The ADVENTURER
AFS INTERCULTURE CANADA’s newsletter - Spring 2011 edition
Table of contents Introduction
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The international situation of AFS Interculture Canada
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National Volunteer week 2011
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Volunteers’ training, Presidents Forum and General Assembly
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Feedback on trainings
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Mid-year camp in Laval
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Mid-year camp in Deux-Monts
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Orientation Camp in Trois-Rivières
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Saguenay Lac Saint-Jean chapter
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Quebec chapter
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Trois-Rivières chapter
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Laval chapter
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Deux-Monts chapter
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Sherbrooke chapter
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Calgary chapter
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Yellowknife chapter
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Olivia Rijntjes testimony
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François Rouette testimony
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Nicolas Kübler testimony
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Michaela Housiaux-Andrews testimony
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Charles Cabana testimony
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Sofiane Bompeix testimony
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The Developmental Model of Intercultural Sensitivity
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Special sugar shack feature!
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Games
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Happy reading! 2
A word of welcome Greetings to all, dear members of the AFS community, Spring has come; the beautiful and mild weather is upon us. In this spring edition of The Adventurer, we will return to AFS Canada’s winter season, for the hosting and the sending as well. You will thus find in this edition images taken during the various chapter activities, a review of
the different camps and trainings, as well as a summary of the AFS Presidents’ forum and the Annual General Assembly. Furthermore, you can also consult our new educational and entertainment sections. Always concerned to bring you a personalized Adventurer, we renew once again the invitations to send us your stories, pictures, ac-
tivities and all other relevant information or improvements you deem important. Just as the good functioning of the AFS organization depends on your precious collaboration, the content of this newsletter seeks to reflect AFS life in your area! We are looking forward to hearing from you…
The AFS Canada team is growing!
We are pleased to welcome Lisanne Gamelin as the new Coordinator of Intensive Programs and Travel Logistics at the AFS Canada national office. Former participant and volunteer in the Montreal chapter for many years, Lisanne is now in charge of developing intensive English summer programs in Canada, as well as coordinating the logistic of participants’ departures and arrivals.
Not to forget Just a little reminder: the hosting campaign is on full blast! Spread the word, talk about AFS to everyone around you; be bold! Think about the benefits of hosting an exchange student; isn’t it worthwhile enough to share this fantastic opportunity to as many people as possible?
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The international situation of AFS Interculture Canada
Greetings, A main point came out of these 10 growing countries; they have all invested significant resources in volunteers development and therefore, their volunteers’ network increased. AFS Canada actually works on expanding its volunteers network to strengthen or enlarge the chapters, create new ones and provide them with more resources and trainings to This congress edition focused on AFS coun- achieve their mission properly. tries experience sharing, in order to fulfill our mission jointly The topic «Growth now» Canada is a requested country; almost all of Last autum, I have had the chance to attend the AFS World Congress in Buenos Aires. This annual congress, organized by AFS International, allows national directors and/or presidents of all AFS countries to meet every year to discuss about AFS’ global situation and to share their experiences.
our partners would like to send us more students and would host more Canadian participants. Those opportunities show that we have good growth possibilities, and even though AFS Canada has achieved a lot over the last years, it can grow much more because world’s I am pleased to announce that Canada is part youth keeps on have expectations towards of these 10 growing countries. Indeed, AFS our services. Canada increased its hosting capacity of 25% Miklos Fulop since 2006, which is a 5% growth per year. National Director AFS Interculture Canada 4 was current considering that AFS globally decreased over the past years, especially its school programs. In spite of this decline, 10 AFS partners increased their hosting and/or sending activities in the last 5 years.
National Volunteer week 2011 Since its creation in 1914, AFS can count on the support and active participation of plenty volunteers, all eager to contribute to a more just and peaceful world. Together, we work daily to realize the dream of thousands of youths and without you, we could not change the world, one student at the time. The whole AFS team would like to thank you so much for your precious involvement. Happy National Volunteer Week!
