WIC International Studies 2018 Review

2018 Review

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April 2018 Japan – Pages 2 & 3

Issue #13 Ecuador – Pages 4 & 5

Nepal A – Pages 6 & 7

Be part of something bigger!

Nepal B – Pages 8 & 9

Vietnam – Pages 10 & 11

Cover Artwork by Berry Dale, Grade 11 Student

Japan 2018

By Makayla Willick, Samara MacInnes, & Sarina Virani Grade 9s

Our trip to Japan was filled with so many wonderful adventures, most of which changed my perspective on the Japanese culture. The trip had multiple destinations which immensely improved the experience of the trip. Though all of the places we visited were amazing I still had a couple favourites that rose to the top: the Gundam Statue (of the transformer), the Open-Air Museum, and the Fox Shrine.

On our first day in Japan, the group went to the renowned Odaiba Gundam Station. This is where our group took pictures of the transformer statue. It is 60 feet tall and shoots smoke and played disco music. Then we took very artsy photos of the light up rainbow staircase that lines the nearby mall. So many people were having fun!

On the seventh day of the trip, our group went to the Open-Air Museum located in Hakone, which had many different exhibitions. For example, there is the Picasso Museum and many sculptures spread around fields. The most interesting of them all was the stained-glass staircase called the ‘Symphonic Structure’. It is filled with so many thought-provoking images like a dancing lizard, the couple on the moon, the white knight, and the man playing the trumpet in the sun. The Open-Air Museum was a great break for the group.

Sometimes it’s hard living in Calgary because it’s not easy to have these kinds of experiences so it was really great to get some sun and fresh air.

My last favourite destination was the Fox Shrine. The Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine (which is also called the Fox Shrine) is made for the God of Harvest – Inari. The fox was said to be the messenger of Inari. The torii gates line the path which show the way to the original shrine. The torii gates are orange-red colours and have Japanese characters that run down the sides. The characters are the wishes of the people that placed the torii gates along the trail to the Fox Shrine.

In conclusion the trip was an amazing experience. I think everyone on the trip had a lot of fun. We all brought home many trinkets and, hopefully, lots of Japanese candy. In the end, we took so much away from this trip – not only having so much fun with friends but learning about the Japanese culture and people.

- MW

Arigatou to Mme. Bernier Mr. Gibson Mr. Loewen Ms. Wright

ありがとう 2

Nostalgia is “a wistful desire to return in thought or fact to a former time in one’s life”. When reflecting on our trip, we couldn’t help but feel an overwhelming amount of nostalgia. We long to be back in Tokyo, taking in the electric atmosphere of the beautiful, bustling, city. We yearn to stroll the quaint streets of Yokohama in traditional garb yet again. We desire to be back in the long bus-rides filled with the infectious laughter and chatter. We long for the unique foods again, such as the various crazy KitKat flavours, the peach Coca-Cola and the melon Fanta. We wish to, once again, immerse ourselves in the unique and rich culture of the beautiful country – Japan.

One of the most memorable experiences was Takeshita Street in Tokyo. This is an iconic street is in the Harajuku District, a district geared towards trend-conscious teens. The words bustling, crowded, and cramped don’t begin to accurately describe the experience. The street is teeming with people. Trying to get through the throngs of crowds was an adventure unto itself. In order to get to the myriad of cute shops that line the street, we crammed our way through, packed together like sardines. Takeshita Street was one of the most exciting yet overwhelming places that we visited on the trip.

Trying on the kimonos was definitely one of our favourite parts of the trip. It was quite interesting to see how much effort it takes to put on a kimono. Under the bright, patterned, kimonos lie layers and layers of padding and belts, one over the other. Getting the whole group dressed was quite the production. All the girls got their hair done too, adding to the excitement and the experience! We wandered the small streets of Yokohama in our new apparel. We even visited a temple in our kimonos!

