Rupi Cambow likens her search for a major with “playing musical chairs” as she sampled various fields before setting her sights on a BA Honours in French. While she experimented with various courses, Cambow always included a French course to maintain her language skills.

“It was the entire French Department’s encouragement, warmth and enthusiasm for their language that grabbed me. Above all however, it was their appreciation for creativity which set them apart from other majors I was considering,” said Cambow.

Cambow will begin teachers’ college at the University of Ottawa this fall, where she will focus on teaching French as a second language. Her BA has exposed her to people, culture and music that fascinate her. She hopes to convey this passion to future Anglophone students of French.

Cassandra Douglas began her studies at Carleton in the journalism program. In June 2006, she graduated with her BA Honours in French. One of the program requirements in journalism stipulated students must take one French course.

“I was immediately drawn to the French department’s warmth and charm. It was a small department where everyone took the time to chat with you and cared enough to remember your name – the 16th floor of Dunton Tower felt like home,” said Douglas.

After completing her first year, she decided to switch programs to a BA in French. While she explored linguistics, translation and literature, she discovered a love of teaching French as a second language. Her decision paid off when she was hired by the department as a teaching assistant after completing her first year.

Douglas will continue her studies this fall at the University of Ottawa. Through the university’s education program, she will focus on teaching high school French and history. While she doesn’t rule out an MA she suspects her enthusiasm for a classroom of her own will make further studies a longer-term goal.