A special thank We are so grateful to all the people who contributed to the spring edition of the Adventurer. Thank you so much for your texts, images, testimonies, ideas, etc. Without you, there would be no newsletter! A special thank to Nancy Lau, Lindsey Higgs, Marie-Hélène Sylvain, Denis Houde, Jo-Ann Johnson, Mélanie Blain and Angelika Bertsch for translating this edition’s texts, so both French and English speaking AFSers can enjoy a quality content. Thanks for being involved with us!
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Volunteers’ training AFS’ volunteers training for family hosting and sending abroad was held in Montreal on January 29th. Throughout the day, volunteers in attendance discussed various subjects with the AFS training staff such as: online family hosting applications, family hosting advertising campaign, file handling protocol, family hosting & sending abroad interviews, candidates’ application process, promoting AFS &
initiatives to stimulate returning participants involvement with their local chapter. Spirits were high throughout the day and all appeared satisfied with the informative content of the day. The day was capped-off with a relaxed and festive dinner at the Pellerin-Magellan. Thank you for coming in such large numbers; it was a pleasure to have spent this day with all of you!
Presidents’ Forum and Annual general Assembly On January 30, the Presidents’ Forum was held in Montreal. The chapters’ president had the chance to talk about the results of the volunteers’ satisfaction survey, the volunteers’ new informatic tools and access, and saw a presentation on AFS progress. After lunch time, the presidents received a two hours training on intercultural communication. Late afternoon was the AFS annual general assembly, which had the following topics; presentation of the 2010 financial states, nomination of the auditors and election of the new AFS Interculture Canada national board.
Here is the new AFS Interculture Canada National Board for the year 2011 Chairman Robert Deslandes Vice-Chair Keith Sanders Treasurer Luc Pilon Secretary Miklos Fulop Board Member Bernard Roy Board Member Sue Glowach Board Member Anne-Marie Gauthier 6
Intensive programs coordinators training Last 14-15 of March, we had the privilege to have among us at the AFS National Office great guests! For the first time, our 5 local coordinators of our summer intensive program in English-Canada were training together. Elizabeth Vincent from St-John’s (Newfoundland) who has been doing this since 10 years, Corinne Nelson from Red Deer (Alberta) who’s been occupying this position for a decade as well, Stacy Iarocci & Travis Borland from Hamilton (Ontario) with us since 3 years and our final addition to the team Marni Mingay from Sault-Ste-Marie (Ontario). This training was highly instructive for everyone and our conference trainers, Jennifer Hille, Training Coordinator, & Lisanne Gamelin, Intensive Programs and Travel Logistic Coordinator, accompanied by thoughtful inputs by Anisara Creary, Operation Director, handed out useful tools to local coordinators and learned, in return, from previous experiences. It was a great success!
Interview techniques training Even if there has been no student hosted in the Montreal chapter in 2010-2011, there are active volunteers in the city to support the high number of students applying for a year program abroad with AFS. In order to increase our network of volunteers in charge of the participants’ interview, we held training at our Montreal National office on March 3rd. Daniel Bellerose, Sending Coordinator of the chapter, gave the training, assisted by Julie Plaisance, Volunteers Development Coordinator, and Lucie Ledoux, Sending Coordinator. The purpose of this activity was to create an interview team for the Greater Montreal area and to provide them with the appropriate tools. An informative document on interview techniques will soon be posted online, in the Toolbox for Volunteers.
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Mid-year camp in Laval Fun and get-together On January 14th, 15th and 16th, the students hosted in the Laval-Lower Laurentians chapter enjoyed some great activities at the mid-year camp. Many activities, like wall-climbing, camp fire, skating, broomball, forest-adventure (hebertism) and archery were on the program. The students had a lot of fun while sharing together their different experiences. -Christine Benoit, Laval-Lower Laurentians chapter
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Mid-year camp in Deux-Monts
On January 15th was the mid-year camp in Deux-Monts. Three different activity groups were held during the day; counselors meeting, host families meeting and students meeting to discuss about their situation at this point of the program. It was a good opportunity for each family, student and counselor to gather and share their experiences. After a tasty spaghetti dinner, it was talent show time! Students, grouped by native countries, gave different performances and showed their hidden artistic skills; guitar playing, singing, acting, piano playing, etc.
