Student Exchange Australia: Transformational

Posted on March 12, 2014 by admin

My stay here is soon coming to an end. My adventure “down under” has been one filled with happiness and heaps of fun. I’ve learned what seems like a whole different language and made a bunch of friends that I hope to keep in touch with. It makes me sad to think that tomorrow morning I’ll be leaving on a very long flight home, but I’m happy that I will get to see my family and friends.

Over the past few weeks I’ve had so many great new experiences. I’ve had a jam-packed trip; from the zoo, to the aquarium and even the outback. This passed weekend we even went to Sydney, where I got to see the Opera House and Harbour Bridge and spend some time at the beach.

Exchange has exceeded my expectations. I thought Melbourne would be like the countryside and that there would be kangaroos jumping around backyards. Melbourne is a lot more like Montreal than I thought it would be and even though there aren’t kangaroos in people’s backyards, the suburbs are still filled with beautiful birds and other wildlife.

The past seven weeks have been a wonderful experience that I will never forget. I have become more independent and had the opportunity to learn so much about Australian culture and the country in general. I “reckon” that I don’t want this wonderful experience to come to an end; I will really miss Carey and all of the people I have met from here. Farewell Australia, I hope to come back again someday! –Aiyana Kaplan ’16

LCC’s Visiting Exchange Students Discover Montreal

Posted on January 27, 2014 by admin

On Friday, January 17, we five exchange students, Jack, Liam, Mikayla, Maria Gabriela and Atishay – who had just arrived from India the previous day, all gathered in Ms. Shadley’s office to be briefed about the day’s events. We met up with Veronica, our guide, put our coats on and headed out. The first stop was on the way to the metro, where we got to drop into Starbucks and grab something to eat for recess. After that we bought our tickets and hopped on the train. When we arrived at our stop, Lionel Groulx, it was snowing, so we went in search of a place to eat lunch, with no luck. Instead we decided to eat at the science museum where we were headed. Once we had eaten, we went into the museum. It was a great deal of fun; we joked and ran about, we got to use inventions such as the life-sized bubble maker and the upside down room. All in all the day was fun, and we learned a lot.

Unlike this museum where we could laugh and fool around a little bit, the next trip, on the following Monday, was to the Holocaust Museum. On this outing learned about the suffering and pain the Jews had to go through in WWII, how they lost everything they loved and how some of the Holocaust survivors ended up in Montreal. Along with these trips, we have seen different parts of the city and have used various means of transportation.

On Friday, January 24, we met once again in Ms. Shadley’s office in the morning, were briefed on what we were going to do for the day, and suited up for the -30 ^oC degree weather. On this day we were traveling to the planetarium, which required us to walk down to the metro, via a Second Cup coffee store. After grabbing something to eat and drink, we hopped on the metro and again travelled to the Lionel Groulx train station. This time we were traveling to the outskirts of town, so we switched train lines to get to the Viau station. When we got to the planetarium we started off by going to Continuum, an immersive film that takes you on a journey through space, experiencing the world as we know it in a different way. The film is projected onto a domed roof, and requires you to lie on the ground in order to see it. After watching the surprisingly realistic film, we went to the space and meteor exhibition, then had lunch and hopped back on the metro to head back to school.

To date, we have managed to take in a whole lot of the Canadian culture and lifestyle living with our exchange families, and experience a great deal of the city we are living in. In addition to the above field trips, we have also visited typical bagel restaurants and have learned the difference between Canadian and American bagels. We had also had a closer look at Old Montreal. From watching an immersive film about space to learning about the history behind Montreal, and the Holocaust, we have had experiences that will stay with us forever.

–Jack Tizzard (Westminster School – Adelaide, Au), Liam Leach (Carey Grammar School – Melbourne, Au), Atishay Modi (Daly College – Indore, India), Mikayla Opie (Westminster School – Adelaide, Au) and Maria Gabriela Peña (Colegio Anglo Colombiano – Bogota, Colombia)

Student Exchange Melbourne: The Day by Day Account

Posted on March 19, 2013 by dlevy

January 30^th, 2013

I arrived in Melbourne, after a very long flight, only fifteen minutes after my exchange, Patrick Quay and his family arrived back from their holiday in Japan. For the rest of the day I stayed home getting to know the family, house and environment.

