Program Focus Adventure (multi), Animation, Sport (multi)
Age (Gender) 16 (Female)
(4.5) Overall experience
Following this program, I was convinced that I wanted to study at the University of Montreal. It was the first time I'd traveled without my parents and so far from home (I live in the Caribbean). It was a good experience and a good foretaste of my student life. I met a very good friend who later became my roommate. I'd say one of my best memories was walking around the city with the group and exploring. I really enjoyed that experience.
(5) Unique value
It's an immersion in Montreal life, but also in activities at the university. What's more, it allows us to socialize with people from all over the world. It's a friendly, festive spirit that makes you want to get up.
Let's just say that this program is different from a simple day camp because it's all about meeting new people and making great memories, but above all it's about getting a taste of student life in Montreal. This gives you a good idea of what's to come if you choose to study there. I see this opportunity as a way of deciding what you want to do next and not being disappointed or unpleasantly surprised and regretting it.
(5) Program quality and activities
During the camp, in the mornings we attended workshops (which we had signed up for beforehand) and in the afternoons we either had an English class followed by sports or a place to explore (e.g. the Old Port). I found all these activities particularly fun and interesting, as we could relax, learn and yet share lots of memories of life in Montreal. The activities were not only places to explore in Montreal itself, but also in Laval and Longueil. All these experiences and sharing all these moments with people so different (cultures, etc.) from me made me evolve a lot.
I'm quite reserved by nature and I'm an only child, so just the fact that I took part in this camp was already something outside my comfort zone. Nevertheless, I have no regrets and on the contrary, I think it enabled me to make friends and reach out to others more naturally.
(4.5) Social dynamics and experience
Yes, one of the participants became my roommate and a very good friend. Coming from different places and going to different universities, I don't think we would have met if the program hadn't existed. What's more, it gave us some great memories that we still laugh about today. Thanks to this experience, I was able to meet someone I trusted enough to live with. Without this program, I would certainly have lived alone for at least the first year, just long enough to meet people.
(4.5) Skills and growth
The program enabled me to develop myself and combat my shyness a little more by allowing me to reach out to others. What's more, I was able to learn more about other cultures around the world, which allowed me to connect more with these people. My ability to reach out to others (strangers) has helped me a lot in my student life to make friends and even join a student association.
(5) Reflections and advice
Don't be afraid to take the plunge, because it really is an adventure/experience that is beyond incredible, and particularly useful in life. It's important to reach out to others and make friends/contacts. If I could go through this experience again, I think I'd do it all over again, because I was committed to everything I did, and I was never bored. It's better to try and fail than to do nothing at all and wait: be the actor of your life, not a spectator. You must have no regrets in life, and not making a choice is a choice in itself.
