2018 Canada Homestay
Day 1
Our two week trip to Barrie, Canada began on July 26th, 2018. For many of our students it was their first trip abroad so they were very excited and nervous at the same time. The twelve hour flight went very smoothly but everyone was still relieved and happy once we arrived in Barrie and were greeted by the host families, and the five Canadian youth who would be joining us on our travels.
Day 2
On the morning of July 27th we visited a Canadian Montessori Daycare. The daycare students had spent the week learning about Japan and were very excited to meet our students. The morning began with the daycare students singing the Canadian national anthem and then our students singing Japan’s. After this all the students were divided into three groups and each group had a different activity to complete. The first work station was where our students taught the daycare children how to make origami. The second station is where our students got to learn about Canada’s provinces and to make an inuksuk which is a figure made of piled stones. At the third station, students got to play a game which was similar to hockey but with a giant beach ball and soft spongy sticks. The morning ended with a picnic. In the afternoon, we visited downtown Barrie where walked the waterfront to take some pictures, and then had a guided tour of MacLaren Art Centre which is a local art gallery and museum. It houses many important Canadian works of art. After that we had another guided tour of Barrie’s City Hall where we actually got to meet and speak with Barrie’s mayor. The first day ended with a visit to several stores to buy snacks and presents for our families and friends in Japan.
Days 3 and 4
Free time with host families.
Day 5
On Monday, July 30th we had our Niagara Falls excursion. We all rode the boat cruise which allowed us to see both the American and Canadian parts of Niagara Falls up close. It was simply amazing! After the cruise we had lunch at Table Rock Restaurant which overlooks Niagara Falls. For the remainder of the afternoon we were all given free time to explore the many shops, enter some of the attractions, or just relax while enjoying the view.
Day 6
On Tuesday, July 31st we visited Wye Marsh Centre where we had a guided walk through a 3000 acre marsh and also enjoyed canoeing. After lunch we crossed the street to visit Sainte-Marie among the Hurons which is a Native Canadian Activity Centre and historical site. Students were shown a brief movie about the history of the fortress and then had an interactive guided tour which showed them what the early 1700s French Canadian settlers and missionaries lived like. At the end of the tour, some of the students got to try Lacrosse, Canada’s national sport, which was created by Canada’s indigenous people.
Day 7
On Wednesday, August 1st we drove to Toronto and visited the CN Tower which is one of the highest towers in the world (553m). After that we went to St. Lawrence Market for lunch. In the afternoon we spent several hours shopping in Eaton Center which is the largest shopping center in Toronto.
Day 8
On the morning of Thursday, August 2nd we visited Wood’s Park Senior Living Centre and spent time interacting with many Canadian seniors. We had some wonderful chats, taught origami, and sang several songs for them. In the afternoon we went to Georgian College to prepare for the thank-you ceremony. Before beginning to prepare the students were given a walking tour of the campus so they could see what a Canadian college is like. At 6:00pm the party began. Firstly we all enjoyed a BBQ party that included huge hamburgers, several salads and a cake. After that we held a Japanese festival for our homestay families. There were speeches, songs, games, and calligraphy. The night ended with many smiles and photos.
Day 9
On Friday, August 3rd we had an excursion to Collingwood where we hiked in Scenic Caves. This park had natural caves and the largest suspension bridge in Ontario. These caves and caverns were carved millions of years ago by glacial ice and are the historic village site, and home of the “Deer Tribe” of the Petun First Nations people. After this we went to Blue Mountain Ski Resort and experienced a rope obstacle course.
Days 10, 11, and 12
Free time with host families.
Day 13
On the morning of Tuesday, August 7th we said thank you and goodbye to our homestay families and began our return to Japan.
