‘It has been fantastic’
Studying in French at the postsecondary level? Pourquoi pas!
Did you know that the Bursaries for Postsecondary Studies in French as a Second Language (FSL) Program encourages young Canadians to study in French? Its goal: To help students entering their first year of college or university to perfect their bilingualism while studying in their field of interest. Students whose first official spoken language is English need to be registered in a program in which at least 50 per cent of courses and related activities are offered in French. These $3,000 bursaries are available in many colleges and universities across Canada.
“Thanks to the FSL bursaries, these students will further develop their linguistic skills in postsecondary institutions that provide French-language programs. They will also benefit from a quality environment that allows them to live in French,” explains Lynn Brouillette, President and CEO of the Association des collèges et universités de la francophonie canadienne (ACUFC).
IT’S REWARDING TO BE BILINGUAL!
Being bilingual offers many benefits: better employment opportunities, higher wages, and expanding knowledge about another culture, among others.
“A large part of the student body is made up of native French speakers, including people born in my province, as well as many international students. It was incredible to hear everyone’s different accents and see all the different cultures and still be able to communicate together,” shares Jordan White, a 2020-2021 FLS bursary recipient.
In addition, the bursary comes as a financial relief for students like Jasmine Ferreira. “I used the bursary to pay my tuition. It allowed me to focus entirely on my studies, therefore it relieved an unnecessary source of stress.”
Students also value the inclusion and the warmth they experienced while studying in their French entourage. “Everyone in my personal French-speaking context has always been so accepting and welcoming. It has been fantastic,” says Jordan. Another 2020-2021 FLS bursary recipient, Mahleia Fabian, adds, “I never felt out of place whenever I met new people who also spoke French.”
The Bursaries for Postsecondary Studies in French as a Second Language Program is funded by the Government of Canada and administered by the ACUFC. In Atlantic Canada, FSL bursaries for 2022-2023 are offered at: Collège communautaire du Nouveau-brunswick (NB), Collège de l’île (PEI), Université de Moncton (NB), Université Sainte-anne (NS), Collège de Technologie Forestière des Maritimes (NB), and University of Prince Edward Island (PEI).
To find out more about eligibility criteria and all the colleges and universities offering the FSL bursary, visit Acufc.ca/fslbursaries.