Things in life come, and things in life go, and as they go one tends to reflect. Nearing the end of my experience here in Montréal I have definitely spent some time reflecting. I reflect on the fun memories I have had, the challenges I have experienced, and most importantly what I have learned about myself. I was recently asked to create a slogan for Montréal, and for me that slogan would have to do with the theme of identification.
As I have said before, Montréal (and Canada as a whole) struggles with their identification as a country in the world. Identification can be learned by looking at the experiences you have had that makes you who you are now. 4 months ago I can say I entered Canada being much more naïve, inexperienced and quiet honestly unconfident in living somewhere other than what I was use to. I have never been someone who is comfortable with change, but by forcing myself to do something I was uncomfortable with has helped me gain confidence. I have realized that it’s important to face ourselves with little challenges in order to help us grow. The simplest thing can teach you something about yourself that you otherwise wouldn’t have known.
Something that I have struggled with my whole life is giving presentations in front of a class. I’ve always had classes with about 20-30 people in them, which can be quiet intimidating for a inexperienced presenter. At the Montréal campus, I give my presentations with ease in front of 7-10 people which has helped me build a lot of confidence in my public speaking skills. I now know that I have more confidence to give presentations in the future to larger groups of people. This is a skill I doubt I would have otherwise learned had I not come to this Montréal campus.
It is the little challenges that face us on a day to day basis that we can choose to face head on, or ignore and deny ourselves the chance to grow as a person. With that being said, I think that an appropriate slogan for this Montréal campus would be: “Montreal- Discover Your Identity”.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Walking Shoes
Living in the city has giving me the chance to experience a taste of what living the life of a celebrity might feel like. Last week I went to the trendy nightclub Tribe, where many celebrities ranging from Paris Hilton to Rihanna have made appearances. That night Sebastian Ingrosso from
Now that’ it’s April the school year is winding down and so is my bank account. I’ve had to be really careful about budgeting and I must say, I’m quiet proud of myself for being such a good shopper! When I first came to
A general rule of thumb I’ve learned about living in a city: the more you’re willing to walk, the more you’re going to find! Sounds simple but being a routine person I would normally tend to walk the same way to school and pass the same stores day after day. Especially now that it’s warmer I am more likely to go out of my way to get somewhere just so I could pass down a street I’ve never been down before. You can’t fall into a routine when you live in a city, if you do you’ll miss out on a huge part of the city.
So once you’ve applied for the
Monday, March 31, 2008
OH Canada- My Love Flourishes for Thee in the Spring!
I am slowly starting to realize that the end of the semester is near inspiring reflection as well as stimulating me to get out and do more in the short time I have left. I’ve realized that my peers as well as I have picked up many Canadian habits. Poutine is now a part of our weekly diet, we say “merci” at the end of a conversation even if we’re speaking to another American, and inevitably we all have been guilty of muttering an “eh?” here or there. But this experience has been much more to me than picking up a couple Canadian habits; this experience has opened my eyes to international relations, cultural experiences, and an educational experience that is extended beyond the books and the classroom.
I know I always talk about my Canadian Social History class, but I can’t say enough good things about it! In the curriculum back at home, usually by our junior or senior year we would be taking American Social History, but taking a history from the point of view of another country honestly helps me learn more about my own country and where it stands in the eyes of other countries. The class isn’t just about dates and names, as the course name suggests you learn about the social aspect behind why certain events happened, and what the effects it had on the future. That class paired with my Cultural Immersion class has made for a very culturally educational experience, and I feel like I now understand the origins of the culture and have a greater appreciation than I would have otherwise.
Speaking of understanding and appreciating the culture, yesterday we went to what is known as “Cabine a
In the final weeks to come I hope to experience as much as I can, the last thing I want to do is go home and feel as if I’ve missed out some how. If you know of something you think I should do that I haven’t yet, please contact me, I would love to hear some feedback!
Monday, March 17, 2008
Canadian Identity and A Great Parade
First and foremost, I would like to thank those of you who came up on Sunday to check out the school! I had a lot of fun spending time with Burlington Champlainer’s and showing them around. If you haven’t come up yet and would like to, send me a message and I would love to show you around!