January 31^st, 2013

In the morning I had time to sleep in. Later in the morning, I went to the local park to the cricket nets and learned how to bat, bowl and field with Paddy, and two other of his friends. We spent about 3 hours there training me to play. After cricket training we went to rowing. It was my first time rowing and I did not go on the water and just practiced on the rowing machines. That night Pat’s grandparents came for dinner and to meet me.

February 1^st, 2013

Today was the “first” day of school. It was just orientation and during the day we mostly helped the new grade 7s with everything they needed to know. After school I had my first cricket game and luckily didn’t have to bowl or bat, only field.

February 2^nd, 2013

In the morning, there was a rowing regatta. Because I was not rowing in the races, I helped the team assemble the boat and then got a bike to ride along with the boats and the coach. After the races we went back to the training facilities for more rowing and got home at around 5:00. We were really hot and jumped in the pool. That night we went to Paddy’s cousins’ house for dinner.

February 3^rd, 2013

This morning, it was family day at the local farm so Paddy and I went down and helped out. We cooked sausages on the barbeque and got to give them to all sorts of people there including a famous NRL player Bill Slater. When that was all over we went home and relaxed.

February 4^th, 2013

Today was the second day of school and there were actual classes. I met a lot of people and had trouble remembering everybody’s names. After school there was rowing and I went out on the water for the first time.

February 5^th, 2013

Today there was nothing special. There was school in the morning and nothing afterwards.

February 6^th, 2013

Today was the same as Monday’s schedule, school then rowing.

February 7^th, 2013

Today there was a huge swimming competition at school with years 7, 8, and 9 all swimming. There were individual and relay events and our house came 6^th out of 10. After a long day of swimming we had cricket practice.

February 8^th, 2013

Today there was school then there was a cricket game where I got to bat. I got a run but on my 3^rd ball, I was out stumped because no one had told me to stay in the crease after I hit.

February 9^th, 2013

Early this morning we got up and biked to rowing. We were there for 4 hours and while there we saw Paddy’s grandfather there and had lunch with him. We got home, went swimming and relaxed.

February 10^th, 2013

This morning we got up late and since it was a bit cooler today we decided to go to the movies with some friends. After the movies we went to go see a cricket game, Australia against the West Indies. Australia ended up winning. When we got home from the game Paddy had cousins over and we had dinner with them.

February 11^th, 2013

Today we had school and rowing. Other than that there was nothing special today.

February 12^th, 2013

Today there was school and nothing afterwards.

February 13^th, 2013

Today was a fairly relaxed day with school and then rowing afterwards.

February 14^th, 2013

Today there was school and cricket training afterwards.

February 15^th, 2013

Today there was a cricket game after school and we played the same team as last week. The game didn’t go very well as they were the top team but it was really fun.

February 16^th, 2013

This morning there was another rowing race and Carey won both races.

February 17^th, 2013

This morning we got up early to drive to Phillip Island. While we were there we stayed at a friends beach house. We went swimming and surfing all day long. Once it dark out, we went to go see the fairy penguins come out of the water and to their homes on the shore. We them drove home for school the next day.

February 18^th, 2013

Today there was school and we had a free afternoon because rowing was cancelled.

February 19^th, 2013

Early this morning before school there was a school house chapel. After school Paddy had guitar lessons so I went home and jumped in the pool as it was boiling.

February 20^th, 2013

In the morning there was a school assembly and as a special guest we had Emmanuel Kelly, who is the brother of Australian Paralympic champion Ahmed Kelly, come in to school. He talked to us about his life and how the smallest thing can change your life around as it did to his. He is paraplegic as well and was on X factor a few years ago. Since then he has become a singer and composer and has written a song to be featured in an upcoming movie. After school there was rowing and from rowing we took the train straight to the zoo where we ran a 4km fun-run through the zoo. It was great but there was not much time to see the animals.

February 21^th, 2013

Today was a normal school day with cricket training afterwards. For dinner Paddy’s aunt came over to say hi as she was in town.

February 22^th, 2013

Today after school there was a cricket game and we did very well. We only played the fist half today as it is a two week game but hopefully we will do just as well in the second half.

February 23^th, 2013

Today there was rowing early in the morning. Once we got home we went swimming and then relaxed until around 5:00 and then went to the park where we had a big barbeque picnic with other families.