The Yunessien Hot Springs was another notable aspect of our trip. It was great to have the opportunity to unwind in the pools with friends. We also witnessed a quirky element to their hot springs – there were pools filled with different substances. There were a variety of odd and intriguing pools – from coffee and fish to wine and sake! We personally did not spend time soaking in the sake, but it was interesting nonetheless.

We arrived in Japan at the most opportune time of year. We arrived just at the peak of cherry blossom season. We explored Ueno Park, one of the top locations to view cherry blossoms in Tokyo. The streets were lined with tall and full cherry blossom trees. These were truly beautiful sights to see, just looking at the various hues of pink flowers. There were beautiful blossoms most everywhere we looked; the dainty pink petals gently flowing down among us. It was like a whole new world.

“My favourite part of the trip was the different and unique food.”

- Mikhail Fonin Grade 9

We also partook in different workshops on the trip, each teaching us different components of Japanese culture. Firstly, we learned to make sushi. We attended a lunch-time sushi-making workshop with a master. We adorned our aprons and chefs’ hats and learned how to properly prepare various types of sushi. It was a great learning experience and we got to eat our freshly-prepared sushi. Secondly, we participated in a Japanese taiko drumming workshop. It was different, fun and most definitely, loud!

We also took part in a traditional Japanese tea ceremony. It was a quintessential cultural experience for us. It was a very calm and serene ritual. Everything was presented with such precision and grace, from the placement of the tea cups to the actual making of the tea. Then later some of us got to try making the tea, just like the tea master.

This trip was unforgettable; it was filled with endless laughter and countless memories. We bonded with new peers as we explored this remarkable country together. Overall, it was an invigorating and amazing, once-in-a-lifetime, experience that we are so thrilled to have embarked upon! We are looking forward to travelling the world with WIC again on more International Studies trips!

- SM & SV

Ecuador 2018

By Chelsea Wong Grade 10

WIC’s 2018 International Studies trip to Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands was a remarkable experience. Besides developing closer relationships to other WIC students, this year’s theme, “Be part of something bigger”, truly shaped my worldview. Upon reflection, my favourite experiences include: visiting the Middle of the World, exploring the Galapagos Islands, and participating in the service project.

After enduring a full day of travel and finally arriving in Quito, our first day gave us a chance to acclimatize to the change of culture and environment in Ecuador. After leaving the hotel, we arrived in San Antonio de Pichincha where the Middle of the World Monument is located. A line of red paint, which bisects the museum, divides the Northern and Southern hemispheres. There, we conducted a series of experiments on the equator as well as both hemispheres. Some of us were even able to balance an egg atop a nail right on the equator line!

It became clear here as to how Ecuador and Quito were named.

“Ecuador” is the Spanish word for “equator” and “Quito” means “centre of the world”. I found it interesting how the indigenous people were able to determine how Ecuador is at the centre of the world and further use this it to tell time.

Gracias to Ms. Evans Mr. Larsen Ms. Meckelborg

¡Gracias!

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Over the next couple of days, we travelled to the Galapagos Islands where we toured various islands to snorkel, visit tortoise farms, and encounter species unique to the area. I was astonished with our upclose encounters with sea lions, turtles, and iguanas. As we snorkelled within the various arrays of blue and green in the cooling ocean, we were lucky to see a reef shark, sea turtles, and large schools of fish. We also visited the Charles’ Darwin Scientific Station where we spotted some of the famous Galapagos finches in the diverse ecosystems. Over the time in the Galapagos, I apprecited how our friendships became stronger as we learned and lived away from home together in this drastically different environment than our home!

Extending our humanitarian reach to the local people in Cangahua, while being completely immersed in a once in a lifetime global classroom experience, was the absolute highlight of the trip for me. It was a new experience for me and I was eager for it. When we first arrived at the school and took a tour of their poor state of facilities, we were compelled to make significant improvements for both the workers and kids who spend their times there. Including the completion of extra work during our time resting at the hacienda, I am proud to say we put in our best efforts. As a team, we were able to assist in the transformation of a blank, empty room, to a vibrant and colourful nursery. This included six mobiles, a mural composed of local animals and our handprints, and a wall full of bright yellow stars.

