Emi de Grandpré

I began this year not knowing anyone at York. I had moved from my old school and didn't really know what to expect but I tried my best to keep an open mind. However, when I started ICE, never did I think that it would teach me so much about myself as a student, and as a Canadian. This year I've gotten more opportunities at school then I probably ever had at any previous school of mine in my life. And through these opportunities like winter camping, our Toronto Island trip, and Wanakita, I was able to learn not only about my country and the things around me, but about myself as well through experiencing many different things. I've learned a lot about my worldview and the role I need to play in Canada, and I've also made friendships that will last a lifetime. Although there were those days when I wanted nothing more than the ICE day to be over or to not go winter camping, I am now thankful that I did all of these things because they impacted my worldview and made me who I am today.

Of all of the various places we have gone, novels we have read, or things we have learned, there are a few things that stand out to me in particular. One of these things is our unit on Canada’s north. Although I will take to heart the things I learned about challenges in the North and climate change, I think the thing I appreciated most from that unit was how unaware I was of something that was happening in my own country. Although I hate to admit it now, I did not really think about this part of the country. I did not know about the incredibly high rates of suicide and substance use disorders in Canada's North, or the mistreatment of Northern indigenous people, or even the Northern industries that contribute so much to our country and economy. As I made my infographic, I was suddenly conscious that there was so much happening in my home country that I did not know about. This unit made me realize how we can all be so insensitive to what is happening in our country and how there is importance and power in knowing what is happening in your country and educating yourself.

Something else that stands out in my mind from this ICE year is our trip to the Toronto Islands at the very beginning of the year where we made documentaries. This trip stood out to me because it was such a well-rounded, fun, but also an educational experience. I think that this experience stood out to me because it was one of the first times I actually considered what it meant to be a Canadian or a Torontonian. We had the opportunity to explore the island and identify a challenge on the island or talk about the nature of the community in a documentary. Not only did this make me much more aware about our city but we also had to overcome various challenges. Whether it was finding people to interview, or putting together a documentary, these were things I had never done before but they pushed me beyond my comfort zone and helped me gain skills like perseverance, confidence, and open-mindedness, and have helped me become a better student and person.

The second night of our winter camping trip in February, when I was asked what value I wish I possessed more of, I said perseverance. I said this because I am so privileged and lucky and I’ve never had to experience much hardship in my life whether it was living through war or fighting for anything. But this ICE year has helped me learn that you don’t need to fight for your country or experience incredible suffering to gain perseverance. Simple things like a winter camping trip or finishing that assignment on time take perseverance too and I think ICE helped me learn that and helped me gain perseverance. I am still learning who I am and where I belong in the world but this ICE year has set me up with the skills I need to orient myself and push myself to the best of my ability and I am so thankful for that.

For my ICE final project, I made a podcast about the importance of local businesses in Toronto communities and how they are being impacted by COVID-19.