2022 Fordham Preparatory Canada Cultural Journey
| Travel Dates: | June 10, 2022 - June 18, 2022 |
| Group Organizer(s): |
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| WTT Contact: |
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| Program Tuition: |
$2,290 USD
Airfare not included in program tuition
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| Confirmed Airfare: | $498 |
Important Reminders
Passport check
Insurance Reminder
Fundraiser
Review all materials
What to Expect
Please read through all of the information below. More details will be added as your departure draws closer.
Itinerary
We do everything possible to abide by itineraries as originally planned, but decades of experience teachers that we must flexible in our planning. Changes to a trip’s schedule are uncommon, but Walking Tree reserves the right to make adjustments to programming in the best interest of the group.
| Day | Location | Description | Lodging |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 10 | New York - Québec City | The group will arrive from the USA to Québec City. You'll be met at the airport by your program leader and a bus which will transport you back to the hotel for a good night's rest. | Le Concorde Hotel |
| June 11 | Québec City | In the morning we'll hold an orientation meeting to better prepare travelers for the days ahead. Afterwards we'll have lunch and then take a walking tour around Old Québec. | Le Concorde Hotel |
| June 12 | Québec City | After breakfast at the hotel we'll walk to our first day of French classes at a school just a 15 min stroll from the hotel along the St Lawrence River. The class will be exclusive to our students and run from 9-12. We'll have lunch at or nearby the school and then visit the Musée de la Civilisation, where we will see exhibitions on Quebec's history. We'll also check out Petit-Champlain, a picture perfect neighborhood resembling a quaint riverside village, and some of the oldest houses in the province of Quebec and Marché du Vieux-Port. | Le Concorde Hotel |
| June 13 | Québec City | We'll have French class again this morning. After lunch, it's off to the Chutes Montmorency which is located just outside the city center. It's one of the province's most spectacular sites, standing at 30 meters higher than Niagara Falls. Back in the city, we'll take a ghost tour where costumed guides light their lanterns and regale groups with 400 years of haunted fables! The cobblestone streets and ancient buildings set the stage for a truly unique experience. | Le Concorde Hotel |
| June 14 | Québec City | After our final French class this morning, we'll visit the Citadel and Parliament buildings. The Citadel is the oldest military building in Canada and is part of the original fortifications of Québec City. The Parliament building is home to the Parliament of Quebec, and here you will be introduced to the history and inner workings of the province's government. | Le Concorde Hotel |
| June 15 | Québec City - Montreal | This morning we'll tour the Musée des beaux arts which also boasts an amazing view on the St. Lawrence River. Then we're off to Montreal! Along the way we'll stop at a famous sugar shack, Cabane du Pic Bois, to learn about the delicious process of producing maple syrup. We'll be sure to try our fair share of André's sweet products before heading onward to Montreal. Upon arrival we'll check into our hotel and have dinner. | Hôtel Faubourg Montréal |
| June 16 | Montreal | We will have a morning walking tour of Old Montréal, including a visit to the Notre Dame Basilica, and then lunch in the old port. Afterwards we'll hop on bikes and zip around the charming city streets before returning to our hotel for some rest before dinner. | Hôtel Faubourg Montréal |
| June 17 | Montreal | After breakfast we'll explore the Atwater market, shopping for snacks and souvenirs and practicing our French with the vendors. After lunch at the market we'll visit Mont Royal park before attending a cirque du soleil performance to celebrate our final evening in country together. | Hôtel Faubourg Montréal |
| June 18 | Montreal - New York | The group leaves Montreal for the U.S. | Your own bed, eventually! |
Fundraising
Need to Raise Money? We Have You Covered.
Walking Tree Travel is proud to team up with Equal Exchange, a worker-owned cooperative that distributes organic coffee, tea, sugar, bananas, avocados, cocoa, chocolate bars, and more. There is no limit to the amount you can earn, so the sooner you can start, the better!
Learn more here.
