Students Explore Culture, Language, and Leadership in Vancouver

This September, 38 English Language Learning (ELL) students travelled to Vancouver for a three-day multiculturalism trip designed to help them connect with each other, explore Canadian culture, and build confidence as part of the SMUS community.

Though Vancouver is just a short ferry ride from Victoria, it offered a cultural richness and diversity that felt much farther away. In only three days, the experience carried the depth of a trip abroad — immersing students in new histories, traditions, and perspectives that expanded their sense of place while bringing the group closer together.

“This is something I’ve imagined for several years,” says Senior School English, ELL and Social Studies teacher Carol Adamson, who led the trip. “My hope was to ease the culture shock of moving to a new country, help students build connections, introduce them to Canada’s landscapes and First Peoples culture, create leadership opportunities for Grade 12 students who have come through the ELL program, and nurture pride in being part of our school community.”

The group included new Grade 9 ELL students, both new and returning Grade 10s, and Grade 12 student leaders—all of whom had come through the ELL program themselves. Due to a scheduling conflict with outtrips, the Grade 11 students were not able to attend, but will have the chance to apply as Grade 12 leaders next year. Together with four faculty chaperones, the group set off on Sept. 11, beginning with a ferry ride to Vancouver. That evening, the Grade 12 leaders hosted icebreaker activities to help the group bond.

The following day was filled with experiences that blended learning and fun. At False Creek, the senior leaders launched the “Language Quest Challenge,” which encouraged students to strike up conversations with strangers, find shared interests, and complete creative photo tasks such as building a human pyramid or finding a creative perspective. Students also visited the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden, explored Chinatown at lunchtime, and experienced FlyOver Canada at Canada Place, an immersive flight simulation experience. The evening was capped off with a trip to the Richmond Night Market, soaking up the food, bright lights and bustling crowds.

Saturday focused on the University of British Columbia (UBC), where the group toured the Museum of Anthropology and Nitobe Japanese Garden before meeting some former SMUS students now studying at UBC.

“Reconnecting with alumni who had once been in the ELL program themselves was really meaningful for our students,” Adamson says. “They toured us around the UBC campus and showed us to their favourite lunch spots, which made the visit extra special.”

The trip, years in the making, became reality thanks to strong support from across the school. “From the start, my goal was for this multiculturalism trip to become a built-in part of the ELL program, included in tuition so students wouldn’t face extra costs,” Adamson explains. “I’m grateful for the encouragement of colleagues and especially to Reagan Daly, who was integral in helping coordinate logistics and bookings.”

For Adamson, seeing her vision come to life after years of planning was deeply rewarding — and all the more so now that it will be an annual tradition, ensuring future students will share in the friendships, discoveries, and pride this experience inspires.