Union Catholic French Students Say "Au revoir New Jersey et Bonjour Québec!"

Madame Ciringione’s students had an amazing experience in Quebec City, Canada. Union Catholic students explored Vieux Québec, striding along the 17th century cobblestone streets. Some of the stops included the Dufferin Terrace and Chateau Frontenac where students navigated through street performers and vendors. On the second day, students visited the Musée du Fort where they learned about the famous sieges that led to the battle of the Plains of Abraham in 1759. The tour also made a stop at Les Galeries de la Capitale, a mall that included an indoor ice-skating rink, a rollercoaster, and an amusement park! Students all got a free ride on the roller coaster, even Madame Ciringione went on the ride! On day three, students headed to the Basilica Ste-Anne-de-Beaupre where they attended Sunday Mass in French. Good thing Madame Ciringione taught them the prayers! After that, students headed to visit to the Montmorency Falls, which are actually 98 feet higher than the famous Niagara Falls. Students were able to cross the falls on a suspension bride. Students also visited the Village des Hurons, where they discovered the world and culture of Québec’s Indigenous peoples.

Since the tour took place on the weekend of Québec’s National Holiday, also known as Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day, students experienced a free Cirque-du-Soleil show “Hangar” and then went out in the evening on the Plains of Abraham for a free outdoor concert of a famous Québec folk rock group, Les Cowboys Fringants. Students definitely felt a little Québecois for the day! On the last day, students visited Laval University for a tour with our guide Mathieu (who is a student at the University). Students ran around on the outdoor stadium and also sang on a stage at the University. During the tour, students ate at a crêperie and visited an actual sugar shack where they were able to roll maple taffy onto the snow. Throughout the entire trip students were immersed in the French language through hearing, seeing, and even speaking, as Madame made them order everything en français! During these 5 days, students have grown in knowledge that only travel could have given them.