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Orientation Camp in Trois-Rivières On Saturday, March 19th, an orientation camp took place in Trois-Rivières in a room of the Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières. Nine participants attended, going to China, Denmark, Germany, Italy, South Africa, Spain and United States. Josette Drouin, Sending Coordinator for the Trois-Rivières chapter, and Arianne Méthot, Program Development and Communication Coordinator for the AFS Canada national office, were pleased to facilitate the training. There was a friendly mood and all participants actively took part of the activities. There also been an information session for the participants’ parents. The whole day was a success!
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Saguenay Lac Saint-Jean chapter The Saguenay Lac St-Jean chapter has had a very busy winter season! After the two mid-year camps (Alma and Chicoutimi on January 16th and Dolbo on January 22nd) a lot of activities were organized for the students. First of all they went skiing on February 5th at Mont Lac-Vert station. Volunteers had training on February 8th. Students tried ice fishing February 26th and last but not the least, the traditional sugar shack activity happened on March 13th.
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Quebec chapter AFS students in Quebec were really lucky this winter! The AFS chapter began its winter activities with a Christmas brunch coupled with a talent show at the end of November. Students and families brought dishes from their home countries. They were also treated to a variety of soups, cakes and other pastries, some exotic and others well known, while sharing their experiences about the half year that had just come to an end. After dessert, we enjoyed songs from Germany, violin pieces and a flute composition from Thailand. Students and their families have been blessed with good weather for the Quebec Winter Carnival night parade in the Lower Town, which is the largest winter carnival in the world! We will be going soon to the sugar shack; a traditional activity in Quebec at this time of the year. The taste of maple syrup will most certainly be a new discovery for some of our students. Happy spring to all our students, their host families as well as our AFS volunteers! -The Quebec chapter
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Trois-Rivières chapter The students and counselors’ bowling evening is a get-together activity allowing us to create bounds and see everyone’s bowling talents... Gutters are the kings and teasing is the queen of the evening!
The chapter is celebrating its 10th anniversary! An evening will be organized to celebrate this special occasion on June 11th, 2011. All details will be available on the facebook page AFS Trois-Rivieres / Retrouvailles 2001-2011. You can write at afs.troisrivieres@ groups.facebook.com for further information. Join the group and invite former chapter members; families, counselors, exchange students, etc.
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Laval chapter On Sunday, February 20th around twenty students met to paint a representation of their home countries. These young artists have created real pieces of art! You can come and admire or even buy those paintings at the silent auction during the walking rally on May 7th. We invite you to join us. -Christine Benoit, Laval-Lower Laurentians chapter
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Deux-Monts chapter Last February 12th, the Deux-Monts chapter went to Quebec for the Winter Carnival. All 27 AFS participants were accompanied by 4 members of the chapter and a few host families. We visited the Ice Hotel, the Montmorency falls, Old Quebec City and the Winter Carnival’s site. After a great meal at La Maison du Spaghetti, we watched the carnival parade and meandered together through the streets of Old Quebec City. The bus ride home was a rather quiet one as most participants took advantage of this time to rest from this long enjoyable day. The entire activity went without a hitch. We are proud to have such a great group of young participants and to have been part of such a wonderful day. -The Deux-Monts chapter
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Sherbrooke chapter
Here are a few pictures of a Sherbrooke outdoor activity that happened in January at the recreational park André Nadeau
Sherbrooke’s students with guests from DeuxMonts, Drummondville and Victoriaville chap4 students supporting the Montreal Canadiens ters in the Parliament’s library before going to in a match against the Senators at the Scotia- a hockey game bank stadium in Ottawa
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Calgary chapter During their stay in Alberta, Frederique and Nicolas, the two students hosted in the Calgary area, tried a unique activity; winter trekking in Jasper National Park. The first picture shows them in front of an ice wall, the second one in front of a log cabin and finally helping a Canadian Rock climber to fix his camera. I bet this amazing trekking journey will be part of the students’ best memories of their stay in Alberta!
