MCL SPOTLIGHT

French Major Mathilde Anik-Vedel Travels to Paris
for a Semester-Long Legislative Internship with French Parliament

Spring semester of 2023 is bringing an opportunity of a life time to graduating French major Mathilde Anik-Vedel from California. She has been selected by The French American Fund (TFAF) for the competitive legislative internship with the French Parliament and with lawyers in Paris. Every year, with the support of the State Department and the Public Diplomacy Section of the United States' Embassy in France, TFAF offers opportunities for legislative internships to a small number of French and American students whose applications go through a rigorous selective process. With most applicants being usually graduate students, Mathilde’s admission is a testimony of the quality of the French program at VSU and the student’s excellent credentials, skills, and preparation. Says Eva Allouche, founder of TFAF: “We are happy to partner with VSU and The French American Fund is working toward providing students like Mathilde with a unique professional experience; interning with the French Parliament is a wonderful opportunity for a young American!”

The Department Head of MCL, Dr. Ofelia Nikolova, is indebted to Ms. Merritt Wall for establishing the connection with TFAF and personally with its incredible founder, Ms. Eva Allouche, through the Office of Chris Crawford, Chief of Staff of congressman Earl L. “Buddy” Carter. Since identifying Mathilde as a potential candidate for the internship, Ms. Allouche has worked closely with Dr. Nikolova and the student through dozens of meetings going on from July to December 2022 to help prepare Mathilde for the competition. Ms. Allouche’s dedication to the cause of TFAF - creating extraordinary opportunities in highest-level legislative settings for young people from both countries - is second to none and her determination to help and prepare the applicants is outstanding. We are fortunate to have her as an ally and a friend.

Mathilde is grateful for Ms. Allouche’s staunch support and for the scholarships received from the Department of MCL, CoHSS Dean’s Office, the Center for International Programs, and the VSU Foundation.

We are excited that she has already participated in the first internship event. According to TFAF tradition, new interns are introduced to legislators, lawyers, members of the American Embassy in Paris, and other partners at an annual Gala in late December. This year’s Gala took place on December 20 in The Hotel of Talleyrand, Georges Marshall Center in Paris and Mathilde was invited to address the audience. After the event, she was greeted personally by Congressman Earl L. “Buddy” Carter from Georgia and retired Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen from Florida.

 

 

 

We wish Mathilde a transformative internship and a successful educational and professional path after graduation in May 2023. Her selection by TFAF and her upcoming internship with the French Parliament puts VSU and MCL on the map for the highest-level international endeavors.

Bonne chance, Mathilde!