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The Explore Program

 
Old 12-28-2009 at 12:03 AM   #1
Goce
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The Explore Program
Has anyone completed the program? What was your experience like? Do you recommend it? Where did you end up going? Did you get Mac course credit for it?

For those that don't know, the Explore program offers a five-week intensive language-learning course in the spring or summer for students interested in learning their second language (French).
Old 12-28-2009 at 01:04 AM   #2
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Hey,

I completed Explore two summers ago and had an AMAZING time and improved my french immensly. I did it in Trois Rivieres in Quebec and received a full year french credit for it. The credit shows up on your transcript as completed but you do not receive a mark. Some schools offer credit (usually the ones in Quebec) so make sure you check which ones d before you sign up. Also, make sure to give the necessary paperwork to your associate dean's office (letter of permission) BEFORE you attend the school so they can easily add the credit to your record. To learn more go to http://www.myexplore.ca/
You can find out about the programs, the application and the different schools available!
Old 12-28-2009 at 01:28 AM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by b_sunshine55 View Post
Hey,

I completed Explore two summers ago and had an AMAZING time and improved my french immensly. I did it in Trois Rivieres in Quebec and received a full year french credit for it. The credit shows up on your transcript as completed but you do not receive a mark. Some schools offer credit (usually the ones in Quebec) so make sure you check which ones d before you sign up. Also, make sure to give the necessary paperwork to your associate dean's office (letter of permission) BEFORE you attend the school so they can easily add the credit to your record. To learn more go to http://www.myexplore.ca/
You can find out about the programs, the application and the different schools available!
When you say full year French credit do you mean 6 units? I hope so, that would be tremendous.

Thanks for sharing your experience. I am glad to hear that you had a good time.
Old 12-28-2009 at 10:46 AM   #4
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no problem! And yes it was a 6 unit course! it shows up as french 1**6 or something like that

Goce says thanks to b_sunshine55 for this post.
Old 12-28-2009 at 12:05 PM   #5
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I completed the Explore program in 2007 in Moncton, New Brunswick. Grrreat experience. I learned so much french. I remember the night I came back from Moncton, my parents took me out to dinner and I couldn't remember the english word "fork". Because of our location in NB, we were able to travel all around the Maritimes during the weekends. On our days off, we did a lot of different things including whale watching, comedy shows and concerts. I suggest going to a city/town that you've never been to before and somewhere far from home. You'll have a great time!

Also, I got the same credit as b_sunshine55. 6 units of first year french. Make sure when you apply, you apply to the schools which offer credit. Most of the ones that are at university level do offer credit. You'll just need them to send a transcript to McMaster or to give you a copy of the transcript when you've completed the program.
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Old 12-30-2009 at 05:09 PM   #6
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Explore rocks especially for those who have no prior experience of French! Paradoxically lol. I went to Chicoutimin in the Saguenay region and got the same credit as the other two. A word of advice, if you can dont stay in residence. The improvement was more marked in those who had homestays with local residents than in those who live in res coz everyone talked French while I was there.
Also avoid Montreal like the plague. At Chicoutimi I met sbd who had done EXplore at Montreal and they apparently didn't learn much coz they weren't forced to use their French much. HTH

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Old 12-30-2009 at 05:10 PM   #7
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Probably because so many Montrealers actually speak English as well. I would also advise against going to Montreal if you want a really French-immersed environment.
Old 12-30-2009 at 05:24 PM   #8
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Two of my friends did the Explore program a few years ago and they loved it. Their French improved and they had a lot of fun. They talked about it all the time when they got back!

