In the heart of Mont Saint Hilaire, surrounded by the balsam firs and Eastern bluebirds of Quebec’s Montérégie region, fourth-year biology student Sophie Krouse found more than just an opportunity to work in conservation. She realized she also had a chance to immerse herself in the French language and local community, and improve her language skills along the way.
Raised in English in Grimsby, Ont., Krouse had always been drawn to the beauty of both nature and language, but it wasn’t until her summer job as a field operations assistant at McGill’s Gault Nature Reserve on Mont Saint Hilaire that she was able to bring those pursuits together.
“The job offered a chance to combine my interests: working in nature and improving my French skills,” she said.
Krouse’s academic focus on conservation ecology, evolution and behaviour initially drew her to McGill for its strong biology program; she was also attracted by Montreal’s francophone environment.
“I’ve been passionate about French since attending French immersion in the fourth grade,” said Krouse. “I wanted to continue improving my French while studying in a bilingual city.”
Learning French on the job
At Gault, Krouse and her small team tackled invasive-species management, conducted wildlife surveys and assisted graduate and doctoral researchers with fieldwork.
“The work was incredibly hands-on,” she explained. “One day, we’d be identifying plant species; the next, we’d be assisting a researcher by collecting data on soil temperature or vegetation changes. It was an amazing way to connect with the environment and contribute to critical conservation projects.”
Living in Mont Saint Hilaire for the summer, Krouse was immersed in French. She worked alongside a tightly knit team, most of whom were francophone, and her days were filled with bilingual exchanges.
“Most of our meetings and instructions were in French, and we’d switch to English only if clarification was needed,” she recalled.
She recalls learning the terms for bullfrog and garter snake — ouaouaron and couleuvre — as particularly pivotal moments.
“Over time, I started to feel more confident, even when discussing scientific terms or cracking jokes with my colleagues,” said Krouse. “Sitting at picnic tables with a mix of francophone and anglophone staff, I realized I wasn’t just getting by, I was participating fully, laughing and forming friendships.”
Creating community through support, science
As with anyone practising a second language, Krouse recalls moments of miscommunication in the field: “Early on, I sometimes struggled to understand instructions or articulate my ideas in French. But our team was so supportive, we always found a way to communicate.”
These challenges ultimately became opportunities for growth, personally and professionally.
“I came away not only with fieldwork skills but also with deeper ties to the local community and culture,” she reflects. “It was incredible to feel like I belonged, to express myself in French and to contribute to such meaningful work.”
As Krouse completes her final year at McGill, she looks back at how her summer at Gault reaffirmed her passion for both conservation and cultural exchange.
“This experience reminded me of the power of language and community in creating connections,” she said. “It’s something I’ll carry with me as I move forward in my career.”