The Immersion Mentors are upper-year Immersion students. When you have a question or a problem, start with them: they know exactly what you're going through, because they've been in your shoes!

What the Mentoring Centre offers

Before and during your first year at uOttawa, meet with a Mentor to talk and obtain help for making the transition from high school to university. Our mentors are not tutors. However, having been in your shoes just a little while ago, they are well-equipped to help you or refer you to someone who can.

Workshops

Something the French Immersion stream hears regularly from students is that they have no idea how to do readings at the university level nor how to take notes during their lectures.

In response to these comments, the French Immersion mentors are proud to offer two different types of “Ateliers” or workshops where students can come and learn tips and strategies to help them develop the skills necessary to their success in university (e.g. how to read diagonally or how to take abbreviated notes).

Students can attend the “Prise de notes” or “Lecture efficace” workshops, which are offered several times throughout the school year.

Keep an eye on your uOttawa email account and our Instagram (@uottawa_fi) page for dates and times for workshops.

Student studying in modern cubicle.

How to improve your French

Learning a language is hard; maintaining it is just as difficult and needs a lot of will. Your French professors are right when they say that if you don't use your French, you will lose it. Keep practicing!
Learn more on how to improve your French

Our mentors

Peter

Peter

City: Conception Bay South, NL

Program: Translational and Molecular Medicine, 5th year

Hey everyone! I’m Peter and I’m a fifth-year Translational and molecular medicine student from Conception Bay South, Newfoundland and Labrador. I look forward to meeting you all this fall! Quand je ne suis pas dehors en train de faire une randonnée ou du canoë, vous me trouverez sur les terrains de squash! N’hésitez pas à me contacter si vous avez jamais besoin de conseils, du support, ou de bonnes expressions terre-neuviennes.

Sydney

Sydney

City: Cambridge, ON

Program: Translational and Molecular Medicine, 4th year

J’ai été en immersion française à l’école depuis que j’avais six ans et quand j’ai appris que l’Université d’Ottawa offre l’immersion française, c’est devenu l`école de mes rêves. Prendre les cours en français à l’université est une des expériences le plus intéressant et enrichissant de ma vie! Quelque chose d’autre qui me passionne à part du français c’est la danse. J’ai été danseuse depuis l’âge de cinq ans et danseuse compétitive entre les âges de 12 et 18. I also love reading, doing logic puzzles (sudoku is one of my favourites!), playing pool, and going for walks and hikes. Je suis honorée d’avoir l’occasion de vous aider à profiter de votre expérience dans le régime d’immersion en français! Please feel free to reach out if you ever need help, advice, or someone to talk to!

Kristina

Kristina

City: Toronto, ON

Program: Political Science and History, 4th year

J'ai toujours aimé apprendre le français, étant dans le programme de français intensif depuis l'école primaire, et j'ai été ravie de découvrir que l'Université d'Ottawa offrait un programme d'immersion française ! Jusqu'à présent, mon expérience en tant qu'étudiante en immersion était très enrichissante et j'ai beaucoup appris. Donc, je suis très heureuse de devenir mentor cette année ! Dans mon temps libre, j'aime lire, apprendre de nouvelles choses, et fréquenter différents cafés pour essayer de nouvelles friandises (si vous avez de bonnes recommandations de cafés à Ottawa, n'hésitez pas à m'en informer !). Feel free to reach out or drop by the office whenever you need help. I can’t wait to meet you all this year and support you throughout your French immersion experience!

Brianne

Brianne

City: Red Deer, AB

Program: Statistics, 2ndyear

Bonjour! Je m’appelle Brianne, et je viens d'une petite ville du centre de l’Alberta pour faire mes études en statistiques à l’Université d’Ottawa. Je viens de terminer ma première année à l’université, mais j’ai commencé mon cheminement en immersion française beaucoup plus tôt, en maternelle. En apprenant le français, j’ai découvert une passion pour l'apprentissage des langues, et j’ai commencé à apprendre le japonais au secondaire et plus récemment, j’ai commencé à apprendre l’allemand aussi. Ma ville natale est très anglophone, alors je suis vraiment contente de non seulement avoir la chance d'étudier quelque part qui est si multilingue, mais aussi d’être capable de travailler avec d’autres qui sont autant passionnés par leur deuxième langue que moi! Lorsque je ne suis pas en train d’étudier sur le campus, vous pouvez me trouver me promenant dans la ville avec mes amis et jouer à des jeux comme Animal Crossing et Mario Kart sur ma Nintendo Switch. J’ai vraiment hâte de vous rencontrer et de vous aider à accomplir vos objectifs linguistiques! Don’t be afraid to reach out if you have any questions or just want to talk!

