I have done some research and found a handful of exciting events happening around the world this summer. Talk with your family and friends to see if you can go to one of these festivals. We would love to hear about your experience there.
Europe
London 2012 Olympic Games (July 27 – August 12) – If you are in London this July or August you will experience the excitement and festivities surrounding this great event. Whether you are attending a sporting event or not you will feel the passion and pride of those in the city celebrating for their favorite athletes. Top Canadian athletes to watch for during the Olympics are: Priscilla Lopes-Schleip – track, Mary Spencer – boxing, Adam Van Koeverden – kayak, Clara Hughes – cycling, Alexandre Despatie – diving, Christine Sinclair – soccer, Ryan Cochrane – swimming and Paula Findlay – triathalon.
Running of the Bulls, Pamplona, Spain (July 6 – 14) – The running of the bulls takes place every year in the Navarra region of Spain and the festivities continue for one week. Anyone can participate in the running of the bulls if brave enough but only those who are physically fit and willing to take the risks are advised to. If you do not wish to participate then you can involve yourself in the local festivities.
Oceania
Garma Festival, Northern Australia (August 3 – 6) – This event is a cultural experience that allows attendees to view a display of cultural practice and cross cultural learning through a unique lineup of entertainment and education. Showcase events for this event include: Bunggul (ceremonial performance), internationally acclaimed visual artists of the region and Indigenous Cultural Tourism (women and men’s cultural practices). If you are interested in learning more about the indigenous people of Australia this is a great event to open yourself to a new world.
Asia
Phi Ta Khon Festival, Dan Sai District, Loei Province, Thailand (June 22 – 24) – Looking to celebrate Halloween and April fools one more time this year? Then the Phi Ta Khon Festival is the one for you. This celebration was born a legend and mixed into Buddism as part of the local merit-making holiday called ‘Bun Pha Ves’. This festival is primarily for young people who fashion various homemade scary spirit masks and costumes. The spirit masks are an important part of the celebrations, representing the dead who are no longer able to attend the festivities.
North America
Lollapalooza, Chicago, Illinois, USA (August 3 – 5) – The Lollapolooza music festival that has occurred for the last 20 year in Chicago brings together music lovers for a three-day outdoor celebration of music, culture and community. This event takes place on a 115 acre outdoor venue with multiple stages, and a diverse array of 130+ artists from hip-hop, electronica, reggae, indie, rock, modern roots, and much more. The lineup for this summer includes big names such as: The Black Keys, Black Sabbath, Calvin Harris, Justice, Zeds Dead and Metric, just to name a few.
Day of the Mules, Mexico City, Mexico (June) – Day of the Mules is a traditional celebration which involves a colourful procession of citizens occurring the Thursday after the Day of Holy Trinity. Children wear traditional indigenous dress and sell handmade wooden mules adorned with colourful ribbons and tiny decorations. There is a also an arts and crafts fair in the square, where artisans from all over the country bring their mules covered with harvest fruit as a religious offering of thanks. Live music is played and special vendimia wine is offered.
Calgary Stampede, Calgary, Alberta, Canada (July 6 – 15) – This year the Calgary Stampede marks its 100th year of operation. This event is made up of sights, sounds and tastes that come together as one of western Canada’s biggest celebrations. Watch the amazing rodeo events, the live parade, shows and live music.
I will keep everyone updated with pictures and articles about these events as they occur.
Welcome back from the Easter weekend. I hope everyone enjoyed good times with family and friends. As the weather gets warmer many of us are starting to think about summer travel abroad. Whether you’re going for a short trip or an extended period, it’s a good idea to do your homework about the country you will be traveling to. Being knowledgeable of your new surroundings prior to departure will help to ensure you are aware of precautions you may need to take to have a safe trip.
Here are some good questions to find answers to before traveling abroad:
Have there been any recent stories in the news regarding political or civil unrest, disease outbreaks, natural disasters or related warnings?
Will you need a visa to enter the country? Visas are official documents that are attached to your passport if you are working, studying or traveling for an extended period of time in various destinations. It can take several months to obtain a visa; it’s best to begin planning your travel in advance to allow for possible delays.