The appreciation they showed us was truly heart-warming. Even though we were a small team, we created such an impact for a local school over the span of just four days!

It wasn’t all work, as we also made time to play with the young kids (aged 1 to 4), which made for a lot of fun! As many of us do not speak Spanish, communication was challenging at times, though our guide, Gustavo, did help with translation. Smiling and laughing together, we were able to make one another comfortable and exchange some tender moments and connections, regardless of language.

“I like tuoitolls.”

Knowing that we were a part of something bigger in the global community is an amazing feeling! Spending time in Ecuador gave me a profound sense of appreciation for opportunities and privileges I have had in my life. There are incredible memories from this trip, which I will treasure forever. WIC’s International Studies program is awesome and I look forward to future trips!

- Ethan Somji Grade 11

- CW

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Nepal A 2018

By Jay Hilsden Grade 11 What do you think of when someone says Nepal? Most likely the tall peaks of the Himalayas. Or maybe the bustling streets of Kathmandu. That is what I imagined Nepal to be like in the months leading up to our departure. What we got was a diverse and interesting culture, fantastic cuisine, friendly people, but most importantly, the experience of a lifetime.

The trek was probably the highlight of the trip for many of us. The peaceful mountains and quiet villages created a relaxing atmosphere, one that we never wanted to leave.

Throughout these three days, we had surprisingly good food and unsurprisingly incredible views. The top three moments for me on the trek were playing soccer on a small rice paddy plateau, exploring the quaint town of Ghandruk, and seeing how people lived their lives in rural Nepal. The pictures of our soccer game are like something on a postcard. A cool mauve sky, silhouetted hills, a small group of kids kicking around a soccer ball were all truly picturesque. The town of Ghandruk is one of the largest establishments in the Sivalik hills or the foothills of the Himalayas. The stone houses that made up the town have a mysterious charm and some of the wood carvings on the tresses and windows of the houses were some of the most intricate and exquisite pieces of artistry I have seen. Inhabited by about four thousand people, we could tell the community was close-knit. People from the town were drinking tea and talking to each other. Others were doing construction work, presumably on new houses. It wasn’t just Ghandruk, though, where we saw the generosity of the Nepali people; all the people we saw throughout the trek were very friendly. In this area of language barriers, a smile went a long way. Other times, they allowed us to take pictures of them or rest on the area in front of their house. The trek was truly the highlight of the trip for me.

The Nepali cuisine was a pleasant surprise (though some don’t share this view) I found the food enjoyable almost every time. Being in a developing country, the food was never extravagant or rich, usually rice, chicken, and vegetables. But, it was always enough to satisfy our hungry bodies after a long day of trekking, touring, or working. There was one item of food that I think everybody agrees was delicious – momo! Momo is a style of dumpling native to Tibet, and we got the opportunity to make and eat it.

Dhanyabad to

Mr. Horn Ms. Law Mr. Thériault

धन्यवाद

Upon our arrival in Kathmandu after our trek, we went to a great restaurant where one of the chefs demonstrated making the dish before we got the opportunity to try. Needless to say, our momos were… not the best. However, when we got the chance to taste the momos that the chef had made; we fell in love. From that moment on, whenever we were served momo, everybody was delighted and you could hear a collective, excited, “YESSSS!” arise from the table.

