@elp magazine, Issue 5, April 2016

@elp MAGAZINE

Issue 5 April 2016

A summary of the academics, activities and accomplishments at the English Language Program

Winter Camping with ELP at YMCA Camp Wanakita • Volunteering Leaves a Lasting Impression Spring Is Here: A Guide to the Season in Toronto

CONTENTS

@elp MAGAZINE

EDITOR & DESIGN Dan Pinese

STAFF CONTRIBUTORS Sara Bolourchian Francesca Campos Fadia Cocco Chris Chipman Emma De Leeuw Jennifer Harris Jessica Lim Christopher Penaranda Jessica Pinheiro Da Silva Mustafa Sarier Karen Thomson Eileen Wu

Cover Photograph: “Nathan Phillips Square,”

by Fadia Cocco

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

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ELP Success Story Abdullah Biran

Personal Statements Questions to Consider

ACADEMICS

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A Big Step

7 9 10 11 39

Cancun The Uyghurs Spring Festival Our First Visit to the Falls Two Poems

ACTIVITIES

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ELP GOES TO WINTER CAMP

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20 Skiing 21 Broomball 22 High-Ropes 24 Snowshoeing 26 Tobogganing

14 Volunteering 17 More Than 20 Hours 28 My Canadian Experience Kwansei Gakuin 30 University Arts and Culture in 32 Toronto 33 Toronto’s Harbourfront 34 ELP on Instagram 36 Spring Is Here!

@elp MAGAZINE

accomplishments

ELP Success Story Abdullah Biran

Congratulations to former ELP student Abdullah Biran whose personal research paper has been accepted for publication at the 29th Canadian Conference in Electrical and Computer Engineering (CCECE) in Vancouver in May 2016.

The CCECE is a conference for researchers, professionals and students who specialize in Computer and Electrical Engineering.

With keynote speakers and faculty from major Canadian universities and technology companies, it is great to see an English Language Program alumnus, their ideas and research in such distinguished company.

Have a wonderful time in Vancouver, Abdullah!

Share Your Success!

We love hearing from our former students. Since our students come from all over the world, there is always a fascinating story to tell our community. Contact us and let us know about the great things you have been up to since your studies at the English Language Program.

Email us at learn.english@utoronto.ca

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accomplishments @elp

Personal Statements Top 5 Questions to Consider

By: Emma De Leeuw, University and College Application Support Program Assistant

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niversity and College Application Support (UCAS) at the English Language Program (ELP) helps students through the process of applying to universities and colleges in Ontario and Canada. We offer information workshops related to undergraduate applications, graduate school applications, resume editing and personal statement editing. One-on-one appointments can be booked for more specific application questions and feedback.

One of the most important aspects of a graduate program is the personal statement. Some undergraduate programs may ask for the same information, but often it is not called a personal statement. The personal statement is a way for the admissions committee to look beyond your transcript, resume and references. The personal statement is your opportunity to prove to the Admissions Committee why you are a qualified candidate. Essentially, you are explaining how your past experiences have taught you skills that will allow you to be successful in the prospective academic

program. Personal statements can vary widely; some schools will provide you with a very specific question, while most want a general statement.

Below are 5 questions that you should answer to some degree within your personal statement.

1. When and how did you develop an interest in this field?

This is an important detail to include. A student’s interest in a particular field does not develop from nowhere. Often times a particular course or experience sparked interest in a particular field. This also allows the Admissions Committee to understand you better by knowing what drives you.

2. What have you done to develop your interest in this field?

It is very important to address your past experiences (work, volunteer, research, sports, hobbies, etc.) within your personal statement. Here you 5

accomplishments can address how your interest has changed or developed. It is important to be selective in choosing which past experiences to highlight. Often its best to focus on what is most meaningful to you as it relates to your application.

3. How have these experiences developed the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in your field?

Demonstrating how your experiences have developed certain skills that are related to your field is probably the most important part of the personal statement. You are trying to prove to the admissions committee that you have the necessary skills which were learned through your experiences. Although this may seem obvious to you, it may not be for the Admissions Committee so try to be as clear as possible.

4. What are your career goals? How will completing this program help achieve your goal?

You want to state your career goals and explain how this academic program relates to your long term career goals. It is important for the admissions committee to understand what purpose this graduate degree and what you want from it. This is of particular importance when you are applying to a graduate program in a field different from your undergraduate focus.

5. Why is this university and program your top choice?

This question can significantly strengthen your personal statement. In order to adequately explain why the institution is your top choice, you must research and actually know what you like and what you don’t like about the institution, the program structure, faculty members, or specific courses.

If you are applying to different institutions, this section of your personal statement will be different for each school. (Although you should try to write a different personal statement for each school you apply to).

The personal statement can be a great addition to your academic application. Start off by having an understanding of what you want from the degree, your research interests and your long term goals.

Then browse the different program and institutions available. Doing the research ahead of time will make it easier to write the personal statement and will be more convincing to the Admissions Committee.

For one-on-one personal statement support or anything related to the application process, look at the UCAS board in the lobby or stop by the main office for more information!

One-on-one Application Support Students who wish to have a one-on-one appointment with an Application Support team member should send an email to Emma with the following information: ELP Course, Level, and the university/college program of interest.

Contact Emma: emma.deleeuw@utoronto.ca

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academics @elp

Disclaimer: Due to our diverse student population, we receive many opinion-based articles relating to global and current affairs. The views expressed in this magazine are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the English Language Program. The English Language Program does not endorse, represent or warrant the quality of products or companies mentioned within.

