Looking Ahead

Standing in a crowd and listening to the tour guide speak a different language, she looks up, squinting as the sun shines down upon her face, at the towering castle above her.

This was just one of the memorable moments that sociology major and French studies minor Elise Potier '26 experienced during her junior year study abroad in Nantes, France. Immersing herself in a new culture, language, and relationships inspired Potier to pursue international relations in graduate school.

Now a senior looking forward to her graduation this May, Potier will study at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) next fall, ranked the number two master's program for international relations by Foreign Policy magazine in 2024.

During her study abroad trip in France, Potier joined a university choir and lived with a host family. Through these newfound friendships, she connected with the culture around her and shared her own culture as well. By learning about the food she ate and the language she spoke, she was able to relate deeply to the people she met.

"Through all of the intercultural conversations I had with my host family and friends in France, I realized that I found fulfillment in talking about different cultures and helping others understand American culture," she says.

Potier felt prepared for her study abroad experience thanks to her time at Trinity, where she mastered the ability to connect with people of all different majors, cultures, and backgrounds.

A lifelong singer, Potier chose Trinity because she knew she could continue doing what she loves without having to major in music. Throughout her time at Trinity, she has taken vocal lessons with faculty and participated in the Trinity Choir and Chamber Singers, where she's formed friendships and performed at multiple events.

"I really liked that there was a big diversity in majors (in Trinity Choir and Chamber), how even though we all had different academic interests, we still shared the same passion for music," Potier says.

Potier's curiosity for connecting across cultures led her to major in sociology. In her first sociology class, "Oppression and Liberation in the U.S.," she learned about people and topics that she had not been exposed to in high school, which strengthened her interest in how society changes and shapes people around the world. She brought this knowledge with her during her study abroad trip and hopes to carry it into graduate school. "I think the knowledge I gained from my sociology classes helped me navigate those cultural differences (in France)," Potier says. "It allowed me to feel like I can find a space to talk to people and ask about how they differ from me: their customs, beauty standards, and work-life balance."

Sociology is not the only discipline that furthered Potier's knowledge and provided her with useful experience. It was her French studies minor that opened the door to the formative study abroad experience she had in France, and the classes she took every year prior to it furthered her knowledge of the language.

Potier's French studies professors helped guide her through her college journey, so when it came time to chart her postgraduate path, it only felt natural to turn to those with whom she'd made such strong connections at Trinity. She discussed her graduate school options with French Studies Professor Maxence Leconte, Ph.D., and he connected her with his former students. One of these students was Kyle Anderson '23, who spoke with Potier about his experience pursuing a master's in international affairs at George Washington University and how it led to his current job.

"Professor Leconte has always been there for me. I've taken a couple of classes with him, and he's really helped me find opportunities to grow, especially in my French-speaking skills, but even with general things, he would always be there to help me," Potier says. "I asked Kyle how Trinity prepared him for grad school. It was good to hear that it did not seem like a huge jump in rigor, and it was also interesting to hear what my future could look like if I followed in his footsteps."

With help from her mentors, Potier feels prepared for the new path she will embark on. As she looks back on her Trinity journey, she wants to leave students with this piece of advice.

"Keep your eyes on the prize. On the days that really feel academically tough, remember why the work you are doing is important, maybe it's: doing well on the next test, passing a class, working towards securing a job, internship, or getting into graduate school," Potier says. "I found that when I started to think about my progress in the long term, it made me more motivated to continue to push through those days and eventually see that hard work paid off to meet my goals."

For Potier, "keeping her eyes on the prize" made it possible for her to be able to move to Washington, D.C., master a new language, and attend graduate school. After working hard during her time at Trinity, she can set her sights on a bright future and look proudly at the many opportunities awaiting her.