Are there best times to travel to your destination to avoid extreme weather? (For example many tropical countries have hurricane seasons that are best avoided.)
Will I need to get vaccinations before my trip? The Public Health Agency of Canada offers information on countries for which vaccinations are recommended or mandatory. (http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/tmp-pmv/index-eng.php)
How does the Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada website rate your destination? (http://www.voyage.gc.ca/countries_pays/menu-eng.asp) This website is a great resource filled with factual and up to date information provided by the Canadian government. If this website has a warning about the country you wish to travel to, you may want to consider if it’s a good choice for you and if you are willing to take the potential risk. You will also find information about registering yourself for your travel destination. If you register, government representatives will be able to reach you if an emergency situation arises in the country.
Where will you stay when you travel to your destination? If you’ll be at a resort it is a good idea to read reviews to know what to expect. If staying in the heart of a big city you may consider getting in touch with another Canadian located there or a local resident referred to you so they can help with information to prepare you. If you travel is arranged through an educational travel organization you might want to check whether they provide you with a local representative if you need advice. Having a contact to speak to and meet with while you are abroad can help you minimize the anxiety or stress of adjusting.
No matter where you stay, it is good idea to give someone back home your location and contact details and to arrange to get in touch periodically while you are overseas.
Will you have an emergency money resource in case of unexpected situations?
Will you obtain travel insurance? Although you are not likely to experience an emergency situation abroad, there is a chance of it. Travel insurance ensures that if an accident does occur you will not be left with a huge medical bill. Research various insurers and pick a plan that suits your needs. Some of the best insurance plans offer transportation back to Canada if a serious or fatal injury or illness occurs.
What is the temperature and climate of your destination? Make sure you’re equipped with proper attire. Canadians know how to dress for the cold! When we head to hot climates, though, we may need to research.
For example, a few years ago I traveled to Guangzhou in Southern China to stay for the summer. Research told me that summer temperatures can reach +40 degrees Celsius. But reading about it and actually being in this environment are two totally different things. The large city’s smog was a barrier to direct sunlight, so sunburn wasn’t a big risk, but heat was trapped underneath the smog, making the air very thick and humid. It was important to drink lots of fluids and wear lightweight fabrics to minimize sweating. As the summer progressed my body adapted and I also learned what times of the day were best for exploring on foot.
What are the religious views of the country? It is important to be aware of the religious views of a country so as to be sensitive and not inadvertently offend local residents.
What are the cultural norms, native language, mannerisms and general views of the country? By being knowledgeable about the people, country, language and views held in the country you will better understand the differences you find.
For example, when our CEO traveled to Colombia to arrange our Colombian Teacher Assist program she was surprised at how affectionate the people were even if she had just met them. Colombians are very affectionate; they greet by kissing on the cheek and warmly embracing as if they had known you their whole life. If you are aware of customs like this you’ll be prepared and will respond appropriately. The opposite of this Latin American approach is true in Asia, where it is not polite to be open with your emotions and you follow the lead of the elder person in an interaction. A good tactic is to mirror the actions and dress of the local people. You don’t want to stick out as a tourist; this can be half the battle of avoiding negative confrontations.
Answering these questions about your planned travels will give you a good understanding of what you will encounter and if it feels right for you. They may get you thinking about other information you’d like to have. The differences between Canada and where you travel are what makes travelling so interesting and rewarding. Being prepared, you will present yourself as a polite and courteous Canadian traveler paving the way for those who follow.
Shecana wishes everyone safe travels. We’d love to hear your stories!
JENNA MCMAHON
Hola! My name is Jenna McMahon and I'm one of the Shecana International School’s students here in Colombia at CES on the Teaching Assistant Program. I take some classes with the high school students like Spanish and Physics, Audiovisuals and then the rest of my day is spent helping teachers teach English! I mostly help out in the pre-school aged classes, but sometimes I get to help in the high school English classes. My Colombian host family is the Corredor Gaitan: Jorge, Isabel, Xime and Sophie. They are loving and a caring family and I have enjoyed their company. They took me to Cartagena a while ago and it was a beautiful and a nice experience.