Be careful if you're taking it to improve your French enough to take French courses at Mac. They both had the intermediate first year French course, then did the Explore program, then tried to do the advanced first year French course when they came back. They both dropped the class because it was too hard. (I realize this problem has more to do with the setup of French courses at Mac than the Explore program, but just be warned that it might not improve your French enough for the courses at school)

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Old 12-30-2009 at 05:31 PM   #9
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No worries. I am pretty much starting from scratch (again). I can only identify words, but have no idea how to form sentences or write them out.
Old 12-30-2009 at 06:08 PM   #10
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Thanks for the post! I'm going to apply for this program now, too. Never heard of it until I accidentally opened this thread. I know very little french, just the absolute basics, so I hope I can handle it.
Old 12-30-2009 at 06:21 PM   #11
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I will be honest for the beginners, the first 2 weeks are difficult. We all signed a sort of oath not to speak any language other than French on the school premises. Most of the beginners had little notebooks they carried everywhere even to the pub and they got lost of help from the rest of the advanced folks. Chicoutimi people were really patient and helpful. We all did an assesment test on the 2nd day and you have a week or two to change classes if you are feel too challenged or not challenged enough.
Classes were 3 hours each day then we had workshops like animation (which I did), theatre, canoeing, hiking, gumboot dance (it's huge in Quebec despite it being a South African invention), tap dance, all in French. These alternated with sports, huge range to choose from. We had three class trips:whale-watching, an amazing animal sanctuary and Quebec City where we saw Cirque de Soliel for FREE! There was line-dancing in the square, great pubs, micro-breweries, a huge international music festival, amazing SALES!!!!!! so sorry for TMI but I just wanted to show how fun it is and that your learning is not just limited to class. Oh and there were tests don't miss those, lol some people got hangover and slept in lol
Old 12-30-2009 at 06:26 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nh999 View Post
Probably because so many Montrealers actually speak English as well. I would also advise against going to Montreal if you want a really French-immersed environment.
And they will actually speak back to you in English if you speak French to them, in some cases. It happened to a friend of mine when we were in fourth year. She was a French major and still got talked to in English (we learn France French, which is apparently quite different). She was not amused.
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Old 12-30-2009 at 06:44 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by b_sunshine55 View Post
Also, make sure to give the necessary paperwork to your associate dean's office (letter of permission) BEFORE you attend the school so they can easily add the credit to your record.
Hey! I plan on doing the Explore program this coming summer ...just wondering what paperwork you're talking about. Are you saying that I'd have to get a letter of permission to get the credit transferred?
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Old 12-30-2009 at 11:31 PM   #14
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Hey! I did Explore in the Summer of 2007 in Trois-Riviere. It was the best summer of my life! I completely recommend it! You'll never meet a more supportive and awesome group of people.

I haven't actually looked into getting a credit. I don't know if I'm eligible for it cause I did it in the summer between my gr 11 and gr 12 year.. I should look into that....
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Old 12-30-2009 at 11:43 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ms. mandazi View Post
I will be honest for the beginners, the first 2 weeks are difficult. We all signed a sort of oath not to speak any language other than French on the school premises. Most of the beginners had little notebooks they carried everywhere even to the pub and they got lost of help from the rest of the advanced folks. Chicoutimi people were really patient and helpful. We all did an assesment test on the 2nd day and you have a week or two to change classes if you are feel too challenged or not challenged enough.
Classes were 3 hours each day then we had workshops like animation (which I did), theatre, canoeing, hiking, gumboot dance (it's huge in Quebec despite it being a South African invention), tap dance, all in French. These alternated with sports, huge range to choose from. We had three class trips:whale-watching, an amazing animal sanctuary and Quebec City where we saw Cirque de Soliel for FREE! There was line-dancing in the square, great pubs, micro-breweries, a huge international music festival, amazing SALES!!!!!! so sorry for TMI but I just wanted to show how fun it is and that your learning is not just limited to class. Oh and there were tests don't miss those, lol some people got hangover and slept in lol
I've heard of Explore, and my friend did it last year. She did it Quebec, I don't remember where. The thing is, I wanna do it.. but I don't know. I've never taken French before, but I do want to learn. However I'm scared/nervous of you saying that we'd only speak French.. That's scary. LOL For me anyway.
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