We have landed….

All 10 students and 2 staff members have arrived in Toronto, Canada, after the 6 + hour flight from Glasgow Airport.

"After getting through the security, we then discovered we were required to purchase a Presto card that we top up and using that allows us to travel throughout the city via, train, bus, tram and subway. Navigating through the city from the airport to The University of Toronto student accommodation The Chestnut Residence’ was challenging and fun! It took some time for us to work together as a team using maps and apps for guidance, but we arrived safely. We all mentioned at some point how friendly and approachable members of the public were when we needed to ask for assistance. There were a few times we had good conversations with them and told them what our plans were while visiting." - Clair Windsor

Upon arrival in Toronto students had to navigate public transport to arrive at the first set of accommodation at the University of Toronto. On day one students explored the local area, eating local cuisines and visiting local attractions such a Graffiti Ally.

After a long Travel day, the first day of activities for students included an orientation of Centennial College, Story Arts Centre, meeting and engaging with Students and Staff. A campus tour was given and it was excellent to see the facilities and opportunities available at Centennial college, especially for those courses students in the group undertake. The day continued with a Leadership session for all students and staff members and it was great to see everyone recognize their own leadership skills and identify skills that they will gain through partaking in the excursion opportunity.

"When we arrived, we were given a campus tour by two of the current students. The campus itself is one of 6 we learned and is in fact the smallest, however in comparison to the Borders College it was still quite big. The facilities were amazing, and the space was bright and open. There were tables along large windows in the library and in a corridor that are ideal for using to study but look so peaceful to use. Then after we had the tour, we had a presentation from Nadia who was so lovely. She started off her presentation with a land acknowledgement speech and video. This is just to keep reminding everyone about the indigenous people and keep it in our mind. She explained a few points that would be useful on our trip such as tax and tipping. After Nadia had presented Sabrina gave us a talk about leadership from one of the programmes that she teaches. " - Clair Windsor

A lovely lunch and walk was then enjoyed along and around Danforth with both Centennial and Borders College Members. The students then enjoyed a guided tour around the area visiting local historical sights and attractions, of the cemeteries and parts of Toronto that the settlers built in 1800s

"We then went for lunch along Greek street while stopping to see the sights and learn a little more about the culture within these parts of towns.

We ended up at Louis Cifer, a beautiful Greek restaurant with food that was just fantastic. Me and Rupert shared Fish Tacos and fries.

After lunch, we walked to meet the tour guide who was taking us on an hour long hike around Toronto. We walked through Cabbage town which was so beautiful and full of history, it was so interesting to learn about how Irish immigrants used every single piece of land to grow cabbages, which is how it for its name.

We also visited an old farm, which was set out similar to an old ranch that you would see in the movies on this walk. It had pigs, birds, friendly squirrels, goats, sheep, cats and horses. We then took a walk further into the park where we just wondered around. " - Cheyanne Wakelam

The first day was finished off with a visit to Rodgers Centre to watch the Blue Jay’s V Yankee’s baseball game, this experience being the first for all 12 of the group. The atmosphere was beyond what anyone had expected and joining the other 40,000 supporters proved electric. Although the Blue Jays lost 4 -2, no one in the group left disappointed with the experience.