Author Archives: nem157

Quebec à nuit

So, yeah, I’m writing about a walk again. Can you tell I like walking? This time, my friends and I strolled through Old Quebec at night.

The prettiest cities often hit their peak at night, and Quebec is no exception. We were amazed. By that point, the swarms of tourists had emptied out of the twisty streets, and it was like we had the city to ourselves.

First, the parliament building was completely lit up, and the fountain in front had green lights shining on it. Check it out:

My favorite, though, is the terrace. We stood under the towering Chateau Frontenac and looked down at the city and river below. I’ve done this a few times since I’ve been here, and it never fails to amaze me. I’ve tried to take pictures of the view, but they never turn out well– just a bunch of yellow lights in the darkness.

Just some advice for anyone studying abroad soon: take walks! It’s the best way to see the city. I always have the feeling that I’m discovering things myself.

Location: Quebec, Quebec

Exploring

Last night, my friend and I decided to take a walk around town. That’s what’s so great about Quebec–it’s easy to figure out. It seriously feels like a small town. We had a vague idea of where the Mus�e de la Civilisation was and ended up finding it without a problem. Plus, I’m always running into people I know from my program; I guess everyone has the same favorite spots. For a city, Quebec is about as unintimidating as it gets.

We only spent about half an hour in the Mus�e–it was too nice out not to be exploring the city. Instead we found a cute caf�, ordered cappuccinos, and lived the life. Getting coffee, watching people, and walking are generally my top priorities when visiting places anyway.

Overall, I’m starting to get anxious about the program ending soon. I’ve made so many new friends that don’t live anywhere close to PA. I’m just trying not to think about that and make the most of my remaining time here. And of course, I have a Quebec bucket list! I still have to go to le Cochon Dinque (a restaurant), walk on the gorgeous terrace at night one last time, and bike along the river. I’ll update on my progress!

Location: 85 Rue Dalhousie, Québec, QC G1K 8R2, Canada

Cirque du Soleil!

Last Friday, I went with a group of people in my program to see Cirque du Soleil, which actually started here in Quebec. The cool thing, other than this being Cirque du Soleil and in Quebec, was that it was free. We just showed up and watched. Sweet.

But before we got there, we went to a microbrasserie in Basse-Ville, or “lower town.” It’s basically a bar that makes its own beer. My table got a carousel with nine different varieties and passed them around, and we all found our favorites. I loved the place because it was nice, but chill. And it was filled entirely with locals.

Our program sets up a lot of optional activities like this, and so far, I’ve loved them. I not only get to meet other people in my program, but also get to talk to the Quebecois leaders with their perfect French. No English is allowed at any of the outings. (This is, after all, an immersion program.) But all the Quebecois guides are helpful when it comes to not knowing a word or phrase.

But anyway, the Cirque–it was awesome. There was a lady who did crazy things with hula-hoops. I’m not even going to try to describe it, other than to say that it was sick. And Cirque de Soleil costs so much when a tour comes to the BJC! I’m so glad I got to see it for free.

Location: 310 Rue Saint Roch, Quebec, QC G1K 6S2, Canada

Dorm Life…in Quebec!

Students in my program have a choice between living in a homestay and living in the dorms. I was unsure about which one to choose–homestays, supposedly, would give me the best language immersion, but I’d be farther from the campus. I was totally undecided until my parents weighed in: “we don’t want you taking buses home by yourself late at night.” They’re paying, so I listened.

So far, I’ve had no regrets. In fact, I love the dorms. They are filled with students here to learn French like me, most of them Canadian. By simply hanging out in the lobby, communal kitchen, or university pub, I’ve made loads of friends. (And yes, the university here has a pub. Be jealous.)

Above is my best friend here, from Wisconsin. You know you’re friends when you have dorky photobooth picture-taking sessions.

For a shy girl like me, this is big news. My number one fear was that I’d have trouble finding people to hang out with. I didn’t want to explore Quebec City all on my own! And speaking of exploring the city, a friend and I spent our free Friday afternoon walking around Vieux Québec, the historic (and gorgeous) downtown. The weather here is perfect for strolling. Here are some photos! I’ll blog again soon.

Location: Pavillon Parent, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada

Lesson Learned

Sometimes I’m less hardcore than I’d hope. Did I say “sometimes?” Because I mean all the time. But hey, I have my cool moments. At last night’s Girl Talk concert, for example, I rapped along to things. I screamed, “Yeah Pennsylvania!” when he gave a shout-out to our home state. And at the end, I said, “This was good, but I liked him in Baltimore better.” I was clearly the coolest fan in the audience.

