Footsteps Episode 1 transcript

0:05
Welcome to Footsteps, the podcast of the Master of Human Rights program housed in the Faculty of Law at the University of Manitoba.

0:13
Join us as we explore and uncover inspiring stories about human rights, human rights education, and the remarkable journeys of our students, human rights advocates, and change makers.

0:24
We're excited to have you with us on this journey.

0:29
So get this.

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Today we're going to be diving into something pretty fascinating.

0:32
Oh, I'm intrigued.

0:34
What is it?

0:34
It's the Master of Human Rights program here at the University of Manitoba.

0:38
OK.

0:38
And get this, it's the first of its kind in Canada.

0:41
Wow, first in Canada.

0:43
That's really something.

0:44
It's like they looked into the future of human rights work in education and said, sign us up, we're leading the way.

0:49
It's true.

0:50
And what's really fascinating to me is how interdisciplinary this program is.

0:55
You know, it's not just tucked away in one department.

0:57
It's housed in the Faculty of Graduate Studies and an official part of the Faculty of Law.

1:02
And then not only that, it's got fingers in all these different faculties.

1:06
We're talking arts, education, social work, and more.

1:10
They’ve even got other human rights centers in the mix.

1:12
Not to mention that even the National Center for Truth and Reconciliation is on campus.

1:17
Wow.

1:17
So they're really looking at human rights from all these different angles and perspectives.It includes the legal aspect, but also goes beyond the legal aspect, doesn't it?

1:25
Exactly.

1:26
So would you call that interdisciplinary, multidisciplinary or transdisciplinary?

1:30
Yes.

1:31
You're hilarious.

1:32
I guess that makes sense.

1:33
Through all these faculties and centers right at your fingertips.

1:36
That's exactly it.

1:38
So it really reflects and emphasizes how human rights are diverse and woven into every single part of our lives, not just, you know, laws on a piece of paper.

1:47
Right.

1:47
And speaking of diverse, this program is not only for lawyers or law students, which I bet surprises some people.

1:53
I was going to say, I bet you get a lot of people who think that.

1:56
Yeah, you'd be surprised.

1:58
But honestly, if you're passionate about social justice, peace building, Indigenous rights, healthy environment, things like that, this program wants you.

2:06
They want you, and they want your unique experiences right? Imagine being in a classroom with people from all walks of life, each with their own stories and perspectives to share.

2:15
Oh, absolutely.

2:16
And the brochure, which you can find on the website, actually highlights how much the program values lived experience, you know, alongside the degrees. It's not just about what you've read in a textbook. They're looking for people who have had their own lived experiences, including people who have been advocating in their communities, working on the ground, maybe even internationally.

2:36
Yeah, exactly.

2:38
The lived experience is so valuable.

2:40
OK, so Speaking of real world experience, let's talk about Winnipeg for a second.

2:44
Yeah, let's do that.

2:45
The city is steeped in human rights history.
I mean, you've got the Canadian Museum for Human Rights right there, the Manitoba Association of Rights and Liberties, the Conflict Resilience and Research Institute, and the Morrow Institute for Peace and Justice.

2:58
The Hub.

2:59
Exactly. And the list goes on and on. So imagine this, you're studying human rights.

3:02
Yeah.

3:03
And you have the opportunity through the program to intern at, say the museum.

3:08
Talk about hands on experience, a practicum that's incredible.

3:10
I mean, it's not every day you get to study in a city that lives and breathes the subjects you're so passionate about.

3:16
And that's what I mean about this program being so well positioned. It's not just about theory, it's about giving you that real world experience, building connections with the potential employers, you know, understanding how these principles actually play out on the ground.

3:30
Right. So we've talked about passion, we've talked about these amazing opportunities, but what about actually getting into the program?

3:36
What are we looking at here?

3:38
OK, well, admissions can sometimes seem like this big, mysterious black box.

3:42
Yeah.

3:43
But honestly, I have to say, this program lays out the requirements pretty clearly.
Of course, you need a four year's bachelor's degree.
That's given.

3:51
Right.
Got to have the foundation.

3:53
And they mention a 3.0 GPA.

3:55
OK, that's pretty standard.

3:57
It is fairly standard.
But, and this is important, there's a glimmer of hope for those who maybe haven't always followed a traditional academic path.

4:05
Oh, tell me more.

4:06
There's this little phrase which you can see in the brochure “or equivalent field experience”.

4:11
OK, so that's where things get interesting for folks that maybe haven't been in traditional classroom setting for a while.

4:16
Precisely.

4:17
So let's say you've been heavily involved in working in your community, or maybe you've been advocating for marginalized groups or even working on international development projects.

4:26
Well, that counts.

4:27
That kind of experience carries a lot of weight, right?

4:29
It does.

4:30
Don't underestimate yourself, that real world experience showing how you put these values into action. That's gold, especially for this program.