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Yellowknife chapter
Here are two photographs of the exchange students currently hosted in Yellowknife; one is from the AFS Christmas Feast where the girls are all wearing their Canada mitts that the local chapter bought for them and the other is from the Arctic/Snowmobile winter safety course they all took in November.
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Testimony from a host family: Olivia Rijntjes, host sister of Eva MĂŠndez (Mexique) This year, my mom and I decided to host Eva, a young girl from Mexico. Eva is a very active, happy person and she always has a big smile on her face! Eva is 17 years old and I am only 15. Even though we have 2 years separating us, we get along very well. Eva came here in January, because she had to change family for medical reasons, even though she loved them. She also misses her friends, family and school, but is having a lot of fun here! She is now going to Cure-Antoine-Labelle High School and she has made many friends. Eva is not used to the cold winter, so I am very excited to show her the beautiful Laval and Montreal that I know during the summer. This experience is definitely going to be unforgettable! Olivia Rijntjes, host sister of Eve MĂŠndez (Mexico)
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Testimony from a host family François Rouette, father of Giovanna Panzan (Brazil) AFS; such an adventure..... It has now been almost 4 months since our real-life adventure started. On August 21st Giovanna Panzan landed at Montreal airport from Brazil. As it was our first experience, we didn’t really know what to expect. There was the language barrier and we were not very familiar with Portuguese which lead to a few misunderstandings. A different culture and lifestyle can
sometimes cause some discomfort, a new religion and unpredictable forecast can sometimes be difficult to get used to. In order to surpass all these obstacles, some things are necessary, lots of communication and the support of AFS. I believe that everyone grows and betters themselves through an experience like this.
Giovanna is an extraordinary young girl. She was very reserved at the start but quietly opened the door to her heart and allowed us to see who she really was. There are more and more memories as the adventure continues. Incomprehensible school work, cooking Brazilian desserts, discovering the joys of winter, new friendships and warm laughters will remain in our memories forever. AFS is an intense real-life adventure with highs and lows: it requires the investment of everyone involved, but what a beautiful life experience in which everyone grows and benefits. In a few months Giovanna will leave Quebec and she will bring home the experience of a lifetime and a piece of us. Despite the emptiness she will leave behind, there will always be a piece of Gigi in our family. Obigrada Giovanna Obigrado AFS François Rouette, host father of Giovanna Panzan (Brazil)
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A returnee share his AFS experience: Nicolas Kübler (Germany) My stay in Canada Before I left Germany, saying good bye and especially saying good bye to my girl-friend for half a year was the hardest part. But when I arrived at the Calgary airport and met with my host family, I instantly got the impression that I would be well cared by them. They shared their coffee from Tim Hortons with me, asked me a lot about Germany and my trip to Canada when we were was pretty fun to play with driving home. them after school or during the P.E. lessons. I did a lot of At home, my new grand par- sports at school and I always ents welcomed me very nicely had very good appetite at and I was so tired that I went home. While I was in Germato bed. This was actually the ny, I thought the Canadians most perfect first day that I only go to fast food restaucould imagine. Things didn't rants, but it was completely change very much at the end different than what I expected. either. I made a lot of friends The people here enjoy cookat the school and everybody ing, well, my host family does, was interested in THE GER- but the food was very good MAN EXCHANGE STUDENT and healthy as well, even in and of course I