Author: Lola Gueguen
Summary: The FAA’s first-ever ninth-grade trip to Toronto and Montreal immerses students in cultural exploration, academic exchange, and global leadership through school shadowing, historic site visits, and participation in Canada’s largest Model UN conference.
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For the first time, the French American Academy (FAA) is proud to introduce its inaugural ninth-grade overnight field trip to Canada, an exciting milestone in the launch of our new high school. From April 26 to May 1, ninth-grade students will travel to Toronto and Montreal, where they will shadow local students, participate in a Model United Nations conference, and explore cultural landmarks across both cities. This experience reflects FAA’s commitment to fostering meaningful international connections and extending learning beyond the classroom. It brings the International Baccalaureate (IB) framework to life by cultivating globally minded students who develop cross-cultural competence and are inspired to contribute thoughtfully to today’s dynamic world.
One of the most exciting highlights of the trip is the Toronto Model UN Conference (SOMA), the world’s oldest high-school-run Model UN and Canada’s largest. The Southern Ontario Model United Nations Assembly (SOMA) is a two-day international relations simulation in which students assume the roles of UN representatives and members of other global bodies, engaging in debate, negotiation, and collaboration to draft resolutions on pressing global issues such as international peace, security, and economic and social progress. This experience powerfully reinforces the FAA high school’s IB framework and globally minded approach, as students strengthen their skills in critical thinking, collaboration, and problem-solving while growing into inquisitive, knowledgeable individuals prepared to contribute to a better, more peaceful world.
Another particularly meaningful aspect of this trip is the opportunity for students to connect with peers across the broader IB network, which includes 30 French-American schools and more than 6,000 schools worldwide. In Toronto, our ninth graders will shadow students at Toronto French School, a leading private French immersion and International Baccalaureate high school. For FAA students, who come from a close-knit community, this experience offers a valuable chance to engage with fellow IB learners, begin building international connections, and further develop the globally minded perspective at the heart of the IB program.
Finally, throughout this trip, students will also have the opportunity to immerse themselves in Canadian culture.
- During their time in Montreal, students will explore the city’s rich history through a variety of immersive experiences, including a visit to Pointe-à-Callière to learn about Montréal’s founding and a guided tour of Old Montreal. They will also visit Mont-Royal, where they will hike to scenic viewpoints such as Beaver Lake and the Chalet de la Montagne, overlooking the city.
- Students will further experience French culture through cuisine, enjoying a traditional crêpe lunch in Old Montreal and a group dinner at a local French restaurant, rounding out a meaningful blend of cultural, historical, and social experiences.
As our high school continues to grow, we hope to build on this experience and establish this trip as a lasting tradition, offering future students the same opportunities for cultural immersion, global engagement, and meaningful learning beyond the classroom.
