Convocation: Erin Fairweather

Since her final final exam, Erin Fairweather has been couchsurfing. But don't get the idea that she's a slacker. Winner of this year's Jubilee Medal in the Humanities, Fairweather has been traveling through France, Switzerland, Germany and Spain living with people offering their couches to budget travelers through couchsurfing.org.

"My reason for traveling right now is to reset my mind," she says. "It's a little 'congratulations me' present as well as a great excuse to visit my sister Leanne, who has recently set up a home in Berlin."

Fairweather, who graduates at the top of her class with a major in French and a minor in anthropology, has been passionately interested in French since she was first exposed to the language in Grade 5 in Langley, BC.

In Grade 10, she participated in an exchange program in Qu&e#180;bec. "It opened my eyes to different ways of living, different ways of speaking and whole new amazing experiences: -27° weather, dog sledding, home-made maple syrup, new music and swear words. Being bilingual opens so many doors. I love the language, all of the literature that can be read in context, and the culture that comes along with it.""

The exchange experience deepened her interest in the language and gave her a feel for anthropology. "I enjoy the different approaches, perspectives and the way of thinking. Anthropology can be applied to absolutely every aspect of life and therefore any type of research. I intend to incorporate my learnings and use a holistic approach while doing further research and studies, coming from different angles and considering all possibilities apparent to me."

At UVic, she won a wide range of scholarship support and enjoyed "the amazing sense of campus community and engaging professors. I would not have accomplished anything without the encouragement and support of Dr. H&e#180;lène Cazes, who has been absolutely amazing, caring, generous and incredibly supportive," says Fairweather. She also credits her friends and family for their support, and "I guess I should also mention hot chocolate and Kraft Dinner."

For now, she is soaking up her experiences in Europe. "It is a dream; we are exploring these places through the eyes of locals, with the advice of people from within the culture, and experiencing home-cooked traditional meals instead of being isolated at hotels or hostels doing only touristic excursions. This is really important to me, not to just see the world, but to meet the people as well."

And in September, she begins her studies towards a master's degree at UVic with a fellowship from the French department.