This winter, 13 members of the Ursuline Academy community - students, teachers, and parents - set out on a UA+ journey to Québec City, the heart of French Canada. Designed as a language and cultural enrichment experience, the trip was an invitation to step more deeply into the French language while discovering the rich heritage that connects Québec to the Ursuline mission.

Rooted in Ursuline history, the visit offered far more than sightseeing. At the Musée des Ursulines de Québec, students encountered the enduring legacy of the Ursuline sisters, who established the oldest teaching order in the province in 1639. Attached to the chapel where Marie of the Incarnation lies, the museum tells the story of a woman ahead of her time who worked relentlessly for girls’ education, learned several First Nations languages, and expressed her faith through writing and embroidery. As Sophie Greene, World Languages teacher and trip chaperone, reflected, “She was so modern!” In that sacred space, students witnessed the living roots of the Ursuline commitment to educating young women, a mission they carry forward today.

The group also explored iconic landmarks that reveal Québec’s distinct French identity. A walk through the enchanting streets of Old Québec felt like stepping into a postcard, with snow-dusted rooftops and twinkling lights. From the grand façade of the Château Frontenac to the sweeping views of the frozen St. Lawrence River, every corner offered beauty and history. Students crossed the majestic St. Lawrence River by ferry, experienced the wonder of Montmorency Falls in winter, and worshipped together at the Notre-Dame de Québec Cathedral-Basilica, the oldest church in Canada and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

For Helen A. ’29, the opportunity to live the language made a lasting impression. “I loved being immersed in the language, culture, and food,” she shared. “I feel much more comfortable attempting to speak French because I heard other people speak it constantly, and I even tried to speak French myself!” Helen especially cherished moments that brought the group closer together, from ice skating and snow tubing to participating in Mass. “The church was absolutely stunning,” she said. “Being asked to bring up the wine was quite unexpected, but I embraced every moment of it.” She also found inspiration in learning about the women who shaped Ursuline education, calling the visit to the Ursuline Museum “an awesome experience.”

Beyond the historic sites, students immersed themselves in the vibrant traditions of French Canada. At a traditional cabane à sucre (sugar shack), they shared a hearty lumberjack meal, learned about maple syrup production, and laughed as they tried new foods and played musical spoons alongside local musicians. Susan K. ’27 reflected on the sugar shack as one of the most meaningful moments of the trip. “The highlight of my trip in Quebec was visiting a sugar shack in the middle of a forest of sugar maple trees,” she shared. “We tried foods with maple syrup, learned about its importance in local and Indigenous traditions, and spent the evening singing, dancing, and celebrating together. Their hospitality reminded me of Ursuline’s mission of building community, because we were welcomed not as outsiders but as part of their traditions.”

Ice skating at Place D’Youville, strolling along St-Jean Street, and enjoying the festive spirit of the Winter Carnival brought the language to life in joyful, memorable ways. A visit to Onhoüa Chetek8e’, a reconstructed Huron-Wendat village, offered a meaningful encounter with the history and traditions of the Huron-Wendat Nation, broadening students’ understanding of the land and its first peoples.

Delaney U. ’26 reflected on how the experience expanded her worldview. “One of the highlights of the Québec trip was immersing myself in another culture,” she said. “Québec has a rich history, from visiting the Huron village to experiencing the Winter Carnival, and I loved every second of learning about it.” She added that the trip directly reflected Ursuline’s values. “This experience connected me to the Ursuline mission by encouraging me to grow intellectually and culturally while deepening my appreciation for the global community.”

As Dr. Claudine Saade, World Languages teacher and trip chaperone, shared, the trip was “a rich cultural and educational experience that beautifully blended history, language, faith, and adventure.” Through snow rafting at Village Vacances Valcartier, guided tours of Old Montréal, and moments of quiet reflection in sacred spaces, students strengthened their French skills while deepening their appreciation for the global Ursuline community.

In every snowy street and sacred chapel, the UA+ trip to Québec embodied the Ursuline mission: forming young women of faith, intellect, and service who are ready to engage the world with curiosity, courage, and a profound sense of heritage.