Varshika

Varshika

City: Brampton, ON

Program: Biomedical sciences, 3rdyear

Je m’appelle Varshika et j’entame ma troisième année d’études en sciences biomédicales. Jusqu’à présent, mes études bilingues ont nourri ma curiosité et m’ont permis de relever de nouveaux défis personnels et académiques. Depuis un jeûne âge, j’ai intégré l’immersion en français dans mes études, et le fait de poursuivre mes études en français et en anglais m’a vraiment permis de développer mon côté créatif et de renforcer mes compétences en communication. 
To unwind from my studies, you’ll often find me playing volleyball, going on long walks, or sitting at the piano when I’m not on campus. I’m also an avid reader and find a lot of inspiration in books. I love to travel and explore new destinations. 
I'm excited to continue growing in a bilingual environment and to support others on their journey as an Immersion Mentor this year! Please don't hesitate to contact me if you are looking for advice of any sort or simply to talk! J’ai hâte de faire ta connaissance et t’aider à te sentir chez toi dans cette communauté!
 

What to expect during the first weeks

Pumped

WOOOOO!! Welcome to University! You are mentally prepared for university – and looking forward to it.

FI Mentor Pro-Tip: This new chapter in your education is starting! It's going to be quite memorable, so carpe diem and enjoy your Welcome Week and don’t forget to come to French Immersion’s information session.

Intimidated

Certain professors talk too quickly or with accents, but don’t worry – you’ll figure everything soon enough.

FI Mentor Pro-Tip: If you persevere, it will get better. Don’t let one or two classes dissuade you from a course – sometimes the professors who seem difficult at first end up being the best.

Overwhelmed

The university campus is really big! But give it a week, you will be able to find your way around.

FI Mentor Pro-Tip: Downloading a campus map right onto your phone to give you some direction on campus. Even the building codes should be on the maps, so you should be good!

Panicked 

Maybe you’ve tried reading some of your textbooks in French… and maybe you’ve thrown them across the room out of frustration. This is very common – and it will go away with time.

FI Mentor Pro-Tip: Don’t stress! The Mentors have your back with their ‘Lecture efficace’ workshop to give you some useful tips to help you with your readings.

Self-doubt

You might feel like your French abilities are subpar compared to your classmates. And that’s a totally normal feeling. But remember, you picked French Immersion for a reason, don’t forget that reason. And know that by sticking in the program, you will be able to improve your French skills.

FI Mentor Pro-Tip: We all feel anxious about our abilities sometimes. Luckily, we have created a diagnostic page to help you to pinpoint what you’re feeling nervous about and what to do about it!

Stress

Course syllabuses are technically worded and can seem very severe. Its really easy to be nervous when you see all the term’s work laid out before you, especially if the professor has made it very thorough. The best way to resolve this feeling is to create a study plan to help you get organized.

FI Mentor Pro-Tip: Academic support offers many services to help students manage their stress productively.

What did I get myself into?

All of these things can lead to you feeling like maybe French Immersion wasn’t the best choice for you…. Ne lâchez pas!! If you persevere you’ll reap the rewards (like the French Studies Bursary).

FI Mentor Pro-Tip: Take everything in stride, you don’t have to do all your readings in one night. Sometimes mental breaks can be beneficial and provide some much needed clarity.

Contact us

French Immersion Mentoring Centre

Hamelin Hall - Room 130
70, Laurier Ave. East
Ottawa ON  K1N 6N5

613-562-5800 ext. 3642
mentor.imm@uOttawa.ca

Office hours

Monday 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.  
Tuesday 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.  
Wednesday 9:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Thursday 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.  
Friday 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.  

Book a virtual mentoring appointment