I'm from a very small town called Port McNeill, which is on Northern Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada! It's a town surrounded by forests, mountains and the ocean. I spend my free time playing on local hockey and soccer teams, as well as my school's volleyball team. I've already been here in Villavo for a month! Which I find unbelievable, the time is going by so fast! I love how colourful and culture filled this country is! It's a big change from Canada. I also love all the fresh fruit and the warm climate... two things Canada is lacking in. Before I left the weather in Port McNeill was -19°C. I'm super excited to spend these next four months here at CES, practicing my Spanish and learning about the Colombian culture!
Jenna Lynn McMahon. Grade 10°A at CES
Canadian student for the Teacher Assistant Program 2012
DEREK FORBES
Hello, my name is Derek Forbes. I am 15 years old and from Canada. I came here to Villavicencio to assist the kids of Colegio Bilingue Espiritu Santo in English for five months. I am living with a volunteer host family and I am hoping to see and experience the Colombian culture. All three of us Canadians living in Villavicencio came down with the same International Teaching Assistant Program through Shecana International Schools Ltd. Shecana is a very experienced Canadian company with more than 20 years in the business.
From this program, I am hoping to learn Colombian culture, language, meet new friends and most of all experience something new. I have already been here for a month and in that time I have done lots. At school I have started in the Teaching Assistant role. I have been working mostly with young kids, 4 to 8 years old at the Elementary Cycle, and I like it. I also have some classes with my 9°A classmates that are around the same age as me. Outside of school I have also done things to better my experience in Colombia. With my host family, the Lopez David: Andres, Eblin, Santiago and Juan Esteban I have been on hikes, horseback riding, gone to see the malls and much more. Overall it has been a very good experience so far and there is much more ahead!
Derek Peter Forbes. Grade 9°A at CES
Canadian student for the Teacher Assistant Program 2012
Melba is Shecana’s representative and organizer par excellence in Villavicencio. Already busy with her work as a teacher work, Melba has worked long hours to establish our Shecana program in Colombia. She’s explained the program in her community and arranged for top-notch school and host families for our Canadian students. One of her biggest jobs has been hunting down and stick-handling documents through government channels to ensure that everyone has the right paperwork in place – no small matter! We’re looking forward to meeting up with Melba and Derek, Jenna’s and Matthew’s host families in Villavicencio in just over a week.
As a teacher who has travelled and lived overseas in the UK and USA, as well as a month-long stay in Canada last year, Melba has the experience to understand our Canadian students’ perspective as they embrace the challenge of living and attending school in a foreign country.
Thanks, Melba, for the weather links: http://www.tutiempo.net/tiempo/Villavicencio_Vanguardia/SKVV.htm and http://clima.starmedia.com/sudamerica/colombia/villavicencio/. (Nice warm temperatures, but it looks like your advice to bring a raincoat/jacket and an umbrella is wise.)
Flights are booked and 3 BC students and their Shecana escort are set to head to Colombia on February 11th, just two weeks and a few short days away. This blog will follow their experience from trip preparation on to the schools Colombia. You’ll meet Derek, Jenna and Matthew, whose final exams this week are competing for attention along with the upcoming adventure.
While in Colombia, Shecana’s students live with carefully selected volunteer host families and attend school full time. At their schools, the Canadians will take some courses and will also work with teachers in the school to assist Colombian students to learn English. They’ll be there for the full school term then return to Canada at the end of June. Education is a high priority for Colombians: around 92% of Colombians attend private schools and the remaining 8% go to public school. This is about the opposite of the school picture in British Columbia, where the vast majority of students are in public schools. Derek, Jenna, and Mathew will attend private schools.
Where are we headed? Villavicencio, commonly known as Villavo, is a city of 360,000 people located in the foothills of the Andes 75 km southeast of Bogotá. It’s tropical, hot (average temperature 27°C) and humid, which is going to be a welcome change for those of us who experienced temperatures way, way below 0° C last week! Villavicencio is only 4° north of the equator, so seasons don’t change over the course of the year as they do here in Canada.
Villavicencio (panoramio.com)
By LeRae Haynes
Last year Jay Goddard and Stephanie Vanderlaan and their three children opened their home to a Shecana International Schools exchange student from Frankfurt, Germany. Grade 10 student Dennis Geyer spent 10 months attending Williams Lake Secondary School for the 2010/2011 year, making new friends and experiencing life in the Cariboo.
