Canada Day: Kaplan Students Celebrate Canadian Culture in Toronto and Vancouver

Stephanie Dotto

06 July, 2016

This past weekend, Canadians across the world came together to celebrate their proud culture, sporting maple leaf face paints and patriotic clothing as they rejoiced in their heritage and the history of Canada Day. Every year on July 1, Canada celebrates the anniversary of the day the Constitution Act went into effect in 1867, uniting the three separate colonies of Canada, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick.

In most towns and cities across Canada, people get together to enjoy parades, carnivals, festivals, firework displays, pancake breakfasts, and public concerts. We got in touch with a couple of our Kaplan students currently celebrating in our Canadian schools to see what some of their favorite things about Canada and the Canadian culture are.

Whistler

“I have just been in Vancouver for one month and I had won a free trip to Whistler at Kaplan. The amazing view on the route to Whistler was accompanied by the voice of our guide who described with detail the glories of the natural landscape. The snow, the trees, the mountains, and the panorama…the whole nine yards, everything was simply perfect.” – Luis Alberto Cardenas Chacon, Columbia

Whistler is a famous Canadian resort area just north of Vancouver, and is a big favorite among locals and tourists alike. With more than 8,000 acres spread over two mountains, Whistler provides the perfect atmosphere for skiers and snowboarders, standing as the largest skiable area in North America. For Luis, the chance to visit Whistler was a trip of a lifetime, enchanted by both the beauty of the natural landscape and the fun of the winter sports. What’s better than an authentic Canadian experience in a beautiful, snowy resort?

Whistler Canada — At 2,214 feet, Whistler Village offers a breathtaking view and plenty of snow.

The Grouse Grind

“I think Vancouver is one of the most relaxing and peaceful cities in the world. People are always easy going and there are a lot of parks and oceans. I recommend you try the Grouse Grind because this place is really worth visiting. If you finish your hiking, you will feel a huge sense of accomplishment. Also, on the top of the mountain, you can see two live bears and enjoy the marvelous view of Vancouver.” Gawon Shin, Korea

Also known as “Mother Nature’s Stairmaster,” the Grouse Grind can be a bit of a difficult hike, but the end result is worth it when you get to the top and take in the incredible view. At a 1.8-mile ascent with 2,830 steps, the average length of the climb is approximately 1.5 hours. For fitness buffs or extreme nature lovers, this is the sort of challenge that is definitely worth taking head on. Not only will you be surrounded by some of the beautiful natural landscapes Canada has to offer, but you can also brag to your friends about how you were able to finish one of the most difficult trails around.

Grouse Grind Canada — Can you handle the 2,830 steps of the Grouse Grind?

Canadian accents, eh?

“When I first came to Canada, I assumed there would be some things that would surprise me about Canadians, but I never thought that it would be their unique question tag! “Eh” is the term that is used when Canadians tag a sentence with a question. You would not believe it if I told you that there are some advantages of using that term for an English language student in Canada – be the first student who knows it. Finally, the term “Eh” usually fits with any language. So, you can try to use it in your first language and see if it works! If it does, start using it among your friends and family. This will be super amazing, Eh?” – Ali Alkhwaja, Saudi Arabai

Anyone familiar with the Canadian people knows they have a few verbal traits specific to their culture. The use of the word “eh” at the end of a sentence is very particular to the Canadian charm. For foreign students like Ali, being able to adopt this colloquialism not only makes them feel like a true Canadian, but also gives them something they can take back to their home country that reflects their time living and studying in our schools in Toronto and Vancouver. Embracing the local culture like this is a sure way to get the most out of your time abroad!