Catherine Millaire ’23: French Immersion Alumni Spotlight

Building confidence, connection and opportunity through bilingual education 

Hear from WIC graduate—Catherine Millaire '23, on her academic journey through French Immersion:

“French Immersion has been one of the most transformative parts of my education. During my time at WIC, I was lucky to be part of a French community that felt more like a family than just a cohort at school. My teachers weren’t only educators, they were mentors who believed in me, encouraged me when I doubted myself, and inspired me to view French as more than a subject. They showed me that French is a bridge to new experiences, new people, and a deeper sense of belonging in the world. 

The Grade 8 Québec trip was such a huge highlight for me at WIC. It was exciting to be surrounded by French culture outside the classroom and so fun to experience the language in a city where it’s spoken daily. Walking through Québec City and being able to speak French with locals showed me just how valuable bilingualism is, not only for travel but also for connecting with people across Canada. This experience made me realize that French is such an important part of our national identity, and having the ability to communicate in both official languages is something I’ll always carry with me. 

As my native language, French has always been an integral part of who I am, but immersion has deepened that connection. Learning and living in two languages has strengthened my communication skills and opened countless doors academically, professionally, and personally. Speaking French has given me the confidence to connect with more people and to access opportunities that wouldn’t have been possible otherwise. 

Looking ahead, I hope to pursue a career in the legal field. I know that my French Immersion background will be an asset, whether it’s working with bilingual clients, navigating legal documents, or contributing to Canada’s multilingual and multicultural society. Above all, French Immersion has taught me perseverance and the value of bridging cultures and lessons I’ll carry with me throughout my career and life. 

Je suis éternellement chanceuse de pouvoir être bilingue. Ce n’est pas seulement une langue que j’ai apprise, c’est une partie de qui je suis et de qui je resterai.” 

Contributors

Lauren Somerville - Advancement Officer