STUdent Pablo Costa wins Prix du Consulat général de France à Moncton et Halifax

Third-year French and History Honours student Pablo Costa has won the 2022 Prix du Consulat général de France à Moncton et Halifax. This prize is awarded by the Consul General to a student who has demonstrated academic excellence in the study of French language and culture in the Atlantic provinces.

“Being recognized for my writing and academic achievements is not only a huge honor, but also an encouragement. Sometimes it can be hard to believe in yourself when you are writing in your second language or trying something new in a creative way,” Costa said.

A lifelong love of languages 

Costa was nominated for the award by the professors of STU’s Department of Romance Languages and submitted a creative writing piece on the role of French language in his everyday life for consideration for the award. He wrote a poem, entitled, l'îlot, which uses an island as a metaphor for Costa’s experience learning French and engaging with the Francophone community in a new place. 

“I often wondered if I even belonged to the Francophone community. It wasn't until I left that little island that I became confident in calling myself a Francophone,” he said. 

Costa is an international student from Alicante, Spain, a bilingual province, which he said has always encouraged his interest in learning new languages. He credits his French class in middle school, and the opportunities to experience French culture firsthand, with strengthening his love for the language. 

STU’s French Program 

“My experience at STU has taken my French to a whole other level. I was able to take classes that focused on writing and reading comprehension, so I have been able to significantly improve in those aspects of the language,” Costa said. 

He also said the strong cultural component of the program and the expertise of STU’s French faculty has made the experience unique and fulfilling. 

“Apart from being leading experts in their fields, STU French professors are also incredible mentors. Our class sizes and enriching learning environment allow for these types of meaningful connections to happen, and in tandem, it enables students to grow far beyond our expectations,” he said.
 
Dr. Julien Defraeye has taught Costa since his first year. He said STU’s French program attracts students for its broad scope of study, and exchange opportunities in Québec and France, as well as French language activities hosted by the department and the university’s French Society, of which Costa is the vice president. 

“This award shows that our program keeps attracting brilliant and successful students whose efforts are recognized at STU and well beyond. Our honours, major and minor programs are a great asset in New Brunswick and prepare our students to be successful in their professional careers,” Defraeye said. 

A polyglot’s prize 

Costa was one of eight students considered for the award. In a press release from the Alliance Française, Consul general Johan Schitterer said Costa’s poem of his story and francophone journey from Spain to New Brunswick left the jury moved.
 
“All the submissions were very touching, both in terms of the Francophone background of each of the authors and their ability to express their attachment to our language … [the jury agreed upon] Mr. Pablo Serra Costa’s project which used poetry (a unique case this year) to express with great talent his passion for our language,” Schitterer said. 

The prize includes a week-long, all-expenses paid trip this summer to the FrancoForum, a specialized language teaching facility in St-Pierre-et-Miquelon, off the coast of Newfoundland. While there, Costa will live in a French-speaking community and take French courses. 

Costa said opportunities he’s had at STU to develop his leadership skills, and the supportive university community, contributed to his success. 

“I am as much a Francophone, a polyglot and a Spaniard as I am a STUdent. I knew, even before I graduated high school, that STU was the place for me. I am surrounded by inspiring professors and students in a welcoming environment, which creates a true sense of belonging on our small campus.”