A huge matter in Canada is identity. If you were to ask a Canadian what being a Canadian means, the likely response would be non-American. Relating to this theme of identification, I’ve realized that being in a different country forces me to question my own identity. Who am I? What do I want to be? Questions like these come to mind while living in another country, questions I wouldn’t have otherwise thought of much living in the comfort of my hometown. I’ve realized that traveling and exploring is a great way to self-explore. Putting yourself in foreign and unknown situations is the best way to learn about you.
On a different note, this weekend I went to the Saint Patrick’s Day Parade that ran on St. Catherine Street and I must say that I recommend that everyone comes up here next year to experience it. I’ve never been to such a parade as big as it, and I would love to come back to see it again. What’s cool about Montréal is that certain parts of town represent countries or cultures around the world. On Peel Street there are a number of Irish bars and restaurants so after the parade there were masses of people in the middle of the street all celebrating together, it was quite a sight!
Now that the warmer weather is slowly but surely coming, the snow is melting away and undiscovered part of the city is being revealed and I couldn’t be more excited!
A huge matter in Canada is identity. If you were to ask a Canadian what being a Canadian means, the likely response would be non-American. Relating to this theme of identification, I’ve realized that being in a different country forces me to question my own identity. Who am I? What do I want to be? Questions like these come to mind while living in another country, questions I wouldn’t have otherwise thought of much living in the comfort of my hometown. I’ve realized that traveling and exploring is a great way to self-explore. Putting yourself in foreign and unknown situations is the best way to learn about you.
On a different note, this weekend I went to the Saint Patrick’s Day Parade that ran on St. Catherine Street and I must say that I recommend that everyone comes up here next year to experience it. I’ve never been to such a parade as big as it, and I would love to come back to see it again. What’s cool about Montréal is that certain parts of town represent countries or cultures around the world. On Peel Street there are a number of Irish bars and restaurants so after the parade there were masses of people in the middle of the street all celebrating together, it was quite a sight!
Now that the warmer weather is slowly but surely coming, the snow is melting away and undiscovered part of the city is being revealed and I couldn’t be more excited!
Monday, March 10, 2008
Back in Action in Montreal
Finally back from spring break and I’ve returned to Montreal sick, but that hasn’t slowed down my exploring. This past weekend I visited Quebec City and I had a blast! Quebec City is about a 3 hour car drive north but a completely different feel from Montreal. After taking half a semester of Canadian history the city had more meaning to me and was really exciting to explore. It was cool to see the wall that protected the city from foreign invaders and to see the beautiful castles that Brooke dubbed to be her own (but they’re really mine!)
Being back in the United States for spring break was a very strange feeling. I suddenly felt that there wasn’t as much for me to do compared to what I’m use to living here. In Canada you only have to be 18 to get into clubs and bars, but being 20 there are only a limited amount of clubs that would actually let me in. As soon as I got back here I was relieved to be able to walk down the street and get into a club without being questioned.
Living in such a big city can sometimes make you feel lonely and lost in a crowd. In Vermont it’s nice to walk down the street and see someone you know, it helps you feel a sense of belonging. Before moving to Montreal I didn’t expect to ever see anyone I knew walking down the street or in a store. I’ve realized that this is not true. Montreal is like many different towns within a big one. You get to know the locals within a certain radius of where you live. When I go to the gas station down the street, I know who the tenants are and they know me. Even a little thing like that makes me feel more connected to the community, like I belong.
Going on my second week of being sick I’m hoping that I can shake whatever I have and return to walking around streets I have yet to explore and seeing new things. The International Festival of Films on Art is going on right now, so hopefully by next weekend I can review what I think of it!
Being back in the United States for spring break was a very strange feeling. I suddenly felt that there wasn’t as much for me to do compared to what I’m use to living here. In Canada you only have to be 18 to get into clubs and bars, but being 20 there are only a limited amount of clubs that would actually let me in. As soon as I got back here I was relieved to be able to walk down the street and get into a club without being questioned.
