Katherine Marchant
Why did you decide to pursue a graduate degree?
Pursuing a graduate degree was not something I had initially planned; when I first started university, my dream was to become a French Immersion teacher, most likely at a high school level. The more French literature courses I took, and the more research I started doing, the more appealing graduate school became, especially with the many words of encouragement I received from members of the department. I would still love to teach in some capacity in the future, but I cannot imagine a future where I am no longer a researcher.
Why did you decide to study at UBC?
I completed my Bachelor's of Arts at UBC so I was already familiar with the campus and the Department of French, Hispanic and Italian Studies (FHIS). I chose UBC because of its proximity to my family and its many green spaces. My maternal grandfather Donald Blake is Professor Emeritus of Political Science at UBC, so my family has been connected to the university for a long time. When weighing my options for graduate studies, one of the most important factors for me was having a comforting support system -- something I found within FHIS. Now a full year into my graduate studies, I am even closer to the FHIS community and could not imagine it any other way.
What is it specifically, that your program offers, that attracted you?
There are two possibilities for an MA in French at UBC: research-based and course-based. I chose research-based because I want to graduate from UBC with a tangible demonstration of my knowledge in the form of a contribution to research in French Studies. Additionally, given the multilingual nature of the FHIS, students have the opportunity to take courses in other romance languages depending on their goals and interests. As someone who has studied primarily French but also Spanish, it is important to me to maintain proficiency in both of these languages.
What was the best surprise about UBC or life in Vancouver?
The UBC Knitting and Sewing Club! UBC has hundreds of clubs for all interests but UBC Knit & Sew is by far my favourite. I am biased, having served as a club executive for three years, but this club harbours an incredibly welcoming and stress-free environment for all fibre art enthusiasts. I have made many friends through this club, and it helps me make time for myself. I was equally surprised by the warmth and diversity of FHIS Faculty and Staff. I truly feel like I belong to a community.
What aspects of your life or career before now have best prepared you for your UBC graduate program?
I was fortunate to take a single graduate level course during my undergraduate degree and served as a research assistant prior to my graduate studies. Both of these opportunities gave me a "preview" of what graduate studies would entail inside and outside of the classroom. Ultimately, these experiences enabled me to make an informed decision when contemplating applying to a master's program.
What do you like to do for fun or relaxation?
Knitting, crochet, jigsaw puzzles, LEGO — so many different things!
What advice do you have for new graduate students?
Make time for yourself and for friends. Graduate school can sometimes feel quite isolating, especially during thesis writing. It can feel unproductive, but spending some time relaxing and or socializing might be just what you need in order to refocus. Secondly, learn to say no; there are lots of things you will have to learn to balance (coursework, teaching and research assistantships, departmental events, thesis writing, calls for papers, conferences…) but you cannot do everything all at once. Talk with your supervisor to help you determine where to focus your energy. Transform coursework into something you can present at a conference and/or submit for publication.
