Student Projects Grants: French Language students compete in 2025 Translation Games

Have you ever imagined starting a project, attending a trip, or taking part in an extracurricular learning experience during your undergraduate studies?

Such opportunities are an enormous privilege, ones that require financial backing that many students, particularly those who are working, paying for tuition, and managing living expenses, may struggle to secure. While opportunities like attending conferences, participating in competitions, or pursuing passion projects may feel out of reach, the Faculty of Arts Student Projects Grant can help make student aspirations an achievable reality. 

For Language and Intercultural Relations students Celina Maalouli and Aziza Maten, applying for a Student Projects Grant supported their participation in the 2025 Translation Games (external link) . Learn about their experiences and how you can apply for funding for your next project!

Aziza Maten

Aziza Maten is a fourth-year Language and Intercultural Relations student in the French language stream. 

Aziza shared her hesitation when applying for student funding, given the restrictions she has faced in the past compared to domestic students: “International students rarely have the chance to apply for such grants,” she reflected. 

However, with the support of her co-applicants, Aziza participated in the application process, which involved advocating for the significance of her team's involvement in the Translation Games. “The application included a motivational letter outlining the purpose of the funding request and explaining how it would enhance the university’s reputation."

“The letter highlighted the importance of our faculty’s participation in such events: promoting the practical application of acquired skills, fostering personal and professional growth, expanding professional networks, and advancing higher education and student engagement. Moreover, it emphasized how events like the Translation Games help students build teamwork skills and experience the real meaning of team spirit.”

While the application process was spearheaded by her team captain, Kaitlyn Fletcher, Aziza emphasized the importance of teamwork in applying for the opportunity: “Once the main document was ready, all team members reviewed it, contributed their additions, and signed off on the final version.”

Her journey, made possible by a Student Projects Grant, had a positive impact, allowing Aziza to take part in the games a second year in a row. “Both times, participating in the games was an exciting and unforgettable experience. In 2024, our team travelled to Quebec City. With most teams coming from different cities and everyone staying in the same hotel, a strong sense of community and camaraderie filled the event. Last year, our team earned third place for outstanding audiovisual translation.” 

As an extracurricular learning experience, the games also provided invaluable networking and personal development opportunities for Aziza and her teammates. “The organization was superb: starting with a gala dinner on the first evening, followed by two intense, inspiring days of competition—shifting between individual, paired, and team tasks. I typically participate in the song and poetry translation categories, which I find especially fascinating. These challenges go far beyond simple translation, they require preserving the original rhyme, rhythm, and cadence. When translating a song, it’s crucial to maintain a musical structure that allows the translated lyrics to be sung naturally. This creative challenge makes the work both demanding and deeply rewarding.”

For Celina and Aziza, applying for a Student Projects Grant helped support an incredible trip and meaningful participation in this year’s Translation Games. Not only did Celina and Aziza strengthen their translation skills and demonstrate their linguistic competencies, they also proudly represented the TMU community, upholding a reputation for collegiality and a competitive spirit!