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 Sucre” or what is commonly known as a sugar shack. This is not your average cabine in the woods where a lot of machines produce delicious maple syrup, it’s an experience that submerses you into the Canadian culture. We started off by exploring the barn which housed horses, goats, cats, chickens, and ducks (anyone who knows me knows how excited I was!) Then we went on a sled ride to the Cabine where we sat down for a family style meal of mostly breakfast foods that are maple syrup inspired. Once we were finished eating a group of girls came out in costume and taught the group how to line dance. We finished the night off with maple syrup lollipops and dancing in the Cabine’s “disco”. Everyone on the trip had a great time, but to my it was a the experience hit a little closer to home. You may not know but even though I was born in the US I am Canadian since my mom was born and grew up in a Canada. Before I went on the trip I spoke with her who told me that when she was my age she use to go to Cabine a Sucre’s all the time, so it was kind of nice to experience something that my mom use to do and get a taste of what it was like for her growing up. All in all, it was a fun cultural experience, one that I had never experienced before and would be excited to do again.

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!

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!

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!