Yelping Red Foxes - Last Day, Party, Goodbye - August 7/8, 2016

To many a sense of accomplishment comes from achieving a goal or having your handwork recognized. Here at Wynchemna, we only feel accomplished when we have to drag students to the airport, because they don't want to leave Canada. Sometimes students "lose" their passport, they lock themselves in the bathroom or they simply stand their with their arms crossed. As a teacher, we sometimes try the same maneuvers as we dread the day they leave as well. Let's sum up what happened on this particular last day.Their was no alarm clock on this fateful day, though the students were advised to be in the lobby no later than 9:30 AM. The continental breakfast, which remained open until 10:00 AM was a nice change from the normal breakfast routine. After breakfast the students were given 4 hours until lunch. In this time they could go swimming, write airplane letters to each other or leave the building to do some last minute shopping.The bus arrived at 2:00 PM and brought the students to Maurya, an exquisite Indian restaurant. After lunch the students walked back one more time to SAIT. Once they arrived they constructed and inspected all of the tents from camping.The students having completed this rather quickly, relaxed on the grass, until they were startled by a birthday cake. As it turns out Way and Ilka, both shared this birthday. At first the students each ate a piece of cake, but it quickly turned into an all out, icing and cake brawl. Students and teachers alike were covered head to toe in cake.With little time to wash their clothes the students Walked to the third floor, where they watched an emotional and entertaining slide show, that contained memories from the entire trip. Some cried, many laughed and all realized how incredible the last the weeks had been.After the slideshow the students returned to the bus and headed to Nick's steakhouse. Each student enjoyed a steak sandwich, with a choice of potato and vegetables. The students cheered for each other's countries as the olympics were playing.After they devoured their steaks, the students returned to the hotel lobby. Each student was presented a unique award, certificate, yearbook and set of photos. After the awards were completed, the students got changed into their nicest clothes and were taken to the party.The basement of Discovery Tower was transformed into the nightclub ChezWynchemna. A live DJ, dance floor, foosball, waterpong and photographer were part of the nightclub experience. Though their were songs from many different countries, the students all connected through the universal language of music and danced together. After many hours of dancing the students began to tire.Once the party was over, the tear-filled goodbye hugs commenced. As the first group was leaving early in the morning, the students that wanted to sleep made their goodbyes before they went to bed. The first tears were shed. Many kids decided to make the most of their last night and stayed up until the break of dawn.At 7 AM a large group of first group of students made their final goodbyes and embarked on the bus. The entire bus ride staring out the window, soaking in their last moments in Canada. They never would have thought before they would have loved Canada so much.Back at the hotel, the remaining students enjoyed breakfast and made the most of their remaining hours. Intermittently the students departed in groups of three or four. More tears were shed. By the end of this day only two students remained, whose flights were the following day.Incredibly, three weeks was more than enough time to impact the students lives forever. The students came to Canada to improve their English and they left with international friendships.[AFG_gallery id='552']