Discovering Quebec’s charms through young eyes

The teachers are confident that the school's recent trip to Quebec City will be one of those memories that will always be cherished.

The international students who attend this school are always welcomed into participating in the Canadian culture by the teachers’ encouragement to discover our country’s distinctive sights and four seasons. But the annual trip to the Quebec Carnival is traditionally a highlight — especially this year, as it is Quebec’s 400th anniversary. It is the ideal destination for those hoping to savour that Quebecois flavour and what better way to expose this French culture to children from all over the world than to visit such a distinctive locale.

A treat for international students

Thirteen students from different parts of the world such as Sudan, Thailand, Germany, Mexico, Australia, Russia, the Ivory Coast and China joined the St. George’s population in September 2007. Many of their parents are here temporarily, as they are part of the diplomatic core. First-hand learning by entering a new environment broadens all horizons, as travel is truly the paramount educational experience.

On Feb. 14 and 15, in accordance with each and every year, these grade 10 and 11 students were off to Quebec City for winter carnival. This particular excursion ranked as a highlight visit due to the ideal weather conditions and the extremely appreciative and respectful attitudes of the students. They went skating, tobogganing, took an excursion to Old Quebec, visited the ice sculptures, and had a real special and extraordinary treat — dog sledding.

“We went dog sledding in the forests and fields and the students loved it,” said Pierrette Dupont, one of the teachers on this trip. “They loved the snow, the ice hotel, and lunch in the sugar bush.”

Mr. Bruneau, the originator of this excursion, also believes that this time was especially spectacular as many of the children saw snow for the very first time. When transporting students outside the confines of the school environment, teachers are never quite certain what to anticipate but this time their hopeful expectations were surpassed. According to Enbal, who is originally from Israel, “I had a really fun time. We did really interesting things like eating the Quebec food. There was a lot of energy and happiness and no one was forced to be there. Everyone was positive and we took more than 1000 pictures.” Andrew, who is here from Mexico, loved the historical side, and enjoyed going with international students like him. Silvia, from Colombia, remarked how this was a new experience for her. “I do things with my family but it is not the same when going with friends and no parents. I enjoyed learning to travel alone and to be responsible.”

There were many more enthusiastic responses and most importantly there is a unanimous desire to revisit Quebec City in the near future. The teachers were thrilled that the students were able to absorb so much and that everything went smoothly according to their plan.

Occasionally the educational system limits itself in their learning techniques.

More and more secondary schools are incorporating travel as part of its extended curriculum. Reading and studying about various countries does not compare with the actual visiting and partaking in the culture. St. George’s School is renowned for its creative educational methods and its successes in this area are evident, for memories of views of new destinations through the inquiring eyes of children can last a lifetime.