‘I would choose French Immersion without hesitation’

Shawnigan Lake School’s French Immersion program has played a pivotal role in shaping the student, peer, and person I am today. Having studied in French Immersion since kindergarten, I arrived at Shawnigan in Grade 9 excited to continue a journey that had already become an important part of my academic identity. Once I began, I quickly realized the level of dedication and perseverance required to maintain a high academic standard within Shawnigan’s rigorous and challenging environment.

 

As I learned to navigate life at Shawnigan, I soon recognized that I was surrounded by like-minded individuals who wanted nothing but the best for one another. This sense of community was especially evident in my French Immersion classes. Our small, close-knit group of students who continuously challenged ourselves through demanding French coursework became the place where I formed my first friendships at Shawnigan, many of which will last a lifetime. Beyond peer connections, the French Immersion program fosters an exceptional bond between students and teachers. Our teachers not only keep classes engaging and academically rigorous, but they also share their personal experiences and global perspectives, creating meaningful connections to the material and to one another.

 

One of the most notable aspects of my experience in Shawnigan’s French Immersion program is that it provides a safe and supportive space to embrace vulnerability and ask questions. When a student raises a question, our teachers respond with real-world examples and thoughtful explanations, often opening the floor to discussion. This approach deepens our engagement and strengthens the sense of trust and collaboration within the classroom.

 

Over four years in the French Immersion program, I have experienced moments of challenge and self-doubt, but even more so moments of laughter, joy, and personal growth. I have gained lasting knowledge of Francophone cultures and countries, knowledge that extends far beyond the classroom and will remain with me for life.

 

Throughout my time at Shawnigan, I achieved several meaningful milestones within the French Immersion program. These include participating in a mock Model United Nations conference as part of a French Immersion committee, serving as the Bloc Québécois president in Shawnigan’s unique House of Commons simulation, earning an AP French certificate, and achieving a DELF B2 certification. These accomplishments have strengthened my academic profile and equipped me with skills and credentials that will benefit me well beyond high school.

 

Most importantly, the French Immersion program has empowered me to pursue my future goals with confidence. I was recently accepted into my top-choice program, the Ingram School of Nursing at McGill University. I can confidently say that I would not have had the opportunity to study my program of choice in a French-speaking city without the foundation provided by Shawnigan’s French Immersion program. Even during the application process, I was required to demonstrate French proficiency, something I achieved through my DELF B2 certification, made possible by Shawnigan’s FRAL 12 course.

 

The Shawnigan French Immersion program has given me invaluable opportunities, lifelong friendships, and a classroom that felt like home. The lessons, relationships, and experiences I have gained are ones I will carry with me forever. If I were given the chance to make this decision again, I would choose French Immersion without hesitation. I would not trade this experience for anything, and that is entirely thanks to the teachers and peers who helped shape my French Immersion journey.