UBC’s Department of French, Hispanic and Italian Studies (FHIS) is fortunate to have amazing Work Learn students who play an important role in carrying out the department’s services. Get to know them!
Alice Dobal Jordan
International Relations, 4th Year
Role: Community Engagement Assistant, Centre de la Francophonie
Responsibilities: I work with the Centre de la Francophonie to help organize and promote events that are in French and/or related to the French language. My role allows the Centre to include a student perspective, adapting the content and logistics of our projects to students’ interests, and taking steps to make events more accessible to students!
Motivation for applying: I first applied for this position because I was excited to be part of the Francophone community here in Vancouver and to help create opportunities for students to practice French outside the classroom. I wanted to gain more experience in a work environment overseen by an official institution, as my previous experience in event-planning was grounded in associations and student-led initiatives.
Fun fact: I grew up in Brazil attending the kind of French events we organize at the Centre and the Alliance Française, so going back to this environment has been heartwarming.
Olivia Crozier
International Relations, 3rd Year
Role: Learning Centre Assistant, FHIS Learning Centre
Responsibilities: As Learning Centre Assistants, we draw upon our perspectives as students and tutors to support the needs of the FHIS Department’s community of language learners. To maintain the FHIS Student Resources course, we lead the process of scheduling tutoring sessions from start to finish, and we perform additional Canvas-related tasks with varying degrees of independence. We also create resources for tutors that assist them with their daily duties, and we organize check-ins to encourage teambuilding. Furthermore, to promote the Learning Centre, we help design student outreach activities as well as expand and strengthen our ties to UBC clubs and associations.
Motivation for applying: For many reasons, I was and remain today, eager to act as a Learning Centre Assistant. On a personal note, I value the opportunity to work for administrators and educators who are creative, open-minded, and skilled multi-taskers. I also feel fortunate to collaborate with our welcoming community of tutors. As for my professional goals, I am grateful for the chance to grow my transferable skills, including proficiency in technological programs. My role also allows me to continually deepen my understanding of various grammar points. In addition, I have the freedom to apply this research when I practice creating materials and professional development workshops for tutors. As I explore the institutional perspective, I appreciate the opportunity to help shape the services that the Learning Centre offers, and I hope that these efforts complement students’ classroom experience and assist them in achieving the learning outcomes of FHIS’ language curriculum.
Fun fact: At the top of Machu Picchu, I was nearly trampled by a llama!
Manaal Yasir
Economics and Political Science, 4th Year
Role: Learning Centre Assistant, FHIS Learning Centre
Responsibilities: We coordinate the FHIS Learning Centre’s day to day activities (e.g. tutor schedules), promote the Centre’s services and facilitate the training and recruitment of student tutors.
Motivation for applying: As a tutor with FHIS for three years prior to joining this position, I had become closely involved with the Centre’s activities. The position gave me another opportunity to share my love for the French language and contribute to something that had been such a fundamental part of my university experience.
Fun fact: I can speak six languages!
