Sentinel French Immersion Takes on Montreal

Recently, about 30 tenth-grade students in Sentinel’s French Immersion program took a fascinating trip to one of Canada’s most vibrant and beautiful cities: Montreal. In just one packed week, we did everything from exploring the Old Port to a guided tour of the Bell Centre, where the Montreal Canadiens play. While many of us may have fallen a bit behind on schoolwork, I think we can all agree—it was worth it. In this article, I’ll recap the trip and attempt to share the amazing memories. 

When we first landed on French-speaking soil, we took a bus to our hotel, conveniently located in the heart of the city.  It was the perfect base for exploring and making the most of our time. That first evening, we settled in, got organized, and relaxed after the flight. 

Our first full day — arguably my favourite—started with a metro ride to the Marché Jean-Talon. This vibrant farmers’ market was full of delicious local foods and unique souvenirs. It was the perfect introduction to the city’s charm. After that, we headed to Rue Mont-Royal, where a comic book festival was taking place. With no cars allowed, we could walk around freely and soak in the lively atmosphere. That night, the teachers—Mr. Mirmiran, Mme. Pla, Mme. Morvarid and Mme. Safia—surprised us with tickets to Cirque du Soleil’s Luzia performance. It was an incredible show and a magical way to kick off the trip.

As part of our student exchange, we were each paired with a “twin”—a student our age from Montreal. On our second day of the trip, everyone spent the day with their twin, doing different activities based on shared interests. Some went to La Ronde, a Six Flags amusement park, while others went shopping or explored new parts of the city.

Day three was especially interesting. We began with a guided tour of the Bell Centre, where we got to see the VIP lounge, alumni room, and interview room. Afterward, we headed to Old Montreal for a fun scavenger hunt.

The next day was the busiest of all. In the morning, we visited the Insectarium, the Planetarium, and the Biodôme—each offering unique experiences. That afternoon, we toured McGill University with a former Sentinel student who is now studying neuroscience there. In my opinion, the McGill campus was stunning, with its historic architecture complemented by its central location. We wrapped up the day with some free time to shop on Rue Sainte-Catherine.

On the fifth day, we visited the breathtaking Oratoire Saint-Joseph, with its high ceilings and detailed design. From the top floor, we had a panoramic view of Montreal—a flat city that stretches far into the distance. Originally, we were supposed to visit a nearby lake, but due to a sandwich-related delay, we had to skip ahead to the next activity: a museum tour about the founding of Montreal. That afternoon, we had some relaxed free time in Old Montreal, shopping, snacking, or just hanging out on the river’s edge.

On our final full day, we visited our twins’ school. We toured the building, participated in activities with fifth graders to help them with their English, and ended the day with a barbecue —an awesome way to wrap things up.

On the morning of our departure, we had a couple of hours of free time on Rue Sainte-Catherine before heading to the airport and returning home.

In conclusion, the Montreal trip was a unique and unforgettable experience that taught us not just about the city, but also about social skills, street smarts, and independence. I’m sure everyone who went will cherish these memories for years to come.