Cancun By: Bokyung Park of South Korea, Academic English Level 60

M

y friend Haruno and I went to Cancun! Mexico is a really popular destination for vacations. We arrived in Cancun on a Friday night, and the next day we had a tour to visit Chichen-Itza, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. This first picture is the main temple in Chichen-Itza which was made by the Maya. When I listened to the tour guide’s explanation about the temple, it was really surprising! This structure itself is a huge calendar. That’s why the total number of all the stairs is exactly 365. Moreover, on each step there are snakes, which the Maya admired and they are named Kukulkan. It was really amazing that Mayans made this building in the 9th century. In ChichenItza, they had a lot of souvenirs, such as clothes, hats, magnets and so on. Because we didn’t bring clothes for the beach, Haruno and I bought dresses together.

I wore sunglasses and it helped me to have the confidence to haggle. For this reason, we were able to buy clothes for almost half the price.

After coming back to Cancun, we found a market.

In this place we could feel the Mexicans’ energy. There was music and people were dancing full of enjoyment.

Because I rarely dance, it was a fresh experience. I experienced the Mexicans’ enthusiastic dance culture not only in the market but also at the restaurants. We went to a restaurant for dinner and they played music for the people eating. After finishing eating delicious food, such as tacos and drinks, the waiter asked us to stay longer because there would be dancing after. Even so, we were so tired because of starting the day early in the morning so we went back to our hotel.

The next day, we went to a really beautiful beach called Playa Delfines. As you can see in the last picture, the color of the ocean was unbelievable. For more than hour, we just walked and enjoyed the scenery at the beach. That great spectacle made us feel like we were in a dream. In Korea, I live in Busan, which is located near a beach. After coming to Toronto I couldn’t find any beautiful beaches. I missed the smell of the sea and the sound of waves. When I was in Korea I walked along the seashore whenever I had free time. When I walked along Playa Delfines, I could feel relaxation free of any concerns in my life. When it was time to come back home, it was little bit sad because we had to go back to our daily lives. Despite this, it was worthwhile since I had a chance to refresh my mood and make memorable experiences with my friend.

Chichen-Itza

Playa Delfines 7

academics

A Big Step

By: Joseph Maghamez of Syria, Academic English Level 50

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mmigrating is the one of the biggest steps that the human being can do during their life.

To do this step one must forget about their past whatever it was and start again.

However, immigrating is usually to a better place so you will experience a lot of new good things such as new cultures, new life styles, especially if you are from another side of the world, and many other good things about your new country.

One of the good places you might immigrate to is Toronto, Canada. In my opinion Canada is the best place to start a new career and phase in your life because there is equal opportunity for everyone to be successful despite where they have come from.

For me as a new-comer student it is a little bit hard to stand on my feet for the first few weeks, which is normal to every new-comer, but after spending some time in this city you can get a lot of information easily, because a lot of the people that you meet help as much as they can. Moreover, they will give you the easiest way to get on the right track by giving some advice, which for me is the best thing about this city because in my home country, students don’t have advisers to ask them about what to do after high school. So, some just pick a major or a direction because their parents tell to, or because of society’s perception to them.

Another wonderful thing about Canada is that it is a very open minded country so you can feel free to do and say whatever you want and no one will stop you (legally of course). The diversity of cultures in Canada is great too.

In the end you can see that society is kind and ready to help you whenever you come and ask for it.

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The Uyghurs

By: Abulimiti Kanmanerye of China, Academic English Level 60

Xinjiang Province

China M

y name is Kamarya. I’m from China and I’m a Uyghur/uː.iˈɡʊr/ (‫)رۇغيۇئ‬. I have been studying at the English Language Program (ELP) in University of Toronto (UofT) since last September. I feel embarrassed when ELP students ask me about my home country because they are shocked after they find out I’m from China due to my appearance. Thus, I want to give a brief introduction about Uyghurs such as their history and traditions, and I will sum up with my thoughts.

I hope readers, after reading this article, will have awareness about Uyghur people.

Uyghur is an ethnic group which belongs to the Turkish family. According to geneticists, Uyghurs are a “Eurasian population with Eastern and Western Eurasian anthropometric and genetic traits” (Wikipedia). However, there are still some arguments about this since no one can demonstrate exactly where Uyghurs come from. It is a really long history, and I’m not able to write every single detail due to time and my limited knowledge. Some history books state that throughout the centuries, there have been a few names which indicate Uyghurs’ ancestry, like Sarts, Chantou, Turk or Turki, Oghuz, Altishahr, and so on, but now we are called Uyghur.

In the past decades, there were a large number of great kingdoms in Central Asia that were established by Uyghur people. Among these kingdoms, the Karakhanid Dynasty was the most prosperous one and Uyghurs experienced very great development in this period. There have been very famous writers, philosophers, and scholars among my people. The books that were

written by these people have become major resources for the study of East and Central Asian history. One example is KutadguBiliq /kuːˈtɑːdɡuː ˈbɪlɪk/ “Wisdom of Royal Glory,” by Yusuf Khass Hajib which was a gift for a prince and which states the author’s feelings and perspectives with four main symbolized characteristics to the kingdom. Another is Dīwānu l-Luġat al-Turk “A Dictionary of Turkic Dialects.” This is a first general dictionary of Turkic languages by Muhammad Al Kashgari. Muqam is another valuable heritage for all humanity. It is a collection of folk melodies.