enjoyed this the fast food restaurants like special treatment. Compared Burger King, in which the into Germany, the winter was gredients were very fresh, arriving much quicker than I not comparable with Germaexpected, although I arrived ny at all. But it was not just in August, and the soccer the food that impressed me, season with my host father but also the Canadians were was almost came to the end. very environmental friendly. But that was also a very nice For instance, if it rains, they experience as the team just use rain barrels to collect rain welcomed me like an old play- water, also they pay a lot of er who just came back from a attention to saving water and trip or something. energy, for example having quick shower and wearing a What surprised me the most sweater rather than turning was Canadian soccer players up the heater. I needed to do weren’t as bad as I expected. household works more than in A lot of guys in my school play Germany, too. For example, soccer as a hobby and so it I was helping to cook once
a week, washing the dishes twice a week and cleaning the washroom once a month, which all weren't bad at all, because if I wanted to be a part of the family, I’d need to do things like a regular family member. Well, my program is now finished after six months, looking back, I realised that I did many things throughout my experience. I was camping twice with my host dad and his friends, one time we were walking for the whole weekend for over 70 km with 15 kg backpack which was one of the best experience that I have ever had. I went to see a professional hockey game with one of good friends, and I also did a lot of shopping with my friends. This Canadian experience gave me an opportunity to see many different things that I would never imagine in Germany, the friendship that I built was priceless and trekking in the Canadian Rockies was unforgettable.
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A word from a hosted participant: Michaela Housiaux-Andrews (New Zealand)
One thing I know for sure about Canada is that winter is very cold and it snows a lot. I love winter here! I am very lucky because all AFS students received a full-time pass for my city’s ski station. Also, I live just beside the Vallée du Parc ski resort. This is my first white winter and my first snowboarding season. At first I was not very good on my snowboard, but now I am able to go on all slopes of our
ski hill. Thanks to my marvelous instructor; if it wasn’t for him, I would still be at the snowboard school. I am really good at snowboarding now. I adore the fact that after school, I just have to grab my snowboard and walk to the ski hill. It is an extraordinary experience and I will miss a lot. Michaela Housiaux-Andrews, New Zealand
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Letter from a participant abroad: Charles Cabana (Germany) Hello, I would like to thank you for your help. It’s because of you that I am in Germany today and living my dream of this unique and enriching experience. I am doing very well
here with my host family and new friends. In fact, Germany is much more welcoming than one would expect! I feel that I’m in a country that will teach me a lot about real life, since
after only three months I feel that I’ve learned much more in terms of culture and experience that I thought would take the entire year to learn. For example, the fact that I arrived in Germany via London, (to my surprise) made me really feel like an adult. Speaking German has become an everyday thing for me. I’m now capable to have simple conversations with classmates, using my pocket dictionary to understand new words. Up until now I’ve visited many cities including Hambourg, Essen, Frankfurt, Dortmund, Düsseldorf, Amsterdam (although I know it’s in the Netherlands), as well as a bunch of little villages whose names are too complicated for now to write! Haha! Honestly, everything here pleases me: the typical dishes are succulent (Bratwurst, Glüwein, Kartofein mit Kase) and what to say about the great beer! Don’t worry, although I won’t be 18 until April, the drinking age here is 16 so it’s legal to have a beer with friends! Thanks again for allowing me to be part of this student exchange.