Accommodations
In order to provide a safe and memorable experience, we follow strict guidelines when choosing group accommodations. Walking Tree partners with hotels and guest houses which are centrally located, locally operated, clean and safe. We inspect each partner hotel to ensure they meet these standards.
Hotel Le Concorde
This 3-star hotel is the ideal place for an urban getaway in Quebec City. Its imposing structure offers a beautiful view of the majestic fleuve Saint-Laurent, of Quebec City and of its numerous parks and green spaces. Free Wi-Fi access throughout the building keeps everyone feeling connected. Students will be grouped in their rooms according to gender and availability.
Hôtel Faubourg Montréal
With an excellent downtown location, just a short walk from the Quartier des Spectacles, Hôtel Faubourg Montréal provides a spacious and inviting home away from home. See more here.
Group Flight
| Type | Carrier Name | Carrier Code | Flight Number | Departure Airport & City | Departure Date and Time | Arrival Airport & City | Arrival Date and Time |
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Outbound
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Air Canada
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AC
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8989
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LGA – LaGuardia Airport, New York, United States
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June 10, 2022 at 02:45 PM
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YYZ – Toronto Pearson International Airport, Toronto, Canada
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June 10, 2022 at 04:19 PM
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Outbound
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Air Canada
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AC
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1798
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YYZ – Toronto Pearson International Airport, Toronto, Canada
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June 10, 2022 at 09:15 PM
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YQB – Quebec City Jean Lesage International Airport, Quebec, Canada
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June 10, 2022 at 10:41 PM
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Inbound
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Air Canada
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AC
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734
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YUL – Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport, Montreal, Canada
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June 18, 2022 at 03:10 PM
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LGA – LaGuardia Airport, New York, United States
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June 18, 2022 at 04:41 PM
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Once your flight schedule has been confirmed, the itinerary will appear here.
Walking Tree will secure a seat on the group flight for each participant unless otherwise instructed.
Travelers are responsible for checked baggage fees. Please visit the airline’s baggage webpage to learn if you should expect to pay anything.
We will provide a group manifest – complete with reservation codes and ticket numbers – to the Group Organizer/s before departure, and travelers will need to check in at the airport in order to receive their boarding pass and have documents verified. We recommend arriving no later than three hours prior to the scheduled departure, but contact your Group Organizer for specific details on exactly where and when to meet on the day of departure.
FLIGHT INTERRUPTION, DELAY OR CANCELLATION
Air travel can be unpredictable. Regardless of proper planning, there may still be instances when a flight is delayed or cancelled due to staffing shortages, weather, mechanical problems, etc. Please note that in such an event, Walking Tree Travel (WTT) is not financially responsible for unanticipated costs incurred by travelers en route. Our programs officially begin and end in the destination country, and because our staff doesn’t fly with the group, Group Organizers (the traveling faculty member/s) become the front-line advocate for the group in the event of a delay. In most cases of cancellations or delays, the airline will be the one who re-books travel or possibly arranges a hotel and food the night. Our primary role will be to keep families updated and provide support to the Group Organizer to reach a quick and effective resolution.
Host Community and Project Details
Not applicable for this program.
Packing List
Below is a sample packing list that is provided as a guideline. If something is required it will be specified, otherwise feel free to adjust as necessary. We recommend you bring one larger piece of luggage like a backpack, duffle or suitcase alongside a smaller backpack that you can use on the flights and day trips, weekend excursions and shorter activities.
“Less is more” is a packing tip we encourage for all travelers. We suggest bringing only as much as you are able to carry on your own.
Finally, a few days before departure, it’s a good idea to consult a weather forecast for your destination. If you have questions about what to bring or how to bring it, just ask!
CLOTHES
- Underwear
- Socks
- T-shirts
- Long sleeve shirts
- Light jacket
- Sweatshirt/sweaters
- Jeans/pants
- Rain jacket
- Sturdy shoes (appropriate for lots of walking)
- Sports sandals ie Chacos/Tevas etc. (optional)
- Hat/s
BRING THE BASIC TOILETRIES YOU NEED PLUS:
- Two rapid COVID tests. Program Leaders will carry additional tests and will also administer the one to be verified by a medical professional within 24hrs of return to the US.