4:38
Yeah. It's all about walking the walk, not just talking the talk.

4:42
Exactly.

4:42
If you can connect what you've done in the past with what this program aims to do, it can really strengthen your application.

4:49
So you got the passion, the experience, and you're ready to dive head first into the study of human rights.

4:55
But what it's actually like, you know, being a student in the program,

4:59
Well, one of the things I really appreciate about this program is that they seem to have found a really good balance between, you know, providing structure and allowing for flexibility.

5:07
Oh, that's good because you need both.

5:10
Exactly.

5:10
So you've got your core courses, the foundational stuff.

5:14
OK, Like what? Give me an example.

5:16
So think human rights law, human rights theory, research methods, that kind of thing.

5:21
Oh, so the essential building blocks.

5:23
Exactly.

5:24
So within the law school, you're going to get a solid grounding in the legal frameworks, the historical context, all of that.

5:30
Got it.

5:31
So that's the structure part.

5:32
What about the flexibility you mentioned?

5:35
Yes, that's where the electives come in. And this is where it gets really exciting, I think, because you can tailor your entire experience to match your passions.

5:43
Oh, I love that. So it's not just one-size-fits-all approach.

5:47
Not at all.  Let's say for example, you're all about Indigenous rights.

5:51
OK, great example.

5:52
You could potentially load up on electives dealing with Indigenous law, history, or even social work or sustainable development, really going deep on those issues.

6:02
So you're essentially creating your own specialization within the broader human rights field.

6:07
That's exactly right. Or maybe your heart is set on international human rights law. You could build your path with electives focused on international relations, humanitarian intervention, even things like global health policy.

6:20
They also have an international human rights clinical course at the law school for folks who really want to develop those skills through real life hands on experience.

6:28
It's amazing how much choice they give you.

6:30
It's like they're empowering you to really own your education.

6:33
And that's what's so great about it, I think Now, of course, there's the big decision everyone has to make.

6:38
Oh, the big one.

6:39
What's that?

6:41
Practicum or thesis?

6:43
Yes, that is a big decision.

6:45
I mean, how do you even begin to choose between those two paths?

6:48
Well, like a lot of these choices, it really comes down to you, your personal learning style and what you see yourself doing after graduation.

6:56
OK, yeah, that makes sense. So walk me through it.

6:59
What are the key differences between the two?

7:01
Sure. So the practicum stream that's all about getting your hands dirty, you know?

7:05
Oh, I like that.

7:07
It's about working directly with an organization on real world human rights issues.

7:12
Yeah.

7:12
So it's like taking all that theory and knowledge you've gained and applying it to a practical setting.

7:17
That's it.

7:18
Think of it as a bridge between your studies and your dream career

7:21
Right, Because you're building real world experience, making all those important connections.

7:26
Absolutely. So if you're someone who thrives on action, who wants to jump right in and make a difference, the practicum offers that invaluable hands-on experience.

7:35
OK, that makes total sense.

7:37
But what about those who are more drawn to research?

7:39
You know, digging into the nitty gritty of specific issues, really getting into the academic side of things.

7:44
You're talking about the thesis stream, and that's equally valuable.

7:47
Oh, absolutely.

7:48
With a thesis, you get to tackle a research question that really fascinates you.

7:53
You know something you're passionate about, right?

7:56
And you really get to go deep into it and start becoming an expert in that particular area.

8:00
Exactly.

8:01
And you're not on your own, of course, you'll have a faculty mentor guiding you, helping you develop your research skills, your analytical writing, all of that.

8:08
It's a fantastic option for those who are thinking about maybe pursuing a PHD later on or even a career that involves a lot of research and analysis.

8:16
You've got it.

8:17
It sets you up for that path really well.

8:19
OK, so they've got you covered whether you're a hands-on learner or a deep dive researcher.

8:24
They really do.

8:25
Now on to something I found interesting. The program requires a working knowledge of a second language.

8:31
Oh yeah. I actually love that requirement.

8:34
OK, tell me why.

8:35
Because I think some people might see that and feel a little intimidated, you know, or like, “Oh, no, one more thing I need to do”.

8:42
I get it, I get it. But think about it, in our globally connected world, being able to engage with human rights issues in more than one language, that's huge.

8:51
That's true. It opens up so many more doors in terms of who you can communicate with, what you can read and understand.

8:58
Exactly.

8:59
And notice it doesn't say you need to be fluent, just a working knowledge, right?

9:04
Right. So it's not about being perfect, it's about being able to function, to get your point across, or even just a starting point for a better understanding.

9:12
Exactly. This could be the perfect excuse to dust off that high school French you've forgotten about or to finally sign up for that Spanish course you've been thinking about.

9:22
Don't let it be a barrier. Think of it as an opportunity. Like, what a cool thing to add to your skill set while you're pursuing this already amazing degree.

9:31
Totally. And you never know how those language skills might come in handy down the road.