Charles Cabana Tschüs! 23
Reflexions from a participant abroad: Sofiane Bompeix (Italy)
Adapting to a new environment, a new country, a new culture or a new family can prove more difficult for some people and easier for others. For me, adjusting to my new way of life has been easier in some ways and more difficult in others. Religion hasn’t been a problem because they are Catholics, like me. Learning Italian has been easier than I thought. From the moment I arrived, the family and the people at school spoke to me in Italian and afterward they translated what they said into English or French. So I’ve been able to make connections
and learn this beautiful language faster. I also had Italian classes two times a week with a private teacher (40 hours in total). This really helped me, and the fact that Italian and French are a lot alike helps too! Transportation, like going into the city or going to see friends, has been harder to get used to. I live in the mountains and it’s 25 minutes by car or 40 minutes by train and 15 minutes by bus to get to the largest cities. So, each day I have to take the train and the bus (about 2 or 3 hours a day) to do activities or to go to school. When my host mother is available she can come pick me
up. This has meant that I have a bit less freedom than I did in Canada. In Quebec, I already have my driver’s license and a car so it’s easy for me to get around. I can go where I want, when I want (or nearly). Here, I have to wait until the schedules of the trains and buses coordinate to avoid long waits. Now I’ve gotten used to this and it’s less of a problem than it was in the beginning.
the whole rhythm of life. For instance, the stores are not opened between 1-3pm, the people who work have their lunch between 1-2:30pm etc….
One thing that has not changed from my family in Canada is that we cook and eat together. The fact that they eat pasta every day was a little hard for me to get used to because in Canada I have it maybe once a week. On the other hand, I like that they The pace of life for eat healthier food with Italians is very differ- less fat. ent than it is for Canadians. Here, I have When it comes to to get up at 5:45am household chores (or to get ready and go any help around the to school from 8am house), the members to 1pm. I arrive back of the family share home around 2:45pm them equally and and I eat lunch at 3pm. each person does his After, I do an activity or her part. or my homework. In the evening, we have Overall, I found adaptdinner around 9pm or ing to my new life eas9:30pm and then I’m ier than I expected. It off to bed at 11pm or hasn’t been perfect 11:30pm. The meal- and there have been times are really dif- difficulties along the ferent and I had a lot way but I am hapof difficulty adapting py with how my five to this new schedule. months here are goAnd mealtimes affect ing and progressing!
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The Developmental Model of Intercultural Sensitivity (DMIS) by Milton J. Bennett
The Developmental Model of Intercultural Sensitivity (DMIS) is widely accepted as a research based intercultural communications model. Although the concepts behind the model are sophisticated, this article, written by the model’s author, Dr. Milton Bennett, presents them in a straight-forward and easy to understand manner. The Developmental Model of Intercultural Sensitivity (DMIS) was created by Milton J. Bennett, Ph.D., (1986, 1993) as a framework to explain the reactions of people to cultural difference. In both academic and corporate settings, he observed that individuals confronted cultural difference in some predictable ways as they learned to become more competent intercultural communicators. Using concepts from cognitive psychology and constructivism, he organized these observations into six stages of increasing sensitivity to cultural difference. The underlying assumption of the model is that as one’s experience of cultural difference becomes more complex and sophisticated, one’s competence in intercultural relations
increases. Each stage indicates a particular cognitive structure that is expressed in certain kinds of attitudes and behavior related to cultural difference. By recognizing the underlying cognitive orientation toward cultural difference, predictions about behavior and attitudes can be made and education can be tailored to facilitate development into the next stage.
world is organized into “us and them,” where “we” are superior and “they” are inferior. People at Defense are threatened by cultural difference, so they tend to be highly critical of other cultures, regardless of whether the others are their hosts, their guests or cultural newcomers to their society.
