2C Carina Leung Yuet Ching
My three-week trip to Toronto was an incredible adventure! Although all of us were exhausted after the 16-hour flight, we were excited when we arrived on campus. The campus was truly stunning; it was filled with trees and plants. The gardens and open spaces were full of colorful flowers, where we could chat and play volleyball with friends during breaks.
One of the highlights of staying in Canada was visiting the CN Tower. Standing at the top gave me breathtaking views of the cityscape and made me feel on top of the world. I also had a fantastic time at Canada’s Wonderland, an amusement park filled with thrilling rides and fun games. Although the queues for each ride were super long, I still enjoyed my time on the roller coasters with my friends. We screamed loudly on the rides, and it made us want to visit again! The Pop Award, the grandest activity celebrated at the MWS camp, was also memorable. Every group in the MWS camp had to make a video for the Pop Award, and we needed to dress elegantly for the awards ceremony.
During the trip, I met people from different countries, such as Mexico, Brazil, Korea, and Taiwan—especially a girl called Laura from Brazil. We both enjoyed chatting and going to different places within the camp counselor group. At the CN Tower and on the roller coasters, we laughed and shouted together with people from different countries. Interacting with peers from diverse backgrounds enriched our time together. We often exchanged stories about our traditions and cultures. My counselors, Ruben and Chloe, guided us through these experiences, encouraging us to step out of our comfort zones and to talk more with people from other backgrounds. By the end of the trip, I had built friendships with people from other backgrounds and created many unforgettable memories.
After the trip, I learned invaluable life skills that will stay with me forever. One of my biggest improvements was in my English-speaking skills and my confidence when talking with others. Interacting with peers from various backgrounds pushed me to communicate more confidently, which will help me express my ideas and thoughts clearly. Engaging in conversations and group activities made me braver and more willing to step out of my comfort zone. In addition, being away from my parents for three weeks taught me how to take care of myself and manage my money. I learned to organize my belongings and clean my room every single day to maintain a tidy space. Overall, this experience not only improved my English-speaking skills and made me braver, but it also helped me grow as an individual and gave me a sense of responsibility and independence.
The biggest change after the camp is that I learned how to manage my money effectively. Because we could only take out money from the camp on Tuesdays and Thursdays, when we were spending money on Fridays, for example, we needed to think carefully about how much we would spend that day and whether we had enough for emergencies over the next four days. These experiences taught me the importance of saving and prioritizing needs over wants. I feel more responsible and prepared for future financial challenges. Overall, this trip opened my eyes to new adventures and made me more curious about the world.
2B07 Emma Chu Pui Yan
At first, I thought this trip to Toronto would be fun, but it turned out to be a blast and a unique experience far beyond my imagination.
I was very worried while we were waiting for the flight to Toronto, and I was really disappointed when I heard about the delay. Thankfully, we took off for Toronto smoothly.
Daniel, one of the MWS counselors, picked us up at the airport. He was very nice and friendly—a real gentleman—helping our teachers and students carry their luggage. After spending time together, I found him hilarious and good-humored. Besides Daniel, there were many other affable counselors. For instance, my group counselor during the first week in Toronto, Ruben, was amusing and energetic. He told jokes wherever we went and even taught me some French during the trip. I enjoyed my time with him so much. My second group counselor, Chloe, was very nice and beautiful. She never scolded us and wasn’t ashamed to share her secrets with us, either! My third group counselor, Hannah, was passionate—very different from Chloe. The best part is that we were both Swifties (Taylor Swift’s fans). We love Taylor Swift’s music and adore her so much. It wasn’t just the group counselors who were great; the teachers and directors were wonderful too. Brenna, my fellow-Swiftie English teacher, taught so well and was really friendly. We weren’t just teacher and student; we also became very good friends. The directors—Quintin, Zoe, and Emily—were all cordial. I really enjoyed my time with all the counselors in Toronto.
Besides the counselors, I met some amazing friends from different countries. I met a friend from Brazil. She was quite shy at first, but we became close friends in the end. I miss her so much! I also met friends from Taiwan, Mexico, and Korea. I will cherish the memories we shared in Toronto.
I learned a lot during many fun activities. On the first day, we went to Little Canada. It showcases miniature versions of different Canadian attractions—for example, the famous Niagara Falls, the CN Tower, and Rogers Centre. They all reflect the proud and breathtaking scenery of Canada. Niagara Falls, the spectacular and glorious waterfall, truly impressed me. Standing in front of the surging water, I admired God’s wonderful creation. At Medieval Times, we watched knights jousting. I could experience what it felt like in the Middle Ages.
Through this amazing trip, I learned a lot—not only in class or about Canadian culture, but also about friendship, getting along with people, and building better habits. Needless to say, we learned English in class. During class activities, we had to communicate and interact with classmates. We thought of solutions together and got to know each other better. We also learned a lot about Canada; it is an inclusive, respectful, and friendly country. I felt like I had already integrated into Toronto.
Friendship is priceless—you cannot buy it, no matter how much money you spend. Friendships that connect people from different countries are even more precious. I remember it was hard to get my Brazilian friend to open up at first since she was shy and introverted. After we got to know each other during the first week, she started to chat with me more. She became one of my best friends from abroad. Another friend is from Korea. Although she is younger than I am, she is proactive and enthusiastic. Most of the time, she is the first to take action or answer questions. Because of this, I think she is more like a teacher than a friend to me. She taught me to be more active and not to worry about making mistakes. She gave me the courage to face new things. To be honest, I was reluctant to wave goodbye to all my good friends when we left. They are all valuable memories for me to cherish. I will never forget them and will miss them very much.
Since childhood, I used to leave my plates and utensils on the table after meals, and my parents would tidy them up for me. However, at camp we had to put our trays away after eating. This became a habit, and I brought it home. I started putting my things away after meals and cleaning them myself, knowing it is my responsibility. Besides becoming more responsible, I also learned independence. We had to manage our time well since no one was supervising us. We arranged our time to bathe, wash up, and go to bed. I learned to prepare my things for a shower during the day so there wouldn’t be a long queue and the waiting time would be shorter. I used to be an untidy person and didn’t care about keeping my stuff neat, but in Canada I put all my things in order, and I didn’t lose anything there! (A lot of people lost their things.) This taught me to take better care of myself and to live more independently.
It was an amazing and truly valuable trip to Toronto. I will never forget the fun I had, the joy of my laughter, and the tears when I had to say goodbye. I was filled with satisfaction and happiness as I enjoyed these wonderful moments. I had an entertaining summer holiday in Canada. These precious memories will be deeply imprinted in my mind—lingering, never to be forgotten.
