Sharing Experiences

"I realized that belonging to a country is not just living here – it is knowing the people and being at home wherever you find yourself in Canada. I have never felt so welcome to be Canadian, even within my own city, as when I was on exchange and hosting someone. My friends gave meaning to citizenship, etc."

"I learned a lot more in one week of activities at Forum than I have in 3 years of Social Studies. Also I gained the friendships of many students from across Canada, which is very valuable to me!"

"When I share experiences with people from all over Canada, I feel that I am living in a community of diversity. Team building with people of all different backgrounds and places allowed me to form relationships and care about people all over Canada. I found differences between my peers, and also similarities. Being submerged into a melting pot of culture, all the participants form together to make Canada pie! Now when I hear about Québec on the news, I won’t automatically switch the channel, because it now has relevance to me."

"The exchange has help increase my sense of belonging to Canada because it showed me new ways that people live. I also learned about the history of Canada in new ways that I didn’t know before."

"I was able to learn so much about the different people that make up our country. Most of my learning came from the participants...The main reason I believe this program is so important is because it has given us a sense of unity. We have all been able to work together despite our differences and have learned the importance of diversity in our country."

"It was a real pleasure getting a better understanding of Canada and how we ALL live. I have to say that the forum enacted change in myself as well as many others. I'm going to wait a few years but I will run for Parliament."

"The main benefit of this exchange was that everyone involved realized that although we all came from different parts of the country, with different political, economic and cultural differences, that we all have so much in common. We are the same, have the same hopes, dreams and goals."

"Going to another place helped me learn more about different cultures. This has been just a step that I have taken, and I look forward in taking many more to complete the puzzle that is Canada."

"I did not expect this program to transform me into a new person. I was accepted as who I am; I wasn’t judged by my looks, origin, the way I dress and my mother tongue."

"It really opens your eyes to the amount of diversity within the borders. You get acquainted with different cultures, that although 100% Canadian, could exist independently. It really makes you feel part of a great thing."