According to Wikipedia, it includes 12 parts; each of them contains 20-30 songs and music. It takes 24 hours to perform all Muqam. Moreover, there are traditional dances and clothes for different music types. Uyghur cuisines are also well-known and each of them has its own unique taste and is highly nutritious; for instance, some of them are very good for seniors who have digestion problems.

Since 1949, the territory that Uyghurs have been living in has had a new Chinese name, Xinjiang, which means new domination. Furthermore, Uyghurs accepted Islam thousands of years ago; therefore, Islamic culture and Uyghur culture mixed throughout the long history.

Having a small population around the world, modern Uyghur people are trying to show their identity while they study in multicultural environments. In addition, personally, I am considered a member of this minority group in the world. Uyghurs have special culture and language that needs to be explored more and more.

Although this article cannot fully represent all of Uyghur society, I hope the readers will have better understanding about this group after reading it.

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academics

Spring Festival By: Meng Xiao of China, Academic English Level 60

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ast February was my first time spending the spring festival in Toronto since my family moved here 4 months ago. By participating in this lunar new year activity, I felt much happier and less homesick.

Last month, I made a hard decision, which was sending my daughter back to China in order to focus on the Level 60 course completely. When the Lunar New Year was coming, I missed my family so much. For the Chinese people, Lunar New Year (also called the Spring Festival) is the most important holiday of the year. Through centuries of China’s agrarian tradition, this is the one period when farmers could rest from their work in the fields. Family members come together to welcome in the new with great celebratory flourish.

The activity was amazing. ELP provided us with a lot of ways to enjoy Lunar New Year. The culture of Lunar New year was shown in various ways. 2016 will be the Year of the Monkey. Chinese Zodiac and Kirigami were well introduced, and a couple of students drew or cut beautiful pictures of their signs during the activity. Moreover, seasonal food and traditional snacks were provided for the students as well.

Thanks for the Lunar New Year activity ELP! I really enjoyed and appreciated it.

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Our First Visit to the Falls By: Meng Xiao of China, Academic English Level 60

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brand new life started when my family moved to Toronto as immigrants four months ago.

Canada is a destination bursting with activities for families with kids of all ages, which makes our life so colorful. The most amazing memory during this period of time was my family’s first vacation to Niagara Falls.

Teachers in the English Language Program always recommend Niagara Falls as the perfect place for a family vacation, and that is why we took our daughter Eugene there for our first trip in Canada. When Eugene first saw the Falls she got so scared and wanted to run away. The power of the falling water and whooshing noise made me a little bit afraid at first even though the Falls looked very colourful like a rainbow at night.

The Niagara Falls area is not only beautiful but also has a number of historical sites that are both educational and fun to explore. When Eugene played with other kids, we told them about the Canadian heroine Laura Secord, who warned James Fitz Gibbon of a planned American attack during the War of 1812, which caught each child’s eye.

Niagara Falls is really a fun place, and if you have spare time, do not hesitate to enjoy the weekend there!

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@elp

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Volunteering

By: Jessica Lim, Cultural Assistant, MA Candidate, University of Toronto

I

Foodshare

think it is safe to say that volunteering is the most popular activity at the English Language Program.

Throughout the year, we volunteer for various organizations, including FoodShare, the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre, the Canadian Diabetes Association, Canada Running Series, The Scott Mission, and many more. Here is a taste of the kinds of organizations we have volunteered for this year: FoodShare is a wonderful nonprofit organization whose aim is to educate and promote the community about the importance of fresh, whole foods to our health and to end hunger. Every week, a group of volunteers assisted in their warehouse by organizing food orders.

The Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre is a terrific organization that celebrates and shares Japanese culture and heritage with all Canadians. We help out with many of their annual events. To welcome spring, they held their annual Spring Festival in the beginning of March, where there were demonstrations of a variety of martial arts, traditional Japanese dance performances, and exhibitions of Japanese arts and crafts.

This winter, we began volunteering with the Smilezone Foundation, whose mission is to better the lives of children who are dealing with disabilities and illnesses by “putting smiles on children’s faces.�

Volunteers helped at the Toronto Rock lacrosse games by selling 50/50 tickets to raise money for charity.

To get an even better idea about volunteering at ELP, I have asked some of our fantastic volunteers to share their experiences!

Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre

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“ELP volunteering is amazing. There are lots of events every week and all of them are pretty well organized.

I was able to make so many friends through these events. Also students can have connection with local people, which helps you build your experiences outside ELP. Thanks ELP!” —Ryo Kataoka, Academic English Level 50­ “I could make many friends not only in ELP but also native friends through this volunteer. That is a great opportunity for English learner! I am very satisfied.”

—Ayaka Yamamoto, Academic English Level 50 “If you’re looking for a way to give back to the community, complete your 20 hours or experience a different kind outing such as FoodShare, 50/50 Smilezone so on. Volunteering during study at ELP is your best bet.”

—Charanda Charoenphiphob, Academic English Level 50 “I joined various kinds of activities. One of the most impressive volunteer activities for me was at Blake Street Public School. This school held Valentine Day Dance Festival. Volunteer members divided several tasks such as taking care of students who do face or nail painting and make crafts and giving the cotton candy or popcorns to children. While helping the festival, I enjoyed communicating with Canadian teachers, students, parents. Whenever I was in trouble, I asked some questions and everyone helped me kindly. I had a great and memorable time.”

—Hiromi Oyama, Academic English Level 60

“The good point about volunteering is that you can learn something you can’t learn in the classroom.

