Encounters With Canada

Encounters with Canada is a program where students, ages 14-17, from all across Canada go to Ottawa for a week. There are different themes for the week, I went to Journalism and Communications. Through out the stay you do various activities in the city or in Quebec, some examples would be visiting Parliament or going to Quebec for bowling. Participants stay at the Terry Fox center and sleep in dorms with hypoallergenic beds and pillows as well as many other necessities.

I don't quite remember everything we did so I'll do my best to inform about what we did, most will be a summary.


March 3rd, Sunday was a day of awkward encounters with random people, as well as squished onto an airplane full of strange scents and overly perky flight attendants. Needless to day I traveled all day and didn't get to the center until it was time for supper. There was ice breaker games, which I didn't participate in because I was preoccupied with slurping back spaghetti and munching on soggy garlic bread. At the time I thought people there were loud and obnoxious, I have harsh first judgement on people at first but ignore it as I get to know them better and then BAM we're friends :). There's a game room at the center, so I played some air hockey with a kid from Manitoba. As the day came to an end I went up to my dorm floor which was the third, so many stairs to climb! The dorm was full of random loud giggly girls who at the time appeared not of my liking, no worries though I was just being little weirdo me and in the end I absolutely loved everyone at EWC. Finally, around 10 it was time for bed and I slept on a very squeaky mattress, I move a lot when I sleep!
Monday we spent the day at the Parliament, we sat in for a very boring question period then a quick tour. The questioning period was long and agonizing, it became interesting when the so called leaders started trash talking each other, it was like being in high school! The tour would have been better if it wasn't so quick, it was just "here's _____ lasted____ questions? no ok lets move on." After we were done with the parliament we went back to the center and waited to go to our Monday night activities, I chose bowling in Quebec. It took my team about 10 minutes to figure out how to start the game, we were nearly about to give up!
Tuesday we were able to experience what it is like to do a new report. I was given the roll of Film Operator 1 and might I say I felt rather privileged! Operating the camera is as easy as operating a regular camera, just way bigger! The studio we went to was CBC Montreal, the drive there was pretty great, I sat with a girl whom I met on Instagram(Technology is great right?) we talked for a bit, interesting conversing with other people :)
At this point I forget everything we did in detail so it is now time for my terrible summarizing, believe me when I say this though, what I type does not give justice to how the experience really is. I met a bunch of really cool people, we got along well, we got close even if we didn't really talk we all had something to connect us. We visited Canadian War Museum or Museum of Civilization, it was a great experience to see all the things used from past wars. Speakers came in, inspirational, full of knowledge and advise, entertaining. One guy was a Peacekeeper and he led a candle light ceremony to remember the soldiers who fought to protect their land. One day we went on a tour of Ottawa, it was great to explore the great things about the city, it's beautiful and full of history. On our final day we were able to go to the mall to shop for 3 hours, which is not nearly enough time to find great things to buy for people or yourself! There was also a dinner/dance and talking stick ceremony. Starting with the weepy and ending with the entertainment. During the talking stick ceremony everyone shared about their experience at EWC, what they thought of everyone, what their favorite part was and so on. It was very emotional, I guess we were just upset about leaving back to our own lives after being thrown together being forced to talk to strange teen aged people. Personally, when it came to actually leaving I cried for a very long time, I didn't want to leave all the great people I met, I wanted to stay with them. I didn't feel like coming back to my town, I have almost no body here, but there at EWC I met more friends then I have here. The best part about Encounters with Canada is meeting people from around Canada, and learning that there are people out there who will talk with you and want to be friends with you, even if you're awkward. If you're a Canadian from ages 14-17 I recommend asking a councilor or principal about Encounters with Canada, it will definitely be the best time of your life! You just need to remember to make it your best by talking and always having a smile. Enjoy every moment and cherish each memory, not everyone gets a chance like this so take it!   

Tah tah for now

Ange xx