The Cafés Rencontres Project
Speak, learn, discover — one coffee at a time
Funded by the financial assistance program entitled « En français, naturellement! » from Québec’s Ministère de la Langue Française, Y4Y’s The Cafés Rencontres Project aims to enhance conversational French ability and deepen cultural appreciation among English-speaking post-secondary students in Québec. The initiative features two activities:
Three Cafés Rencontres activities, as well as three cultural outings, that will be held in Montréal, Québec City, and Sherbrooke for students at participating educational institutions in each of those regions. Scheduled for Fall 2024, the Cafés Rencontres activities will invite English-speaking post-secondary students to coffee lounge-style spaces, in which they will order coffee, play games, and have stimulating conversations in French with student volunteers and mentors. Everyone in the space will be experiencing a certain amount of linguistic insecurity, but the goal is to practise while having fun in a welcoming & warm environment!
During the Winter 2025 semester, a series of cultural outings will immerse these students in Québec’s rich cultural heritage, through visits to local landmarks and museums in their respective regions. Outings will be presented in French, to encourage participating students to step out of their comfort zones and use whatever level of conversational French they may have. The aim is to enhance the second-language learning journey of English-speaking students, by partnering with universities and CÉGEPs and providing opportunities for experiential learning, outside of the classroom. A self-evaluation tool for participating students will be developed throughout the course of this project, in order to assess student’s overall levels of comfort and experiences of linguistic insecurity.
To sign up for the workshops, use the links below! PLEASE NOTE that spots in this program are reserved for students who are attending the institutions hosting these workshops.
Meet the Team
Project Coordinator
Arielle Rakoto Rina
(She/Her)
Project Coordinator
Born in Madagascar and raised in Montréal, Arielle embodies the spirit of adaptation. She holds a degree in Communication Studies with a specialisation in sound recording from Concordia University, complemented by a minor in Women & Gender Studies. With a passion for community engagement, music, languages, and diversity, Arielle found her calling at Y4Y, seeing it as the perfect platform to merge her interests. Her dedication to fostering inclusive environments and her love for music drive her aspirations to build a career centred around both community work and music. At Y4Y, Arielle aims to use her diverse background and skills to contribute meaningfully to the community and create positive change. She is committed to making a lasting impact through her work and looks forward to connecting with individuals from all walks of life.
Student Ambassadors
Vanesca Saint-Hilaire
(She/Her)
Student Ambassador (Concordia University)
Vanesca Saint-Hilaire, born and raised on the island of Sint-Maarten, is currently pursuing her degree in Human relations with a Specialisation in Organisational Development and a minor in Immigration Studies. Her love for human interactions and personal connection to issues faced by migrants, such language barriers, inspired her to join the Y4Y family as the student ambassador for Concordia University. Through this role, Vanesca aims to help students from all backgrounds enhance their French conversational skills as well as further deepen their appreciation for the Québecois culture. Creativity, kindness and and humour are just some of the few traits that she embodies to fulfil her role as ambassador and help others reach their maximum potential.
Bon Pham
(She/Her)
Student Ambassador (CÉGEP Champlain)
Bon is a passionate volunteer, mental health first aider, and women’s empowerment advocate. Over the years, she has been involved in numerous initiatives focused on kindness and community service. As a former Wellness Liaison for Y4Y Québec, Bon had the privilege of witnessing the life-changing power of altruism and the fulfillment that comes from helping others. In her role as a Student Ambassador at Y4Y Québec, she strives to use her unique talents as a force for good, investing in others to make a positive impact in the community.
Irma Susset
(She/Her)
Student Ambassador (Bishop's University)
Irma is a dedicated student leader from Magog, Québec, currently pursuing an Honours degree in Political Studies with a minor in Communication and Digital Culture at Bishop’s University. Deeply involved in student governance and advocacy, she is committed to fostering a more inclusive and equitable campus. Her bilingual background enables her to create inclusive environments and effectively engage with English-speaking youth. A fan of cozy spaces and good coffee, Irma enjoys relaxing moments with a podcast playing in the background.