Milena Stanoeva
Canadian Federation for the Humanities and Social Sciences
Last year, I had the incredible privilege of attending the 2011 Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences as CFHSS’ communications co-op student. In Fredericton, I got to spend my days in the media room, in the thick of things, writing Experience Congress content, observing the frantic pace of a media relations job, meeting interesting people, and loving every minute of it.
Even though I had been on the job for less than a month when I landed in Fredericton, I was immediately swept up by the passion and dedication that goes into Congress. The newness and the rapid pace of Congress were exhilarating. It also didn’t hurt that I was completely enamoured with Fredericton’s beauty, culture and hospitality.
Aside from my experiences behind the scenes, I also really enjoyed Congress as an attendee. I found the Equity Issues panel on “Indigenous Knowledge and Indigenizing the Academy” challenging and eye-opening. I saw Shakespeare in a whole new light when I followed Bard in the Barracks’ production of Macbeth through woodsy Odell Park. I sampled the Maritimes’ renowned selection of local beers (Fredericton was a real haven for beer-lovers like me).
After having such a wonderful time at Congress 2011, I was overjoyed when I was offered the opportunity to attend Congress 2012 as part of CFHSS’ communications team. Congress 2012 is shaping up as an amazing event and I wouldn’t miss it for the world. The beautiful Kitchener-Waterloo region, the stellar roster of Big Thinking speakers, the vision of this year’s Congress co-chairs and the exciting cultural program that is in the works are sure to make 2012 a memorable year for Congress organizers and delegates.