My classes

Before telling more about my classes, I would like to shortly describe the exchange program thanks to which I can study in Canada. The program is called ISEP (International Exchange Study Program) which is a non-profitable organisation that allows to a student to swap his or her spot with a student from another ISEP Exchange university. Somebody from the Laurentian University left for Brno for two semesters to make a place for me here. Hopefully, he or she is getting fun there! Concerning me, I am definitely having fun, especially now when the strike is being on… which is actually less funnier than it looks. Honestly, I am missing my classes…but let´s not talk about the strike right now.

Thw whole process of being chosen by ISEP to go abroad is quite complex and challenging, but defnitely manageable.

There are two parts of the selection procedure: we can simply call them  written and oral part.

In the written one you have to create motivation letters (in English of course, or both in English and French depends where you would like to go) for each of the institution you put on the first three places (you can choose up to ten universities).

After submitting everything to the coordinator at your home university, you wait if you are going to be invited to an interview. If not, your letters were probably not attractive enough and you had better make another plan.

The interview might be tricky, it is important not to underestimate the preparation.  They want you to prove your motivation to study abroad. Afterwards you are waiting and waiting for the final email…and if you are selected you can start packing…:-)

Once  you are at your destination, you have to sign up for classes – usually four classes per semester. Each class is twice a week.  I was struggling a bit to sign up into classes I had wanted (Education classes), but finally I am happy about my choice.

I have three classes in French and one in English:

Intro a la communication

Histoire-la langue francaise

L´émergence et le développement du langage chez l´enfant

Rhetorical Principles

They are all indirectly connected to my major – teaching English and French and they broaden my horizons in different areas. We were discussing non verbal communication and dealing with conflicts in the class of comunication. I like teachers ideas about our project – it is not only about theory.

The class of French history is probably my most probable so far. It might sound boring, but it is not at all! The teacher tells it like a fairy tale which makes it easier to understand and I always remember a lot from her classes. It is fascinating to follow the evolution of French which has its roots in Latin and was also influenced by German language…

The class with the longest name is about the process how children learn their mother tongue – in this case French. It is enriching to be part of this class, even though my mother tongue is not obviously Czech.  We are also talking about ortophoniste problems small kids might have when starting to speak French.

A very lively and varied – these are the adjectives describing the class of rhetoric. Everybody is supposed to choose a current issue for an oration that everybody will deliver and then we will discuss the pros and cons and different points of views about the issues. I have chosen my favourite topic – public transportation in Sudbury, because the system is indeed ineffective here.

I cannot wait until the classes start again! I hate the strike 😦