To mark the beginning of Trent ESL’s second summer term, which just happened to coincide with National Canoe Day on June 26, 37 participants embarked on a canoeing adventure, paddling along the Otonabee River from Trent’s Symons Campus through the Peterborough Lift Lock to Beavermead Park in downtown Peterborough.

Speaking of the experience, Bretton Clark, an instructor and academic liaison for Trent ESL who organized and guided the excursion through The Land Canadian Adventures, a local business he owns with Briagh Hoskins Hasbury, said: “These types of experiences really help facilitate cultural and language exchange, because by putting students from mixed backgrounds into intense teamwork situations, they have no choice but to interact spontaneously in their new language.  Whether it's trying to paddle in cadence with their partners, or pointing out a heron fishing on the shoreline, students must work together in their shared medium of English to get the most of this Canadian experience." 

Joining upwards of 30 international students on the adventure were Trent ESL teachers and staff, some of whom also took the opportunity to bring their family on this unique paddling trip on a warm and sunny afternoon.  Along the way, the paddlers noted bird and wildlife species, including osprey, herons, kingfishers, ducks and geese with their young, as well as painted turtles and a fox. The highlight for many was the views from, and experience of descending, one of the world’s largest hydraulic lift locks by canoe. 

“It was pretty cool going through the two sets of lift locks. We definitely had an enjoyable and memorable time,” said Sancha Reynolds, an international student from St. Lucia.

Trent ESL and the Trent International Program (TIP) strive to organize a steady stream of activities programming to acquaint international students with the rich natural and cultural heritage of Trent University and the Kawarthas. Students this season have already enjoyed a BBQ dinner near Riverview Park & Zoo, traditional skills workshop at Camp Kawartha’s Environment Centre, and a trip further afield to the Metro Toronto Zoo. 

Posted on Monday, June 29, 2015.