Alice Kaplan, a professor of French language and literature, reflects on her experiences in her book French Lessons. She poses a thought-provoking question about the desire to adopt a different culture: people are often driven to this change because they find aspects of their own culture unappealing or unrepresentative of their true selves.

This exploration is part of a broader theme discussed in Parker J. Palmer's book, The Courage to Teach, where he examines the emotional and psychological landscape of teaching. Kaplan's insights reveal the complex motivations that lead individuals to connect with and embrace cultures other than their own.