University of Technology Sydney

MAJ09432 Canada

Canada is the world's second largest French-speaking population and the French-speaking province of Québec is where most of Canada's francophones reside. Québec's reputation for artistic, cinematic and literary production is second only to France in the francophone world.

A participant in the G8 group, Canada claims a place on the world stage in terms of economics, business, politics and culture. Geographically vast, the country extends from the Atlantic to the Pacific, and combines the extremes of snowy winters and hot summers. The history of Canada can be traced back to its indigenous peoples through colonisation by France and the United Kingdom, to independence, and immigration from nearly every nation. With its distinct society and culture, Québec's recent past has included its own calls for independence from Canada.

Students spend two consecutive semesters studying in French at one of Québec's universities.

The location and content of each student's period of In-country Study in Canada (Québec) is determined by the level of their language competence in French. Most students without significant prior learning in French are engaged in the study of language and culture. Those with a sound working knowledge of French before their entrance to UTS (usually defined as HSC continuers or above) can study an appropriate two-semester program of host university subjects broadly relating to Francophone language, society and culture.

Students are assessed on each semester separately. Assessment is based on the subjects studied at the host university, as well as assessments administered by UTS: International Studies.

Costs of living in Canada, especially student accommodation and transport, are generally lower than in Australia.

Locations

Québec City

Described as the cradle of French civilisation in North America, Québec City is the capital of the province. Dating back to 1608, when the city began as a fur-trading post, Québec's architecture reflects its position as a crossroads between Europe and America, earning it a place among UNESCO's world heritage sites. With a culture combining French, British, North American and indigenous traditions, the city has a population of over half a million. The natural environment is equally magnificent: with the St Lawrence river at its heart, the province is characterised by forests, lakes and mountains and enjoys contrasting climates of hot summers, snowy winters (ideal for skiing, snowboarding, skating and other activities, as well as providing a Christmas card cityscape) and spectacular Autumns.

Université Laval, founded in 1852, is the oldest French language university in America. Its student population of almost 35,000 enjoys a rich calendar of extra-curricular activities. Students are well supported in their language learning through a dedicated language school and co-curricular activities facilitated by a team of tutors.

Montréal

Montreal is Québec's largest city (1.75 million) and has a cosmopolitan feel thanks to migrants from the Caribbean, Europe, Asia, Africa and Latin America who have settled on the island city. Comprised of distinct neighbourhoods, the city is the commercial and cultural heart of French-speaking Canada. Montreal plays host to a thriving summer festival scene and ranks among the top student-cities in the world. Getting around is easy thanks to an extensive metro (subway) system, bus network and underground city that connects much of the downtown area.

HEC Montréal is Québec's premier business school. With a strong international outlook and a focus on teamwork, students at this small specialist university benefit from a rigorous academic experience and a thriving student exchange society. Students also have access to campus facilities at the nearby Université de Montréal.

The Université du Québec à Montréal (UQÀM) shares many features with UTS. Located above the city's central transit hub, it is Montreal's young city university. UQÀM offers a comprehensive range of courses and supports both exchange students and new migrants through French language classes that focus on the language as it is used in the local context.

Sherbrooke

Located in Québec's Eastern Townships (south of the St Lawrence River and just north of the American border), Sherbrooke and surrounding areas have long been natural playgrounds for the Québécois; the local ski hill is only a short walk from the university. Although a small city (population 162,000), Sherbrooke is the regional centre for the Eastern Townships/L’Estrie. Although once a thoroughly bilingual city, Sherbrooke is now predominantly French-speaking, although neighbouring towns have sizable English-speaking populations.

The Université de Sherbrooke is a comprehensive university with a large residential population. Students find the cost of living on campus inexpensive compared to Sydney and benefit from free local transportation. A dedicated language program provides students with intensive study opportunities via units taken intensively in succession rather than concurrently over a longer semester.

Completion requirements

977543  In-country Study and Fieldwork Project 1: Canada  24cp
978543  In-country Study and Fieldwork Project 2: Canada  24cp
CBK90483  French Language and Culture  32cp
Total  96cp