Engagments | Ombeline De Chauvign

Association Y'A D'LA JOIE
My friend, Philippine convinced me and some of our friends to take part in her sister's association called "Y'a de la joie." The point of the association is to bring happiness to lonely and isolated people through music.
In our case, my colleagues and I sang songs to the residents of the Nazaire Piché nursing home near the Collegial. We would sing songs for dozens of minutes, then talk to the residents after our performance. We were also given a tour of the center and its various floors, with their different features.
This volunteer activity was very enriching for all of us. Indeed, being able to talk with older residents was heartwarming and full of life lessons. I was able to talk about the past with residents and about music, a subject I'm passionate about, and all this while doing a good deed, since those living in the center like to have visitors.
It also enabled me to learn more about the reality of elderly people in nursing homes and their routines. I'm glad to know more about it, because it's an issue here and I now have my own experience of this reality.

During the summer of 2023, back in France, I was able to help the association Flyaway. The association offers formations in schools to teach students better learning mechanisms and self-esteem techniques. I helped over the summer in an internship with the administration part, answering phone calls, helping setting up the furnitures, etc.

This experience helped me develop my organizational and communication skills. In addition, the internship enabled me to learn new learning techniques which is always beneficial.

Portes Ouvertes Collégial International Sainte Anne

Accompanied by volunteers and teachers, I was able to welcome students in Secondary 4 and 5, and talk to them about my experience at Collegial International Sainte-Anne. I had the opportunity to answer some of their questions about the Social Sciences program and the honors program. I was able, for some people, to provide some help in choosing which specific program to enrol in as they were already enrolled in the Social Sciences but unsure of which courses to take.
I loved being able to answer questions from students and parents who came and to share my experience of the past few months as an international student.
Thanks to this volunteer work, I was able to forge links with other students in the same program as me, and to meet some of the teachers I'll have the chance to get to know better in future sessions.