Both of our service projects this year were great fun. Both the SMD School and the Shree Janakalyan Secondary School were rewarding, but in very different ways. The SMD School was more of a play session than a service project. It was clear, though, that while we weren’t doing any hard labour or tutoring, we were putting smiles on the children’s faces, which was priceless. And boy were those children cute! We played “Monkey in the Middle”, catch, soccer, variations of “Ring Around the Rosy”, and more! Their enthusiasm to play with us was contagious, causing some of the more soft-spoken people in our group to open up and laugh and play with the youngsters. At the school, we also met a former WIC student, donating his time to starting a club to teach the kids about electricity and engineering. They hosted an experiment for us to try that was run and taught by the Nepali students. It was really interesting to see the kids of the club teaching those of us struggling with the simple concept how to do it. The Shree Janakalyan Secondary School did include manual labour, and while it was fun to play with the adorable kids at SMD, we knew the work we did here would leave a lasting impression on this school and its students. The painting went on for a day and half, but by the end, the school had three freshly painted classrooms, ready to be put to use. The school was incredibly grateful and even put on a small cultural show for us, which persevered through rain and squeaky microphones. What both of these amazing schools had in common was the incredible gratitude they showed for us, having spent time working and amusing the kids, and their gratitude is something that will stick with me for a long time.

The architecture of Nepal is one of intricate design, ornate grandeur, and nothing many of us had ever seen before. Some ancient temples were tall, multi-roofed, masterpieces, with incredible sculptures of animals and warriors guarding their doors. Other structures were massive monuments to Buddha, called stupas. These hemispherical treasures gleamed snow white and dazzling gold. The flowing prayer flags attached to their tops created a mystical atmosphere that’s synonymous with the country. The intricacies of the carving on the tresses that support the roof, as well as the window covers are nothing short of incredible. Despite being built hundreds (or even thousands) of years ago, many of these buildings have survived earthquakes we can’t even begin to imagine. Some, however, did not make it, and through our visit to Kathmandu’s Durbar Square, we got a chance to see the restoration of some of the buildings after they were damaged or destroyed in the earthquake of 2015. These workers were doing an incredible job recreating in painstaking detail the essence and characteristics of the extraordinary complexes that once stood there.

“My favourite part was the Shree Janakalyan painting project, in Kathmandu.”

- Jacinda Gill Grade 11

At the end of the trip, Hong Kong was a little different, to say the least. Not only had we not seen a skyscraper in two weeks, the ones on the island of Kowloon were some of the tallest in the world. While there were a great many dissimilarities, which shouldn’t be too hard to imagine, one similarity was Buddhism. On one hill, one of the world’s tallest and grandest Buddha statues resides, watching over the mountains and harbours of Hong Kong. This massive bronze cast, named the Tian Tan Buddha, was an incredible work and rivaled some of the stupas and buildings we had seen in Nepal.

My recollection of this trip contains so many moments that have been engraved in my memory; it is impossible to put them all onto paper. The architecture, culture, landscape, and everything in between was what helped to make this trip such an incredible one. I still often find myself yearning to go back so I could hike up to Ghandruk or visit the stupas in Kathmandu. Thank you, Nepal, for all the memories. I cannot wait to return!

- JH 7

Nepal B 2018

By Mr. Steve Smith & Max Hancock Faculty Member & Grade 12 Student Humanitarian Work in Kathmandu The three days spent in in Kathmandu doing humanitarian work really allowed our group to understand what day to day life is like for Nepali kids. Our time was split between SMD school and the Buddhist Child Home orphanage. At SMD we were very impressed at the school’s facilities and the energy and enthusiasm of the younger students. Unfortunately, we didn’t get much of a chance to interact with the older grades as they were in government exams (something our students could nonetheless relate to). We spent much of our time in the classrooms of students around 8 or 9 years of age. The students’ English was very good so it was fun to engage in conversation and exchange stories and learn about each other’s cultures.

We realized that, even in schools as different as this, we could see the same personalities that populate WIC’s classrooms such as the shy kid, the artistic kid, and, of course, the class clown.