- Face masks
- Band Aids and Neosporin, basic first aid kid
- Hand Sanitizer
- Medication in properly marked original container
MISCELLANEOUS
- Sense of adventure!
- Passport
- Student ID
- Sunglasses
- Journal and pen
- Book/s
- Camera
- Debit card/US Dollars (we recommend about $50-$150, depending on amount of desired souvenirs, extra items etc.)
- Durable water bottle
- Deck of cards or other portable games
Support Team
At a minimum, one experienced Program Leader will travel on every trip. In addition to this full time leadership presence, Walking Tree has additional staff in all destinations and 24/7 support from our headquarters in Denver, Colorado. Below you’ll find the the team members involved in the preparation, planning and execution of your program.
Emory University – B.A. Sociology and minor in Latin American History
During college, Luke spent a semester living and traveling in rural Mexico. His experience sparked a fascination with Latin America and a commitment to community service that continues to this day. Upon graduating from college, he joined WorldTeach and lived with a local family in a small village in Costa Rica while teaching elementary English. After this experience, he moved to San José, the capital and largest city of Costa Rica, and wrote for The Tico Times newspaper. Luke has since traveled to over 60 countries on five different continents. Now settled in Denver with his family, he continues to crave massive helpings of rice and beans.
Fabiola Hudicourt
Canada Country Director, Program Leader
University of Montreal – B.S. International Relations
Institute of Development Studies in Switzerland – Masters in Development Studies
Fabiola grew up in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, until she was eighteen. She has a Bachelor’s degree in International Relations from the University of Montreal, Canada, and a Master’s in Development Studies from the Institute of International Relations and Development Studies in Geneva, Switzerland. Fabiola has been traveling since she was five years old but her passion for traveling started when she spent time in Barcelona to study Spanish. She has been travelling ever since on a regular basis and has been to 20+ countries, across Canada and the U.S. She has volunteered for many organizations, including the Canadian Council for International Relations in Montreal, the Canadian Red Cross and Ten Thousand Villages in Vancouver. She has worked as a fair trade development agent in Quebec City and as a project manager for development projects in Haiti and the Dominican Republic. She has a passion for languages and speaks fluently French, English, Haitian Creole and conversational Spanish. She is currently learning German, too! A mother of two, she is looking forward to discover the world with her children.
Nicolas Hoffmann
Program Leader
Universidad Andrés Bello – BA in Business Administration
Nicolas, originally from Chile, finished his high school in Quebec City back in 2005. It was his first and full Canadian immersion. He spent a year learning French with his “adoptive” family (which he still has a close relationship with and calls his Canadian family), discovered a new culture and made friends for life from all over the world. This experience showed him how similar people are, even from 2 different countries and cultures. He also experienced how easy it is to learn a new language when you are totally immersed in a new environment. After getting his diploma, he tried to be part of the Chilean labour market, but it made him realize that his place was outside of Chile, bringing him back to Canada to establish himself for good. Now settled in Quebec, he works for a firm specialized in international recruitment. Nicolas has traveled in 10 countries and thinks it’s never too late to explore and discover the world.
Group Roster
Below is a list of the travelers enrolled on the program.
- 1 Aidan Cassidy
- 2 Bruce Williams II
- 3 Bruce Williams II
- 4 Christina Caruncho
- 5 Daniel Drotos
- 6 Francis Maher
- 7 James Spameni
- 8 Kaine Tipton
- 9 Matthew Antonecchia
- 10 Milo Priddle
- 11 Patricia Morris
- 12 Tyler Vujtech
- 13 Zachary Woloff
Blog and Communication
During travel we work hard to keep families updated as frequently as possible with blog posts and photos, giving you peace of mind that your traveler is safe and thriving on their program. Students regularly contribute to these posts, providing families bak home a great way to vicariously track the progress of the trip. You will be notified when the first update is posted, after which we recommend checking in regularly via the black “Program Blog” button at the top of this webpage.
