Fall ’16 Marion Edith Dubin Memorial Scholarship in English Recipient

Queen’s School of English (QSoE) announced that Daniel Carvalho (Brazil) is the recipient of the Fall 2016 Marion Edith Dubin Memorial Scholarship in English!

Daniel is entering his third session in the QSoE English for Academic Purposes (EAP) Program, though his hometown is Porto Alegre, in the south of Brazil. He has a PhD in Geology, and has worked for South African and Canadian mining companies in Brazil. In Brazil, Daniel has his own company for which he designed a specialized product that is used on mining and potential mining sites. This large, tray-like product is specially designed to hold and display physical geological samples taken from potential mining sites, and is used in conjunction with other tools to evaluate natural resources underground.

Because of the international nature of his field of work, Daniel has come to QSoE to improve his English language skills, to learn about Canadian culture, and to connect with people in Canada who are also involved in the mining industry. Since being at Queen’s University, Daniel has discovered an inspiration to pursue studies in business for the mining, oil, and gas industries.

When asked what he has enjoyed about QSoE, Daniel mentioned that the format of the classes at QSoE is different than what he experienced during his studies in Brazil – a refreshing and engaging change. He says that the EAP Program at QSoE has allowed him to learn about the culture in Canada, and “how people here think,” which is very valuable to him.

Poutine: A Canadian Dish!

One of the activities outside of class at the School of English is to make poutine! Poutine is a Canadian dish originating in the province of Quebec, and is made with French fries and cheese curds, topped with a light-brown gravy. Students enjoyed making (and eating) it last week. Thanks to Social Media Club members Honami and Airi for submitting these photos!

Marion Edith Dubin Scholarship in English Winner: Akiho Yatsuda!

Akiho Yatsuda is the Summer 2016 winner of the Marion Edith Dubin Scholarship in English! Akiho, from Chikushi Jogakuen University in Dazaifu City, Fukuoka, Japan, is currently in the English for Academic Purposes (EAP) program at the Queen’s School of English. She arrived last Fall, and will be finishing the program in August of this year. We had a chance to sit down with her recently to talk about her experience here:

Akiho at the Tulip Festival in Ottawa

Akiho in Ottawa in June, 2016

In February on Lake Ontario

At Confederation Park in Kingston New Year’s Eve

Akiho with a friend before heading to Wolfe Island

First winter snowfall in Kingston

What were her first impressions of Canada? She recounts her first glimpses of Toronto from the airplane, and compared her view of Toronto to the large cities in Japan. “I’d heard Toronto was a big city, but I didn’t think it was!”

What does she like about Kingston? “I really like Kingston because there is a lot of nature. There are lots of trees, a lake and lots of green space.”

“Kingstonians are also very kind,” she says. She recounts many instances of being lost and fellow Kingstonians helping her with directions.

What experience has she enjoyed the most since she has been here? Her best experiences so far have been ice skating behind City Hall in the winter, and also watching the Kingston Frontenacs hockey team play at the K-Rock Centre. “It was my first time seeing a hockey game. The players were all hitting each other, but it was very exciting!”

She enjoyed her recent winter term when she became friends with classmates who were from all over the world — Brazil, Quebec, Saudi Arabia, China and Libia. “Each person had different opinions, and they all were very motivated to study English.”

Akiho received the highest mark in her class. How did she do it? “The secret is to sit as close to the teacher as possible. If I sit near the teacher I get more opportunities to speak.”

What does she like about the Queen’s School of English? “The teachers in the School of English are really great. They teach very academic English and they have lots of experience. They also give you lots of one-on-one attention.”

What advice does she have to give to students? “Do your best every day. Don’t be lazy. Try to keep doing something every day/month. Always think about your motivation for coming here. I think about my parents and the opportunity they gave me to study here.”

What career goals does she have? Akiho has one more year to complete at university, but would like to work in Japan in communications and perhaps with international students. “I would like to help people using English.”