We also learned how powerful sport is to bring people together as we enjoyed both soccer and basketball games with the SMD students. We weren’t as sure of what to expect at the Buddhist Child Home but we were pleasantly surprised. There were about 14 kids living there, ranging in age from 1 to 17 years old. The facilities were very nice and, again, their level of English made it easy to have conversations. While there, our task was to paint most of the interior of their house, and some of the outside. We were also able to use our artistic talents to also make a beautiful mural in their upstairs library. When the Buddhist Child Home kids were not in school they were helping us paint and there were many opportunities to have some really authentic conversations with them. As we wrapped up our work, the board members of the Home’s foundation organized a small ceremony and then we partied a bit with lots of music and dancing! Music, like sport, is another vehicle to break down cultural barriers that may exist. Perhaps the biggest thing our students took away from the experience is that, despite the challenge of daily life in Kathmandu, we all have more in common than we have differences with the Nepali people. The experience was one that we will carry close to our hearts for many years to come.

- SS

Dhanyabad to

Mr. Goulet Ms. Hill Ms. Irvine Mr. Smith

धन्यवाद 8

Focusing on our Trek This past Spring Break, I had the privilege of participating in my third International Studies trip. This year, my destination of choice was Nepal and I was not disappointed. This trip exposed me to a new culture and a new area of the world.

My highlight, although it feels wrong to choose just one, was our trek through the valleys near the Annapurna mountains. This three-day excursion provided me with my first run in with the celebrated Himalayan mountain range and they did not disappoint. On our bus ride from Pokhara to where we would start our trek, I listened to the buzz of the hardworking air conditioner trying to counteract the warm temperatures outside.

As my gaze through the window found its first view of the snowcovered peaks, I sat up straight in my seat, craning my neck for a better look. Fulfilling the tourist stereotype, the bus pulled over and we all piled out onto the highway to get a better look and take advantage of the photo opportunity. Even from our vantage point, with the mountains miles and miles away, their humbling size was obvious yet challenging to fully comprehend. Not being an avid hiker myself, I was surprised by how much I enjoyed our trek. The trails and roads we hiked were scenic and diverse.

Many trails were made up of rock stairs that have been used like road ways through the rural valleys of Nepal. While these stairs brought our muscles great strain, the sense of triumph and accomplishment was well worth it.

Our accommodations were simple yet extremely comfortable given their remoteness. Before dinner, while we let our legs rest, card games would break out and I was reminded of how awesome it is to gain these experiences alongside my peers. “I really liked visiting and painting the Buddhist Child Home because there was one really cute baby there!�

- Maria Daniela Quintero Garcia Grade 12

I definitely gained an appreciation for trekking over those few days. While I may not be looking to load up my bag with rocks before making an assent like Sean, I will look for more opportunities to explore the mountains I have access to close to home.

Thank you to our trip leaders, Mr. Smith, Mrs. Irvine, Ms. Hill, and Mr. Goulet, for adding to our travel experience and ensuring our itinerary was executed seamlessly.

- MH 9

Vietnam 2018

By Macen Lang Grade 12 I had so much fun travelling through Vietnam for the two weeks during spring break! It was one of the most eye-opening experiences and it is hard to describe the impact it had on our group of students. The two best experiences, in my opinion, were the service project and Halong Bay. We did our service project in Hué, at the Dong Phu Kindergarten. When we first arrived, the kids all lined up with roses for us, holding a sign that said, “Welcome West Island College Group”. Our hearts immediately melted because all the kids were so adorable. The next three days were very hard work, but work that we all did willingly and positively. The first day we worked for around four and a half hours, scraping mould off of a brick wall to prepare it for painting and we also started to work on a motorcycle parking lot that the parents could park on when picking up their kids. At the end of the first day, we were able to play with the kids.

There was a language barrier and while we weren’t able to understand what the children were saying, we still could tell that they loved having fun with us and we felt the exact same way.

Cảm ơn to

Ms. Allen Mme. Berezowski

Mr. Fensom

cảm ơn bạn

The next two days were the dirtiest. We put on our rubber boots and waded through almost ankle-deep mud to paint the brick wall a sunshine yellow colour, while another group added concreate and mud to the motorcycle parking lot. By the end of the next two days, we were all incredibly exhausted and tuckered out with mud and paint buried under our finger nails, yet we couldn’t be happier. To look around and see the incredible work we had done over the past three days was such a humbling experience! To know that these kids would now come to school and see a beautifully painted yellow wall instead of walls covered in mould felt so good. The work project was such a humbling experience, one that none of us will ever forget.

