Concordia hosts the Foire des régions
Participants at the February 7 information session for engineering students.
On March 27, Concordia will host the Foire des régions. The event is designed to help international students and alumni explore career and settlement opportunities in regions of Quebec beyond the Montreal Metropolitan Community.
The initiative is led by Concordia’s Réussir en français in collaboration with PROMIS, as part of Emplois en régions and the Provincial Employment Roundtable (PERT).
A variety of organizations, particularly in the engineering sector, will be on site to connect with students seeking employment outside of Montreal.
The event follows the success of a recent information session about a pilot project developed in partnership with PROMIS. The session attracted over 75 participants interested in joining the first cohort of an initiative designed to integrate international engineering students into Quebec’s regional job market while providing French language training.
For many students, learning French is not just about career advancement, but also cultural integration.
“I see learning a new language as a transformative experience,” says Tayebeh Malmir, a 2023 environmental engineering alumna.
“I have dedicated over seven months to intensive French study and truly enjoy the language. This project provides a unique opportunity to gain local work experience, expand my professional network and apply my knowledge in environmental engineering within the province.”
Mechanical engineering student Dal Bahadur K C echoes this sentiment. “Learning French helps me to connect with the culture, traditions and everyday life in Quebec,” he says. “This project will allow me to immerse myself in the language.”
Personal and professional growth opportunities
The Foire des régions is part of a larger effort to connect Concordia’s international community with career opportunities across Quebec, specifically tailored to their fields of study with the goal of enhancing French proficiency.
“It is clear that our students wish to fully immerse themselves in Quebec’s culture, and learning French is part of that,” affirms Chanel Bourdon, Réussir en français partnerships and special projects advisor. “We are proud to offer them these opportunities for growth, both professionally and personally.”
For Malmir, ongoing language support remains key. “Continued access to diverse language programs, workplace mentorship in French and networking opportunities with native speakers would be extremely beneficial,” she notes.
With initiatives like the Foire des régions, Concordia continues to play a pivotal role in helping students transition into Quebec’s job market while fostering bilingualism and professional success.
Don’t miss the Foire des regions, led by Concordia’s Réussir en français, on March 27 at the Concordia Conference Centre, John Molson Building (MB), 9th floor.
