Luseland students travel to Quebec
By Joan Janzen
Twenty-four excited students from Luseland School set out on the YMCA exchange trip on October 10. The group of grade 10, 11 and 12 students travelled to Quebec, accompanied by their teacher, Chris Williamson, along with retired teachers Mavis Hoffman and Anita Phillips. The trip lasted only six days, but each day was packed with activities and new sites and experiences.
For six students, it was their first time flying, which was just the beginning of many more new adventures. The group was reunited with the students from Quebec who had visited Luseland not long ago. Now it was their turn to show their new friends what there was to see in Montreal, and the Quebec teachers provided some great opportunities to learn and explore.
This group of 48 students from Luseland and Montreal enjoyed six days together in Quebec on the YMCA exchange trip. SUBMITTED
One of the favourite sites for many of the students were the historic streets of old Montreal. “I was genuinely impressed by the architecture of the city,” Morgan Eurich, a Grade 10 student, said. “And the underground city and the Biosphere left a lasting impression.”
They also toured the environmental-themed science museum inside of the Biosphere. Kim Thrun, a Grade 10 student, enjoyed climbing on the outside of the Biosphere.
The Biodome offered an experience of different climates and wildlife in its three-zoned zoo. Different modes of transportation were also experienced for the first time, including the above-ground electric rail system, the REM, and the subway.
“The traffic and the size of the city made things so difficult to be able to get to sites,” Morgan recalled. And at times, they experienced a language barrier when they encountered people who spoke only French.
On a free family day, some of the students went to the lookout at Mount Royal, while others went to La Ronde, a huge amusement park. “It had thrilling rollercoasters, but the long waiting lines and high prices were a drawback,” Morgan said.
Heritage School, with a student body of 2000, was entirely different from Luseland School, with three gyms, a spacious auditorium and multiple cafeterias. Students graduate in Grade 11 and then move on to Cegep, followed by post-secondary education. The Saskatchewan students left a tangible reminder of their visit to Heritage School by painting rocks for their rock garden.
The group toured the EVLO research facility, where massive batteries are built that store energy made from renewable resources. The Notre Dame Basilica was on their list of destinations, as well as First Nations historical tours. They hiked up Mont St. Hilaire and visited an apple orchard.
Taylor Crowe, a Grade 10 student, summed up the experience saying, “It was an amazing trip, and everything was awesome!” And Grade 11 student Cole Ostrowski described it as a “fun and unique experience”.
The group came home with some great memories, along with many new friendships.mmed up the experience saying, “It was an amazing trip and everything was awesome!” And Grade 11 student, Cole Ostrowski described it as a “fun and unique experience”.
The group came home with some great memories, along with many new friendships.