Exploring Canada through Encounters
Shannon LeClair
Times Reporter
Encounters with Canada is a youth forum based in Ottawa, Ontario that brings teens together form across the country. The teens, ages 14 to 17, get a chance to learn more about an area that interests them, while meeting other students with similar interests. They can explore different career options, develop leadership skills, learn more about Canada and participate in a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Strathmore High School had 10 students who attended Encounters with Canada in September.
Katherine Hatton and Kenny Le May both attended the Arts and Culture week. Le May picked the week because he is a drummer and wanted to learn more about music.
“There was a djembe instructor so that was pretty cool, and I learned some different arts like there was some dancing and acting. There was African dancing and break dancing that I went to and that was pretty fun,” said Le May.
“I love art and I wanted to just experience a different form of it instead of just drawing on paper,” said Hatton.
“I learned a lot about myself and why I’m so proud to be Canadian. I learned a lot about art and I just learned about how great a country Canada is.”
Damilola Lawal, Ashley Suy Kens and Mariah Wilson all attended the Medicine and Health forum.
“I learned a lot of health-related stuff and I learned a lot about Canada because I definitely did not know that much, I just moved here a year ago. I learned about the Parliament and I learned that I could make 120 friends in a week, I never thought that was possible,” said Lawal, who originally hails from Nigeria.
“The week was filled with many exciting moments, tours, and really intriguing information about the Medical field. I met lots of new friends and I’ve dearly missed them since arriving home. Probably my most favourite part of Encounters was being able to meet students from all across Canada who shared the same interests, passions, and views that I have,” said Wilson, by email.
“Even being able to travel to Ottawa was such a thrilling and rewarding experience. Discovering the true beauties of country and the citizens within it, has given me a new found sense of pride to be Canadian.”
Suy Kens wants to one day work in the medical field and said she found it interesting that, “everyone from across Canada is pretty much the same.” Meeting new people and seeing so many maple leaves was her favourite part of the trip.
Devyn Millette chose the Science and Technology forum. Her favourite subject is biology and after becoming intrigued by technology last year it was a perfect fit. She learned how to identify bacteria, some new French words and made a ton of friends.
The final four students to attend Encounters with Canada took part in the Sports and Fitness week.
“I just like sports and I do pretty good in them so I thought that would be the best theme for me to go to,” said Ben Scott, who skis and plays badminton.
“I learned that everyone from Canada is a lot alike, more alike than I thought they would be. I thought everyone would be different but we’re actually all pretty similar, except for people from Newfoundland, they’re really different.”
“I actually learned a lot more about Canada and about being bilingual as a country,” said Rachel Rederburg.
For Avery Johnson, the biggest thing she learned is just how alike our fellow Canadians are, even though we are living in different provinces, something many of her fellow Encounters attendees agreed with.
“I learned that even though we are from the same country we are all very different yet very much the same and I think we take for granted not being able to get a chance to see our own country and meet other people,” said Rachel Cool.
“I think it’s a once-in-a-life time experience and I think that (if you get) the opportunity, (and) get chosen, you’d be silly not to go because when are you ever going to get to do those things again?”
The things the teens enjoyed the most were making new friends, the experience, the maple leaves and fall colours, beaver tails, the architecture and the culture.