February 24^th, 2013

This morning we got up early again to go on a 50 km bike ride. It was really fun but tiring. Later in the afternoon, there was rowing presentation were each crew would row past the boat club showing parents and friends.

February 25^th, 2013

Today was a normal day. We had school in the morning after rowing afterwards.

February 26^th, 2013

Today after school Paddy had guitar so I went home, went swimming and then practiced for my presentation the next day.

February 27^th, 2013

This morning Paddy had rowing at 5:00 before school and am I was very thankful that I didn’t have to go! I spent all morning practicing my speech that went extremely well. After school we went home and went swimming.

February 28^th, 2013

Today there was nothing special. We had school then cricket practice.

March 1^st, 2013

Today we went to zoo with the other exchange students from England. It was great. There were all the normal animals but there were also Australian animals like kangaroos, koalas, and emus. After our day at the zoo, we had a cricket game were we played the best team but didn’t do that bad.

March 2^nd, 2013

Early in the morning Paddy had a rowing race so I went to his mum’s dance class which was really hard to keep up with. In the afternoon we relaxed, swam and then went to the footy game in the evening. Footy is the Australian version of football and Carlton, the team Paddy goes for, won the game 124 to 54 against Fremantle.

March 3^rd, 2013

Today we slept in and stayed around the house until that late afternoon when we went to go see a soccer game. Melbourne Victory won the game 5-0 against The Newcastle Jets, which was really fun to watch.

March 4^th, 2013

Today we had a regular day with school and then rowing.

March 5^th, 2013

Today was another regular day. After school Paddy had guitar so I went home and went swimming.

March 6^th, 2013

After school I went to rowing and Paddy had a play callback. In the evening we went to Victoria Market, which is the local market where they sell fresh foods. We had dinner there and stayed to listen to music.

March 7^th, 2013

Today Paddy was sick with food poisoning so he stayed home while I went to school. Afterwards I went home and went swimming as it was boiling hot!

March 8^th, 2013

Today Paddy felt better and came to school. Today was also footy day at school and everyone was wearing their favourite team’s jersey. After school we went swimming again and relaxed.

March 9^th, 2013

In the morning every one slept in. Once every one was awake Paddy left for a rowing race, and I went to dance class with his mum again. Once dance was over everyone except Paddy and his dad drove to Lorne beach for the long weekend. Once we got to Lorne I went swimming with other friends already there and played lots of table tennis.

March 10^th, 2013

Paddy arrived just after breakfast and just in time to go down to the beach again. There were many waves so we brought down the surfboards and surfed all day. In the evening after the beach everyone made a giant “Slip n Slide” down the huge hill outside the house. The hill it was on is very steep and you could go really fast.

March 11^th, 2013

Today was Labour Day so there was no school and we got to stay in Lorne for longer. We were at the beach in the morning. We stayed there for lunch ad then started the long drive home. We got home at around dinner, and went to bed as we were tired and had school the next day.

March 12^th, 2013

Today after school was meet the mentor so Paddy and I had to stay at school. Once we got home we did our work and went swimming.

March 13^th, 2013

After school we had rowing, which was my last time rowing in Australia. Afterwards we relaxed and did work.

March 14^th, 2013

Early in the morning Paddy had rowing except he slept in a bit and by the time his carpool was there to pick him up he had just woken up. After school we had a few friends over for a leaving party as I only have two more days in Australia. I was a lot of fun and wish I didn’t have to go so soon.

March 15^th, 2013

Today was my last day at school. I brought an Australian flag for everyone to sign. I am very sad to leave as I only got to be with my new friends for such a little amount of time. I had a friend come over for my last night and to watch the footy pre-season final game.

March 16^th, 2013

In the morning I woke up around 7:00. Ate breakfast, put on my travel clothes and was driven to airport. At the airport my new family stayed with me until I went to security. They said goodbye to me for hopefully not the last time and I was off. –Alex Dimitrakopoulos ’15

Student Exchange – A Fabulous Experience

Posted on February 27, 2013 by admin

Alexander Dimitrakopoulos is on a student exchange at Carey Grammar Scjool in Melbourne, Australia. Here’s a copy of the speech that he gave at a recent student assembly.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

To me being an exchange student has been the greatest thing I have ever done.

