Introduction
This past month, I had the incredible opportunity to participate in a cultural exchange program organized by Experiences Canada and Mistassiny School and Glebe school. The trip was a beautiful blend of two worlds. Students from Ottawa came to experience life in our Alberta communities in Edmonton, Sandy Lake, and Wabasca, and then we traveled to Ottawa to immerse ourselves in their fast-paced city life. What started as a nervous meeting between strangers ended with friendships so strong that saying goodbye brought us all to tears.
Part 1: The Ottawa Students Visit Alberta – Laughter, Theatre, and Midnight Chases
When the Ottawa group first arrived, we didn’t head straight to our small towns. Instead, we kicked things off with two nights in Edmonton, where the real bonding began.
Hotel Hangouts & First Impressions
We stayed at a hotel, and within hours, the nerves started fading. Junk food piled up in rooms, and music blared from someone’s speaker. I’d only talked to my “twin” Eliot online before this but seeing him in person felt like reuniting with an old friend. (Though I won’t lie—some of the others still seemed a little intimidating at first….)
Comedic Dinner Theatre Night
One evening, we went to a dinner theatre show, and it was *exactly* what we needed. Between the cheesy jokes, the male actors putting on maid dresses, and the shared embarrassment of being singled out, we were all laughing so hard our stomachs hurt. That night, the “Ottawa kids” stopped feeling like strangers and started feeling like friends.
Sandy Lake
When we finally arrived in Sandy Lake, the real adventure began. After days of teaching them our traditions like drum-making and storytelling, we let loose with games under the open sky. Manhunt outside the school became legendary.
– The Ottawa group had never played in a place where the only light came from the moon and the distant glow of the school windows.
– Branches cracked underfoot, whispers carried through the trees, and at one point, someone screamed when a rabbit darted past.
– By the end, we were always exhausted but not in a bad way because of all the running and chasing we would do.
It was during those nights, running through the field without lights and laughter, that I realized how much we were all the same, just kids thrilled by the same games, no matter where we came from.
Part 2: Our Turn in Ottawa – A World of Difference
A week later, we flew to Ottawa to stay with our twins’ families. The culture shock was real:
City Life vs. Small-Town Life: In Ottawa, everything was close by, museums, cafes, even their school. I loved how walkable the city was, though I missed the quiet, open spaces of home. The constant noise and crowds took some getting used to!
School Differences: Their classrooms were fuller, their schedules more structured. Back in Wabasca, our school feels like a big family, in Ottawa, it was more formal. It made me appreciate the closeness of our community.
Twinning Bonds: Living with Eliot’s family was surreal. They welcomed me like I was one of their own, showing me their favorite spots in the city. By the end, it felt like leaving a second home.
The Hardest Part: Goodbyes
The trip’s end hit us harder than any of us expected. At the airport, hugs turned into tears even the “tough” kids in our group broke down. I hadn’t realized how close we’d all grown until that moment. Months later, we still text daily sending memes or reminiscing about inside jokes.
What I Learned
- Friendship Has No Boundaries: Distance and different backgrounds don’t matter when you connect on a human level.
- Perspective Is Everything: Seeing Ottawa’s hustle made me grateful for my town’s peace but also curious about city opportunities.
- Growth Happens Outside Comfort Zones: From my shaky “hello” at the airport to sobbing goodbyes, this trip stretched me in the best way.
Conclusion
If I could relive this experience, I’d do it in a heartbeat. To anyone considering an exchange, take the chance, you’ll gain more than just memories, you’ll gain a second brother or sister. And to my Ottawa friends, if you’re reading this, I miss you guys so much, I hope we can meet again. Thank you to Experiences Canada and both our school and the Glebe school in Ottawa for making this possible!
Final Rating: 10/10, Would twin again.
-George, Experiences Canada 2025 Youth Exchange Ambassador
Experiences Canada covers the cost of group travel! Apply today to secure funding for a 2025 Youth Exchange: https://experiencescanada.ca/exchanges/.
Experiences Canada’s Youth Exchange Program is generously funded by the Department of Canadian Heritage.
