Bienvenue à Greensboro: Fulbright Scholar enriches French classes at GTCC

“Being surrounded by Americans is amazing,” he said. “I was looking for an authentic experience and I found that here at GTCC and in Greensboro.”

Guilford Technical Community College students interested in learning French now have a Fulbright Scholar from Normandy, France to help them learn the language.

As a foreign language teaching assistant at GTCC, Alan Leroux currently teaches French classes as part of his one-year Fulbright commitment.

His journey to Greensboro began long before he stepped into a classroom.

Leroux was born and raised in Normandy and attended college there before finishing his undergraduate degree in Ireland.

He described his year studying in Ireland as transformative.

“When my parents took me to the boat for school in Ireland, I remember not wanting to go and being homesick already,” he said. “But in the end, it was the best experience of my life.”

That experience opened his eyes to the world and sparked a desire to explore cultures beyond France.

During his final year of graduate school, as LeRoux was preparing for France’s national teaching exam which determines where new teachers are placed, he heard about the Fulbright Program.

Established by Congress in 1946, the Fulbright Program offers students and scholars in more than 180 countries the opportunity to study, teach, conduct research, exchange ideas, and contribute to mutual understanding.

“I just applied and thought I had zero chance of being selected and was shocked when they called to tell me I was being selected,” he said.

After being accepted, Leroux was asked to choose a U.S. region. He selected the Southeast, was matched with several institutions, and GTCC ended up being the best fit.

GTCC’s relationship with the prestigious Fulbright Program goes back many years, primarily with faculty serving abroad. In 2024, the college welcomed its first Fulbright Scholar, Lauren Hartmann, to campus. Like Leroux, she was also a French language instructor.

“When I arrived at GTCC, I was so pleasantly surprised at how diverse things are and how so many courses – from sociology to welding – are taught here,” Leroux said.

During his first eight weeks, Leroux taught a blended online and in-person French language course and will transition fully online next semester.

Beyond teaching, he enjoys bringing French culture to the GTCC community.

The son of a chef, Leroux hosted an event in October where he shared French cuisine with faculty, staff, and students. As a part of International week in November, he will share more on French history, art, and food.

“I’m trying to get involved on campus, and if folks are curious about French things, I’m here to help,” he said.

Leroux has already begun exploring Greensboro and attending events such as the Folk Festival. He’ll return home briefly for Christmas, but for now, he’s embracing life in the U.S.

“Being surrounded by Americans is amazing,” he said. “I was looking for an authentic experience and I found that here at GTCC and in Greensboro.”

Zachary Jackson, chair of GTCC’s Department of Communication & Foreign Language, said Leroux has been an excellent fit and furthers the college’s longstanding relationship with Fulbright.

“Alan ranked extremely high on our list of candidates and he has been instrumental in helping us serve our students and meet the needs of our growing French program,” Jackson said. “His presence on campus and in the classroom, as a result of our continued partnerships with Fulbright, elevates the high-quality experiences we provide to our language learners.”

Leroux’s Fulbright experience is shaping his future in ways he didn’t expect. He is considering becoming a French teacher abroad and sees this opportunity as a major steppingstone – one he will never forget.

“The Fulbright is a highly prized experience and it’s going to open so many doors for me,” he said.

For now, Leroux is focused on teaching, connecting with students, and sharing the richness of his French culture.

“The sense of community is great at GTCC,” he said. “From day one, it’s been this way and I’m really glad to be here.”

For more on GTCC’s foreign language classes, visit gtcc.edu/academics/academic-catalog/index.php