MINIMIZATION of cultural difference is the state in which elements of one’s own cultural The first three DMIS stages world view are experienced as are ethnocentric, meaning universal. Because these abthat one’s own culture is ex- solutes obscure deep culturperienced as central to reality al differences, other cultures in some way. may be trivialized or romanticized. People at Minimization DENIAL of cultural difference expect similarities, and they is the state in which one’s own may become insistent about culture is experienced as the correcting others’ behavior to only real one. Other cultures match their expectations. are avoided by maintaining psychological and/or physi- The second three DMIS stagcal isolation from differences. es are ethnorelative, meanPeople at Denial generally ing that one’s own culture is are disinterested in cultural experienced in the context of difference, although they may other cultures. act aggressively to eliminate a difference if it impinges on ACCEPTANCE of cultural difthem. ference is the state in which one’s own culture is experiDEFENSE against cultural enced as just one of a numdifference is the state in which ber of equally complex worldone’s own culture (or an ad- views. Acceptance does not opted culture) is experienced mean agreement -cultural difas the only good one. The ference may be judged nega25
The Developmental Model of Intercultural Sensitivity (DMIS) by Milton J. Bennett (continuation) to communicate more effec- ates and “global nomads.” tively in another culture. The DMIS has been used INTEGRATION of cultural dif- with great success for more ference is the state in which than 20 years to develop curone’s experience of self is ex- riculum for intercultural eduADAPTATION to cultural dif- panded to include the move- cation and training programs. ference is the state in which ment in and out of different Content analysis research the experience of another cultural worldviews. People has supported the relevance culture yields perception and at Integration often are deal- of the stage descriptions and behavior appropriate to that ing with issues related to their has suggested that a more culture. One’s worldview is own “cultural marginality.” This rigorous measurement of the expanded to include con- stage is not necessarily better underlying cognitive states structs from other worldviews. than Adaptation in most situa- could yield a powerful tool for People at Adaptation are able tions demanding intercultural personal and group assessto look at the world “through competence, but it is common ment. different eyes” and may inten- among non-dominant minortionally change their behavior ity groups, longterm expatritively- but the judgment is not ethnocentric. People at Acceptance are curious about and respectful toward cultural difference.
Illustration by Julien Peyre 26
The Sherbrooke chapter is proudly presenting its special sugar shack feature! A little history about a typical activity in Quebec… Before the arrival of the French in Canada, the native people already knew of the maple water. Through a very rudimentary cut in the maple tree, they were able to catch this sugared water which they then boiled. After boiling, the liquid became dark, thick and very sweet. This was the beginnings of the maple syrup.
started to make different accessories to catch the maple water. During the 19th century, they used a rustic wick called “gouge” because of its round shape to pierce a hole in the maple tree and hand-made wooden blowtorches.
wooden pails or metal boilers. It was then taken to the Shack in a barrel that was placed on a cart pulled by a man in the front and a bull or a horse. All that was left to be done was to boil the maple water to get the syrup, the maple taffee and the sugar.
At the end of the 19th cenOur ancestors imitated the tury, they began to use a Amerindians. During the ear- wick to cut the maple trees, a ly years, they used to cut the metal blowtorch and a white tree with an axe and then they iron boiler. The boilers were Before 1850, the water was boiled in an iron cauldron which was hung from a branch on the trunk of the trees; it was the gallows in the forest. Then, time for the rustic sugar shack with its foyer made of old bricks and stones. (Source: Le Musee FrancoisPilote by Paul-Andre Leclerc) The evolution of the sugar shack follows its course. It is would attach a small piece of oval-shaped which prevented now your turn to find out more wood or a sheet metal called them from freezing. The sug- by following the small mean“goutterelle”, “goudrille” or ared water was caught using dering blue tubes! “coin”, according to the different areas where the cut in the tress was. The sugared water was caught in a small birch bark container called “cassot d’écorce”. They would place it on a board and they would keep it in place before introducing a small pebble. From this early stage our ancestors 27
Sherbrooke chapter’s Sugar Shack feature continuation The four young girls from AFS Sherbrooke (Yin Yee, Ella, Maria and Johanna) had the joy and opportunity to participate in Sugar Shack lunch at Le Bec Sucré de Valcourt. Below, Johanna and Yin Yee give their impressions on their visit…
Johanna Reheis, Austria: ‘‘ Today, we finally went to the Sugar Shack, the traditional Quebec activity. I was very anxious to go because everyone told me that the Sugar Shack meals are “soooooo good”. Luckily, I went with one of my friends to install the tubes to catch the syrup there so I already knew a bit about how the syrup was made. I was very happy that the owner of the sugar shack had shown us how to boil the maple water. Here, in Quebec, the syrup is almost omnipresent in dishes, but in
Austria it is very expensive because we do not have any sugar shacks and the syrup is imported. The food was indeed very good and I wasn’t surprised to see that everything could be eaten with maple syrup; even the eggs and the sausages were dipped in. Apart from the good meal, the highlight of the trip was when we ate the maple taffee from the snow. I really appreciated this activity and look forward to the next visit to the sugar shack. ‘‘
Yin Yee Chan, Hong Kong: ‘‘ The sugar shack does not exist in my country so it was a new experience for me. That day I was very happy. I took pictures with the sheep and the lunch was really good too. The most interesting part of the day was the maple taffee on the snow. I think that Quebecers are lucky because they have the possibility to go there. Also, there is something amazing about the maple syrup; it is natural, sweet and delicious. I really love the sugar shack. ‘‘ 28
Here is the new entertainment section of The Adventurer! In this edition, you will find three different games: spot the 10 differences, crossword puzzle and association game. You will find the solutions at the last page of the journal. Have fun!