Living in such a big city can sometimes make you feel lonely and lost in a crowd. In Vermont it’s nice to walk down the street and see someone you know, it helps you feel a sense of belonging. Before moving to Montreal I didn’t expect to ever see anyone I knew walking down the street or in a store. I’ve realized that this is not true. Montreal is like many different towns within a big one. You get to know the locals within a certain radius of where you live. When I go to the gas station down the street, I know who the tenants are and they know me. Even a little thing like that makes me feel more connected to the community, like I belong.
Going on my second week of being sick I’m hoping that I can shake whatever I have and return to walking around streets I have yet to explore and seeing new things. The International Festival of Films on Art is going on right now, so hopefully by next weekend I can review what I think of it!
Monday, February 18, 2008
Face Paced City Life
I know that many people wouldn’t consider Canada as being very different from America, but trust me it is! The fashion, language, food and history are a few of the things that set apart Canada from America. Every day I find myself facing new obstacles that I wouldn’t have expected and I am learning more and more about myself and how I react to new situations and my ability to cope. Apart from the language barrier, (which is becoming less of a problem thanks to my French classes), functioning in a city is one of the most difficult things I’ve ever had to do.
In Vermont, I am use to the slow paced lifestyle. For example, when selecting something to eat at a sandwich shop I am use to taking my time, reviewing the menu completely and then carefully making a decision. Here I have noticed that many of my choices are made on impulsion because I feel like I am constantly being rushed. This new change of pace, while at first was difficult to get use to is now becoming a way of life.
Next weekend is our spring break and I will be returning to Vermont. Though I am excited to go home and see my family, I am a little worried that I’m going to find myself bored. I’ll be spending time with my mom who lives outside of the city, and I’ll be stranded without a car. While I don’t have a car here, it is very easy to walk out my door any time of day and find somewhere to go and something to do. When I get back to Vermont, I will walk out my door and… yes I can’t finish that sentence either. Don’t get me wrong, I love Vermont, but I am quickly adapting to the city life and I love it!
In Vermont, I am use to the slow paced lifestyle. For example, when selecting something to eat at a sandwich shop I am use to taking my time, reviewing the menu completely and then carefully making a decision. Here I have noticed that many of my choices are made on impulsion because I feel like I am constantly being rushed. This new change of pace, while at first was difficult to get use to is now becoming a way of life.
Next weekend is our spring break and I will be returning to Vermont. Though I am excited to go home and see my family, I am a little worried that I’m going to find myself bored. I’ll be spending time with my mom who lives outside of the city, and I’ll be stranded without a car. While I don’t have a car here, it is very easy to walk out my door any time of day and find somewhere to go and something to do. When I get back to Vermont, I will walk out my door and… yes I can’t finish that sentence either. Don’t get me wrong, I love Vermont, but I am quickly adapting to the city life and I love it!
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Mosaic or Melting Pot?
In our Canadian History class we are learning about the idea of Canada being referred to as a mosaic. This term implies that many different cultures are mixed in the same country while each keeps their own unique identity. In the United States we have been named the land of the melting pot, where all of these different cultures and backgrounds have merged together in one to create a universal culture. Based on what I’ve seen in Canada so far, I would be more apt to believe that the United States is very similar to Canada in which our country is more like a mosaic than a melting pot.
Like many large cities, if you were to walk around Montréal for a little while you could pass through China town, the Irish section, the Italian section, and others. While many of the people who live in these sections of town are native born Canadians, they keep their heritage roots alive by surrounding themselves with their native way of life. From the cuisine to the shopping, walking down the street you can get a taste of another culture.
There are many cities in the United States that are similar to Montréal in which they have the “mosaic” feel to them. If you were to go through New York City you would find the same sort of thing. Living in Vermont I would say that it’s inevitable that our population is more of a melting pot than a mosaic due to the lack of cultural diversity. Many Vermonters are from Vermont or surrounding states, few come from other countries. So it is refreshing to go somewhere that not only am I surrounded by an extremely diverse population, but I am also surrounded by their culture.
It’s exciting that every day I have the opportunity to have a taste of many countries such as China, Italy, Ireland, and of course Canada. I never expected to experience such a cultural difference less than 2 hours away from my home in Vermont!
