Foire des régions returns for a second edition at Concordia
Following last year’s Foire des régions, Ursule Tankouan, MEng 24, took a bold step: she moved to Baie-Comeau, where she now lives and works as an engineer.
Ahead of this year’s fair, she joined a career panel, where she is encouraging other international students to explore opportunities beyond Montreal. She says the city’s welcoming community and its peaceful pace of life proves that regional Quebec offers not just promising careers, but a place where students can truly feel at home.
“I always told myself that, as an engineer, you have to be willing to live in remote areas. I already knew that, sure, it’s a possibility that I might have to move far away to be able to practice my profession, but I was okay with that. I really like it,” she says.
In partnership with Emplois en regions, the Foire des régions offers Concordia students a rare chance to meet organizations and employers from across Quebec. Part of Réussir en français’s efforts to promote regional engagement, the initiative is designed to open doors to opportunities that go far beyond the metropolitan hub of Montreal and respond to a growing demand across Quebec for skilled workers in multiple sectors.
“Meeting employers can become a real turning point. It opens meaningful pathways for students from all backgrounds who are looking to build a life and career in French beyond Montreal,” says Claudine Trahan, senior director of strategy and transformation.
Learning French through virtual reality
The fair also serves as a platform to showcase French learning at Concordia to the international student community, highlighting the wealth of resources available.
One standout feature was a preview of Réussir en français’ upcoming virtual reality (VR) experience. Developed in collaboration with e-Concordia, the experience is designed to help students prepare for the French-language exam administered by the Office québécois de la langue française (OQLF), a requirement for entry into professional orders.
“We wanted to show that learning French can be both accessible and exciting," said Maria Trigueiro, manager of Réussir en français. "With the VR experience, students will be able to practice French in an immersive, hands-on environment, making the learning experience more engaging than ever.”
A new language, a new experience
Through both internal and external partnerships, Réussir en français promotes French learning as a skill as well as an experience, keeping language practice grounded in real-world opportunities and professional engagement.
“Through initiatives like the Foire des régions, Réussir en français helps students step into a new chapter with confidence,” Trahan says.