A world of opportunity
A fascination with politics and a desire to master French brought Jonathan Yantzi to the University of Ottawa. The opportunities he's enjoyed since then have convinced him he made the right choice.
The Burlington, Ontario native, who is studying Political Science (French Immersion) full-time, while working part-time as the Deputy Chief Page in the Senate of Canada, says his parliamentary experience has been a perfect complement to his academic program.
"Being able to learn so much about Canada's political life, while working in both official languages has been a fantastic experience," says Yantzi, a recipient of Canada's University Scholarship for French Immersion studies, the Dean's Merit and Jean Chrétien scholarships, and the Millennium Foundation's National Excellence Award. "My capacity to work and study in French is growing every day."
He says the Immersion program's personalized language support and the option of a qualitative (rather than grade-based) marking system for the first two years of study gave him the confidence to take on the immersion challenge.
A talented singer, Yantzi is also taking a weekly course in vocal performance with the Department of Music. In November 2008, he was honoured to accept an invitation from the Senate's Usher of the Black Rod to sing at a Remembrance Day ceremony in the upper house. He has since performed at several ceremonies in the Senate, celebrating National Child Day, honouring former parliamentarians, and commemorating the anniversary of D-Day, among others.
Yantzi, who has added a minor in Spanish to his Political Science and French immersion curriculum, says he's grateful for the opportunities that have come his way - on and off campus.
"I've been really fortunate to be able to combine my concentration in political science with my love of languages and music."
By Greg Higgins
Published: December 2009