Like many large cities, if you were to walk around Montréal for a little while you could pass through China town, the Irish section, the Italian section, and others. While many of the people who live in these sections of town are native born Canadians, they keep their heritage roots alive by surrounding themselves with their native way of life. From the cuisine to the shopping, walking down the street you can get a taste of another culture.
There are many cities in the United States that are similar to Montréal in which they have the “mosaic” feel to them. If you were to go through New York City you would find the same sort of thing. Living in Vermont I would say that it’s inevitable that our population is more of a melting pot than a mosaic due to the lack of cultural diversity. Many Vermonters are from Vermont or surrounding states, few come from other countries. So it is refreshing to go somewhere that not only am I surrounded by an extremely diverse population, but I am also surrounded by their culture.
It’s exciting that every day I have the opportunity to have a taste of many countries such as China, Italy, Ireland, and of course Canada. I never expected to experience such a cultural difference less than 2 hours away from my home in Vermont!
Goodbye Delivery Hello Home Cooking
There are certain everyday tasks that you would never expect to be difficult in another country until you’re there. Ordering a pizza was a challenge due to the language barrier. Even though most people speak French and English, my American accent and their Canadian accent made it difficult to understand each other. It took an hour and a half and 3 phone calls to the delivery place for the pizza to reach its destination. It really put it in perspective how lucky I am that they speak both French and English. Abroad students in America must speak English to live their everyday life. I have a newfound respect for these students.
I’ve realized that getting in with the locals is essential to seeing a side of Canada I wouldn’t otherwise know. One of my roommates has a bunch of friends who are locals and they have brought my to the weekend hot spots, told me the cheapest places to grocery shop, and give me general information on how to navigate the city. Without knowing them it would be more difficult for me to see everything I want to see.
We made a trip to Costco and bought so much food that our freezer can barely stay shut. Back in Vermont I was spoiled by constant take out or my favorite meal of salad bar at City Market. I had a realization that I need to start learning how to cook and I am on my way to becoming a great chef! Back at home I was so busy with 2 jobs and a full class schedule that I would be lucky to have time to make macaroni and cheese, but I now have time to research receipts and try them out. I am even getting some French and Chinese inspired cooking tips from my roommates, who by the way are wonderful cooks. It’s nice to try cuisine from around the world.
Mid terms are fast approaching, but I still plan on doing more exploring this upcoming week. So much to see, so little time!
I’ve realized that getting in with the locals is essential to seeing a side of Canada I wouldn’t otherwise know. One of my roommates has a bunch of friends who are locals and they have brought my to the weekend hot spots, told me the cheapest places to grocery shop, and give me general information on how to navigate the city. Without knowing them it would be more difficult for me to see everything I want to see.
We made a trip to Costco and bought so much food that our freezer can barely stay shut. Back in Vermont I was spoiled by constant take out or my favorite meal of salad bar at City Market. I had a realization that I need to start learning how to cook and I am on my way to becoming a great chef! Back at home I was so busy with 2 jobs and a full class schedule that I would be lucky to have time to make macaroni and cheese, but I now have time to research receipts and try them out. I am even getting some French and Chinese inspired cooking tips from my roommates, who by the way are wonderful cooks. It’s nice to try cuisine from around the world.
Mid terms are fast approaching, but I still plan on doing more exploring this upcoming week. So much to see, so little time!
Igloo Fest 2008
As much as I love Vermont, growing up in such a small state was sometimes dull. I would look forward to an event weeks ahead of time, and then once that event came and passed it would be weeks before another. In Montréal, these exciting events are a part of ones daily routine.
Brooke and I went to the “Igloo Fest” on Friday the 25th. This event takes place for two consecutive weekends in January. There are DJ’s that show off their skills, igloos to hang out in, and fires to stand around to stay warm. The Tom Green Show happened to be filming while we were there so we got a chance to hang out in an igloo with the filming crew and get a behind the scenes peak of the process of production. You never know who you will bump into when you try something new!
Now that I’ve been here for a few weeks, I’ve gotten to know my roommates a little better and moved past basic conversation. One of my roommates is from France, and the other is from China so I’ve had the chance to learn about different cultures. We had a basic conversation about politics and it was very interesting to see the viewpoints of those who do not live in the United States. Through conversation we really have gotten a good understanding of one another’s country and political beliefs, and have been very open minded to what the other has to say. I always believed the misconception that people from other countries didn’t like Americans, when this is clearly not the case at all. If nothing else we can learn from each other, and help build each others nations stronger.