Spot the 10 differences
(Leonor Spring, participant in South Africa, 2008)
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Crossword puzzle; a few AFS destinations 1
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9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
Horizontal : 1. -Country located in Northern Europe. Its capital is Oslo. -Country located in South America. Its capital is Quito. 3. -Country located in Southeast Asia. Its capital is Bangkok. -Country located in East Asia. Its capital is Tokyo. 5. -Country located in South America. Its capital is Santiago. -Country ocated in Central Europe. Its capital is Vienna. 7. -Country located on both Europe and Asia. Its capital is Moscow. 9. -Country located in South-Central Europe. Its capital is Rome. -Country located in Western Europe. Its capital is Paris. 11. -Country located in Southwestern Europe. Its capital is Madrid. -Country located in Northern Africa. Its capital is Tunis.
Vertical : 1. -Country located in North-West Europe. Its capital is Amsterdam. 3. -Country located in South America. Its capital is Buenos Aires. 5. -Country located in East Asia. Its capital is Beijing. 7. -Country located in South Asia. Its capital is New Delhi. -Country located in both Western Asia and Southeastern Europe. Its capital is Ankara. 9. -Country located in Northern Europe. Its capital is Helsinki. 11. Country located in Southeast Asia. Its capital is Kuala Lampur. -Country located in Northern Europe. Its capital is Stockholm. 13. -Country located in West Africa. Its capital is Accra. 17. -Country located in South America. Its capital is Asuncion. 19. -Country located in Northern Europe. Its capital is Copenhagen. 30
The game of floral emblems: associate the flower to the country it represents
Africa: 1. King Protea
Golden Shower Cassia . 6
2. Jasmine
Europe Lilac . 7
Americas 3. Guarianthe skinneri
4. Dahlia
Carnation . 8
Oceania Golden Wattle. 9
Asia 5. Peony
Koru. 10
Australia, China, Costa Rica, Mexico, New Zealand, Serbia, Spain, Thailand, Tunisia and South Africa 31
Solutions Spot the 10 differences
Floral emblems
Crossword puzzle 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
1 N E T H E R L A N D S
2 3 4 5 6 7 O R W A Y I H A I L A N R D G C H I E H A N I T N I T A L Y N P A I N T U R K E Y
8 9 10 11 12 13 G M H D J A P A L N L E A A Y R U S S I A I F R A N C I U N I S I A L W A E N D D E N
14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 E C U A D O R E N P N A M U S T R I A A R G K U E A Y
Africa : 1. King Protea - South Africa 2. Jasmine - Tunisia Americas 3. Guarianthe skinneri - Costa Rica 4. Dahlia - Mexico Asia 5. Peony - China 6. Golden Shower Cassia - Thailand Europe 7. Lilac - Serbia 8. Carnation - Spain Oceania 9. Golden Wattle - Australia 10. Koru -New Zealand 32