Raymundo Lopez
Class: 2020
Graduated with French and Political Science majors in 2020
"I would like to cordially thank Dr. Gaelle Corvaisier, Dr. Olivier Marteau, Dr. Christine Renaudin, and Dr. Suzanne Toczyski for supporting me in my journey in French at Sonoma State. One of the most memorable parts of that journey was, undoubtedly, my study abroad year in Aix-en-Provence, France. There, I was welcomed by a French-speaking host family, I ventured out into the southern cities and dined at rustic holes-in-the-wall, and met some extraordinary individuals. Moving forward, I am quite optimistic that my knowledge of the French language, and admiration of the Francophonie world, will complement my research interests in graduate school and in my future endeavors. I am interested in extra-territorial voting, the African Diaspora (with particular emphasis on the Caribbean), and voter disenfranchisement. Admittedly, there is a possibility that my trajectory may change, but having conducted preliminary class projects at Sonoma State—as well as years of speaking French under my belt—I depart from this institution with direction, confidence, and hope. I am spending this first summer after graduation at the African American Policy Forum at Columbia University, and will begin the Masters in Latin American Studies at Stanford in the fall."