Studying English in Canada 2024 (Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada)

In mid-August six of our students had a unique opportunity to study and experience a homestay in Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada for a week. Abbotsford is a culturally diverse city of over 150,000 people located in the southeast portion of British Columbia tucked away in the Fraser Valley only ten minutes away from the US border.

The program involved ESL class in the morning with their Canadian buddies, high school and university aged assistants. One Canadian buddy was assigned to two students, giving plenty of chances for conversation and fun. The same buddies accompanied our six students for afternoon activities on a full-day excursion of Vancouver which included Stanley Park, the Olympic Torch, Canada Place and Gastown. While visiting students and buddies experienced a virtual Canadian journey called ‘Flyover Canada’ across Canada’s most majestic landscapes, from the remote Arctic north to the Rocky Mountains, Niagara Falls, and Canada’s Eastern Seaboard, Flyover Canada also used wind, mist and scents to enhance the sensation of the flight.

Other afternoon activities included Canada 5-pin bowling, a visit to Cascade Falls viewed from a suspension bridge, a speech and talent show followed by a farewell ceremony. On the last day before leaving, students had another full-day excursion to the University of British Columbia (UBC), one of the world’s top universities. Our students toured the school escorted by attending UBC students and had lunch at the UBC cafeteria. Students got a good feel of a foreign university and the possibilities that could lie ahead if they choose. Afterwards, we ventured to the Botanical Garden and Green Heart Trees on a walking tour. Students traversed a 310-meter long and at times 23-meter-high tree-top canopy walkway to get a bird-eye view of this temperate rainforest adjacent to the UBC campus.

The last day culminated in students, buddies and host families saying their goodbyes at the study center mixed with sadness and happiness. Just in one short week cross-cultural bonds were built that will possibly last a lifetime. Students forged friendships and experienced a sample of Canadian culture during their homestays, laying the foundation for further exploration in language and culture. Moreover, this time in Canada helped our students to look outward to the world, giving them a better understanding of the world around them. They have acquired valuable skills that will benefit them and help set them apart. Not only are our students’ citizens of Japan, but they are citizens of the world. Thank you, Canada, for helping our students unlock their potential.