessa Rigal

Alessa Rigal

Class: 2008

Graduated with a double major in French, Global Studies and minor in Spanish in 2008
"French always had a role in my life, but it wasn’t until I got to SSU that it became more prominent – as I decided to add it as part of my double major in Global Studies and French. My dad and all his family are French, but it was spending time there before SSU and then spending a semester in Paris that really made that French love flourish! I spent a year in Southern Spain as well, and after graduating, I moved to the UK. A soon-to-be British husband and nearly 12 years later, it is all still going well! My jobs over the last decade have focused in the humanitarian space – with refugees and asylum seekers and then more focused within labour rights. French has played a key role in each of those jobs, allowing me to connect and speak with workers right up to Moroccan government officials. Getting to use French and Spanish have been such assets, playing a key role in my career. Suzanne and Christine were such inspiring, diligent and challenging professors that really cemented a greater love for the language. It is such a brilliant program and you will meet some incredible people!"