Alan has never truly called one place home. Though French by nationality, his childhood unfolded across continents: from Malaysia, where he spent over a decade, to the Caribbean, where he lived for five years. His global upbringing shaped not just his education but his entire worldview, instilling in him a constant drive for discovery.

That drive led him to Sciences Po, a prestigious university in France known for its focus on international relations. “I was highly interested in geopolitics and politics as a whole,” Alan shares. But over time, his academic interests evolved. Now majoring in economics, he is spending a year in Colombia, studying finance. His choice to study in Bogotá, he says, was fueled by his desire to experience Latin American culture and explore yet another continent.

“I’ve always seen myself abroad,” he admits. “Because I have lived most of my life abroad, I have not defined a specific place, especially in France, where I can define as home. And until now, I feel more comfortable being abroad than in France.”

Between Intimacy and Exclusivity

For someone who has spent much of his life outside France, Alan’s relationship with his mother tongue is anything but conventional. French was primarily spoken in his household, but outside of that, it played a limited role in his early years.

“It was kind of specific because I haven't really spoken French outside of my household until I came back to France and the French Caribbean,” he explains. Despite this, he recognizes how language can be a tool for connection. “When speaking to someone in French, I felt that I had something in common with them. It made breaking the ice easier.”

Yet, Alan also acknowledges the complexities of the French language both linguistically and culturally. “French culture, especially internet culture, has a lot of references. For foreigners trying to learn French, it’s difficult to blend into the language and culture as a whole,” he notes. He describes French as a language of deep intellectualism, known for its literature and historical references.

But at the same time, he sees a growing divide: younger generations, particularly in France, are losing their grasp on the language. “Because of the internet and the decreasing level of French in younger generations, I don’t know how well it will be maintained in the future,” he admits.

From Vertical to Horizontal Learning

Having studied in both France and Colombia, Alan has observed differences in their academic environments. “The French system is really strict,” he says. “It’s based on grades, and the relationship with professors is mostly vertical. There’s a clear hierarchy.” In contrast, he finds the Colombian academic culture much more relaxed and engaging. “In Colombia, the relationship between students and professors is more horizontal. You can actually call your professor by their first name or even message them on WhatsApp. It’s much more direct, and the grading system is also easier,” he says, pointing out the notable shift from the rigid structure he was used to in France.

Reflecting on the efficiency of education, Alan shares a surprising realization. “I did spend a year learning on my own, and I realized that much of what I do in the French system over the course of an entire day, I could actually condense into just an hour of focused concentration.” His experience in different academic settings is just another example of how structures and cultural approaches to education shape knowledge, and of course, language.

Education Beyond the Classroom

Alan’s perspective on France’s global influence has been shaped not by university in France or Colombia, but by his personal travels, particularly a year spent in Iran. “Colombia is actually my 47th country,” he reveals. By the time he arrived in Bogotá, he had already formed strong opinions about France’s place in the world.

But Iran was different. “The way Western media portrayed Iran before I visited had already created stereotypes in my mind,” he says. “Being inside the country, talking to locals, and experiencing their daily life completely reshaped my perspective. Not just on Iran but on how Western media presents foreign nations.”

Despite France’s role in global affairs, Alan sees shifts happening, particularly in Francophone Africa. “Many African countries are questioning their relationship with France, and some have even abandoned French in favor of English,” he explains. Yet, the future remains uncertain. “Some statistics say that due to high population growth in Africa, French could rival English in the future. But at the same time, there’s a strong pushback against France’s diplomatic presence in the region.”

The question of France’s influence extends beyond politics, it’s also about culture and language. Institutions like Alliance Française, diplomatic organizations, and France’s extensive embassy network continue to promote French culture worldwide. “Alliance Française plays a big role in spreading the language and promoting aspects of French culture like cinema,” Alan says. “We also have a strong diplomatic network and humanitarian projects that contribute to France’s global image.”

But is it enough? He’s unsure. “I actually don’t know what France’s strategy is today for promoting the language, but yeah, I actually don’t know,” he admits.

French Without France

Alan’s connection to the French language goes beyond Europe. His father, a French teacher, spent time teaching in Pondicherry, India which was once a French colony. “When General de Gaulle gave Pondicherry its independence, residents were given the choice to become French citizens. Many accepted, and to this day, there are generations of Indians with French nationality who have never set foot in France but still benefit from its social and educational systems,” he explains.

He’s also encountered remnants of French influence in other parts of Asia, such as Laos, but explains that in former Indochina, the language is fading. “In Vietnam, French is not prioritized anymore. People prefer learning English or their national language,” he says.

The Social Hierarchy of Language

French has long been a global language, but Alan questions whether it can maintain its relevance. “French is still the second most-used diplomatic language after English, and it plays a significant role in international organizations,” he acknowledges.

But he also sees a troubling trend, particularly in France itself. “There’s a correlation between social class and language proficiency,” he observes. “Higher-class individuals tend to speak French at a much higher level, while those who struggle with the language often face more challenges in education and employment.” This, he argues, creates a cycle of elitism that makes mastering French not just a matter of language, but of social mobility. 

For non-native speakers, learning French presents its own difficulties. “The spectrum of sounds in French is complex, somewhere between English and Arabic. Many Spanish speakers, for example, struggle because they try to pronounce French words using only the front of their mouth, but French requires a deeper sound.” Add to that the intricate spelling rules and countless grammatical exceptions, and it’s no surprise that many learners find French more challenging than other Romance languages like Spanish or Italian.

So, what does the future hold for the French language? Alan hesitates. “It depends on global dynamics. France is one of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, but a lot of countries are questioning its position. With African nations distancing themselves from their colonial past, I don’t know how the French will evolve.”

Still, he believes every French speaker bears some responsibility. “Every time we encourage someone to learn French or speak it in a meaningful way, we play a part in maintaining its relevance,” he says.

For Alan, his life between cultures has given him a unique viewpoint, one that allows him to see France from both the inside and the outside. “Having lived abroad, I’ve always been confronted with external perspectives on France,” he reflects. “It forces you to be critical.”

In an era where globalization is reshaping languages, cultures, and national identities, Alan represents a new kind of global citizen, one who belongs everywhere and nowhere at once. And in that fluidity, he finds not uncertainty, but freedom.