Arts et lettres, option langues

by Audrey Patenaude, first year student

Everyone reacts differently when situations face them. Some people tend to react agreeably to new environments, while others need to adapt more to the novelty. It’s also the case when people are travelling; they need to accept the differences and it’s not easy for all. As for me, when I’m going to be in Mexico for 10 weeks, it will be difficult. Hopefully, my group and I have meetings to prepare us to what we have to face. Two weeks ago, it was about the cultural choc, that most of us will have to face there.

• Drawing with Eyes Covered

We did an exercise: we separated the group in two, everyone was in pairs. Then, one group had to cover their eyes and draw while the other had to dictate where to place every object on the paper. When the roles were exchanged, the drawing team had the sides inversed. So, right became left and left was in reality right. The other group who were explaining the sheet didn’t know about it… the results were catastrophic. It explained to us that it will be difficult to understand each other while talking to someone in Mexico and that we have to be patient and still try.

• Cultural Shock… During or After the Immersion

http://2vancouver.com/en/articles/culture-shock-in-vancouver

The shock can happen at any moment and the duration can be different for anyone. A cultural shock is when a person feels stressed and disorientated about the cultural difference between his and the one he’s trying to adapt himself to. Each person can react differently: someone could be eating compulsively while another can refuse to touch any piece of food. It’s the same for sleeping or also the emotions.  At least, knowing what those reactions are makes it easier to overcome.

To have a better understanding, here’s a video about culture shock in United States:

Culture Shock – International Students in the United States

Being prepared for an immersion isn’t only physical, but also mental. Preparing us to what we will have to face is the best way to help us get through it with facility. Even if I’m a little scared about being away from my comfort for 10 weeks, I say to myself that I’m not lonely in this story.  I will have some people to help me out and that we will support each other through the adventure. No matter what, don’t give up only one in a lifetime moment because of a little fright that you can get over if you want.

By Audrey Patenaude, first year student

This week, the meeting was about recommendations for what to pack in our luggage. Well, it may depend of which kind of traveler you are. As for me, I have to live 10 weeks in a family that I know nothing about in a very hot weather country. I guess that taking precautions isn’t too much. So, here are suggestions about what to bring or not:

• Medicine

I advise bringing only what you think might be useful. We should not be crazy over it. A first-aid bag is also welcome, just in case that you hurt yourself. For me, I think to bring only what I use to take usually and extra medicine for the country’s minor diseases. If something happens, there are still pharmacies over there!

• Clothes

http://www.coupdepouce.com/vacances-fetes/voyages/l-art-de-faire-sa-valise/a/42726

I recommend clothes adapted to the weather and the circumstances. If you will be working manually, I don’t suggest bringing only pretty clothes. As well, if you’re going to a cold place, you should not only bring t-shirts and shorts, you’ll get sick. Think of what you really need, bring little extras if you’re not sure and there you go!

• Electronics and Technology

It’s common that our society loves technology. Nowadays, technology is everywhere. But still, there might be differences between countries. An example is the sockets. To make sure that you can charge your electronic devices, you should also bring an adaptor. It makes your devices fit any kind of sockets and can be used worldwide!

• To Avoid

Avoid bringing too many liquids and products. Shampoo and soap can be found almost everywhere as well as many other bath products. Avoid also bringing too much stuff. There will always be a place to buy what you want. Leave some place in your luggage for the objects you want to bring back, like souvenirs.

If you hesitate about what to take with you in your hand luggage, I suggest to do as you want. If you think that you need something rather than another, bring it with you. For me, who’s going for 10 weeks, there are so many things I want to bring that I don’t know where to start. But I know one thing for sure: it’s going to be a memorable experience!

For more information, you can also go check here:

http://travel.gc.ca/travelling/baggage-security/what-to-pack

By Roxanne Fay, first year student

Where are you from?

In what occasion people from Romania, China, Russia, Cuba and Cambodia, only to name a few countries, meet in the same place? In a francization class, of course! When an immigrant who doesn’t speak French arrives to Quebec, one of the first things he needs to do is to take French classes. The government has a very complete program to help new immigrants to learn French. Here is a link that explains how and where they can learn this new language:

http://www.immigration-quebec.gouv.qc.ca/en/immigrate-settle/permanent-workers/integration/french-courses.html

Culture sharing

I had the chance, with my languages class, to talk with francization students. Every country has a different culture, and it was very interesting to learn about new ones, especially that I talked with students coming from countries I didn’t know much about.  The students had also many questions about Quebec. As example, «Why some Quebecers want to separate from Canada?»,  « Do we consider ourselves more as Canadians or Quebecers?», etc.  I really enjoyed answering these questions, because it made me realize how much I love my province and my Quebecer culture.

