After finishing the first year of my Masters degree, I wanted to take the summer to brush up on my French, and decided to sign up for the Summer Language Bursary program. I was placed at École internationale de français, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières. After many years involved with student government, this was the first time I had a summer where I could do something on my own. I had met some new and close friends; some really great people whom I thoroughly enjoyed their company and conversation. Trois-Rivières was also a very formative excursion. It built my confidence in being able to go somewhere new on my own, and realize I had the capability to adapt in a new environment. It was while I was studying in Trois-Rivières where I made the decision that I would backpack in Europe the following summer. Trois-Rivières set in train the compulsion to travel the world as we come to see in the years ahead.