Assuming your school allows the use of cell phones, most destinations are wired enough to allow participants access WiFi at different moments in the program, allowing them to communicate directly with home. Ask your Walking Tree representative about the degree of connectivity on your program.
GLC Curriculum
Walking Tree has developed a curriculum of activities meant to help travelers get the most out of their trip before departure, during travel and after they return home. These simple and engaging activities are meant to spark discussion, frame experiences, and prepare participants to travel ethically and effectively both on this trip and on future adventures.For more information about student learning objectives and the format of the curriculum, click on the ‘learn more’ button below.
To view and complete the Pre-Program Activities, visit our online portal at the button below.
Standards of Behavior
In order to run a safe and successful program, it is vital that travelers are prepared to be on their best behavior and bring enthusiasm and interest to each and every day. A communal atmosphere of trust and mutual respect is the foundational. As such, all individuals participating on a Walking Tree program are required to take responsibility for their actions and adhere to a high standard of personal conduct.
IMMEDIATE DISMISSAL
- Possessing, consuming or distributing alcohol or illegal drugs.
- Associating with participants while they are in possession of alcohol or illegal drugs.
- Behaving in a way that consistently damages the group dynamic or jeopardizes personal or group safety. This includes consistently displaying a negative attitude, intimidating or excluding other participants, sneaking out, disobeying group leaders, and any other behavior that is not conducive to an atmosphere of trust and mutual respect.
GROUNDS FOR DISMISSAL OR IN-COUNTRY CONSEQUENCE
- Getting a piercing or tattoo.
- Stealing, or deliberately damaging or defacing any personal property, buildings or materials.
- Threatening physical or emotional harm, or brandishing a weapon.
- Possessing, consuming, or distributing tobacco or nicotine, including vape pens.
- Riding mopeds, motorcycles, or any other type of unauthorized vehicle.
- Being out of designated area or accommodations after curfew.
- Breaking group rules.
These standards of behavior are essential for the successful completion of your program. Please take the time to review these as a family and make sure everyone understands and agrees to them.
Health and Safety
We strongly recommend visiting the CDC Canada website to get the most updated information on health and vaccination considerations in your destination country. In addition, we encourage you to consult with your personal family physician so you can be as informed as possible when making important decisions about vaccinations and other necessary health-related preparations before travel.
Our in-country staff prepare meticulously for all programs. Walking Tree will register our programs and travelers with the U.S. Department of State Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) in case of emergency. In country staff also verify the safety records of our partner organizations, vendors, and transportation providers, thoroughly vet homestay families via in depth interviews and home visits, and keep up on important current events in the region.
Program Leaders are seasoned travelers who are CPR and First Aid certified, undergo thorough training in crisis management, and participate in a multi-day leadership training retreat. We do our best to prepare for any eventuality and have detailed emergency protocols for our leaders, in-country staff and U.S.-based staff.
We receive medical disclosures from all participants to ensure we are able to meet every students’ needs during the program. Please inform us immediately of any additional health issues that you did not list during your initial registration process. Program Leaders will also hold an online information session before your departure, as well as an arrival orientation in-country, in order to give participants important instructions on food safety, hygiene and preventing injury and illness. Leaders and in-country staff always respond immediately to any mental, physical or emotional health issues and follow comprehensive emergency protocols.
Insurance
While we work hard to ensure the safest experience possible for our travelers on program, experience teaches that travel is never without risk. For this reason, we recommend that all travelers consider a travel insurance policy with two additional provisions: Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) and Bed Rest. Detailed explanations of both provisions can be found on the link below.
To provide travelers and families with a quality option, Walking Tree has partnered with Travel Insured International, one of the most respected providers in the industry. Begin by getting a quote here.
IMPORTANT NOTE: in order to secure coverage with CFAR included, you must purchase the plan within 21 days of your deposit/first payment. You must also insure 100% of your trip cost, so program tuition + flight.