A meeting that marks the history of the partnership between Saint Thomas University and ICES
A young Canadian may study in ICES at La Roche sur Yon in France. She would be the first student from Fredericton to ever study at this university. Michaila Bassett is majoring in French and Spanish and minoring in Italian at Saint Thomas University.
“I wanted to study French since I am from a bilingual province that would help me to have more opportunities to find a job.”
This private university is in La Roche sur Yon, France. In the west of France, 20 minutes from the sea and 4 hours and 30 minutes from Paris. Everything is more accessible in France than it is in Canada. It takes 13 hours to travel from Fredericton to Toronto. However, it would take half that time to reach to Belgium. In less than 13 hours it is possible to go in Germany, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Italy, Spain, or even Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
St Thomas University collaborated with ICES and allows students from both universities to go in exchange for one year to a semester at the other. In fact, during the Winter 2023 semester, exchange students from ICES at St. Thomas University met this student who was preparing to attend ICES and was studying at St. Thomas University.
Michaila arranged a road trip to present the students from France to her local cultures to commemorate this encounter. It was a chance to convey to future ICES students what it’s like to return to France and the differences she might meet along the route.
Gaëtane, Valentine and Pauline don’t have a car to enjoy their environment, which limits their tourist trips in Canada. This is the first time they have had the opportunity to discover the coastal landscapes of Canada.
“It’s too bad you didn’t come in the summer; you could have discovered the blueberry fields,” Michaila commented.
This Thursday 6th of April was a road trip for them. At first, they discovered New River Beach. A place ideal to admire the landscapes in the Bay of Fundy. It began to rain when they joined the beach. It was not perfect weather for swimming in a bikini.
Some Harlequin ducks were out. A small sea duck that is classified as a vulnerable species in Canada. From a distance, it looked like black and white spots floating on the water.
On their way, they discovered St Georges Eagle Nest, but without the eagles. Endless blueberry fields, but without the blueberries. Tourist places where it is usual not to find a parking place, deserted. Beaches without bathers. Ports where it is possible to see whales, without whales. They would have to come back to Canada to explore the country again.
Nature reserves the size of woods. A beaver in its native environment is seen at a glance while driving at 100km/h on the road. Later, a herd of deer in an equally strange setting: a neighbor’s garden.
“I’m impressed that they haven’t moved yet,” Gaëtane remarked.
Through their boats, they discovered Saint Andrews, a popular spot for viewing whales in the Bay of Fundy. It is feasible to drive your automobile to Minister’s Island at low tide, however, it was not low tide.
Colorful buildings contrast with this gray sky. They enjoyed a warm hot chocolate made by McGuire Chocolate Company. A reward after their walk.
The students finished their road excursion by seeing Blacks Harbour’s seaglass. An ancient waste that is now filled with tempered glass of many hues.
The fog began to fall over the typical Canadian landscape.
« It looks like we are in Twilight,» said one of them.
This road trip was from 1 pm to 9:30 pm. This meeting creates bonds between these girls who will have their destiny linked between their respective universities.
Now it only remains for Michaila to get the answer to know if she will be accepted in the ICES establishment for the next school year.
Each of them was able to share their respective experiences, which will surely reassure her about what could await her in La Roche sur Yon. Knowing that now if she leaves, she will know people there.
For this St. Thomas student, many adventures await her and if the opportunity arises, the students will be able to show her coastal and tourist landscapes in France.
“I hope I will come to France.”
By Pauline Guivarch from Saint Thomas University and ICES