9:36
Now, Speaking of tools and skills, I think we should probably address the elephant in the room a little bit.

9:41
Oh, you mean the financial side of things?

9:44
Because, yeah, a master's degree, that's a big investment.

9:47
It is a big investment. And the brochure does list first year tuition. It's around 7500 for domestic students and 15,500 for international students.

9:57
Yeah, those numbers, they can seem a bit daunting.

10:00
Absolutely. I get it, especially for students who might be juggling work, maybe even families on top of their studies.

10:06
Right. It's not always an easy thing to just drop everything and go to school full time.

10:11
Exactly. Yeah.

10:12
But you know, here's the thing I really appreciated about the University of Manitoba. They seem to get it, you know?

10:16
Right.

10:19
They offer a range of scholarships and funding opportunities.

10:22
OK, so there's hope.

10:23
There's definitely hope.

10:24
And what's even better is you're automatically considered for those opportunities when you apply to the program.

10:31
OK, so no need to fill out a million separate applications.

10:34
No, not at all.

10:35
You apply to the program and they consider you for everything available in terms of admissions. It streamlines the process, which is great.

10:43
Oh, that's fantastic. What about when you're in the program?

10:46
Do they specify what other scholarships and funding opportunities might look like?

10:50
They do mention a few specifics, like for example, and this is just one example here, they actually have travel awards specifically to help students with costs related to their research or their practicum experiences.

11:02
Oh wow, that's really cool, isn't it?

11:05
It shows the real commitment to supporting students and making sure they have the resources they need to succeed.

11:10
Yeah, because those experiential learning opportunities, those can be expensive, you know, travel, accommodation, all of that adds up.

11:19
So that's really great that they've thought of that.

11:21
It shows they're really invested in the holistic student experience.

11:25
Totally.

11:26
And for all our international students who are tuning in, I know you often face unique challenges when it comes to funding, right, And navigating the Canadian education system on top of everything else, it can be a lot to process.

11:39
So what kind of support does the University of Manitoba offer specifically for international students?

11:45
Well, first and foremost, I want to say to our international listeners that they haven't forgotten about you. They have dedicated scholarships like the International Graduate Students Entrance Scholarship, which is an amazing possibility.

11:58
That's good to hear.

11:59
And I always recommend digging a little deeper on their website.

12:02
They have a whole section for international students.

12:05
Right. Always a good idea to go straight to the source.

12:08
You never know what you might find.

12:10
Exactly.

12:10
So don't be shy. Go explore.

12:12
It's like they've got your back.

12:14
You know, they really do.

12:15
It's all about making this program accessible to as many people as possible.

12:20
Absolutely.

12:21
And speaking of access, we should probably talk about those deadlines because we don't want anyone to miss out.

12:27
You're right, time flies.

12:28
If you're thinking about starting next September, your application needs to be in by December 1st.

12:33
So mark your calendars.

12:34
Seriously.

12:35
Maybe even set a little reminder on your phone right now.

12:38
There you go.

12:40
Give yourself plenty of time to put together a stellar application.

12:43
And remember, the program welcomes questions.

12:46
Oh, that's good to know.

12:48
If you have any doubts, anything you need clarified, just reach out.

12:51
Don't hesitate.

12:52
They make it pretty easy too.They included their contact info right on the brochure.

12:57
Oh, they did? Let me see that.

12:59
Yeah.

13:00
They've got a direct phone number and an e-mail address right there.

13:03
Wow.

13:04
So you can actually talk to a real human being.

13:06
You're not stuck with some generic info in box or chat bot.

13:10
That's fantastic.

13:11
It shows that they're serious about helping potential students.

13:14
It really does.

13:15
It all comes back to what we talked about earlier, you know, empowering people to be agents of change.

13:20
Exactly. It's not just about filling a quota, it's about finding those individuals who are genuinely passionate and ready to take on these important issues.

13:29
It's about making a difference.

13:30
It really is.

13:31
And for everyone listening, I hope you found this as inspiring as I have, I've learned a lot.

13:36
Me too.

13:38
We've just scratched the surface of this incredible Master of Human Rights program at the University of Manitoba, but hopefully we've given you a good sense of what it's all about.

13:46
Definitely.

13:47
We've explored its unique interdisciplinary approach.

13:50
It's focus on real world experience and its unwavering dedication to support students from all walks of life. It's a powerful combination, it really is.

13:59
And as you consider your next steps, whether that's applying for this program or just continuing to explore your passion for human rights, I encourage you to ask yourself one final question.

14:09
What's that?

14:09
How can I make a difference?

14:11
It's a big question, but it's the right one.

14:13
Absolutely. And who knows maybe this time next year you'll be the one sharing your story, inspiring others as a human rights advocate.

14:18
I love that

14:21
We're cheering for you. And for all the information, remember to check out the university's website.
Everything you need is right there.

14:26
And until next time, keep digging deep and stay curious.