Next Friday marks my one month anniversary of living in Canada and I plan to go to a boulangerie and get a tasty pastry to celebrate!
Brooke and I went to the “Igloo Fest” on Friday the 25th. This event takes place for two consecutive weekends in January. There are DJ’s that show off their skills, igloos to hang out in, and fires to stand around to stay warm. The Tom Green Show happened to be filming while we were there so we got a chance to hang out in an igloo with the filming crew and get a behind the scenes peak of the process of production. You never know who you will bump into when you try something new!
Now that I’ve been here for a few weeks, I’ve gotten to know my roommates a little better and moved past basic conversation. One of my roommates is from France, and the other is from China so I’ve had the chance to learn about different cultures. We had a basic conversation about politics and it was very interesting to see the viewpoints of those who do not live in the United States. Through conversation we really have gotten a good understanding of one another’s country and political beliefs, and have been very open minded to what the other has to say. I always believed the misconception that people from other countries didn’t like Americans, when this is clearly not the case at all. If nothing else we can learn from each other, and help build each others nations stronger.
Next Friday marks my one month anniversary of living in Canada and I plan to go to a boulangerie and get a tasty pastry to celebrate!
Taking Time to Learn the Culture
Prior to arriving in Montréal I had a preconceived notion that the city was overall an older, more outdated one. The more I go out the more I realize how false that assumption was. Before living here, I believed that Saint Catherine and the streets directly off it were the main place to hang out. It turns out that is also very false. Saint Laurent is a street that is located about 2 blocks away from the residence. I feel comfortable going there during the day to go shopping, stop at a bakery, or just take a nice walk on a nearby street. Going out at night I feel safe on this street, surrounded by fellow students from the local colleges. All of the people I have met so far have been very friendly and are willing to give directions, suggest places to go, and engage in general conversation. Montréal truly has proven itself to be an up and coming city for the business savvy college student.
Shopping is naturally a huge passion of mine, and I must say that I am extremely impressed with the shopping here. I explored many of the shops on Saint Laurent and I was pleasantly surprised by the wide variety of prices as well as styles the city has to offer. I didn’t realize that the stores offered such a unique and wide variety of fashion, a fashion that is very reflective of the city. The clothing at the lower priced stores is very impressive as it offers quality and affordable fashion without sacrificing style. The higher end stores are nice to look at but I could never bring myself to spend $830 on a cute pea coat. It’s nice to browse through the stores and see the kind of clothes I can only aspire to buy one day when I’m a successful business person. A little shopping hint that someone once told me, a smart city girl never pays full price. Every single store seems to be having a sale right now of at least 50% off. Hurry girls before the new lines come in!
I will be the first to say that another one of my fears of living in a different country was not having a job. I’ve heard other students say that this is the biggest obstacle when considering a semester abroad. Please believe me when I say don’t let that be the thing that stops you. Even if I legally could have a job here, I wouldn’t want one. This semester is probably the last time in my life that I will not have a job. I have had a job since I was 15 years old so I think I deserve a break. I have had time to explore the city, focus on school, and lounge around the apartment. I know there are many students back in Burlington who are in a similar situation. Please do yourself a favor and take a break, you deserve it!
So any of you who are even considering a semester in Montréal please start your planning, save your money, and brush up on your French. Au revoir!
Shopping is naturally a huge passion of mine, and I must say that I am extremely impressed with the shopping here. I explored many of the shops on Saint Laurent and I was pleasantly surprised by the wide variety of prices as well as styles the city has to offer. I didn’t realize that the stores offered such a unique and wide variety of fashion, a fashion that is very reflective of the city. The clothing at the lower priced stores is very impressive as it offers quality and affordable fashion without sacrificing style. The higher end stores are nice to look at but I could never bring myself to spend $830 on a cute pea coat. It’s nice to browse through the stores and see the kind of clothes I can only aspire to buy one day when I’m a successful business person. A little shopping hint that someone once told me, a smart city girl never pays full price. Every single store seems to be having a sale right now of at least 50% off. Hurry girls before the new lines come in!
