Canada Study Tour & Leadership Exchange Program (9th edition)
2nd November – 16th November 2024
Canada Study Tour is organized by the Polish Academy of Canada in association with Carla Cuglietta from Young Leaders. World (Alberta Canada), and Peregrine Leadership (Ontario, Canada) and University of Victoria. During the tour students learn about themselves and self-leadership, sightsee 2 main Canadian provinces, explore Canadian cultures and current issues of Canada through their visits to the major Canadian universities, governmental and environmental institutions of Canada, and take part in the leadership programs and conferences (Ontario Student Leadership Conference). Canada Study Tour revolves around the concept of Canadian LEADERSHIP WITH HEART.
The 9th edition of Canada Study Tour started on the 2nd of November 2024 and 12 chosen participants from all over Poland flew first to London in Ontario where they took part in the 3 day conference Ontario Student Leadership Summit with other Canadian students, and teachers. This edition of Canada Study Tour was proud to welcome the position of our new Team Spirit Leader, Marta Roszkiewicz, who participated in CST in November 2023. Marta was a great leader for the participants as she was the perfect example of self-learning leader, and motivated the youth to learn and do their best. She wrote that “as the Team Spirit Leader, I had to take a big step back and lead from behind. I focused on supporting everyone, helping them better understand Canadian culture and leadership, and ensuring that the atmosphere was friendly, full of singing and dancing. It was my first time in this role, so I can say that sometimes it was quite challenging. I had to learn how to read, better understand and support people and their emotions […]
I am happy that I had the chance to be part of this life-changing experience with the whole team. Seeing how much effort and courage everyone put into creating a group and a sense of community was truly touching. Words cannot describe how amazing these people are or how much fun I had with them
Ontario Student Conference took place in Niagara Falls and started as usual with a small market place, where students exchanged their views with different universities in Canada and leaders, as well as took part in some leadership activities. The students could also exchange their viewpoints with other Canadian teachers, lectures ad could listen to many distnigued personalities who in their keynote speakers reflected on our willingness to try to be the best versions of ourselves both in professional and private life. These are not the easiest things to understand, let alone design for oneself, because they are associated with great emotions. After rthe conference the student were sightseeing Toronto, went to try the famous “Beaver’s Tail” –and later they also met with Prof. Helen Bajorek MacDonald and Jean Komarnicki to discuss Polish, Ukrainian and Canadian cultures, as well as other interesting personal issues in Oshawa. They also as usual wrote postcards with messages of support to Ukraine’s Defenders. All rose to the challenge to write in Ukrainian – with a little help from a handy sheet of translations. The same day the students left for the Leadership Camp Experience in Scugog and took part in 3-day Leadership Training, went canoing and kayaking, as well as devoted their all time to learn to THINK like a leader and why it is so important. Their first reflections were that it makes them feel so happy and has no fear of judgment. They highlighted that Canadians genuinely noticed and appreciated our authentic qualities. They were curious about us and who we are as people, and not your status - and everyone was treated with equal respect.
Finally on the 8th of November 2024 the participants flew to Vancouver and Vancouver Island where they took part in another leadership training at the Victoria University and listened to the lecture about leading with empathy delivered by the Dean of Social Sciences - Dr Lois Harder. What is more, at Victoria university, Dr Curtis Clarke provided insight on how to best prepare for future through learning. On Vancouver Island the students also enjoyed the hospitality of Melissa Hoffort and Sheldon Saywell – Canadian family with whom they took part in lots of Canadian fun activities. The students also took part in the Kindness and Empathy course led by Melissa Hoffort, who is also one of the important keynote speakers in CST and helps us to organize Canada Study Tour part in British Columbia. Melissa’s Kindness Course is always the most liked course as students really learn a lot about themselves, and how to love yourself and understand the others. At the Canadian High School they had a meeting the Indignous Community from Vancouver island and learn about Indigebous ethics and life. It was truly a very life transforming experience.
In addition to the leadership sessions, the students also visited some of the most breathtaking and majestic places in Canada, enjoyed the hospitality of many Canadians at their homes and simply also made lifelong Canadian friendships. The tour was 15 day long and the students came back to Poland on 16th of November 2024 and they couldn’t say good-bye to each other.
