Time to Reflect

Time to reflect : I can't believe our final day has drawn to a close. With all classes now finished and suitcases getting packed, I feel sad we are leaving. What an amazing opportunity to have been part of and one I will cherish memories for forever. To have been able to say "Through my work at Borders College I was offered the chance to support 10 students to Toronto, Canada to study at Centennial College" will forever be something I am proud of.

I am so proud of all of the students for their willingness to try new activities, concur their fears of heights with the Edgewalk, and boats at Niagara to their participation in classes. But I am most proud and want to recognise their support and care for each other - the group only met about 14 weeks before take off, and not everyone had met in person! To then living together for over 2 weeks and with each other 24 hours a day, there have been challenges - which we expected, but together the group have overcome and worked through these. And created so many positive and exciting memories to remember. The support the students have shared for each other has been inspirational, and so moving, I know for sure they will leave friends for life. 

Firstly, Kerryn, I want to thank you for your support and kindness throughout the trip - I wouldn't have could done this without you. Your skills, knowledge and support have been wonderful and I hope going back to the UK we will continue to make memories and take on other exciting opportunities. I have enjoyed this whole experience working with you and all of the amazing times we have shared. Cheers to us!

Erin and Nadia - Thank you soo much for everything, for all the planning, to the support here. I have been overwhelmed with gratitude to many members of your faculty that I have met along the way. Please pass on my thanks to Sabrina and Priscilla for the workshops and community excursions they have supported our students with, as well as all other faculty members and Professors who welcomed our students, Kerryn and I into classes. You have some truly inspirational staff members at Centennial. 

Kat, Jayson, and Zijian thank you for making our group feel soo welcomed and for your time supporting these students, you both should be proud of the work you are doing and the time you have taken to encourage and inspire our students that International travel and education could be a possibility for them to consider! Everyone has felt so comfortable in your company and enjoyed the experiences we have shared forever. I certainly will never forget Niagara! 

Thank you to my line manager Mandy for suggesting the opportunity in the first place - I wouldn't be here without you.

Thank you to Katharine and Borders College for the opportunity of a lifetime! I will be forever grateful that I was offered this chance, thank you for believing in me, encouraging me and supporting me through the past year and a half working for Borders College. 

As much as this experience was one for students to learn and grow, I certainly feel I will be going back to the UK a different person. Throughout my time here I feel I have learned so much, about the Culture, College, opportunities and myself.

I considered not applying for this opportunity as I had no confidence that I would even be able to support the students - I am so glad I submitted that application.

Lastly, thank you to all 10 students, we will leave here with unreplaceable memories and friendships for life. What a wild ride! Thank you for making it one to remember. You should all be so proud of yourselves, It has been an amazing experience for me observing each and every one of you gain confidence, make friendships and embrace this opportunity. I know some of you are in your final year at college, and I wish you the best for your future - whether that being continue with studies, or out working in the community - you each will be an asset to any role you are in. 

To the students: 

Alex, what an achievement! The Toronto Islands has definitely been my highlight of the entire trip, it just felt surreal. Listening to you play for the hundreds, maybe thousands on the island and was anthemic! You really made such an impact on everyone's trip and everyone I have spoken to has said you playing has been their favourite moment. Bagpiper to bagpiper - stick in,  you will go far. Very proud! 

Cheyanne, your strength and kindness for others as been truly inspirational. Every single day we have been here you have brightened everyone's day, your smile is infectious. You have been an amazing support to everyone here, your passion for your job and study is moving, you truly will be an asset to the sector. 

Clair, your passion for your business is motivational! Listening to you speak today in your classes and your knowledge around the subject area was impressive! Your support to others and compassion has been lovely to see, you are like a ray of sunshine in a room when you walk in! 

Connor, you have the world ahead of you! Stick in! You have shown your strength through your actions here, through experiences that may have been difficult you have always taken time to think about what is the best outcome. It has been lovely to see you grow in confidence and take on this opportunity with both hands. 

Kriss, ignore that fortune cookie - the world is huge! You can achieve anything. I am so happy you mentioned the baseball on this trip! And thank you for explaining multiple times what was happening - haha!  And the boat! I'm so proud of you, not just one boat.. but 3! Would you say you have concured this fear? I, for one, am a little disappointed I never thought to stand behind the glass at Niagara.. I'm sure Kat will remember that moment! 

Miriam, the talent oh the talent! I am in awe. You have been so kind and caring whilst being here. I have no idea how you have so much energy, have you even slept?! Hearing you speak about your role in the way you do is so motivating. 

Rupert, I am soo proud of everything you have achieved here! Without you I would still be stuck at that train station in Pearson Airport! Your knowledge inspires me, I have found every single conversation we have had educational, I have honestly learned so much from you! Our Lead navigator!  Your passion for your learning is so lovely to see, I can't wait to see what is to come for you in the next few years! 

To room 633: 

Emma, I am so proud of everything you have achieved here, and safe to say I think you have surprised yourself with your strength, drive and determination. You should be so proud! What lucky animals we have in the world with you caring for them! I have loved reading your work, and listening to you speak so passionately about the work you love to do. 

Ross, I have loved the conversations we have had and the positivity you have brought to the group. I know the boys totally look up to you, and your support to them has been fantastic! I cant wait to see what these next few months look like for you - excited just hearing about your plans. Goose Hill will be a stay a highlight of my trip, and the late night cups of tea. - I am gutted to have not been able to savour a final cup of the Ginger tea though... 

Gemma, I won't miss your bad luck.. even through everything that has come your way you have tackled every situation so positively. I will however miss your daily " This is the best day!" You really have brightened up my time here and been the best 'roomie'. I look forward to seeing what comes for you in future in your career - and I will 100000000000% miss having a personal chef - I'm going to have to actually cook when I get home?!?! From skateboards to worms I don't know how you have managed over the past week - but glad we have you packed up and ready to head home. 

Below I've included some photos that stand out to me as my favourite highlights of the trip.

I hope you have enjoyed our blogposts, and photos of our time away. We are all gutted the experience is over as it really has been one to remember. 

One, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, Seven, Eight, Nine, Ten, Eleven..... Where's Rupert? Oh... a computer... Twelve... 

Signing out....

Team Canada.