Jasia
SASAH and French Studies
Fourth Year
Hometown: Waterloo, Ontario
Extra-Curricular Involvement:
Residence Soph, Residence Tour Guide, Third Year in Nice Exchange Participant, Seikido (Martial Arts), Ontario Universities Fair (OUF) Volunteer, Fall Preview Day/March Break Open House Volunteer.
Why did you choose Arts and Humanities at Western?
I was interested in many fields within the Arts and Humanities and found it difficult to narrow my choices down to one area or subject. It was at Western’s March Break Open House that I learned about the SASAH Program, an interdisciplinary program within the Arts and Humanities. Through the program, I would be able to focus heavily on my French Studies while simultaneously taking courses that covered my other interests (English, Creative Writing, Theatre) with additional opportunities, such as earning a summer internship in Prince Edward Island..
What is one highlight of your Arts and Humanities experience so far?
Travelling and living in France through the Third Year in Nice Exchange Program, run by the Department of French. During those eight months, I was able to learn so much more about myself and was able to put my French language skills to the test. I highly recommend that everyone participates in a summer, semester, or year-long exchange at some point during their degree. There are some things you have to experience outside of the traditional classroom.
What are your plans after graduation?
I plan on attaining a Bachelors of Education to work with children and youth, most likely as a French teacher. However, I’m open to keeping my options open and look for different ways to apply my skills, experiences, and background.
What advice would you give to incoming Arts and Humanities students?
Be confident in your degree and your area of study! Your degree is what you make of it, so look for opportunities and ways to enhance your experience at Western, be that through an exchange, internship, extracurricular activity, or even volunteer work.
What is the best thing about your department?
The unique courses I’m able to take. Through the SASAH Program, I am able to take a variety of courses from various disciplines within the Arts and Humanities, such as Theatre, English, Visual Arts History, on top of my French Language, Literature, Culture, and Translation courses. Some of my favourite courses include “Translation Theories and Techniques” with Professor Chantal Dawar “Toronto: Culture and Performance” with Professor Kim Solga and the Integrated Seminar with famed Mohawk artist Shelley Niro. This academic flexibility has allowed me to explore subjects I never knew I loved and they always felt applicable to the real world.
