Petition Letter
My name is Lianne Ouellette, and I am a third-year Arts and Science Honours student with a declared major in Political Studies. I am currently in the process of being granted permission to attend the American University of Paris during the winter semester of 2025. I am reaching out in hopes of being granted your permission to take more than 6.0 units of courses through another institution. At this point in my undergraduate experience, I am in good academic standing and on track to fulfil my academic plan requirements, graduating in the winter semester of 2026.
Since the beginning of my time at Queen’s University, I have been a diligent, responsible, and hard-working student who has engaged within the community beyond the classroom. As a member of the Women’s Varsity Squash Team and a journalist for Inquire Publication club, I am truly passionate about exploring new ways to challenge myself in diverse aspects of school life.
I acknowledge the privilege of attending a post-secondary institution like Queen’s that offers students to immerse themselves in various academic environments during their undergraduate years. Studying abroad will greatly enrich my current academic experience by exposing me to different approaches to education through developing my academic, social, and personal growth. By taking courses at another institution, I will be able to engage with new ideas, perspectives, and cultures, while simultaneously challenging my preconceptions that exist systemically in surrounding institutions. The opportunity to take courses in International Law, Global Political Economy, and International Relations in a different country is invaluable for a Political Studies major with aspirations to attend law school. This experience provides a unique opportunity to broaden my understanding of the complexities of international law and how it shapes relations between nations, governments, and individuals. This exposure to different legal systems and cultures is essential for developing a well-rounded understanding of global law, which will be highly beneficial as I prepare for law school.
Moreover, studying in a new country will introduce me to a diverse network of students, professors, and professionals from various backgrounds, creating opportunities for meaningful collaboration and the exchange of ideas. This global network will enhance my ability to approach problems from multiple perspectives through a cross-cultural lens. I have only ever lived in Toronto, Ontario, where democracy is an expected privilege and multiculturalism is advocated for. Beyond academic enrichment, studying abroad would be a pivotal opportunity to learn to adapt to a new cultural and educational environment that would help me navigate new academic and social norms. The courses, connections, and experiences abroad would allow me to apply these new perspectives to my Political Studies learning at Queen’s for my fourth year. This applicability of new perspectives would enrich not only my own studies, but also contribute to my academic community by fostering discussions that draw from a truly global understanding of politics, power, and international law.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Lianne Ouellette
Since the beginning of my time at Queen’s University, I have been a diligent, responsible, and hard-working student who has engaged within the community beyond the classroom. As a member of the Women’s Varsity Squash Team and a journalist for Inquire Publication club, I am truly passionate about exploring new ways to challenge myself in diverse aspects of school life.
I acknowledge the privilege of attending a post-secondary institution like Queen’s that offers students to immerse themselves in various academic environments during their undergraduate years. Studying abroad will greatly enrich my current academic experience by exposing me to different approaches to education through developing my academic, social, and personal growth. By taking courses at another institution, I will be able to engage with new ideas, perspectives, and cultures, while simultaneously challenging my preconceptions that exist systemically in surrounding institutions. The opportunity to take courses in International Law, Global Political Economy, and International Relations in a different country is invaluable for a Political Studies major with aspirations to attend law school. This experience provides a unique opportunity to broaden my understanding of the complexities of international law and how it shapes relations between nations, governments, and individuals. This exposure to different legal systems and cultures is essential for developing a well-rounded understanding of global law, which will be highly beneficial as I prepare for law school.
Moreover, studying in a new country will introduce me to a diverse network of students, professors, and professionals from various backgrounds, creating opportunities for meaningful collaboration and the exchange of ideas. This global network will enhance my ability to approach problems from multiple perspectives through a cross-cultural lens. I have only ever lived in Toronto, Ontario, where democracy is an expected privilege and multiculturalism is advocated for. Beyond academic enrichment, studying abroad would be a pivotal opportunity to learn to adapt to a new cultural and educational environment that would help me navigate new academic and social norms. The courses, connections, and experiences abroad would allow me to apply these new perspectives to my Political Studies learning at Queen’s for my fourth year. This applicability of new perspectives would enrich not only my own studies, but also contribute to my academic community by fostering discussions that draw from a truly global understanding of politics, power, and international law.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Lianne Ouellette