Integration into another country and culture

Speaking with francization students also helped me to understand how I will feel during my immersion in Mexico. Most of them said they miss their friends, their family and their country’s food. Knowing what I will probably miss will not make me miss it less, however, it will help me to feel better because I’ll know it’s normal and part of the adaptation process.

Interesting exchanges

During my conversation with the new immigrants, something unexpected happened: I learned from them facts about my own province! They made me realize how open-minded Quebecers were. When they asked questions like: « Do Quebecers are friends with the immigrants?», «Do they mix with immigrants in class?»,  I was very surprised. To me, these questions didn’t even need to be asked. Why wouldn’t we be friends with immigrants? Why would we ruin our chance to learn about another culture, another country? Not mixing with immigrants and not to be interested by their culture simply does not make sense to me, and to most Quebecers I believe. However, I know that if they asked me these questions it’s because not every nation is as open minded as Quebec.

Instructional meeting

I believe the meeting has been very enriching for both the francization students and the languages students. It gave us, languages students, not only the chance to learn about the immigrants’ culture, but also about our own culture, and I think we all really enjoyed it. I also think it proved we can all learn from each other, no matter what our origin or first language is.

By Myriam St-Hilaire, 1st year student

http://www.healthyoncare.com/travel-vaccinations/.html

It is really important to be aware of the different diseases existing in a country before traveling. That is why last Tuesday, on April 9^th we met Linda Forest from the ‘’Clinique santé-voyage de Montréal’’ during a health seminar. This clinic is specialized in infectious and tropical diseases.

During this seminar, we received a list of recommended vaccines to get before our trip to Puebla (Mexico) and also a list of medications that we should bring with us down there.

Most of the vaccines required have already been received at school when we were younger. As example, Hepatis A and Hepatis B. If not, a combined vaccine (A+B ) is suggested. Another one is strongly advised to prevent Typhoid, caused by a bacterium in food.

Furthermore, we have learnt about precautions related to food and water to avoid dehydration and digestive problems. For food, we have to be careful with dairy products and look if it is written UTH (high temperature). We also have to be careful with liquids mostly with water. Tap water must be avoid in any form ( Juice, cocktail, ice).

http://auct150sunscreen.blogspot.ca

Another point really important which we not consider enough to be dangerous: the sun. Of course we all know that sunscreen can protect us, but which ingredients we should be looking for to get the most powerful sunscreen, most people are not aware of it.

The last part of our seminar was about bugs. Wearing long and clear clothes, using products without perfume and apply mosquito repellent are the best way to get bugs away.

Bugs should be considered seriously because they transmit a lot of parasites such as Malaria transmitted by mosquito.  The most viral disease transmitted by bugs to human is the Dengue.

Clinical Features and Pathogenesis of Dengue http://thehealthanddiseaseblog.blogspot.ca/

The Dengue causes symptom similar to flu and sometimes hemorrhagic fever. Unfortunately, they are no medications to get rid of it so we must be careful and use the advices mentioned above.

After this seminar, we are more than ready to live an healthy and safe experience.

By Clardia Behrmann, 1st year student

Option Langues in Marie-Victorin is not very old but very interesting. Here’s my perspective of this awesome program and how it is.

So maybe you’re all wondering what is so interesting about Option Langues in Marie-Victorin? This unique program is a great way to discover a new language and culture. It opens someone’s mind to the rest of the world. It is also a excellent way to visit Mexico and live the life in this wonderful country. Option Langues makes a person perspective of life totally change and improve. This program is a fun journey with a group of nice people.

What do we do?

During my time in Option Langues, I’ve learned many things. From the courses to the different projects that we had to do during the first semester, we had a lot to do but at the end it was worth it.The main struggle for many students, including myself, was and still is today, spanish class. Spanish is a very interesting language but at times is very difficult to follow. But by putting time and efforts in our work, we get through it. Especially, with the study trip in Puebla, Mexico, our Spanish have to be on point.

Hola Puebla!

In September, the students of Option Langues will have a study trip in the city of Puebla in Mexico. The trip will have a duration of two months and a half and will help the students to speak fluently Spanish. During the study trip, the students will have to live in a mexican family and will be able to learn in depth about their culture and traditions. Don’t get me wrong, this trip is not vacation ! The students still go to school and have homework as if they were back at home, in Canada.

Puebla- Mexico http://www.mexicoonmymind.com/

The end…

Option Langues is a great way to open our eyes to the world and to learn about other cultures. Learning another language and visiting a country is a once in a lifetime experience that everyone should witness. So why don’t you come next year ?

