Major Moment: Biochemistry and French with Lia Wong-Fodor '26

Lia’s involvement extends across campus; aside from working as a Tour Guide in the Admissions Office, she is a Teaching Assistant for the Chemistry and French departments, as well as a Peer Mentor for Brecon and Batten House. She has also been a member of Chamber Singers, a Bi-Co (Bi-College Consortium) choir, since the start of her freshman year. Academically, Lia has declared a double major in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, as well French & Francophone Studies. Here, she tells us about her decision to declare a double major—a decision that she says came as a surprise to her.

What are your majors, and how did you discover them at Bryn Mawr?  

While I enjoyed studying biology in high school, I had never taken a chemistry class. I figured Bryn Mawr would be the perfect place to try something new, so just for fun I signed up for the General Chemistry I course. I ended up loving the class and my professors, whose support and encouragement led me to choose Biochemistry & Molecular Biology as a major! I discovered my second major through Bryn Mawr’s foreign language requirement, which I fulfilled with two introductory French literature courses. I was fascinated by the French and Francophone works we studied, and my summer study abroad experience with Bryn Mawr’s Institut d’Avignon further proved to me that this was an area I wanted to continue exploring. 

Did you enter college knowing what you wanted to major in? How have the classes you’ve taken at BMC either confirmed your interest in the major or surprised you with a new interest? 

While I wasn’t sure what I wanted to study when I came to Bryn Mawr, I always assumed it would be related to the social sciences. I would have never imagined I would end up a STEM and language double major, but it’s been an exciting journey thus far! Every course I take continues to confirm my passion for biochemistry and French, offering new opportunities to develop my understanding of each subject from a different perspective.  

Favorite class you’ve taken for your majors?

One of my favorite classes I took for my biochemistry major was "Genetics" with Dr. Tamara Davis. I appreciated being able to draw on knowledge from previous courses and apply it to studying genetic phenomena that impact every aspect of our existence. We also explored genetic research from historical, socio-economical, and political perspectives, leading to meaningful and thought-provoking discussions that often continued beyond the classroom. 

For French, it’s between “Monstres et Merveilles” with Professor Rudy Le Menthéour or “Etudes Avancées: Aux armes, citoyennes” with Professor Camille Leclère-Gregory. While each class covered very different topics—one explored and analyzed fairy tales while the other examined the life and works of Olympe de Gouges, an 18th-century playwright and social activist—both were really engaging and allowed me to explore areas I hadn’t had much experience with previously. 

What experiential learning opportunities have you had connected to your academic interests? 

As part of my French major, I participated in Bryn Mawr’s Institut d’Avignon summer study abroad program. In addition to taking courses with professors from Princeton and Shanghai University, I also was able to experience one of the largest theater festivals in the world—the Festival d’Avignon! It was an incredible experience that allowed me to deepen my understanding of the language and culture while living and learning alongside students from universities all around the US. This year I am the college ambassador for the program, working closely with the director and administrative team to plan and host information sessions, guest conferences, and various student excursions. 

What advice would you give to a student on the process of declaring a major(s)?  

Take time to explore different areas of study—take classes you’re interested in, talk to your classmates and professors, and follow your passions! Even if you know what you want to study, be open to different possibilities and take advantage of the opportunities Bryn Mawr provides to explore. Most importantly, don’t stress about it too much! Your time at Bryn Mawr, regardless of your major, will ensure you develop the skills you need to succeed in any field.