For example, you can learn about how important diversity is and how important it is to help people. I also learned that people are very open to foreigners in Canada. You learn things you can’t learn in the classroom and these experiences make you grow up.

Trying new things in different countries is fun and working and talking with random people is also fun!

It is not as diverse in Japan and Saudi Arabia, so you have the opportunity to experience many cultures when you volunteer in Toronto. And you can practice English in real situations!”

—Yuji Imai, Academic English Level 50 “Volunteer working at ELP for me was so enriching and interesting. The experience that had I gotten in these activities will be always reminded for me and for sure will be positively significant on my career development. What I can tell you is that being part of these volunteer activities helped me a lot to understand how grateful is working in a group with friends and people that you do not even know. In addition to this, l intensively practiced my English in a relaxed and funny way during these working. For those reasons, I do really recommend you to volunteer and to give yourself a chance to explore your passionate side by helping people.”

—Gustavo Ikeda, Academic English Level 50

“I have joined a lot of volunteering activities because it is not common in Japan. I had many opportunities to make friends and learn about different cultures.

This is not only for myself but also for many people.

I hope I can make use of these experiences in my future.” ­—Miku Yamaguchi, Academic English Level 60

Smilezone

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activities “I experienced many kinds of volunteers. One of merits of joining volunteers is being able to make new friends who are from various countries.

Through volunteers I met not only new ELP friends but also many other friends at the volunteer place.

Every time I enjoyed volunteers, and also it was good English practice for me.”

—Risa Kohama, Academic English Level 60

Blake Street Public School

“Volunteer activities in ELP were fantastic experiences in my student life here. As a new immigrant, volunteering offers me a lot of chances to communicate with people from different backgrounds and countries, which was really amazing. During the last several months, I have participated in various volunteer activities that helped me understand the local culture and cultural diversity better. For instance, it was so interesting to pack various fruits and vegetables for FoodShare. Also, my first time watching an exciting Lacrosse match was after selling 50/50 tickets in Air Canada Center, which was meaningful and full of fun. In other words, you can experience a lot more than you might expect by volunteering at ELP. “ —Meng Xiao, Academic English Level 60 “By volunteering, I experienced the Canadian life and also used my own abilities to assist others. I participated in various volunteering activities such as JCCC Spring Festival, Smilezone 50/50 ticket selling, and North York Arts, and I enjoy seeing the smiles of the participants and earning recognition from organizations because the things that I do seem helpful to them. In retrospect, I felt nervous when I volunteered for the first time; however, Cultural Assistants help and encourage us. You may be missing opportunities to experience Canada if you have not volunteered yet, but it is not too late to join from now!” ­—Chao Ling Teng, Academic English Level 60 “My favorite volunteer opportunity was when I helped at Chester Elementary School for their Math Games Night. It was so much fun to play with those kids. They were so happy and satisfied. Even a trifle thing could make them laugh for a long time. There was a game called, “How many chocolate eggs in the bottle?” (There were 149 eggs). Almost one hundred kids came to the table because every kid wanted to win the chocolate.

They were asked to write down their name and the number. There was a little boy who was too small to write his number, so I helped him. He guessed one thousand million! The boy was really cute! Before the end of the evening, I was helping to clean up and a little boy suddenly came to me and gave me a goodbye kiss. At that moment my heart was full of joy. The nervousness and worries were gone. The children gave me such a real feeling of belonging and satisfaction.

Sometimes language isn’t a barrier because the way we express happiness, satisfaction, and embarrassment is impressively similar, regardless of the nation one comes from. It is really cool to be a volunteer. I enjoyed improving my English while having fun at the same time!”

—Xiaotong Qin, English Plus Intermediate

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50/50 Ticket Selling

“Volunteering is a great experience for people from other countries because you can improve your language skills, meet new people, and obviously, give back to the community. Not only do these opportunities help you to improve your English, but also they help you to talk and learn with other volunteers about different cultures.

Additionally, you can better understand the Canadian culture of helping people, the main foundation of this community. I have volunteered at many different events, such as marathons, packing food and gifts for events and selling tickets for charities at sports games. Without a doubt, I would encourage you to be part of these kinds of experiences because it makes being in Canada fun.”

—Hector Milani Saez, Academic English Level 60

More Than 20 Hours By: Jessica Pinheiro Da Silva, ELP Cultural Assistant, Studying Environment and Health, University of Toronto

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s a unique aspect of being surrounded in Canadian Culture, engaging in volunteer initiatives may be something new for many students coming to Toronto. As a part of the education system, high school students in Canada are required to complete forty hours of volunteer work. Many Canadian students are introduced to being a part of volunteer opportunities early and continue their volunteer work beyond what is required of them. In addition, having these experiences develops great characteristics to take with you into the world of jobs. There is great satisfaction in feeling purpose and accomplishment which makes all the hard work worth it.

At ELP there are plenty of opportunities for you to get exposed to Toronto culture and engage in volunteer experiences. From the weekly FoodShare visits, to our amazing one time events, every time is a new experience and a new learning opportunity.

My first shift volunteering with ELP was also the first time I volunteered in four years. Serving people at the Scott Mission helped me value the significance of helping others, in addition to the blessings in my life. In most cases, students see this as perhaps the most to gain from volunteering.

There is more.

My latest shift at FoodShare taught me more than I hoped with less than I expected. For those not familiar with it, volunteering at FoodShare consists of sorting and gathering fruits and vegetables according to a pre-determined list with specific quantities. These orders are then shipped to local families across Toronto to be distributed. At first, I thought the most I would ever get out of it was learning of names of specific fruit and vegetables and of course, refining my mental math skills. But, I learned more. I learned about team work. What it means to work under stress, with scarce resources and limited time. I learned more about me. I learned more about my leadership style and how I can improve to be better.