By Clardia Behrmann, 1st year student

On April 10^th , a wonderful play was presented at the Centaur Theatre Company where many songs of the one and only montrealer, Leonard Cohen were put on the spotlight. Dance Me to the End On/Off Love was a deep and personal representation of dance, music and art.

http://www.centaurtheatre.com/

The Centaur Theatre Company located in Old Montreal, is the largest English theatre company in the city of Montreal. It was founded in 1969 by Maurice Podbrey and before being a theater, was the Old Stock Exchange Building. The Company is a non-profit organization that is dedicated to developping, creating, producing and presenting differents types of plays. The play that we saw is called Dance Me to the End On/Off Love. It was created by a Danish Dance Theatre in Denmark.

Dance Me to the End On/Off Love : my reaction

http://www.centaurtheatre.com/

Last wednesday, our class of Option Langues went to the Centaur Theatre to experience a whole new genre of art : Dance Theatre. The performance that we saw was totally new to me and I was really surprised by it. I didn’t really knew what to expect when the show first started. The movements of the dancers and the passion put in the choregraphies were so beautiful to watch that I felt like it was unreal. The voices of the musicians singing to Leonard Cohen’s successful hits were incredible. I didn’t really know his songs so I couldn’t really relate like the people in the audience but it was still beautiful. The fact that sometimes the performers were naked on the stage was a bit strange but when I see it with an artistic point of view, it was special to watch because we felt all the emotion. The poetry of the play was also very deep. I think that it was a wonderful tribute to Mr. Leonard Cohen.

Verdict?

I recommend this play to artistic people or to Leonard Cohen’s fans because sometimes the play was hard to understand but you can still appreciate the show. I really enjoyed the show and I am very happy that I had the chance to see it.

by Mélissa Gavidia, 1st year student

The Irish population is not the same as the one back in the time when we became a British colony. So what happened to them? Why would they settle down here with French-Canadians? What have they influenced in our beautiful city ? Let’s find out!

Back in time!

The Irish came here at three specific moments :

1 - After the British Conquest

2 - After the war between America and Britain

3 - The Great Famine

http://www.needgreatinfo.com/articles/lucky_irish1007.html

They came to New France in the early 1800′s after the British conquered the French’s territory. They also came after the war between the Americans and the British in 1776. They settled down here because English was spoken by the British and Scottish. Also because French-Canadians were catholics. I think this photo is ironic , because of The Great Famine they suffered in the 1840′s. The Great Famine was the period when the potatoes had a disease and the population didn’t have food to eat. So , people decided to come here to have a better life for them and their children.

Facts

• Around 500 ,000 Quebecers are Irish descendants
• The Irish population came also with the French
• They worked on the Canal Lachine and Victoria bridge
• Names like Charest , Duccepe , Beaudoin  and others are Irish names
• Around 1 million to 2 million people died coming here

Their influence

Like I said before , they worked on infrastructures. If it wasn’t for their hard work we wouldn’t have the Lachine Canal and the Victoria Bridge. They also have established schools and other things that is still there nowadays. We still celebrate the St-Patrick’s parade on March 17^th. It’s a big day in Montreal and we celebrate it even if we are not Irish. That day , everyone is Irish youppi!!!!! Here is a video to show you what happened last year.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BjCwWP6XFHk

I never went to this parade in my whole life! I think I  will go this year if I have time . Would you?

By Anne-Marie Perrier, 1st year student

The Scots

The fur trade in Canada

en.wikipedia.org

After the Seven Year’s War, French-Canadians took the lead of the fur trade in earnest. It formed profitable partnerships and trading agreements with the Scottish team. The fur trade was very affordable for the French-Canadians. It brought a lot of money to Canada and served to help the Industrial Revolution.

Their success

Peter Redpath http://en.wikipedia.org/

Scottish had a better education and it was higher education and this is why they built McGill University. Peter Redpath was the main beneficiary and John was giving to religious and social charities. Scottish Montrealers  headed the companies who have built the railroads in Canada from east to west!

John Redpath http://en.wikipedia.org/

The English

Origins

The English came from Canada, more from England. They came mostly for economic reasons because many people were unemployed. They were attracted by the offer of free land. They were basically loyalists. A lot of them went to Upper Canada for the farming work.

Economic life

The first wave of English went mostly to the farming population in the rural and to the skilled artisan population in the towns. After the World War II, many of them became professionals, technicians or individuals artisans. English made many contributions to a lot of Canadian institutions like CBC. They still provide our institutions sometimes.

What English have brought to Canada?

Shakespeare http://en.wikipedia.org/

They have influenced our literature culture by their traditions and models like Shakespeare. A lot of Canadian institutions have been influenced by the English with the traditions of the COMMON LAW. Private schools come from the English public school to maintain their traditional class system.

 Together

Both the English and the Scottish have brought something good to Canada in an economic way by giving money to institutions or funding them; and in a culture way by bringing their own culture and influencing ours positively.