Visiting grand cathedrals, acting out Canadian legends, and learning to play the spoons during study abroad in Montreal and Quebec City
– Joshua Pierce, SPC High School Student, Canada Program, January 2019
The trip to Canada, specifically Montreal and Quebec City, will always hold a special place in my heart. It was the very first time I had ever been outside the country, and it was the first time I had ever traveled on my own. I experienced the personal satisfaction of trying something different. In fact, I almost decided not to go on the trip, but I am more than happy I chose to participate; it was truly the experience of a lifetime.
The program was an excellent length overall. Some students would have loved to stay longer, but personally, a week is plenty of time to experience a lot of unique cultural activities. Spending more time in Quebec City was also a wise decision. There was more to see and explore, and more unique charm than we found in Montreal.
That is not to say Montreal had nothing of interest; quite the opposite. Montreal is an excellent transitional place to visit for new travelers from the United States. It is a large city that shares many similar attributes with larger American cities, such as New York, Boston, and Chicago.
However, Montreal has its own unique flare compared to those other cities, namely an underground city featuring its own labyrinth of tunnels and shops, a four-story mall, and several European-style cathedrals. The first night ended with a game of laser tag, something more familiar but still fun and engaging. It made a nice pace breaker and a fantastic way to wind down after a long start at the airport.
The real fun began with our arrival in Quebec City. It featured many more European architectural designs, and English was a far less common language than it was in Montreal. This forced me to adapt and overcome a social barrier, which thankfully I was able to do. The landscape in general was far more beautiful in Quebec City as well. Being a smaller city, larger buildings did not take away from the scenery as much, not to mention there was far more snow there than in Montreal.
We also paid a visit to the Huron-Wendat reserve in Quebec City, learning about their cultural practices and legends. We even went snowshoeing in the forest, a wondrous sight for certain.
One of the highlights of the trip was at a place called the Sugar Shack, a log cabin out in the woods where they make maple syrup. The sap can only be collected during Spring time. Inside the cabin, we were treated to a father and son putting on a stellar musical performance, getting all the students involved in learning Irish jigs and how to play the wooden spoons (see cover photo). It was a lively time and everyone was engaged.
The final night was also a bit of a treat as well. As a surprise, all the students were divided into two groups, and each group would perform one of two Canadian legends. It was a surprisingly entertaining time, and it was a fine way to spend the final night of the trip.
Along the way, our fantastic tour guide Vanessa always made everything enjoyable. We visited several other places including a wax museum, an archaeological museum (at the exact location where its featured artifacts are from), and had sightseeing tours in each city. All were highly educational and interesting.
All in all, this trip to Canada was an excellent experience and it left me feeling confident that I would return to Canada and consider another study abroad program, or traveling in general. The entire experience was very educational and it made me aware of cultural differences and brought diversity further to my senses. The entire trip was highly informative, engaging, entertaining, and attention-grabbing.
– Joshua Pierce, SPC High School Student, Canada Program, January 2019
Thank you for sharing Joshua!
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