Sarah Huxley
Why did you decide to pursue a graduate degree?
I was very inspired by my French undergraduate professors at UBC and how their own research projects reflected their passions and interests. I was encouraged to examine how I could combine my own sociological and linguistic interests into graduate research.
Why did you decide to study at UBC?
UBC has always felt like a home to me. I began my undergraduate degree in 2019 and became heavily involved in student clubs and campus life. I loved the small class sizes in my French courses and always felt supported and encouraged to push myself. I built positive relationships with my professors and peers alike. These reasons pushed me to apply to a Masters of Arts in French at UBC.
What is it specifically, that your program offers, that attracted you?
I was attracted by the variety of course options and the opportunity to learn from new professors. I was also highly motivated to conduct my own research and was eager to join the thesis stream. Lastly, I really wanted to write my own research in French as it is a language I have been learning since I was 12 years old.
What was the best surprise about UBC or life in Vancouver?
Although the campus is so vast, I was able to meet some of my closest friends and form positive relationships with professors and my supervisor, Marie-Eve Bouchard. I feel as though I made the most of my time at UBC and pushed myself to say yes to everything, resulting in incredible research and work opportunities.
What aspect of your graduate program do you enjoy the most or are looking forward to with the greatest curiosity?
I enjoyed writing and organizing my thesis chapters the most. It was so interesting to write and structure my own work as I had never written anything as long or as detailed before. It gave me a completely new appreciation and understanding of researchers, authors and professors alike.
What do you see as your biggest challenge(s) in your future career?
Dealing with constructive criticism and pushing the boundaries of what I think I am capable of.
I have learned to take constructive criticism well and view every comment as a way to improve myself and my writing and research skills. These experiences are essential in any career path and have provided me with great experiences to discuss in interview settings.
What aspects of your life or career before now have best prepared you for your UBC graduate program?
During my undergraduate degree, I worked as a teaching assistant and part-time server every semester of my third and fourth year studies. I also was a captain of the UBC DHCollective dance team. I learned to balance these responsibilities and manage my time well to ensure academic success. These skills helped me manage my time as a graduate student and remain independently motivated to finish my thesis chapters and course work.
What do you like to do for fun or relaxation?
I like to dance, go hiking and read on my Kindle!
What advice do you have for new graduate students?
Attend as many events as possible and join clubs that can help you relax and de-stress from your own work load. It is crucial to take care of yourself and your own physical/mental health.
Learn more about Sarah's research
My thesis research examines the language attitudes of French second language (L2) speakers at the University of British Columbia (UBC) and their experiences of linguistic insecurity. This study provides insight into how French L2 students at UBC develop certain attitudes toward French and how these attitudes influence their experiences of language insecurity.
I conducted semi-structured interviews with 11 participants during my second year of studies. The data collected during the interviews were analyzed to identify key themes, thereby providing new sociolinguistic insights into the experiences of French L2 speakers who learn and speak French within British Columbia’s French-speaking minority community. The results reveal that participants’ linguistic attitudes are shaped by their education in French as a Second Language programs in British Columbia and Canada. Furthermore, participants’ linguistic attitudes, such as the preference for a standard variety of French from France, influence their expressions of linguistic insecurity.