Discovering a new society and becoming part of it involves more than settling in, finding employment, or learning French. Taking part in social and cultural activities also provides an opportunity to get to know your community, practise the language, and build a social network. Autumn offers many opportunities to enjoy these experiences, whether alone, with family, or with new acquaintances.

Discovering Autumn and Quebec Traditions

For people discovering Quebec, certain autumn activities can be an opportunity to learn more about local traditions and customs. Going apple picking, visiting a farm, choosing a pumpkin, exploring a public market, or simply taking a walk to admire the changing colours of the trees are all great ways to enjoy the season. Apple- and pumpkin-related activities are particularly popular in the fall. They offer an opportunity to discover products grown in Quebec while spending time outdoors.

For newcomers, taking part in this type of activity can also be a simple way to discover a new tradition and share a moment with others. These experiences can also provide an opportunity to exchange ideas about different traditions. For example, through La Maisonnée’s community cooking activities, one person might introduce a recipe from their country of origin using apples or squash, while another might share a way of preparing a typically Quebec product. Seasonal activities can thus become spaces where cultures come together.

Discover our community cooking activities:
https://lamaisonnee.org/fr/events/cuisine-collective-interculturelle/

An Apple-Picking Outing to Enjoy Autumn Together

Every autumn, La Maisonnée also organizes activities that allow immigrants and their families to make the most of the season. The apple-picking outing in the Montérégie region is a wonderful opportunity to discover the pleasures of autumn while enjoying a friendly moment with family and the community.

In addition to apple picking, the day includes a variety of activities, such as a tractor ride, a visit to a small farm, walking trails, and play and picnic areas. Beyond discovering a quintessential Quebec autumn activity, this outing encourages people to meet, exchange and share experiences. It provides a simple and welcoming setting to build new connections, practise French, and discover more about the surrounding community.

For newly arrived families, this type of activity can be a great way to experience Quebec culture while taking part in community life.

Discover our activities:
https://lamaisonnee.org/fr/activites/

Getting Out and Building Connections

When someone arrives in a new society, developing a social network can sometimes be challenging. The routines, places, and people they knew before arriving in Quebec may no longer be accessible in the same way. Taking part in activities creates opportunities to meet others and gradually overcome social isolation.

A walk, a family activity, a cultural outing, or a coffee with someone may seem like a small thing. Yet these moments can provide an opportunity to meet people, practise French, and discover new connections. Social participation therefore plays an important role in the integration journey. It can help people feel more connected to their community and develop a stronger sense of belonging.

The Community Life Committee (CVC): Participating, Meeting Others and Building Connections

At La Maisonnée, the Community Life Committee (CVC) also helps create opportunities for newcomers to meet others and participate in community life. Through a variety of social, cultural, recreational, and intercultural activities, the CVC provides participants with a welcoming environment where they can come together, discover their community, and gradually build new connections.

These activities can be an opportunity to get out of the house, practise French in an informal setting, share one’s culture and experiences, and discover those of others. By taking part in the CVC, immigrants can play an active role in community life and develop their social network.

For newcomers, these moments of sharing can be a first step toward developing a stronger sense of belonging and building their integration into everyday life.

For more information about upcoming activities, contact Maude Tremblay-Vaughan at 514-271-3533, ext. 288, at maud.tremblay@lamaisonnee.org, or fill out the following form:
https://bit.ly/4xNuwRz

La Maisonnée’s Intercultural Duo Program

Intercultural encounters are among our organization’s initiatives that help foster connections between people. The Intercultural Duo Program brings together people from different backgrounds so they can meet and exchange in a friendly and welcoming setting.

The idea is based on meeting and sharing. A duo can provide an opportunity to talk, practise French, learn about another person’s daily life, or simply enjoy an activity together. Meetings can take different forms depending on the interests of the participants.

These exchanges help immigrants better understand their host society, while also giving all participants an opportunity to discover different cultures, experiences, and life journeys. Intercultural exchange is therefore based on mutual sharing, where everyone can contribute their knowledge and experience.

Discover the Intercultural Duo Program:
https://lamaisonnee.org/fr/le-duo-interculturel-de-la-maisonnee/

Practising French in Everyday Life

Social activities also provide an opportunity to practise French in everyday situations. A conversation during a walk, a discussion during an activity, or a chat over a meal allows people to put their language skills into practice in a real-life context.

These conversations can help build confidence and gradually make it easier to communicate with others. They also provide an opportunity to discover expressions, customs, and ways of communicating that are part of everyday life in Quebec.

Practising French is therefore not limited to language classes. Every activity can become an opportunity to learn and exchange.

If you would like to practise regularly, discover our weekly conversation workshops:

• In person every Tuesday:
  https://lamaisonnee.org/fr/events/atelier-de-conversation-francaise-presentiel/
• Online (morning):
  https://lamaisonnee.org/fr/events/atelier-de-conversation-francaise-matin/
• Online (evening):
  https://lamaisonnee.org/fr/events/ateliers-conversation-francais-soir/

Making the Most of Activities in Your Neighbourhood

Autumn is also a great time to discover the resources and activities available in your neighbourhood. Libraries, cultural centres, community organizations, markets, parks, and various gathering places regularly offer activities that are accessible to families and people of all ages.

Finding out what is happening in your neighbourhood allows you to discover new places and meet the people who live there. For someone who has recently arrived, this process can help them better understand their surroundings and gradually develop a sense of familiarity with their community.

Taking part in a local activity can also be a first step toward becoming more involved in the community.

Integration Also Happens Through Connections

Everyone’s integration journey is different. For some, the first steps may involve finding employment or housing. For others, it may involve learning French, their children’s schooling, or discovering available services.

Beyond these practical steps, meeting people, sharing experiences, and participating in community life can contribute to a sense of belonging. Social and intercultural activities create spaces where people can learn from one another and build relationships.

At La Maisonnée, this approach is part of our commitment to welcoming, supporting the integration of, and encouraging the social participation of immigrants. The activities and initiatives we offer create opportunities for people to meet and build connections in a welcoming environment.

Autumn: A Season for Discovering and Sharing

Quebec’s autumn offers many opportunities to get out, discover new things, and meet others. An apple-picking outing, a walk in a park, a family activity, or a meeting through the Intercultural Duo Program can become much more than just a seasonal activity.

These moments provide an opportunity to discover Quebec while also sharing your own culture and story. They help build bridges between people and make cultural diversity a source of richness for the community.

For newcomers as well as those who have lived in Quebec for many years, autumn can therefore be an invitation to connect with others.

What if this season were an opportunity to discover a new activity, meet a new person, and build a new connection?

Interested in taking part in an intercultural activity?

Would you like to meet new people, practise your French, discover different cultures, or simply take part in activities in a welcoming environment?

La Maisonnée’s activities offer many opportunities to build connections and participate in community life. To find out about upcoming activities, participation details, or registration options, we invite you to contact the La Maisonnée team or fill out the form directly to be notified about upcoming CVC activities:

https://bit.ly/4xNuwRz

Because integration is also built through small moments: a meeting, a conversation, a shared activity, or a new discovery can be the beginning of a new connection.

For more information, contact La Maisonnée at 514-271-3533 or visit the organization’s activities page:
https://lamaisonnee.org/fr/activites/