Upper School French Students Travel to Québec

Ten Upper School students put their French-speaking skills into practice beyond the classroom during a February 6-9 Center for International Studies trip to Québec City. View the slideshow. Olivia Anderson ’28, Anna Chung ’28, Clara Cimo ’28, Harper Dailey ’28, Raegan Florsheim ’28, Morgan Gatzke ’29, Riley Hudman ’28, Eva King ’28, Vivian Modeer ’28, and Stella Weiskittel ’28 traveled with Upper School French Teacher Christine King, Upper School Ballet Teacher Carrie Cheng,  and FWCD parent Dr. Eugene Chung. 

The group attended the renowned Québec Winter Carnival and experienced the history, traditions and daily life of French Canadian culture. A guided tour of the Huron Tradition Site introduced students to the First Nations people who helped shape the region’s early development. They also visited the famous Hôtel de Glace, where sculptors from 11 tribes came together to create the stunning masterpiece built entirely from ice and snow. 

Outdoor activities gave students a taste of winter in Québec: They enjoyed dog sledding through wooded trails, followed by time (and some pets!) with the huskies who led them. The group also spent a fun afternoon snow tubing, sledding on the Dufferin by the St. Lawrence River, and stopping at the museum underneath the Fairmont Le Château Frontenac to see how the city began in the 1600s. 

Another highlight of the trip was a traditional maple sugar shack dinner. Students shared a family-style Québécois meal, learned about maple distillation, made their own maple butter, and danced to Québécois folkloric music. The evening ended with la tire à l’érable, which involves pouring maple syrup onto the snow and using a popsicle stick to roll it into a sweet treat.