I am pursuing a law degree at UW and a master’s in international relations and economics at Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies. I am interested in immigration and international law. FLAS gives me the opportunity to hone my French skills in order to become a more effective researcher and communicator. Additionally, the award supports my interests in Canada’s immigration history and policy. My ability to use French will prove tremendously beneficial to my research and overall understanding of Canadian policy and attitudes toward immigration. It even allows me to analyze issues of immigration province by province. I already feel the effects of a previous FLAS award, because I work with French-speaking immigrants as a member of the UW Immigration Clinic. In the future, I hope to work as a foreign service officer in the State Department. Understanding Canada’s role in the world on issues of immigration policy will prove invaluable to the State Department’s work. I am incredibly fortunate to have this opportunity to explore the French language and Canada.
The Canadian Studies Center is a recipient of a U.S. Department of Education Foreign Language and Area Studies (FLAS) Fellowships program grant. The grant provides allocations of academic year and summer fellowships to assist meritorious graduate students undergoing training in modern foreign languages and Canadian Studies. The Canadian Studies Center is extremely proud in having awarded several Fellowships in least-commonly taught Canadian Aboriginal languages including Inuktitut, Dane-zaa, Musqueam Salish, and Anishinaabemowin.