Stephanie said that one of the motivations for taking in an exchange student was a trip she took to Cuba with her daughter Chelsea on a school band trip. “It was such a great cultural opportunity and this was a chance to expand the experience,” she said.
Shecana International Schools provides opportunities for local families to experience worldwide culture right in their own home. All students who come to Canada have been carefully screened and are recommended by their teachers and their home schools.
Jay said that they got to read a range of profiles of potential exchange students, and that Dennis stood out because he had been around a lot of kids in his home and had some music in his background.
They said that Dennis learned a lot during his time in Williams Lake. “He learned to live without high speed internet, how to shovel more than 30 feet of snow, how to use a lawn mower and weed eater, how to ski in the trees and how to do the dishes,” said 12-year-old Damian Goddard.
The Goddards picked Dennis up from the Williams Lake airport at the end of August and brought him to the Frost Creek area where he would live with their family for the school year. Stephanie said that Dennis came from a big city and loved the rural countryside and the wildlife in the Cariboo.
He played clarinet and joined the school band, travelling with them to Prince George, Edmonton and Vancouver. “We all went to a concert in Vancouver, to the West Edmonton Mall, to Vernon to visit family and skiing at Mt. Timothy and Silverstar,” Jay explained. “He also came along with us on a family trip to Mexico.”
(Photo: Shecana exchange student Dennis Geyer is pictured here with members of his host family, Chelsea, Tianna and Damian Goddard.)
Shecana International Schools’ mission is to provide an array of safe, positive, and educational travel opportunities for youth. Their philosophy is that international long-stay travel is a genuinely educational experience that contributes to positive personal development, international connections, opportunities and friendships, respect for other countries and cultures, and an awareness of Canada's place in the global community.
Stephanie said it was a great ‘English immersion’ program for Dennis, especially because Chelsea Goddard, fellow high school student, refused to allow him to pronounce English words with an accent. He also got to try his hand at running sound when Jay directed ‘Just So’ at the Glendale Theatre.
“He taught me a lot about computers, ‘techie’ stuff, how to drive a remote control car and how to play video games in German,” Damian continued. “He taught us how to program a cell phone.”
When Dennis’ family arrived from Germany to pick him up at the end of the school year, the Goddards extended their hospitality to show them some Cariboo highlights including the Williams Lake Stampede, a mountain bike expedition and a trip to Barkerville.
“His parents are both engineers and they took in an exchange student while Dennis was in Williams Lake,” Stephanie said. “He’s been in touch on Facebook and by phone since he left.
“He became part of our family and we miss him.”
The Shecana experience was so positive for the Goddards that they’re doing it again, and their new exchange student, a Grade 11 girl from Munich, arrives this week.
“It’s a wonderful experience to have someone be so excited about our everyday life,” Stephanie said. “My kids learned that there are other languages and other cultures—this really broadened their horizens.”
For more information about the Shecana International Schools program visit www.shecana.ca
**Originally posted on Monday August 22, 2011, by LeRae Haynes. Click here to link to original blog post: http://www.welcometowilliamslake.ca/index.php/human-interest/76-human-interest/4143-local-families-benefit-from-shecana-exchange-program.html
Posted by
Kristine _ on Thu, May 26, 2011 @ 05:54 PM
So you are thinking about going on a high school exchange and starting to do some research! Good for you! I cannot express how strongly I believe in exchange- but I know there is a lot of research, energy, and time that goes into your decision. To help ease the load, I have created a list of the 5 most common questions when going on an exchange:
1. How much does it cost?
- The prices vary from $3500-$16000, depending on your length of stay and your location.
What’s included?
- 3 month High School Abroad - School and Host Family support
- 5 & 10 month High School Abroad- flight, School and Host Family support
- We understand that this is a big investment and do have some bursary’s available, as well as job opportunities
2. How much spending money do I need?
- You will need approximately $200-$300 per month. This way you will be able to enjoy a movie with your friends, a dinner out or a fun new activity!
3. Can I choose what city I live in?
- You can request what city you would like to live in and we will do our best to accommodate you. We do have to consider host family & school district availability.