What I learned is by no means the limit. What you get out of your volunteer experience is up to you.

All you have to do is allow yourself the experience and reflect on it. Allow yourself to have fun, allow yourself to care for others, allow yourself to do good. Don’t let yourself stop because you are done your twenty hours. If you like it, keep going.

Keep volunteering and reaching for new horizons.

Because finding time to get volunteer work done can also mean finding time to find yourself.

Foodshare

Walk for Memories

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The Winter I’ll Never Forget ELP at YMCA Camp Wanakita

By: Francesca Campos, ELP Cultural Assistant, Studying Environmental Science, University of Toronto

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ut of all the years I have lived in Canada, this winter was the mildest one I have ever experienced. When I heard that I had the opportunity to go winter camping with ELP, I was excited but worried that we wouldn’t have enough snow to do all the fun activities. However, up in Haliburton­—a county three hours away from Toronto— was a different site. At the camp, we were completely surrounded by evergreen trees that replaced the high-rise buildings in the city. We had an abundance of snow that was more than enough to make our weekend memorable.

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The first night, we played broomball on ice — a Canadian game that closely resembles hockey.

Many of us had never played it before but as we got used to running on ice, each of us got more and more competitive. Even though it was more than negative ten degrees Celsius, we were sweating by the end of it! There were many slips and clashes but thanks to our protective gears, everyone was safe. I joked around that this was how Canadians stayed warm in the winter but it wasn’t far from the truth. As we got deeper into the night, the darkness cloaked over the camp. The bright snow was our main source of light which guided us back to our cabins. Although the students had a tiring night, they stayed up until midnight and gathered around the small bonfire and exchanged excitement over the first day of camp.

On the second day, students had the opportunity to do so many Canadian winter activities. Each of them tackled the high ropes, went cross-country skiing in the forest, sled down the high hills, and snowshoed down to the lake. After being outside all day, everyone always looked forward to eating in the dining hall. Every meal was a delicious one at Camp Wanakita­— we were overwhelmed with so much high energy activities that by meal time we were all focused on eating! At the end of the day, we went for a night walk in the middle of the forest.

The camp leader encouraged us to put away our flashlights and put away our phones. The only thing that guided us was one small lantern. As we moved through the forest, we found that our eyes adjusted to the darkness. At one point, we were instructed to stay quiet so that we can really listen to all of our surroundings. Right after our hike, we went by the lake where we found a bonfire built just for us. We roasted marshmallows, made s’mores, and enjoyed each other’s company. One of the leaders brought out her violin and provided us with music while we kept warm and listened by the fire. It was a relaxing way to end the second day at Wanakita.

On the last day we had an opportunity to go tobogganing again. Everyone still had copious amount of energy — the students all threw snowballs each time someone went down the hill. One student even found a shovel and started throwing snow with it! It seemed like everyone was really enjoying their time. The next thing you know, three days flew by just like that. As a person who has lived in Canada for ten years, this was the first time I experienced most of the activities that we did at Camp Wanakita. This was the first time I have felt truly “Canadian.” Winter camping showed me a side of Canada that I have only ever seen on television.

As much as I love Toronto, going camping was the best way to experience a side of Canada that people from the city don’t get to see as much.

It was a great way to appreciate the beautiful landscapes of our country while also do cool, new winter activities!

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CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING At Camp Wanakita, the students had the opportunity to learn cross-country skiing. In a little cabin, we all huddled inside where the leader advised us about what skis and pole sizes to use. When we all put on our appropriate gear, the leader showed us proper technique so that we would be able to move without falling. Crosscountry is different from regular downhill skiing because we actually need to use our whole body to move. While gravity lifts most of the effort in downhill skiing, in cross-country you have to move your legs as if you were skating while using your poles to help push against the snow. We didn’t have lifts to help us go on top of the hills, but they were small enough that we were able to walk up with our skis on. At first, we all struggled because we were still getting used to our skis. Many of us fell down a couple of times from tripping on our own skis! Nonetheless, we conquered the hills and sped through it like experts.

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BROOMBALL It was a spirited game of broomball on the first night. Before we hit the ice, we suited up in our helmets and elbow pads, grabbed our broomball sticks and ran back and forth across an ice rink. The goal was simple: with our sticks and by passing to our teammates, try to shoot a ball in the opposing team’s net.

However, it is not so simple when you are walking and running on ice! Though some did fall down, we were very well protected and this activity may have been the most fun for all.

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THE HIGH-ROPES The high ropes obstacle course was a challenge that most of the students overcame in Camp Wanakita. Our obstacle was simply a humungous T-shaped structure that was placed in the middle of the forest. The goal was to climb to the top of the obstacle. At first, we all thought it was impossible. However, with the help of the harnesses, each other, and the leaders, the students were able to reach their goals. This activity required lots of trust and communication. Each student had to climb up the structure with the belief that their fellow ELP classmates would protect them if they ever fell.

The ones belaying had to pay attention to the person climbing at all times so they can see how much rope to pull for security. As one person conquered the obstacle after another, almost everyone eventually climbed to the top. We all encouraged the student climbing every time. At one point, one student was struggling to sit on the very top. We told her that it’s okay if she wanted to go down. However, she persevered and conquered her own struggles. There were some who were afraid of the height when they got to the top. Everyone below tried to comfort them by telling them to look up in the sky so it wouldn’t be that bad. There was definitely lots of laughter which lightened many of our worries. The encouragement and assurance from everyone let each student conquer their own goals at that obstacle and definitely brought us closer together.

