Shannon

Anderson

Honours Bachelor of Psychology and Philosophy
Thunder Bay, ON

I first signed up for the course because I have a background in tourism from Confederation College, as well as a personal interest in history and travel. I didn’t know too much about the World Wars specifically, and so I thought it would be a good opportunity to learn as well as to see some of Europe. Quite frankly, I had absolutely no comprehension of how altering this would be for me. It was one of the most emotionally upheaving experiences I have ever put myself through, and I don’t for a moment regret it. Seeing the memorials, cemeteries, and ceremonies that were able to visit and take part in throughout our trip, and the people we met and the towns and villages with memorials and museums dedicated to Canada… It was incredible.

 This trip contributed to my field of study only indirectly, because I am in neither tourism nor history. I knew that signing up. I’m doing a double major in Psychology and Philosophy, and I wanted to do this trip for myself. It will contribute to my field of study because it has contributed to the shaping of my character and my view of the world, and as far as I’m concerned there is nothing more relevant to true education than that. 

I was also able to contribute personally by writing a blog:

http://4370battlefieldtourism.blogspot.fr to both chronicle our excursion, and to track our emotional and academic responses to the sites we visited and the experiences we had. 

It was an incredible, emotional, and a life-defining trip. It was very moving, and also a gut-wrenching reminder of how lucky we are by nothing more than an accident of birth and timing. This is our country’s history, and our lineage, and our reminder. I would recommend this trip to anyone, lest we forget.