Here’s a pic:

But then there was lightning. Night lightning. Big, scary bolts flashing across the sky. And as much as I wanted to ~~impress the cute Canadian guys around me~~ make the most of my study abroad experience, I got out of there. I chose the safety of my dorm room over the Black Keys concert, and so far, I haven’t looked back. My friend felt the same way, and we spent the walk home discussing how logical it was that we would have died had we stayed. If there were one adjective to describe us, it would be “hardcore.” Although “really cool” works too.

I know; it’s a pathetic story. But that’s what travel does; it presents my issues to me, nearly PowerPoint style. Suddenly I know what I need to work on. (Item number one: always assuming I’m about to die. Apparently no one got struck by lightning last night. Weird.) But the great thing about study abroad is that it’s long term; I have four more weeks to soak up Quebec. And so far, I’ve been doing a good job–eating poutine at Chez Ashton, walking through old town at night, and making new friends. Besides, there’s another concert tomorrow night. Let’s just hope it doesn’t storm.

Location: Plaines d'Abraham, Quebec, QC

Happy birthday to me!

I’m extroverted, yet shy. It’s a combination destined for misery, but somehow I ended up surrounded by ten new friends at a Canadian bar on my very own birthday. And that was only my first day here.

When our professor first suggested we go to a bo�te � chanson, the aforementioned drinking hole, my classmates and I were skeptical. A “song box?” She explained that it was tr�s Qu�b�cois, and that all the locals go to buy drinks and sing along to popular songs. It sounded cheesy, but I didn’t want to spend the night in my dorm room alone, especially on my birthday. So I tagged along.

What sounded like a drag was actually a cozy, cavernous bar filled with French Canadian 20-somethings. I’ve always been envious of glamorous city-dwelling, bar-hopping 27-year-olds (who isn’t?), and here I was celebrating my birthday among them.

What made this a “song box,” though, and not a bar, was the man who entertained us in the middle of the room. He sang and played classic songs on his guitar with enthusiasm; it was impossible to ignore the thumping of his happy, familiar tunes. The audience sang and bounced along the entire time. It was lovely. And did I mention that the entertainer told the audience it was my birthday and dedicated “Brown Eyed Girl” to me? Lovely.

My only picture is blurry, but hopefully you can tell how intimate and cozy this place was:

Most of the songs were in French, and created by the great chansonniers of Quebec–the region’s classic song makers. These songs have become the region’s musical prize, and they form a style of classic, perky folk songs unique to Quebec. The audience’s enthusiasm for these songs was infectious, and at some point, I realized my friends and I were the only non-locals in the room.

The atmosphere was festive as the Qu�b�cois celebrated their identity. And I celebrated it with them. I can’t imagine that any club, no matter how loud the pop songs and how bright the neon lights, could ever top the joy and camaraderie at Voutes Napoleon last night. But I guess I’ll have to see about that.

Location: 680A Grande Allée Est, Quebec, QC, Canada

Getting ready for Quebec!

Sometimes my friends would laugh when I said I was studying abroad in Canada this summer.

“That’s not abroad!” joked one of them. And, sure– I see his point. Canada’s not that far or exotic. It’s probably one of the few study abroad locations that can be reached by car. But despite this, Canada is home to millions of French speakers, European-style cities, and a Francophone culture vastly different from my Pennsylvanian one here. So take that, friend!

My name’s Noelle and I’m a French and Journalism double-major. I’ll be spending five weeks in Quebec City this summer for an intensive French immersion program at the Universite Laval, and here’s where I’ll be blogging about it. I’m beyond excited because, first, I’m obsessed with travelling. And second, this is my chance to really work on my French. I hope to come back this fall speaking fluidly and with a lovely French accent. One can only hope, right?

Here’s a picture of a friend and me in Lyon, France last summer. I’m the one on the right.

I know I could have chosen to go to France (a lot of people ask me why I didn’t), but I’ve been there before. Don’t get me wrong; I love it there. But all my French classes at Penn State have been about the language, history, and literature of France. I haven’t learned at all about Quebec, and that’s partly what drew me to this program. I also spent a brief amount of time in Quebec City a couple years ago– only a few hours, really, while my family was on our way to someplace else. Just that amount of time was enough to convince me that I needed to come back. Evidence:

I took this shot in 2008, and yes, Quebec City has a CASTLE. Or as they say in French, a chateau. I don’t leave until the end of June, but I already can’t wait to spend my summer there. I’ll write again soon!

Location: State College, PA

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