Here at Carey the environment is great: the people, the facilities, and the fact that you walk outside from class to class. At my school, Lower Canada College, we have to walk indoors all day, but I guess it’s for the better in the cold.

Life here is quite different than over there. For example the environment, the people, the accents, and the weird sports, are all very big changes for me but coming to live here for six weeks has been marvelous so far. Of course it takes a lot of work but it was definitely worth it. Meeting new people and living in a different place is a wonderful experience and I suggest you all apply.

Since Montreal is in Quebec–the French speaking part of Canada–Paddy better work on his French, “parce que la moitié des classes sont en français.”

During my stay here I have been to many great places. I have been to the MCG to go see a cricket match, Philip Island to see the fairy penguins and to surf at the beach, and on a 50km bike ride around Melbourne. I have also learned how to play new sports like cricket and footy, which are completely confusing.

Another thing I have very much enjoyed here is the food. Fish and chips, meat pies, sausage rolls, Tim Tams and lamingtons are all foods that are impossible to find in Canada and I will miss them along with everything else here.

In the weeks to come I am looking forward to going to the zoo with the other exchanges, spending time in the sun and being with friends and my new family.

I would like to thank Patrick Quay and his family for taking care of me while I have been here. I would also like to thank everybody at Carey for welcoming me and for making my stay here so much fun. I will be very sad to leave in two weeks and hope to make the best of my time left. –Alexander Dimitrakopoulos ’15

Melbourne Exchange: A New Routine

Posted on February 13, 2013 by admin

January 30, 2013
After a very long flight I arrived in Melbourne. Only fifteen minutes after my exchange, Patrick Quay and his family returned from their holiday in Japan. For the rest of the day I stayed home getting to know the family, house and environment.

January 31, 2013
In the morning I had time to sleep in. Later in the morning, I went to the local park to the cricket nets and learned how to bat, bowl and field with Paddy and two of his friends. We spent about three hours teaching me to play. After cricket training we went to rowing. It was my first time rowing and I did not go on the water and just practiced on the rowing machines. That night Pat’s grandparents came over for dinner and to meet me.

February 1, 2013
Today was the “first” day of school. It was just orientation and during the day we mostly helped the new grade 7s with everything they needed to know. After school I had my first cricket game and luckily didn’t have to bowl or bat, only field.

February 2, 2013
In the morning, there was a rowing regatta. Because I was not rowing in the races, I helped the team assemble the boat and then got a bike to ride along with the boats and the coach. After the races we went back to the training facilities for more rowing and got home at around 5 pm. We were really hot and jumped in the pool. That night we went to Paddy’s cousins’ house for dinner.

February 3, 2013
This morning it was family day at the local farm so Paddy and I went down and helped out. We cooked sausages on the barbeque and got to give them to all sorts of people there including a famous NRL player Bill Slater. When that was all over we went home and relaxed.

February 4, 2013
Today was the second day of school and there were actual classes. I met a lot of people and had trouble remembering everybody’s names. After school there was rowing and I went out on the water for the first time.

February 5, 2013
Today there was nothing special. There was school in the morning and nothing afterwards.

February 6, 2013
Today was the same as Monday’s schedule, school then rowing.

February 7, 2013
Today there was a huge swimming competition at school with years 7, 8, and 9 all swimming. There were individual and relay events and our house came 6^th out of 10. After a long day of swimming we had cricket practice.

February 8, 2013
Today there was school followed by a cricket game where I got to bat. I got a run but on my 3^rd ball, I was out stumped because no one had told me to stay in the crease after I hit.

February 9, 2013
Early this morning we got up and biked to rowing. We were there for four hours and while there we saw Paddy’s grandfather and had lunch with him. We got home, went swimming and relaxed.

February 10, 2013
This morning we got up late and since it was a bit cooler we decided to go to the movies with some friends. After the movies we went to go see a cricket game; Australia against the West Indies. Australia ended up winning. When we got home from the game Paddy had cousins over and we had dinner with them.

February 11, 2013
Today we had school and rowing. Other than that there was nothing special today.

February 12, 2013
Today there was school and nothing afterwards.

February 13, 2013
Today was a fairly relaxed day with school and then rowing afterwards.

–Alexander Dimitrakopoulos ’15