A Journey Through French and Italian Rugby Culture
by Jayco Chan, Grade 11:
The school rugby trip to France and Italy was truly a unique experience, giving us a taste of the unprecedented European rugby style as well as their local culture. In France, they demonstrated paramount agility with excellent ball security, allowing them to break through our defense and score tries strategically.
When we moved on to Italy, their priority in precise kicking allowed them to gain territory without much interference. In general, the teams we played exhibited distinctive rugby strategies, allowing us to learn valuable skills, which include better ball handling and better support at the rucks, whilst also developing our passion towards the amazing sport of rugby.
One memorable event from the rugby tour was billeting with the French. In Toulouse, I stayed with a French family of three, where the family was actively involved in rugby. In the morning, we would cruise through the vibrant city of Toulouse via train and subway to get to the high school; and at night, we would travel to a remote rugby club to practice.
In Saint-Marcellin, I stayed in a boarding school with numerous boarders of different backgrounds. One vivid moment I remember was when we played Uno together in the common room. The chatter and laughter were remarkable and unforgettable. As we parted our ways, we left with memories of profound rugby matches as well as friendships that might potentially last a lifetime.
by Harper May, Grade 12:
This year’s rugby tour was everything I hoped it would be and more. I was lucky enough to be one of the girls on the first SMUS Girls Rugby team to ever go on a tour outside of the province.
In France and Italy, we got to experience both rugby and culture. From playing in a game that was advertised as Canada vs. France with over six hundred people watching, to staying in a French family’s home where they spoke no English, to wandering around the history-filled streets of Rome, I can easily confirm it was the trip of a lifetime.
I really enjoyed the chance to practice my french-speaking skills, and I loved being immersed in Italian culture through tours and the food. This was an amazing opportunity to both grow as a player and as a team and I feel closer to my teammates than ever. I really hope that the girls after me get to experience something like what we just did, because I know this trip will be something that stays with me for many years to come.
View more photos from the France and Italy trip on the Photo Gallery.
Exploring Japan's Rich Heritage and Delights
by Sami Gakhal, Grade 9, and Kali Gakhal, Grade 10:
The Spring Break trip to Japan was a wonderful excursion that created memories that will stick with us for a lifetime. A big highlight was visiting the Nara deer park in Kyoto where we got to interact with and feed deer, as well as experience the culture of Kyoto. One thing we found particularly interesting was how the deer bowed to you when they wanted food.
Another place we visited that was a culturally rich experience was the Kinkakuji Temple, also known as the ‘The Golden Pavilion’. This temple was full of beautiful sights and had many interesting shops. Some of our favourite foods that we tried on this trip were tanghulu, hotpot and melon bread. Tanghulu and melon bread were delicious and we were able to try different versions throughout the duration of the trip and it was a huge high point for us. Along with snacks, we tried shabu-shabu hotpot for the first time on this trip and absolutely loved it, and I would definitely recommend trying it if you get the chance.
Along with visiting more educational places such as the shrines, there was a huge amount of free time for shopping throughout the trip and one of our favourite places to visit was the Ginza District. While exploring Ginza we discovered the most amazing café and got the best donuts and drinks we had ever had in our lives.
Overall, the Japan trip was an incredible experience that we will never forget. This excursion would not have been possible without our wonderful teacher chaperones who made the trip unforgettable.
by Stacy Zhu, Grade 11:
Twenty seven SMUS students were able to experience an unforgettable cultural trip to Japan. In addition to the numerous highlights mentioned above, I would like to add on some highlights for the Grade 11s in particular.
Japan is home to a large variety of animal cafés which is a highly recommended must-see activity. In fact, a few of us were lucky enough to stumble upon an otter café during one of our free time slots in Tokyo. It was honestly the best $17 the five of us have ever spent. Of course, as previously mentioned, the food was amazing. The food markets never disappointed and we obviously tried out the different McDonald’s menu. Even the overpriced food in Disneyland lived up to its expectations. Tokyo Disneyland was incredibly crowded despite the poor weather and all the best rides had prolonged wait times. However, this time spent standing together in line bullied by harsh wind was a worthwhile bonding experience early on in the trip.
Aside from the fun we had, our entire group had some valuable takeaways from this trip adjusting to new cultural norms. For instance, Japan is much cleaner despite the fact that there are barely any public trash cans. We also noticed that walking while eating is not normal there. We realized that we needed to hold onto our trash and eat where we got our food in order to dispose of any trash there and remain respectful in the unfamiliar environment. Furthermore, everyone is quite formal and polite. This encouraged us to be on our best behaviour whilst out roaming the streets.
In the end, with plenty of time to reflect on our trip during our long hours of travel, we’ve come to the realization that this trip was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience. We’ve all accumulated new treasured memories, and funny stories to remind each other of in reunions further along in life. Travelling with such a large group of classmates unfamiliar to you and becoming closer to the teachers accompanying us, was something that is unachievable had the school not planned this. Accordingly, we all hold extreme gratitude for the chaperones and the people working behind the scenes who made this trip possible.
View more photos from the Japan trip on the Photo Gallery.
Exploring New Zealand's Natural Beauty and Cultural Riches
by Sophia Hop Hendy, Grade 10, and Elena Weiher, Grade 10:
Travelling to Aotearoa, as the Māori call New Zealand, was a once-in-a-lifetime experience we will never forget.
Our arrival in Auckland was warmly welcomed after a long flight. Throughout the first few days, we explored the city and even hiked to a viewpoint that oversees Auckland. We also went surfing in Muriwai Beach and caught some waves, as well as went kayaking to Cathedral Cove, a secluded beach where we had a coffee and went for a swim.
After leaving Auckland behind, we drove to New Plymouth where we visited one of the few Green Schools in the world. We gained insight into their unique way of learning, mainly focused on sustainability and the environment, a concept we could all learn something from.
Not only did we get to see the natural aspect of the island, but we also got to experience fun activities we’d never done before, like zorbing in Rotorua. We rolled down a hill inside a giant plastic orb, as well as hurtled down a river on a speedboat and raced karts at the skyline luge, all moments of pure adrenaline and joy. When it was time to head back north again, we got to see the great set of Hobbiton from The Lord of the Rings and took a tour throughout the idyllic set.
Additionally, we had the unique experience of visiting a Māori Village where we learned their
way of living and beliefs, which are deeply connected to Papatuanuku, Earth Mother, emphasizing the importance of giving back to the earth.
The trip was slowly coming to an end and on our last evening, we took a ferry to Waiheke Island
where we walked on the beach and had the opportunity to see the Southern Cross.
Thanks to the teachers who came along with us, Mr. Bates, Ms. Butler, and Mr. Hlannon, we
were able to experience this unforgettable trip. It was incredible to visit such a culturally and
ecologically diverse country, that shaped our way of thinking and appreciation towards life.
View more photos from the New Zealand trip on the Photo Gallery.