For more information on Awards, Scholarships and Bursaries or Financial Assistance at the School of English click here.

Marion Edith Dubin Scholarship in English

Awarded for the first time to two recipients on January 12, 2016.

Queen’s School of English (QSoE) recently announced the winners of the winter 2016 Marion Edith Dubin Scholarship in English. This award was established in memory of Marion Edith Dubin and awarded to students who might not otherwise have the opportunity to study at Queen’s School of English. The evaluation criterion for the award is based on an essay written by each of the applicants. Typically, the scholarship will be awarded to one recipient per session. However, we had two recipients of the scholarship this session. Junjie Jin and Sojeong Kim were each awarded $850 at the All School Meeting on January 15, 2016.

​Junjie Jin is an Environmental Engineering student from Nantong, Jiangsu, China. Junjie is on exchange in Canada from Tongji University. Before beginning his two year exchange program in the department of Applied Science and Engineering at Queen’s University, Junjie is completing the English for Academic Purposes QBridge Program at QSoE. Junjie selected Queen’s University as his exchange destination because of the reputation of the teaching staff and the university as a whole. Once he completes his undergraduate degree at Queen’s, Junjie might like to stay in Canada for his Master’s degree.

Junjie began his English language studies at QSoE in September 2015. During the fall session at QSoE, his teacher told him about the Marion Edith Dubin Scholarship in English. As a scholarship applicant, Junjie was required to share with QSoE why studying English is important for his future: “Studying English is important because it is a language that is used worldwide. Learning English will allow me to communicate with experts in my field from all over the world.”

Junjie is grateful to have the opportunity to study at QSoE. “My favourite thing about studying at Queen’s School of English is the experienced teaching staff. They are very kind and patient,” Junjie said. As his time at QSoE nears the end, Junjie says he is both nervous and excited to start his undergraduate degree at Queen’s University.

​Sojeong Kim is a fourth year Materials Engineering student from Jeonbuk University in South Korea. Although she is studying Engineering, Sojeong would like to be a flight attendant after she graduates. “Studying English is important for my future because I want to be a flight attendant for the Arab Emirate Airline, and they require English,” Sojeong said.

Sojeong chose to learn English in Canada because of the kind people and the immersion in the English language.  When selecting an English program, Sojeong knew she wanted to attend a school with a diverse student body. She has been very happy with her QSoE experience so far. “Although I like everything about QSoE, my favourite thing is the English only rule,” Sojeong said.

Sojeong learned about the Marion Edith Dubin Scholarship in English from her teacher last session. She applied to the scholarship with the hopes of being able to help her parents finance her English language studies. She is very grateful to have received the scholarship.

Click here to learn more about the Marion Edith Dubin Scholarship in English.

Transitioning from QSoE to Queen’s University

By: Haoran Liang

Haoran graduated from the EAP program in 2014 and is now in his second year of the Bachelor of Commerce program at Queen’s University. 

International students studying at an English based university face a lot of unique challenges including adapting to a new culture, language and environment. When I first came to Canada, I did not speak English often. I found it very challenging to build relationships with people in Canada due to my lack of English skills. However, Queen’s
School of English helped me improve my English. I am very thankful that I had the chance to go to QSoE. At QSoE, I learned English, attended social activities, enjoyed casual conversation with native English speakers and made a lot of new friends. My time QSoE played a significant role in helping me to overcome my culture shock, language barrier and other issues that I struggled with. Time has flown since I arrived in Canada in December 2013. I spent one year studying at QSoE and I am now starting my second year in the Bachelor of Commerce program at Queen’s University. My confidence in my academic and social abilities has increased dramatically since I arrived in Canada. I am very happy that many of my former instructors from QSoE have remained my mentors, and continue to teach me and guide me through my university life. Two years ago, I never thought that I would have the courage to speak out loud in group discussions, to give business presentations in front of people or to join university clubs. I can confidently say that I am totally adapted to Canada and the Queen’s community. I would not be having this much success in university if I did not have the experience of studying at QSoE.