South Africa Inspires in Many Ways

Posted on February 26, 2010 by admin

As my exchange reaches the ¾ mark, I have realized how much South Africa has to offer the world. I hope that during the World Cup people notice how beautiful it is. Last weekend I hiked up the tallest mountains in South Africa, the Drakensberg. As I took a break at the peak of the mountain and took in the beautiful view, I realized how spectacular South Africa is.

People who know me well, know that I have a quite bad fear of heights. This hike required me to address this fear. At a certain stage of the hike, we had to climb chain ladders up the face of a cliff. Standing at the bottom, I thought “there is no way I’m going to climb that,” however, I eventually made my way to the summit. I definitely wasn’t the quickest one up the ladders, but I still made it to the top and for me this was a great achievement. Once I was on the top of the mountain I was really glad: I had climbed the ladders because the view was like nothing I had ever seen.

Last week I also attended a professional rugby game between South African and Australian teams. The atmosphere in the stadium is quite impressive. I think it’s fair to say that rugby fans come second to Habs’ fans. I also noticed how huge rugby players are. I’ve been told that rugby players are the perfect athletes because they have to have endurance and strength at the same time. I can definitely see why this is.

I am now looking forward to my next adventure as we are going on a safari in the Kruger Park this weekend. — Julien Miller ’12

Life Lessons in South Africa

Posted on February 12, 2010 by admin

As of the 13th of February, I will have been here for a full month, and what great month it’s been! I visited a slum of downtown Johannesburg as well as talked with inmates from Leuwkop prison. Both these experiences were very eye-opening. At the prison, we socialized not with villains, but with young men who had mistakes in their lives and were now on the right path to a normal life. I chatted with a couple of guys, all of whom were very open with what crimes they had committed. All these men had very tragic stories to tell, however, one man in particular shocked me with his story. He told me that he had tried to rob a money transfer truck with his friends because he didn’t have enough money to buy the drugs that he was addicted to. He also mentioned to me that he had got someone pregnant and now had a 3-year-old boy waiting for him in Soweto. He explained to me why his life turned into a mess and he told me never to repeat any of the mistakes he had made. This man struck me as a very bright guy, and told me that he was now studying to be an engineer so that he could support his child, when he’s released from jail. This criminal taught me more valuable life lessons than anyone else has. I am now looking forward to my next visit to the prison on the 6th of March.

I also spent this last weekend doing something I had never done before. My host family took me to their home at the Vaal dam. The Vaal dam provides water for the entire Gauteng province, which is the most populated province in South Africa. Every year the Pons family participates in a sailing race around an island in the Vaal. I was lucky enough to join the crew even though I had never sailed before. When we first set out it was explained to me that it sometimes get a bit rough out on the water and that I would always have to be on the look out for swinging sails. Apparently it doesn’t get very rough, when there is no wind… It took us four hours to move about 4 kilometers. However, I still had lots of fun and I’m glad it didn’t get too crazy for my first time as sailing looks quite complicated. — Julien Miller ’12

South Africa Feels Like Home

Posted on February 3, 2010 by admin

I’ve now been in South Africa for two weeks and the country has really impressed me. In general, South Africa’s tough history has left many people thinking that it’s an impoverished and disease- struck place. Therefore, when I first arrived I had prepared myself for the worst. Although the signs of Apartheid and poverty are still present, I can firmly say that South Africa has surpassed all my expectations.

In terms of the school, everything has been great. Saints has really impressed me. The sense of pride that everyone at the school has in Stithians has left me in awe. As well, my teachers have been very nice and understanding. I am not finding it too much of a challenge to cope with the curriculum. Before this exchange, I thought that LCC had the best athletics program, but I think Saints may just have the edge. The athletics are truly amazing. I’m playing on two sports teams as well as frequently using the school gym. I’m also finding that sports are a great way to meet tons of new people. Through sports I’ve already made some great friends.

When I first arrived I was surprised at how different Canada and South Africa were. One could say that I was experiencing culture shock. However, now that I’ve been here for almost two weeks and am more comfortable, I am realizing that although Canada and South Africa are over 10,000 kilometers away, the mentality of the people here are very similar to Canadians. Everyone I have met so far has been super friendly and like us, South Africans have a pretty relaxed mentality. So I feel right at home here. –Julien Miller ’12

L’art de l’opéra au service du théâtre : La Princesse Turandot.

Posted on January 27, 2010 by admin

Le jeudi 14 janvier, les élèves de 9e année, français, programme accéléré, ont été voir une pièce de Carlo Gozzi adaptée de l’opéra de Giacomo Puccini; La Princesse Turandot., au théâtre Denise Pelletier.

Ce conte burlesque nous a fait découvrir un pandémonium de la célèbre Commedia dell’arte et de la Chine, une rencontre entre l’Orient et l’Occident.

L’histoire de cette princesse, qui est terriblement belle, mais qui refuse tout amour terrestre et aussi toute idée de mariage, propose à quiconque veut l’épouser trois énigmes à résoudre sous peine de trancher la tête. Quatre-vingt-dix-neuf prétendants ont déjà échoué lorsqu’un jeune Prince étranger demande à subir l’épreuve. La suite nous entraîne dans de burlesques aventures comiques, mais aussi dramatiques.

Les élèves ont pu apprécier, mais aussi critiquer certains aspects de cette œuvre. Voici quelques commentaires :

J’ai beaucoup pris plaisir à la pièce pour son mélange de style, et le jeu des acteurs.— Emily Tibéri

Un des personnages principaux, Abdallah, apportait à la pièce son côté comique ce qui m’a permis de garder toute mon attention et mon intérêt au cours de la pièce. — Claudia Trahan

J’ai beaucoup aimé le mélange Orient, Occident. De plus, d’avoir des musiciens sur scène, m’a aidé à comprendre la mise en scène de cette pièce. — Andrew Dunn

Le metteur en scène a bien réussi la combinaison de la comédie et du drame. Mes personnages préférés étaient : Tartaglia et Abdallah. Leur jeu était époustouflant. De plus, j’ai trouvé que l’humour qu’ils ajoutaient à la pièce la rendait acceptable. — André Capretti

Que dire après ces critiques? Nous avons passé une excellente matinée, et nous avons été enjoués par cette performance.
—E. Soret et la classe de 9e année, français, programme accéléré

First Impressions of South African Student Exchange

Posted on January 26, 2010 by admin

LCC grade 9 student Julien Miller set out on January 13th on a two month student exchange with Saint Stithians Boys’ College in South Africa.

Here are his first impressions of his student exchange experience:

Going on this exchange is possibly the best decision I’ve ever made. I’m simply loving it here. I could really get used to not having to wear a coat and boots every time I leave the house. However, yesterday we had a massive thunderstorm and it even began to hail. Although, I’ve seen my fair share of storms, I had never seen a storm like this one. I was surprised when the family I’m staying with told me that these storms are quite common for summers in Johannesburg.

Everything at school has been terrific. The teachers are very nice, and the workload hasn’t been too much of a problem as I discovered that I am ahead of the curriculum here. As well, there is a great selection of sports to play. I am currently deciding whether to join the water polo or cricket team. –Julien Miller ’12