Brendon K. Barton and Dr. Michael Bush, French and Italian
Recent interactions between BYU faculty and leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Paris, including the stake presidencies and the Institute, have uncovered several areas of concern for French members of the Church. Among these concerns is that of employment and education for young adult members. In line with President Bateman’s vision of Brigham Young University, in its mission “to take the full spectrum of light across the world,” I researched these concerns through administering surveys, personal research, and interviewing members in Paris (1). With the help of Rachel Newton, I was able to analyze the results of the survey and compile some very interesting findings.
My research took place from April to August 2001, with my main efforts concentrated around administering surveys to around 57 Institute students in Paris. I administered several surveys and supervised 20 BYU Study Abroad students who worked with the French members in filling out the surveys. In addition, I was able to conduct several formal and informal interviews with Church members in Paris, including the Institute Director, in order to be familiar with conditions, concerns, and other useful information pertaining to employment and education in France.
Two surveys were used with the students: a CES survey from LDS Church Employment Services, as well as a supplementary survey worked out by the Institute and me. With the enthusiastic support of the Institute director, Christian Euvrard, we were able to reach our goal of getting around 60 surveys. This project included a training meeting with the BYU Study Abroad students who participated, as well as organizing the matching of these students with Institute students during the survey sessions.
Most of those who participated in the survey found the experience to be worthwhile and rewarding. The experience allowed BYU Study Abroad students to interact with members of the Church in Paris, providing each of them with a unique cultural and language experience, while providing the Institute and the Church with a valuable service. The experience truly a rewarding one, as BYU students, Institute students, and I were able to learn and grow through this service-learning opportunity.
Upon returning to the United States, Rachel Newton and I compiled the data from the Institute/BYU portions of the surveys and analyzed the data we retrieved. The original CES Employment surveys are being sent to LDS Church Headquarters in Salt Lake City, while results from the supplementary Institute survey will be delivered to the Institute Director in Paris. The survey process was a success and we were able to reach our goals of gathering valuable information and increasing interaction between BYU and the Paris Institute. The following is a summary of the results we found:
After several conversations with Christian Euvrard, three areas were identified where Institute students need help: (1) English skills, (2) computer literacy, and (3) job-search skills.
English skills undoubtedly help the French in becoming more marketable for jobs. Our surveys found that 86 percent of the students had some kind of competence in English; however, only 37 percent felt they were on an advanced level or better. The missionaries currently conduct English classes that Institute students are invited to attend. Having been a missionary in France, I know first hand that these classes often are poorly organized and often do not focus on business applications. There are opportunities here for involvement between BYU and the Institute in improving English skills.
In addition to English skills, Mr. Euvrard identified computer literacy as an area of concern for his students. As the results of the supplementary survey point out, only 80 percent of the Institute students feel competent in word-processing applications and the same proportion of students knows how to use the Internet. During the project, Dr. Bush and I discussed the possibility that BYU students in disciplines other than French, such as Computer Science, could also participate in future BYU-Institute interactions in France.
Mr. Euvrard identified such job-search skills as an additional area of concern for his Institute students. As with teaching computer literacy, there is an opportunity here for BYU to help young adults in Paris through service workshops or other worthwhile projects. Our survey found that many Institute students desire help in writing resumes, in interviewing for jobs, and in other areas related to finding employment.
The surveys we were able to administer, along with my conversations with Christian Euvrard and other young adults, were very helpful in identifying problem areas for LDS young adults in Paris. These findings should help the Institute in Paris to explore future possibilities for interaction between BYU and the Institute, as well as providing them with valuable information for their own programs to help the students. I hope that through the results of my research, BYU may continue to spread its light throughout the world through working with the young adults in France. As I learned through my research, we can spread our light by serving others and by bridging cultural gaps, interacting directly with members of the Church throughout the world.
References
- Bateman, Merrill J. “Learning in the Light of Truth.” Brigham Young University Speeches 21 Aug. 2000. <http://speeches.byu.edu/auc/00AUC_Bateman.html>