Explore Program – Québec
What is the Explore Program?
Explore is an intensive French-immersion program that is offered during the spring or summer for people with any skill level in French. Participants are awarded a place and funding covers tuition fees for the course, instructional materials, meals, and accommodation. You will discover another region of Canada while learning French in classes adapted to your language level. Through classroom instruction, workshops, socio-cultural activities, and field trips, you will not only improve your language skills, but discover the culture of a new region as well, all while exploring, meeting new people from across the country, and exchanging ideas in a stimulating environment perfect for learning the French language. Experience something new and discover your country and your strengths through Explore!
Being Selected
I learned about the Explore Program through my university. I knew that I would be returning to work in Belgium. My colleges and friends there all spoke French. So I thought a few weeks learning French would help me communicate better.
I applied and then the waiting game began. I kept journal entries through April and May of 2009 detailing my frustration with the mail system.
It’s the Easter long weekend and that means no mail Friday or Monday. The letter from Explore was supposed to arrive in early April. Now on April 11th I fully believe that we are in the middle of April. Does that mean I didn’t get in? Does mail take longer to get to the Island? It is so frustrating to wait. Even if I did not get in I would like a letter so that the suspense of waiting is over. But oh well, if I don’t get in then I get to work longer and make more money, which means survival without a job longer while I am in Europe.
Me – LiveJournal April 11 2009
By April 15th I was done waiting for the letter in the mail. I decided to go directly to the source and email the program coordinator.
The mail did not come today. So instead I emailed the explore program to ask for my results. I was impressed by the speedy reply I received, but I am bitterly disappointed to write that I have been place on the first wait-list. This means that any time between now and July they could potentially have an opening for me. But it would be to short notice for work. So this means that everyone has to put up with me for a few more months. It’s sad because I was very excited about going, but it could be for the best because it means an additional seven weeks of work and more money so that I can travel longer while I am in Europe. It also means that I will have to work on my French by myself.
Me – Live Journal April 15th 2009
The very next day I had an email from the Program saying they had done a second draw and I had been selected to receive a bursary to study at Jonquière, QC. I would be going from May 18th to June 19th. This is a little later then I would have liked, as I fly to London on the 21st of June for Belgium. It just means that anyone who wants to see me will have to do so in Vancouver, as I will not be coming back to the island for a night. I’ll leave a bag with friends in Vancouver to change suitcases before I go to Europe.
Getting to Quebec
From Vancouver Island, there are no direct flights to Québec. Instead, it was a trip full of layovers. I flew from Comox to Calgary on a flight of screaming children. Then fell asleep in the airport and almost missed my flight from Calgary to Montreal. In Montreal, I switched airlines and took my final flight to Bagotville. The plane was a tiny little ten row Bombardier. The propellers were so loud.
When we arrived in Bagotville we were picked up by two supervisors. One drove a van full of people, the other drove a moving truck full of bags. When we arrived at the school we were given information packages, rules, phone numbers, cost of extra activities, etc. Then we were taken to our dorms. We were given time to settle in and get to know each other.
Day 1 – Testing
After breakfast, we meet our monitors, teachers, and supervisors. Then we were broken down into three groups for testing. First, we had listening comprehension and then were given time to do an oral interview with a teacher. The comprehension was fine, but the interview was really nerve-wracking. The questions were okay, starting with what is your name and progressed from there. For the final test, you were given a series of pictures and you had to tell a story about them, that was difficult.
Then we were freed for lunch. After lunch, there was a second meeting, where we learned about the Explore program, about the optional activities, and we were read the rules. We were told about the pledge of honour we are going to make that promises that we will speak only French. I think this is going to be really hard. We were given pamphlets for the optional activities, then we went on a rallye pedestre (a scavenger hunt). When we returned from the hunt we were allowed to rest until dinner at 17h. Then at 19h, we had a welcoming party. There was karaoke and games.
Daily Routine
Breakfast is at 7:45. We have meal cards for all three meals of the day. We are allowed 1 main plate (proportioned for us) and three side dishes. Of these side dishes, a drink is not included. So two side dished and a drink. It works the same for all of our meals.
Class begins at 8:30 and goes till 12 and again from 1-3. At three we have leisure time, the gym and pool are also opened for two hours. There are games offered. Then there is dinner at 5. Some nights after dinner we have free time, other nights we have activities planned for us.
Weekends
On the weekends we have the chance to go on different trips. Some are included in the cost of the program and some are an extra cost. If you do not wish to go on the paid field trips you can stay at the University and explore the local area or make arrangements for your own adventure. I took advantage of these organized activities and went on a treetop course, hiking, and rafting. There was also a trip to a ghost town and the local zoo.
