4/16/2009 - Returnees Circle: Spotlight on Christine Lagarde

Christine Lagarde, France’s Minister of Economy and Employment spoke with AFS Archivist Eleanora Golobic and AFS France Communications Manager Caroline Barjon to discuss the significance of her AFS experience.

“My AFS year was a decisive year in my career,” she said, “It enlarged my horizon; it taught me that the world is bigger, culture can be enriched and that everybody is worth listening to. I also learned more about myself.”

Christine Lagarde is France’s first female Minister of Economy and was ranked the 30th most influential woman in the world by Forbes Magazine in 2004. Lagarde describes the impact of her AFS experience as “huge” on both her personality and career. Lagarde was hosted in Bethesda Maryland in 1973-74 and still visits her American “mom and dad,” William and Mary Atkins, once a year. When asked what advice she would give to young people considering participation in the program, she replied:

“Go for it! Give it your best!”

Find out more about participating in AFS programs abroad