Miles Wilson ’22 was born and raised in Martinique, a French-speaking country located in the Caribbean Sea. After living there for the first 12 years of his life, he relocated to Marseille, South of France, where he gained a new perspective on French culture that he credits with vastly shaping the person he is today. “Living in Marseille was the best experience of my life,” he says. “Coming from a small Island to a big city like Marseille, I was exposed to a different culture, climate, and society. While there, I discovered my identity regarding my ethnicity. I got comfortable being around large groups of people who looked, talked, and behaved like me.” About three years later he moved to Rhode Island where his story of having to overcome challenges as a newcomer navigating the U.S. education system began.

“It was an extremely difficult adjustment,” he explains. “The language barrier, the culture, traditions, and even the food were hard to get used to.” Despite the handful of challenges he’s faced, Wilson has successfully been able to overcome them, learn English in less than two years, and is now pursuing a French major here at the University of Rhode Island. “Over the past few years, I learned how to adapt and blend into my environment while embracing these challenges because, without them, I wouldn’t be where I am today,” he says. Among a long list of other achievements, Wilson has also been able to make meaningful contributions to the university through being a member of Brothers On a New Direction, a student organization that recognizes the need for unity among young men of color and pledges to help guide these men towards personal growth and academic success. Wilson considers his time in BOND working alongside like-minded young men striving for success to be the highlight of his time here at URI.

Now a senior, Wilson was recently accepted into Howard University School of Law. “I’m planning to attend law school with hopes of becoming a corporate lawyer in the international sphere,” he says. “Nevertheless, helping people is my main objective which is why civil rights and immigration law is in the picture as well.” Seeing that helping others is his ultimate goal, Wilson hopes to help students considering a major in French with this insightful piece of advice: “I would advise students considering French not to hesitate. The French department is resourceful and its faculty are extremely helpful. The curriculum is both challenging and interesting. I am beyond happy to have decided to become a French major here at URI.”

 

~Written by Briana Ciceron