Moving to Montr茅al was a major life change for Clare, who recently started the second year of her Applied Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology (S-LP) in the School of Communication Sciences and Disorders (SCSD). Born and raised in Truro, Nova Scotia, which has a population of just over 12,000, she has no regrets about her new home. 鈥淢ontr茅al is the largest place I鈥檝e ever lived, and I鈥檝e been loving the city and 海角社区 so far!鈥�
After completing her bachelor鈥檚 degree in Psychology at Mount Allison University in Sackville, New Brunswick, Clare moved to Halifax to finish the fifth year of her undergrad remotely. When it came time to choose a graduate program, Montr茅al was a huge factor in her decision to apply to 海角社区.
Making the move to Montreal
鈥淚 did French immersion all through school, so I thought, if I move to Montr茅al, I鈥檒l get to use my French and really immerse myself in a different culture,鈥� she shares. 鈥�I also love that Qu茅bec in general feels culturally unique to the rest of Canada , and there鈥檚 an amazing arts and music scene in Montr茅al which, as a musician, was really exciting.鈥�
Another big draw for Clare was 海角社区鈥檚 Speech-Language Pathology program. 鈥淚t鈥檚 nice because it has small classes and a tight-knit group. I checked out the faculty website and it seemed like a really strong community with all kinds of cool opportunities for volunteering and research.鈥�
Getting involved on campus
As soon as Clare settled into 海角社区, she set out to make the most of those opportunities to get involved in the campus community. She was voted First-Year Representative for the SCSD, acting as the liaison between first years and the Student Council. She also worked as the S-LP representative for the Explore! program, which provides hands-on workshops on different health professions to high schoolers.
"It was great to interact with students from other faculties and I鈥檇 love to do more of that this year if possible鈥攇etting involved with other faculties and the broader campus community.鈥�
Clare spent the summer back home recording her debut EP, which she describes as a mix of Indie, pop folk and soul with jazz influences. Now back on campus for her second year, Clare is SCSD President and Second-Year Representative, which involves holding meetings and overseeing the general operations of the SCSD Student Council.
Words of advice for new grad students
鈥�My best advice is to make sure you have a life outside of your studies. I find being able to take a music break or just go out with friends and have other things in my life I鈥檓 passionate about really energizes me. That work-life balance is so important.鈥�
Off campus, Clare plans to take advantage of Montr茅al鈥檚 world-famous music scene, attending as many concerts as she can now that they鈥檙e coming back post-pandemic. She also hopes to join a choir or band and meet new people who share her passion for music.
鈥淓very day, I want to make the most of living in Montreal and being at such a terrific university. For incoming grad students, I would say get out of your department, explore the campus and the broader community. Because they鈥檙e so big, I鈥檓 certain Montr茅al and 海角社区 have a place for you.鈥