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SNOWSHOEING There is no better way to go for a walk in a snow covered forest than doing that walk with snowshoes. Plus, the site of Camp Wanakita is huge with so much to see. It helps that we had quite a warm day as well; so, the idea of walking in the snow wasn’t so daunting. And it was a lot of fun and the students took the experience for all it was worth, examining their surroundings, throwing snowballs (of course!) and taking many beautiful pictures. It’s not every day you can walk through a quiet forest, passing by tree after tree on your way to a beaver dam.

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TOBOGGANING Tobogganing should be an experience that everyone should do at least once.

It’s such a fun way to overcome cold, snowy winters here in Canada. At camp, the students sled down the snowy hill that was surrounded by the evergreen trees. Everyone threw snowballs every time someone went down the hill which made watching even more entertaining.

A popular target was our lovely Cultural Assistant, Mustafa, whom everyone called out every time he went down the hill. Every time the students found out that it was his turn, they would all gather and readied the snow balls for him when he comes down. Everyone, including Mustafa, had the best timewe laughed and enjoyed each other’s company while tobogganing.

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My Canadian Experience Winter Camping

By: Mustafa Ersin Sarier, ELP Cultural Assistant Master’s of Applied Science Candidate, University of Toronto

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MCA Wanakita is located on Koshlong Lake near Haliburton in central Ontario, Canada. The camp Wanakita is 213 kilometers north-west of Toronto. It takes around two and a half hours to get there.

This was my third ELP winter camping trip at Camp Wanakita since I came to Canada. I joined my first trip while I was studying Academic English here at the ELP. I joined my second and third trips as a cultural assistant with great students and staff from ELP. The annual Winter Camping Trip holds an important place for me as it is one of my favourite activities and events at ELP. I experienced skiing, broomball, snowball fights, tobogganing, snowshoeing, camp fires all for the first time in my life at Winter Camp. There, I became close with Cultural Assistants and my fellow classmates and got to know them better thanks to this opportunity.

Before coming to Canada, I knew that Canada is famous with its winter and winter activities. Winter camping with ELP far away from city in the middle of Canadian nature and the snow and location provides a very special, unforgettable experience not to mention memories for me. Staying away from technology, responsibilities and stress of our lives for a limited time also makes winter camping trip so special and unforgettable. Besides, I gained long lasting friendships with students from all over the world thanks to this trip.

Similarly, my second and third camping trips as cultural assistant were really great and fun.

Certainly, the three times I have gone on the ELP Winter Camping Trip gave me memories that will last a lifetime. I really wish that one day, I will get a chance to join this trip with ELP, staff and students again. Although I recently completed my degree at the University of Toronto and may not have the opportunity again. This is the ELP event that I will deeply miss. Moreover, the YMCA Wanakita staff and the food at the Camp are also awesome.

If you would like to experience real Canadian winter and winter activities by making long lasting friends, ELP Winter Camping is the great opportunity for everyone. I am really lucky, grateful and happy that I got a chance to join this trip before I graduate this year. This is the camping trip that you should definitely try at least once when you come to ELP.

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activities

Kwansei Gakuin University Our Favourite Experiences By: Christopher Penaranda, ELP Cultural Assistant

“My favourite experience is watching Ice Hockey game in Toronto, because I haven’t watched the game before. So, it was exciting!!!!”

– Miyu Shimamoto

“My favourite experience is going to Niagara Falls and Broadway. It was fantastic!! If I comeback to Canada I want to go there again!”

– Miyazaki Norika

“My favourite experience is watching Ice Hockey game. Because it was very exciting and I hadn’t watched it before I came to Toronto!!”

– Saki Oesuki & Kaorako Toda 30

“My favourite experience is watching NBA!! Also, Canadians are very kind.”

– Satomi Matsuoka

“My favourite experience in Canada is going to Niagara Falls. It’s very beautiful sight! And Big Sound! I can’t forget this scene” – Tomoki Taguchi

“My favourite experience was going to Montreal. I spent a beautiful time” – Nao Asaki

“My best experience was making foreign friends. I’m so happy to meet them!! I know their Instagram Account so I can contact with them. Ill comeback!!”

– Saki Izuta

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activities

Arts and Culture in Toronto

By: Fadia Cocco, ELP Cultural Assistant, Studying Art History, Political Science & Religion, University of Toronto

Royal Ontario Museum

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o matter the month or the season, there is always something going on at the English Language Program. The role of a Cultural Assistant is quite amazing. We are able to meet so many different people from around the world and experience the city with them. There are activities we participate in and sites we see alongside our students as Cultural Assistants, are ones that we would have never got to do if not for ELP – allowing us to be a tourist in our own city.

A lot of the activities in our social activities calendar revolve around Toronto’s Art and Culture.

The city of Toronto explodes with the amount of arts, culture and historic sites that is has for our residents and visitors. I have lived in Toronto all my life, and it is safe to say that I have not yet had a chance to visit all of these places, there are just so many Some of the ones that I have had the chance to visit while being at ELP are Casa Loma, The Art Gallery of Ontario, Royal Ontario Museum, City Hall and the list continues. To get a better idea of what to expect when visiting here is a little information on some of them.

