Astrid Martin
310.801.1863 | astrid.martin1116@gmail.com | linkedin.com/in/astridmartin16
Writing Sample #1 and #2 (Public Relations/Advertising Narratives) C’est La Vie
As I enter one of the many boulangeries in Paris, France, the delectable smells of bread and chocolate waft through the air and into my nose. I gaze at the many mouthwatering croissants, brioche, and multicolored macaroons; they all have one quality in common — French perfection. I go to the cashier and place my order for a fresh chocolate croissant. “Je voudrais un pain au chocolat s’il vous plaît,” I say trying to turn on my best French accent. I study the cashier trying to see her reaction to my French. A smile on her face was all I needed to see to feel accepted into the French culture, as though I had just joined an exclusive club. While walking in the cobblestone streets passed the extraordinary medieval architecture of Notre Dame and the stained glass of Sainte Chappelle, an epiphany hits me! In a way, French language and culture are like a pastry. Just like the hard shell of a croissant, it is hard at first to learn the language and become habituated to the culture, but once you get past those obstacles, you are in the fluffy center immersed in the warm glow of the French. I am proud of having persevered and overcome these obstacles and knowing that I am a Mexican-American who has mastered French. In eighth grade, out of mere curiosity of the language, I decided to study French, rather than the easier path I could have taken with Spanish. My whole life has been centered around Mexican culture and I felt that it was time for a change. I studied, I practiced, but most of all I enjoyed every second of it. There is a quality of beauty about the French language that attracts me. A warmth and comfort are manifested inside me with every step I take in French cities and villages as though France has always been my home. In fact, I never dreamed I could have so much passion for something that involves traveling to a different continent and mastering a completely foreign language. In many ways the French language can be perceived as enchanting. There’s this poetic nature that French brings. Any time a person speaks in the romantic language, the combination of rhythmic syllables immediately romanticizes and softens every word. The process of communicating a thought into this rhythmic language is in itself considered an art of storytelling. With French, it is necessary to first perfect the accent and articulate it in a way that allows natives to understand. Each word has its intricate pattern, beat, and pronunciation that we have to master. Without these storytelling elements, the ability to communicate our ideas and stories across cultures is impossible. In addition to the language, the French culture is in itself a sequence of stories. Through observation, you can tell where a person is from based on his/her language and how he/she interacts with others in their culture. Besides the obvious culture differences brought through food and traditions, identifying the type of French accent is an indicator where an individual is from. Parisians are known to have a nasally fast way of speaking, while the south of France speak slower and incorporate more gestures. When I immerse myself in the French language and culture, there is never a boring moment— I’m always learning. I now hold French as badge over my heart that represents not only my passion, but also a way to officially seal my independence and determination to break the mold. My goal is to continue these qualities I have obtained into my career aspirations. I am a first generation Mexican-American girl who not only understands Spanish, but who also speaks French. Not many people can say that.