I will be the first to say that another one of my fears of living in a different country was not having a job. I’ve heard other students say that this is the biggest obstacle when considering a semester abroad. Please believe me when I say don’t let that be the thing that stops you. Even if I legally could have a job here, I wouldn’t want one. This semester is probably the last time in my life that I will not have a job. I have had a job since I was 15 years old so I think I deserve a break. I have had time to explore the city, focus on school, and lounge around the apartment. I know there are many students back in Burlington who are in a similar situation. Please do yourself a favor and take a break, you deserve it!
So any of you who are even considering a semester in Montréal please start your planning, save your money, and brush up on your French. Au revoir!
Sorting Things Out/Getting Settled
Unfortunately the first 4-5 days here I was very sick. Luckily I now am feeling great, and have had the opportunity to go around the city and explore! The biggest difference between shopping in the US and Canada is that there are a lot of specialty stores. At home I can go to the grocery store and get all of my food, school supplies, beauty/bath supplies, and other various objects. While the grocery stores here provide a wide variety of food items, it is more difficult to find those specialty items. What’s nice about the specialty item stores is that they carry a wider variety of brands/ products than the grocery store would.
One of my biggest fears pre move-in was that I wouldn’t be able to find my way around the city. This week I feel that I have not only gotten a good sense of the lay out of the city but how the metro works as well. Being that I grew up in Vermont, public transportation is definitely not a part of my every day life. The key to figuring out the metro is to know where the main streets are in relation to each other. I do have to use the maps that are provided in the metro station to get from point A to point B, but I think eventually it will just become part of my everyday routine.
I did finish my first week of classes and I must say, I am quiet impressed! I believe the teachers/advisor's that were hired truly have great credentials. I was particularly impressed with my Canadian History teacher, Jim Manson. Let’s face it, history is not exactly the easiest class to sit through when you know it doesn’t directly apply to your major. Not to mention sitting through a three hour long history class that meets once a week! Those three hours went by quicker that I ever would have imagined. Not only does he have a great knowledge on the subject, he makes it interesting to learn about. All of my classes seem very interesting in different ways.
I do really miss my family, my friends and especially my cat Stuart. But I know that I have a very exciting future ahead. I can’t wait to see the adventures this upcoming week will bring!
One of my biggest fears pre move-in was that I wouldn’t be able to find my way around the city. This week I feel that I have not only gotten a good sense of the lay out of the city but how the metro works as well. Being that I grew up in Vermont, public transportation is definitely not a part of my every day life. The key to figuring out the metro is to know where the main streets are in relation to each other. I do have to use the maps that are provided in the metro station to get from point A to point B, but I think eventually it will just become part of my everyday routine.
I did finish my first week of classes and I must say, I am quiet impressed! I believe the teachers/advisor's that were hired truly have great credentials. I was particularly impressed with my Canadian History teacher, Jim Manson. Let’s face it, history is not exactly the easiest class to sit through when you know it doesn’t directly apply to your major. Not to mention sitting through a three hour long history class that meets once a week! Those three hours went by quicker that I ever would have imagined. Not only does he have a great knowledge on the subject, he makes it interesting to learn about. All of my classes seem very interesting in different ways.
I do really miss my family, my friends and especially my cat Stuart. But I know that I have a very exciting future ahead. I can’t wait to see the adventures this upcoming week will bring!
Don't Judge a Book By it's Cover
As I drove up all I could do was imagine the adventures I would encounter in the months to come. I’ve never moved more than a couple of miles away from home so coming to Montreal is a big change. The city isn’t completely foreigner to me, I’ve visit many times but for no longer than a weekend. Although Montreal might not seem very far I can already tell that this life is going to be worlds different than the one I knew before.I was a bit of an apartment snob last fall when I came to visit. I was feeling apprehensive about the Montreal dorms which had a seemingly cold and uninviting feeling at first glance. After a day of decorating, I felt more at home then I ever imagined. This just proves that with a creative mind and a positive attitude, you really can make any living space homey and cozy no matter where you are. (I've attached a picture of my room)I think that I'm really going to like it here.
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