CN Tower: The CN Tower is Toronto’s and one of the world’s tallest and most extravagant landmarks. At its highest point the CN Tower is 1,815.4 feet high. It features a glass floor, 113- stories above the ground along with a magnificent indoor and outdoor view of the city. It is quite a unique experience that has inspired many to test their nerves of heights. For an extra cost, the sky pod is available for those who really want to have that extra experience, at 147 stories above the ground, as well as an additional interactive experience. The Tower is open 364 days a year and is located in the heart of Downtown Toronto, between the Rogers Centre and Ripley’s Aquarium.

Casa Loma: Casa Loma is Canada’s historic castle

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that sits on a hill at the top of Spadina Rd. and Davenport. It is one of Toronto’s most seen sites due to its beauty and history. It showcases the culture and architecture of the early 1900’s, while featuring secret passageways, spectacular gardens and interior design. Casa Loma is open daily from 9:30 AM to 5 PM. It is definitely a sight to see for those who want to be taken back into time.

Royal Ontario Museum (ROM): The ROM sits on the corner of Avenue Rd. and Bloor Street. It is filled with five floors of galleries and exhibitions of showcasing art, world culture natural history, stretching from Asia to North America and everywhere in between. It is the largest museum in Canada and is a main attraction for visitors from all over the world. Catch the ROM’s displays including dinosaurs, along with international textiles and costumes. The ROM is free all-day for students who present their T-Card on Tuesdays and is Half-price admission on Fridays from 4:30 PM to 9:30 PM. It is truly one of the greatest ways to connect with the historic past, and recognize how the world has evolved to what it is today.

Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO): The AGO is a five minute walk from St. Patrick station. It is one of the largest art museums in North America and holds a wide variety of collections ranging from renaissance to modern and contemporary art. The AGO is free for everyone on Wednesdays between 6 PM and 9 PM. It is one of my favourite places, because not only is there a chance to be amongst the work of some of the greatest artists, the building itself works as a piece of architectural art – featuring a beautiful view of the city.

Art Gallery of Ontario

Toronto’s Harbourfront By: Eileen Wu, ELP Cultural Assistant, Studying Commerce, University of Toronto

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ight on the edge of Lake Ontario in the shadow of the CN Tower, kids race in circles, couples go on first dates, and the splendor of Canadian winter can be seen in all its glory. There’s not a more Canadian pastime than skating and though Toronto is far from any natural frozen ponds and Lake Ontario is too big to freeze all the way through, Torontonians can still get their winter fix at the Harbourfront Centre skating rink.

Most of the ELP students this session had never been skating before, but after their time in Canada and many trips to the Harbourfront Centre, they all became pros in the nation’s favourite pastime. They start out wobbly on their skates, but soon enough, the rink was full of laughter and happy chatting as they all zipped around.

The Harbourfront Centre has a convenient rental shop where the students can rent skates, helmets, and lockers. The rink itself plays fun popular music while everyone skates in circles watching the sunset

sparkle over the lake and ice. And if you start getting cold, it even offers a café for a quick break and snack.

More than anything though, the students got a one-of-a-kind experience skating at the Harbourfront Centre. Though Toronto boasts many rinks, including one at Nathan Phillips Square under city hall lights and our new ‘Toronto’ sign, the Harboufront Centre offers an unparalleled view of the lake and city skyline. Often times, students finish skating only to go on a walk down the boardwalk instead of heading home. Even in the winter, the Queens Quay boardwalk is a stunning sight. There’s art at the Power Plant Contemporary Art Gallery, stunning yachts and boats to marvel at in the marina, and little gardens scattered throughout the walk.

The Harbourfront really is one of the best ways to spend a winter’s day in Toronto. So don’t fear the cold winds and plummeting temperatures! Toronto will always find a way to welcome you.

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ELP on Instagram #UofTELP

uoftelp: #UofTELP students take over Niagara Falls! The view was definitely worth the cold weather.

uoftelp: KGU students looked over the city today from the top of the tower. #UofTELP

uoftelp: #UofTELP skated around the #Harbourfront today.

uoftelp: Pool hall on a Wednesday. Never a bad idea #UofTELP

uoftelp: ELP was full of hearts today #UofTELP #Valentines2016

alysiahsieh: To all: Yesterday I made a card in #UofTELP

uoftelp: Yesterday, students from Kanda University of International Studies took a tour of the University of Toronto campus and this great photograph in front of University College. Welcome to #UofTELP!

uoftelp: #UofTELP students got to experience fun winter activities in Camp Wanakita this weekend!

uoftelp: #uoftelp students skating at the harbourfront centre in the chilly weather

uoftelp: #UofTELP students on our way to go winter camping for the weekend!! uoftelp: New students from Kwansei Gakuin University during yesterday’s University of Toronto campus tour. Welcome to#UofTELP! uoftelp: Fierce #UofTELP competition on the #broomball rink tonight at #WinterCamp. #Wanakita

uoftelp: #UofTELP had a great day for#Snowshoeing. #WinterCamp

uoftelp: #UofTELP students out for a ski today at #WinterCamp. uoftelp: Just some of the #uoftelp students leaving us tomorrow.

Canada will miss you all!!

y_izumi20: Today, I went to last school in Toronto.One month is very short. But I was able to meet a lot of good friends.

This study abroad has become a good experience for me.Thank you everyone!!