- My advice: trust us. We have been doing this for over 18 years in dozens of cities. We have the experience and knowledge to find a city and situation that will fit your needs and help enhance your exchange experience.
4. Can I travel independently in the country I go to?
- With our GAP Program you can do this but on a high school exchange you cannot. In Canada we have trips planned where all the exchange students in Canada can attend. This way you can go and see other parts of Canada and meet some great new people around the world. Also, when going on an exchange you will build connections with so many people so you will always have a place to stay in another part of the world.
5. How do you pick my host family?
- They pick you!! We send your profile to different families and they make the decision based on who would suit their family best!
Posted by
Kristine _ on Wed, May 11, 2011 @ 06:57 PM
Shecana International Schools Ltd. is based in Prince George British Columbia, Canada and operates international travel and education programs for youth.
My name is Sheila Hoeg and I am the founder and CEO of Shecana International School. I began working with international exchange students in 1993 with a company out of Sweden and now work closely with several reputable partners internationally and many different school districts in Canada to provide a variety of programs.
Shecana’s mission is to provide an array of safe, positive, educational travel opportunities for international students
Shecana International Schools offers international study and grad travel programs.
International Study
Where can I go?
- With Shecana you have a choice of over 20 countries, our most popular destinations include: Australia, New Zealand, Austria, Italy, & Brazil.
- If you have another country in mind, please check with us. Chances are we have a trusted partner there and can make arrangements for an exchange
- You may go on exchange to any country for 5 or 10 months. Some countries also offer a 3 month exchange
What can you expect?
- A host family that’s right for you!
- Your application includes a full profile of you and your life in Canada. Your profile is shared with interested host families in your destination country. Once a suitably-matched host family is found, they go through a careful screening and interview process.
- Attending High School:
- Your experience itself will be an education, but you will also attend school! Shecana arranges a high-school placement for you in your host country.
Grad Travel Programs (GAP)
“I just got home from England yesterday so I wanted to send you an email and thank you so very, very much for creating such a wonderful opportunity for me. I had an incredible time, I can’t think of any period in my life where I’ve experienced and learned so much in such a short time and it has left me so confident about travelling and living on my own.”
– Katie Rogers: Work Experience Program, U.K.
Shecana’s Gap Year Programs are designed for high school graduates ages 17-25. All around the world, young people take time off from work or study to just head out and explore. Along the way they learn a lot about themselves and their planet: that’s a gap experience. The amount of time you take is up to you. If you’re thinking about a gap experience, Shecana can help. We’ve set up partnerships with trusted organizations abroad to offer Canadians interesting, challenging and lively experiences in a variety of countries. You choose a program that works for you; we’ll help you prepare to go and make sure that you’re set up with safe accommodation, a job, learning opportunity or cultural home-stay
Where can I go?
United Kingdom:
Adventure Camp or hospitality- Work in an adventure camp for 5 months or more as a group leader or guide an adventure activity. There are also jobs in retail, catering, maintenance, housekeeping and hospitality at a fine resort or hotel.
New Zealand:
Horticulture or hospitality- You can work in New Zealand’s thriving horticulture industry [maintaining crops, picking produce like grapes and kiwifruit, or working in packing plants]. You can also work in a hotel or resort doing food and beverage service, kitchen work, housekeeping, reception or other guest service positions.
Germany
Language assist program- Another cultural exchange choice: live as a member of a German family while you teach and help them practice English for 15 hours a week.
Brazil
Cultural homestay- This program gives you an opportunity to live for 6 or 8 weeks as a member of a volunteer family.
This is one of our first blogs to introduce Shecana and I hope you ask us any questions to help you with your travel adventures!
-Sheila Hoeg
"The world is a book and those who do not travel, read only a page." St Augustine
Shecana International Schools offers safe, positive, educational travel opportunities for youth. We have options for Canadians to go abroad on work, volunteer or cultural experiences, or to host students who visit Canada to study and experience life here.
Hosting a student or living abroad while learning or working contributes to positive personal development, international connections and friendships, respect for other cultures, and an awareness of Canada's place in the global community.
Join Shecana's international travelers and Canadian host families! Please browse to find your opportunity.
Click here to apply for a High School Abroad Exchange