French flair: Riquette Bonne-Smith makes her mark as diplomat, educator
In France the saying ‘je ne sais quoi’ is used to describe someone with a certain distinctive or alluring quality about them.This phrase could easily be applied to the Island’s French Consul Riquette Bonne-Smith.The mother-of-two has represented nationals of French-speaking countries since January 2007.She helps people in the event of an on-Island emergency, such as illness or an arrest; provides advice and support to students going away to study in France; helps with visa problems; and helps French persons interested in visiting or residing here.“I believe it’s an honour to represent your country from abroad,” she said. “I take it seriously because it’s a serious position. You have to be available when a crisis or problems arise.”Mrs Bonne-Smith was born in the French-Caribbean nation of Martinique, but realised at an early age she wanted to better understand the English-speaking world.“I left Martinique, unlike many of my fellow citizens of that time, to go and learn English in a different country when I was 18.“My first venture was as a French speaker who didn’t speak a word of English to earn a Bachelor’s in English literature [at a university in Jamaica].“That was my first challenge and I graduated in three years, which for a non-speaker was unheard of.”She said going from a French-speaking island where she was “pampered”, to the poverty-stricken areas of Jamaica was an eye-opening experience. It prepared her for the next phases of her life, taught her survival skills and showed her about the kindness of people.She also learned how determined young Jamaicans were to get a good eduction and said: “That was a beautiful thing to see. Everyone there strived to do better and do something in life and cope with hardship.“That was the beginning of a long journey and a journey that kept me studying.”At age 27, she graduated with a Master’s in French literature and languages from the University of California in Santa Barbara. She also got a Master's degree in international public policy from the School of Advanced International Studies of Johns Hopkins in 2008.When she arrived in Bermuda, she taught French at the Bermuda College for 12 years. The course initially had six students enrolled, but by the time she left there were close to 75.In 1997, she opened her own language school, which offered children and adults classes in French, Spanish and Italian. The school is still open today.Ten years ago she launched the Centre for Talented Youth (CTY) in association with Johns Hopkins University out of a need she saw in the local community.“I looked at Bermuda’s education and there was nothing in place for academically bright young people.“A country needs special skills and strong leadership all around and, after studying the programme of Johns Hopkins which had been in existence for 30 years, I thought I could bring this programme here and expose the young people at their perspective schools.”The course is offered to talented young people and prepares them for challenging subject matters like economics, advanced calculus or trigonometry at an earlier age.Hundreds of young people have also had the opportunity to go to Johns Hopkins in Baltimore, Maryland in the summer.Mrs Bonne-Smith said the summer programme helps them “realise they have something that is a bit special” and allows them to further develop those skills.Bermuda is currently the only island with this programme, but Mrs Bonne-Smith is working to next year offer it through the University of the West Indies in Jamaica.
Six interesting facts about French Consul Riquette Bonne-Smith:
1) In 2002 she was given a knighthood for her academic work by the French Government.
2) She was awarded an Order of National Merit [Chevalier de l'ordre National du Mérite] last week which will be presented to her by the French President Nicolas Sarkozy, whom she has already met twice.
3) Her garden, which she takes pride in, was named top garden in Pembroke in 2010 by the Garden Club.
4) She was invited to attend the 125th anniversary celebration of the Statue of Liberty in New York. The famous statue was a gift to the US from France in 1886 and symbolises the two countries determination to preserve democratic freedoms.
5) She first went to France when she was 12 years old and was amazed with the beautiful gardens and grande Hall of Mirrors at Versailles. She said of the experience: “It does something to you. It takes you to a different world from a young child's point of view.”
6) Mrs Bonne-Smith believes fashion is “part of one's personality” and said she always had confidence to wear what she liked and the brains to find things at a smart price. She said: “If you know how to shop wisely you can always have a bit of what you want in life.”