And thank you Effie class:) #uoft #UofTELP #kindai #KUIS #KGU

uoftelp: #UofTelp students cheering for the@varsityblues tonight!! #UofTvsOttawa varsityblues: Thanks for coming! WE ALL#BLEEDBLUE

uoftelp: Conquering the high-ropes course.#UofTELP #WInterCamp

uoftelp: #UofTelp students enjoyed the Beauty and the Beast production tonight at the Princess of Wales Theatre. Simply a magical night.

uoftelp: Winners of the ELP CUP! Congrats to all of the #uoftelp students for your awesome work today

uoftelp: #UofTELP students enjoying a fun day out in the snow.

activities

Spring is Here!

By: Sara Bolourchian, ELP Cultural Assistant

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pring in Toronto is magical and the best way to spend it is by embracing the outdoors! Shed the dreary winter attire and bask in the sun by taking some time to connect with nature, because sometimes the most important thing to do in life is to stop and smell the roses. Here are just some of the ways you can take advantage of the beautiful Spring weather in Toronto: HIGHPARK CHERRY BLOSSOMS Location: 1873 Bloor Street West, Toronto, M6R 2Z3 Cost: Free Highpark is Toronto’s largest park, featuring many hiking trails, a duck pond, a beautiful lakefront, an iconic maple leaf garden, a diverse variety of beautiful vegetation and much more! This makes Highpark the perfect place to go to in the spring to take in the beauty of nature and observe the blooming flowers and the budding trees. In early spring, Highpark attracts a lot of visitors because of its beautiful cherry blossoms. The cherry blossoms will likely be in full bloom in late April or early May. So grab some friends and head to Highpark to discover some of what nature has to offer. Take a walk on a hiking trail, feed ducks in the pond, or have a picnic under the shade of the park’s magnificent trees.

If you’re thinking of going to Highpark for the cherry blossoms, keep in mind that most of the Sakua Cherry trees are located around Hillside Gardens, and a few are located by the Duck Pond.

Cherry Blossoms in High Park

PHILOSOPHER’S WALK (UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO) Location: North Entrance—in between the ROM and the Royal Conservatory Located minutes away from OISE, Philosopher’s walk is a scenic pedestrian pathway that links the heart of the St. George campus with its northern edge.

Walking along the pathway, you’ll be able to admire the beautiful tall trees as well as the architectural marvels of the Royal Ontario Museum, The Royal Conservatory of Music, Trinity College, and the Faculty of Law. The path provides a perfect mixture of green space and urban landscape! It’s the perfect place to take a relaxing stroll after class, or to sit on a bench and chat with friends while enjoying the sunshine. Philosopher’s Walk is the perfect place to de-stress, re-charge and get inspired!

EXPLORE TORONTO BY BIKE Biking is a great way to zoom around the city, from one tourist attraction to another. This way, the fun never ends! For just $10, you can rent a bike from 36

Mike the Bike, located at 306 Adelaide Street West for an entire day (http://www.mikethebike.ca).

From there, you can bike your way to see close-by attractions, like Graffiti Alley (a great location for pictures!), Kensington Market, the Distillery District, Chinatown, and other great spots! With a little bit of prior planning, biking around Toronto will prove to be a great adventure. It’s a fast, cheap and fun way to experience some of what the city has to offer.

You can also take a bike ride on the trails of the Toronto Islands and experience miles of beaches, green grass, colourful flowers and the best views of the Toronto skyline. However, keep in mind that bike rentals at the Islands will be available starting May 1st. To rent a bicycle, you will need to have a piece of ID with you (either a drivers license or a passport will do). Renting a single bicycle will require a $10 deposit and will cost $8 per hour. For a more complete list of prices, visit: http://torontoislandbicyclerental.com.

FLOWER SHOWS AT ALLAN GARDEN’S CONSERVATORY Location: 19 Horticultural Ave, Toronto, M5A 2P2 Cost: Free Allan’s Conservatory is a garden filled greenhouse containing tropical plants from all over the world.

Visit Allan Gardens before April 24 to see the beautiful Spring flower shows. Highlights of the show include tulips, daffodils, crocus and hyacinths.

What’s more, starting March 20, the Easter displays at Allen’s Garden Conservatory will be in full bloom!

Easter displays will include masses of different hydrangeas, Easter lilies and bulbs. There’s nothing like the smell of spring flowers to rejuvenate the soul!

Spring is a great time to get outdoors and enjoy the city. These are just some of the many things you can do to put a spring in your step this season. Be sure to check the ELP calendar for other fun Spring activities.

Allan Gardens 37

academics

Two Poems

By: Nathalia Cristina de Melo CorrĂŞa da Silva, Former Academic English Student

2016 Olympic Games One same goal Multiple players Four years One competition All the countries One Rio de Janeiro Numbers never lie And the Olympic spirit will never die So... Let the game begin!

Marriage Living the forever Shining Like never For each other Be there And always Taking care Once you feel Like that You can understand What I said

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Like the magazine, @elp Blog celebrates what truly makes the English Language Program great: the academics, activities and accomplishments of its students and staff. Find us online at learn.english.utoronto.ca/blog.

Contribute to @ELP Magazine & Blog 1) Email your submission to dan.pinese@utoronto.ca 2) Attach your text submission to the email in a word document. Attach any photographs or artwork separately.

3) Include your full name, home country, and the course you’re enrolled in.

@elp MAGAZINE

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ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROGRAM 252 Bloor Street West, Suite 4-106 Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5S 1V6 e: learn.english@utoronto.ca w: learn.english.utoronto.ca SCHOOL OF CONTINUING STUDIES 158 St. George Street Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5S 2V8 t: 416.978.2400 f: 416.978.6666 e: learn@utoronto.ca w: learn.utoronto.ca