Another one of our favourite experiences during out trip was our overnight boat excursion in Halong Bay. To get to Halong Bay, it was a four-hour bus ride; but halfway we stopped at a tourist stop where we could buy snacks and paintings and jewellery. The amazing thing about this stop was that the employees working there are all victims of agent orange, a chemical used by the US during the Vietnam War. These people were making incredibly beautiful works of art when some of them didn’t even have arms to make the painting with! It was sad to see what the war did to these people, but amazing to see that they are fighting though what happened to them.

When we arrived in Halong Bay, we got situated in our houseboat rooms and changed into our swimsuits. We went canoeing and hiking through caves that first day, and they were beautiful. The beautiful views of the bay are definitely something that we will never forget. The next day on the boat we woke up early to go to a tai-chi class on the sundeck. It was a very fun and unique experience. After tai-chi we went swimming in the bay. Even through the water was pretty cold we had so much fun. On the four-hour ride back, we stopped at a pearl farm where we were shown how they grew pearls artificially. Some of us even bought real pearl necklaces!

“Snail paste for life!”

- Tobi Gbobaniyi Grade 11

Overall, this was a trip that we will never forget. From the hundreds of thousands of bikes swerving around our bus and our bodies every day, to becoming so close with everyone on the trip, it was memorable beyond belief.

We would like to thank Ms. Allen, our trip leader, along with Mr. Fensom and Madame Berezowski, for making this trip run smoothly and putting up with all of us getting heat exhaustion. We really appreciate all of you for travelling with us during your spring breaks instead of having relaxing vacations with your families.

- ML 11

Extend your humanitarian reach. Be part of a truly unique global classroom experience. WIC’s foundational International Studies program is designed to give hands on learning experiences around the world which foster mutual respect and understanding for different cultures.

As part of an International Studies service learning experience, students can be part of one-of-a-kind humanitarian projects that will make a lasting difference in those communities for years to come.

SPECIAL THANKS GOES TO…

Congratulations to the following Grade 12

2018 CERTIFICATE OF INTERNATIONAL STUDIES

Ms. Carol Grant Watt – For being our On-Call Administrator again this year. Thank you, Ms. Grant-Watt for sacrificing your Spring Break and sleep for our safety and everyone’s peace of mind!

Recipients…

       

Samantha Allison Jill Altamirano Samantha Barr Brendan Bate Kate Haig Fynnis Mitchell Nicholas Morgan Emma Paidra  Maria Daniela Quintero Garcia

Ms. Megan Halle & Ms. Leeanne Toovey – For being amazing Executive Assistants and logistical organizers!

WIC’s Board of Directors – For researching, questioning, and approving the trips. Without you, our program would not be as successful as it is.

Mr. Reid Morrison of Incredible Journeys – For liaising and planning five excellent itineraries and responding to our myriad of requests and needs.

Thank you, Mr. Morrison!

Authors of the 2018 Review (Makayla, Samara, Sarina, Chelsea, Jay, Mr. Smith, Max, and Macen) – For going above and beyond, to create a beautiful time capsule that you can refer back to in years to come!

Certificate of International Studies Requirements This distinguished certificate of completion was created to honour the intellectual, emotional and physical engagement of our students in international service learning and is given each year to our qualified graduates.

Participation in a minimum of two international service learning experiences, completion of related course work, and study of a second language at the formally recognized 30 level during your time at WIC will make you eligible for the Certificate of International Studies.

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For questions regarding WIC’s International Studies program, please contact Ms. Tara Law, Director of International Studies, at taralaw@mywic.ca or at 403255-5300 (extension 277).