Mexican students learn to curl at PCC
A group of Mexican students have learned a lot more than just English during their stay in Peterborough.
A group of 50 students taking English as a second language courses at Trent University have been immersed in Canadian culture through the Canada Homestay Network. That included learning how to curl at the Peterborough Curling Club on Saturday afternoon.
There were plenty of laughs as the students, ranging from 19 to 25 years of age, slipped, slid, occasionally teetered over and before grasping the technique from PCC volunteer instructors.
The Canada Homestay Network offers international students the opportunity to live with a Canadian family during their stay. Christina McDannold is involved with both the network and the curling club and saw an opportunity to introduce the students to a sport engrained in Canadian culture.
“While they are here studying English we are trying to give them a good experience at some great Canadian sports,” said McDannold. “It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity for many of these students. They can go home and say they learned how to curl. At first, they didn’t know what curling was until I sent them a video clip of The Simpsons where Homer Simpson was trying to learn how to curl.”
That got them excited to give it a try, she said.
“I did not know about curling before I came to Canada,” said Paola Salgado “It’s really fun. A little bit difficult at first because I’ve not been on ice before just once when I ice skated with my family. i think it’s really fun.”
“This is my first time and until now I haven’t fallen on the ice so I’m excited,” said Raul Martinez. “I’m learning how to throw the rock and how to slide. I think these activities are good for us as scholars because it’s an opportunity to learn something about Canada and not just to be here and study.”
Salgado says the host families have introduced them to many aspects of Canadian culture.
“We have done different things all the weekends we have been here,” she said. “There are lots of things we can’t do in Mexico. First of all, we don’t have snow in Mexico so that’s a little bit different. We’ve been to museums. We don’t have lakes in Mexico. Our host families have been wonderful with us. They took us to a pumpkin patch and a farm. We’re having a great time.”
Martinez said living with a Canadian family gives a greater opportunity to learn English than if living on campus with other international students.
“Being in a home you have more chances to talk with your host and learn about the culture and Canadian activities,” he said.
PCC board member Pauline Orpwood said the club is always open to introducing the sport to new people.
“Curlers love the sport so much we want more people to try it and understand it,” Orpwood said. “We want people to have a better understanding of what it really is and how hard it is. A lot of people think curling is easy. Some people will slide out beautifully and naturally like they’ve curled forever and for others the balance takes a little bit to come.”
The club also hosted a Rocks & Rings session to introduce the sport to school children with their parents earlier in the day.