Cora Gardner

Minor in German

Current Occupation: Grant Writer
Current Location: Ottawa, Canada
Program: Bachelor of Economics Honours (International Political Economy)/23

Notable Quotable

Why did you choose this particular language?

Initially, I was interested in studying abroad in Germany for my Master’s. I had actually taken some beginner German language classes in high school and took the opportunity to have it as a minor while completing my Bachelor’s.

Your Learning Experience

I found that I was really able to bond and build relationships with others through this experience. I met one of my good friends in my 1st year German class, and I’ve even staying in touch with my instructor, Frau Christina Finger, as well as several of my classmates past the end of term. I enjoyed the way German culture was incorporated into our education to supplement the more technical elements of language learning, and Frau Finger always managed to strike a good balance between informative and fun.

How did you use the language after graduating?

After graduating, I actually spent the year abroad in northern Germany as a foreign language assistant (Fremdsprachenassistentin). I found out about the opportunity in my 4th year German class and Frau Finger helped me with the application and provided a letter of reference/recommendation for the position. While my role focused on sharing my knowledge and experience as a native English-speaker and a Canadian, I used the German language skills I learned at Carleton extensively in my day-to-day life. Since moving back to Canada, I haven’t had many opportunities to practice these skills, but I am looking forward to getting involved with the Goethe Institute and maybe taking more advanced German classes now that I am living in Ottawa again.

Why study a second or additional language?

One of my biggest driving forces to learn foreign languages is personal interest, I find it to be an exciting challenge and endlessly fascinating. It has also benefited my personal and professional life in ways I never could have predicted when I first registered for the classes, and so, it is a great way to open yourself up to new experiences and opportunities. Lastly, I find it has also made me more empathetic and increased my respect for anyone who is working or living using their second, third, fourth, etc language. While greatly rewarding and beneficial, I know first hand how difficult this is and how isolating it can be at times. Many of us take for granted how easy English is for us as native speakers and the inherent privilege that exists due to its popularity, but learning another language invites you to step outside of that bubble, likely changing your perceptions and broaden your worldviews in the process.

Tell us about your personal experience of studying a language at university

In many ways, learning German became a part of my identity and who I am. This was reinforced by my recent experience living abroad as a language assistant, which in addition to my minor, will always be part of my past/my history now. When I first dreamed of living and potentially studying abroad in Germany it became a goal to work towards — a goal that guided and propelled me through high school and university. Completing a language up to the 4th year level meant I would be able to realize this goal, and once I did, I had achieved something I had been dreaming of and working towards for the past 6+ years.