Following are some quotes from the Guelph Youth Dance Company on their  SEVEC Youth Exchange to Moncton, New Brunswick.

Thanks so much to DansEncorps for hosting us! Thank you to SEVEC and the Government of Canada for making this possible!

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[su_quote cite=”Dakota”]My SEVEC experience has been one that I have learned so much from. I loved being able to spend so many hours doing something that makes me happy, with many people that love to dance too. This experience made me closer to my fellow dancers from Guelph, but also connected me to other people from across the country. I had many unique dance experiences and workshops, all of which I learned from and will take back with me to Guelph.[/su_quote]

[su_quote cite=”Solana”]I learned a lot about Moncton and the Maritimes while I was here. I felt I really got a sense of the culture and understand the people that live here. Going to Hopewell Rocks was a highlight and I learned a lot about the movement of the tides. I really found the language aspect of the trip to be incredibly enriching, being able to use my French with the Moncton dancers and compare Maritime French to Northern Quebec French.[/su_quote]

[su_quote cite=”Emma”]There were many highlights on this exchange! The first that comes to mind was just hanging out with my twin and chatting about dance and such! I also really enjoyed that we spent a large proportion of our trip in the dance studio participating in workshops with the Atlantic Dance Festival! We got to work with many amazing artists such as Evelyn LaForest, Josh Martin and the dancers of Zogma. It was also a large highlight to see the different shows in the Atlantic Dance Festival as they embodied very different styles of dance from a Pina Bausch inspired piece done by seniors to the percussive dance of Zogma.[/su_quote]

[su_quote cite=”Maggie”]My highlights of this SEVEC exchange were meeting all the new people and creating amazing bonds with our twins and the other dancers. Also seeing that there are other dance studios just like ours all the way across the country! I loved all the workshops I got to do. The styles were all so different and challenging but still so fun. Finally I loved visiting Hopewell Rocks, it was such an amazing natural beauty.[/su_quote]

[su_quote cite=”Corinna”]This exchange was not only fun, but educational as well and I learned a lot about the history and geography of New Brunswick and their culture. It was interesting to compare Moncton to Guelph and see all the similarities and differences. This was my first exchange ever, so I also think I learned a lot about living with a completely new family and how to adapt to a new way of living. My French also improved even though we were only here for a short time but it’s really helpful to hear Francophones speak French. Lastly, I learned that no matter what styles of dance you do, we can all be united by the art we love.[/su_quote]

[su_quote cite=”Rowen”]My family in New Brunswick made a point of makings sure I was shown as much of the history and culture as possible. From taking me to French restaurants, teaching me how to open and eat my own lobster to showing me her school, the landscape, Acadian history and even getting a picture with The Lobster- all of it was amazing. There are not enough thanks I could give to everyone for helping me get here, for teaching me things, for inspiring me. The only thing now is to make sure I never forget this experience and to help people get to do what I have done. Maybe one day I will do this again and it will be just as inspirational. THANK YOU![/su_quote]
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[su_quote cite=”Brooke”]This trip was an amazing unforgettable experience. I got to experience a new province, make new friends and be inspired by amazing dance. There were so many amazing moment on this trip from seeing the amazing Hopewell Rocks to the Acadian Museum, that I really felt I got to experience the beauty, history and culture of Moncton New Brunswick. Here in Moncton I also got to experience what I love most, which is dance and experience it with new amazing friends. One of the biggest highlights was being able to bond with new people who share common passions for dance. This trip gave me new experiences I will never forget. I learned so much and I am so excited to see my new friends come to Guelph. Thanks for everything.[/su_quote]

[su_quote cite=”Zosha”]Highlights: Oh my God, where do I start? It was all so amazing. I think one of the best parts of the trip was actually all the waiting time; the time in the airport, between activities, when nothing scheduled was happening. Now this may seem like an odd choice, but I found this time infinitely important because it was when I made friends. Making conversation with parents, my twin, even people from my troupe I didn’t know so well, laughing together, discovering new things about people that was the best part for me. But really, I can’t give you my highlights because the whole trip is so brilliantly lit up in my mind, with stage lights and laughter and slowly mastering new dance moves.[/su_quote]

[su_quote cite=”Ailsa”]The plan ride was really fun and I really enjoyed living with a different family! I made lots of new friends that I now don’t want to leave. It was interesting learning about Acadian Culture and eating different Acadian foods. I enjoyed using my French often and hanging out with my twins. Over all the Moncton trip was an amazing fun experience. THANK YOU!!!!![/su_quote]

[su_quote cite=”Hannah”]The highlights of this trip was probably the opportunity of travelling to Moncton and seeing another part of Canada. I also loved seeing Hopewell Rocks and all the famous landmarks of Moncton. Another highlight was being able to dance with another group and see the differences of our groups. Honestly this whole trip was a highlight within itself.[/su_quote]

[su_quote cite=”Ben”]I learned a lot on this trip. Not only did my French improve, but I also learned about Acadian history and about dance in Moncton. I learned that there are other companies like the GYDTP that don’t compete and are down to earth but still have great technique and a lot of talent. This trip also gave me more proof that Canada is rich in dance and arts and that our dance company had been extremely lucky to be exposed to it.[/su_quote]

[su_quote cite=”Esme”]I really enjoyed the aspect of experiencing another family’s habits as well as their constant inclusion. I also felt, being new to the company, that this trip was a perfect opportunity to grow close to the other dancers in the company. Despite these experiences, my overall favourite highlight was dancing in the workshops and the exposure I got towards and incredible scale of dance styles and choreography. I also enjoyed how the workshops included snapshots of their pieces.[/su_quote]
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