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Next-generation university

Concordia’s commitment to experiential learning puts it at the vanguard of Canadian universities

Three smiling students stand next to each other outside in summer attire. They smile as they face the camera. Students at Concordia enjoy a taste of experiential learning and a slice of life in Montreal.

By Mark Stachiew

When Haley Kuchar came to Montreal from her hometown in rural Alberta to pursue a degree in art education at Concordia University, she didn’t imagine she’d get so much hands-on experience during her studies — or that she would fall in love with the city and its French culture as hard as she did.

She’s now in the last semester of her Bachelor of Fine Arts program and has benefitted from practicums each semester that have immersed her in the teaching lifestyle, to the point that she is now teaching five days a week at a local high school.

“I definitely didn’t know that I would have the opportunity to get this much experience and I am super grateful to have had all of these opportunities. It has been so influential in ways that I wouldn’t have expected it to be.”

A young woman in a yellow Concordia hoodie smiles confidently. Haley Kuchar is in the last semester of her Bachelor of Fine Arts program at Concordia.

Cherine Zananiri, Concordia’s director of experiential learning & co-operative education, says that giving students practical experience is a priority for the university.

“As of August 2022, our president made a commitment that each incoming undergraduate student at Concordia will have an opportunity to have an experiential learning activity within their program of study, before they graduate,” she says. “By 2025, they will have at least two,” she says.

These learning-by-doing activities can take on many forms, notes Zananiri. They could be embedded directly in a course or they could be work-related, like the teaching opportunities that Kuchar is enjoying. They could also be international, based in the community or even linked to hands-on research projects.

Concordia’s commitment puts it at the vanguard of experiential learning in Canada which makes for more engaged and motivated students, Zananiri says. Not only does it help them develop skills for their future careers, but it also builds self-confidence, resilience and self-awareness.

A woman with blue rimmed glasses, a blue scarf and a blue suit jacket smiles at the camera. Cherine Zananiri, Concordia’s director of experiential learning & co-operative education.

“Experiential learning has a lasting impact beyond the classroom. It influences attitudes, beliefs and behaviours, which impact the whole person holistically — not just what they’re going to be doing professionally, but also personally.”

For students coming to Montreal from outside of Quebec, an additional part of their experience at Concordia is living in a city where the majority of the population speaks French. In Kuchar’s case, she remembers visiting Ottawa on a school trip and saw how easily people switched between the country’s two official languages. It motivated her to improve her own French-language skills and was part of the reason she came to Montreal to study.

“As somebody who grew up in Western Canada, I didn’t receive very good French education, so I really didn’t have any grasp on the French language, but at the same time I grew up with an awareness that having that skill in your tool belt gives you access to different opportunities.”

Kuchar thinks that having to learn French is no reason to miss out on coming to Montreal to study in a field that you are passionate about. During her time at Concordia, Kuchar has also decided to minor in French.

“I really don’t see a downside to learning any language. Is it difficult? Yes, it’s a challenge. But I’m a better person for having gone through the effort to learn a new language. My brain is better for it. My worldview is better for it. I’ve made friends because of it.”

A young woman in a burgundy suit jacket smiles warmly. Savvy Papayiannis, Concordia’s director of student recruitment.

Next fall, thanks in part to generous benefactors from Concordia alumni, the university is introducing new awards that will help offset much of the recently-announced tuition increases.

Savvy Papayiannis, Concordia’s director of student recruitment, says that new students who apply to undergraduate programs at the university from elsewhere in Canada are automatically considered for the newly-introduced Canada Scholar Awards. If they meet the eligibility requirements, they are guaranteed to receive an amount ranging from $1,500 to $4,000 per year. There is also the Canada Transfer Student Awards for those transferring from Canadian universities outside of Quebec, and tuition fee reductions for every incoming out-of-province Canadian graduate student in a professional program.

Read more about the funding opportunities for undergrads and grads to help offset the tuition increases.

This story was created by Content Works, Postmedia’s commercial content division, on behalf of Concordia University.