Why is July 1st important to Newfoundlanders and Labradorians? Why is Beaumont-Hamel important?

Amy P., Student Traveller:
July 1st is a time for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians to mourn and remember those who lost their lives fighting at Beaumont-Hamel. July 1st may cause conflicting emotions for some people in the province, since thoughts of celebration and remembrance are both evident in our minds. But, without a doubt, we Newfoundlanders and Labradorians make the most of the day by celebrating the lives of those we lost in battle, along with the birth of Canada.

Jessica K., Tour Consultant:
I don’t think I truly understood the significance of July 1st until I visited the Beaumont-Hamel Newfoundland Memorial, where my kin fell. I’m here because of that sacrifice. You really grasp what it means to be a Newfoundlander once you walk those grounds. Students travelling on our tours are at an age where they’re discovering themselves and learning more about themselves. I believe it’s important to reconnect to your roots, pay respect and connect to those who have fallen, in order to find yourself. We, as Newfoundlanders and Labradorians, are connected to this moment in history. I feel it’s important, now more than ever, to travel and to step outside your comfort zone and bridge a divide between cultures – the only way we can do that is through travel, and not by hiding out at home.

What makes you proud to be a Newfoundlander/Labradorian? How do you share this with others?

Amy P., Student Traveller:
I’ve already mentioned the beautiful scenes you can find in our province, but the most beautiful thing of all that you can find here are the people. Appreciative, generous, and kind, we are always willing to lend a helping hand. We don’t hesitate to display these qualities to others. Nobody is considered a stranger in Newfoundland and Labrador when you’re in a time of need. Our towns may be dispersed all over the coastline, but if anything were to happen, we would all come together as one very quickly. This makes me very proud to be a Newfoundlander. To be able to share our kindness and generosity with others is a great privilege that displays not only our friendliness, but our pride, too.

Lee M., Group Leader:
We Newfoundlanders are proud of who we are and where we come from. Have a question? Ask it. Need a favour? Seek out some help. In a world where people think you can pay for almost anything, Newfoundlanders generally believe it’s better to have a person’s genuine thanks. After all, things are better when it’s a shared experience. Plus it makes for better stories!

Jonathan V., Tour Consultant:
I am proud to be from Newfoundland because we have the nicest people in all of Canada – it’s a proven fact. Everyone is so caring and nice that people are often surprised when they visit, and are made to feel like they’re at home after just a couple of days in the company of Newfoundlanders. I hate to generalize, but I have never met such a nice and kind-hearted bunch of people in my life – in fact, I think we’re sometimes too polite, even by Canadian standards. My home province is so different and unique compared to the rest of Canada. It’s an interesting feeling for non-Newfoundlanders to visit such a different place that’s still in the same country.

Lee M. is a school principal on the Burin Peninsula along the southern coast of Newfoundland. He teaches English language and literature and first travelled with EF in 2005. He is a firm believer that travelling is best when it is a shared experience whether that be an individual traveller seeking to immerse in the culture of the locals or a teacher leading a group of wide-eyed students.

Amy P. is 16 years old, and she lives in the small town of Northern Arm, located in central Newfoundland. This Grade 11 student spends her spare time enjoying hockey, softball, photography, and of course, travelling. This spring, Amy travelled to London, Paris, and Rome with EF Tours on the experience of a lifetime. She believes it’s important for young Canadians to travel because travelling is a “constant learning experience which keeps you on your toes, and allows you to be exposed to new things, which is something that I believe everyone needs in life.”

Jessica K. is an EF Territory Manager for the region of Newfoundland and Labrador. She was raised in a small town, near Georgian Bay, Ontario but her roots are from Placentia, Newfoundland. When she isn’t helping Group Leaders share their passion for travel, you can find her running, practicing and teaching yoga, cooking, writing and adventuring. She believes that everyone should travel wherever they can and that travel colours your life with experiences that help you become a more self-aware, global and enriched citizen.

Jonathan V. is a EF Territory Manager in Saskatchewan and the Territories. A Newfoundlander to the core, he has lived in Italy and Australia – far from his native land. When he isn’t helping Group Leaders or cracking jokes, you can find him golfing, running, reading and playing video games. Having spent summers in Southeast Asia, Europe and beyond, he shares his passion for travel with teachers and colleagues alike. He believes that everyone needs to get outside their comfort zone and experience new cultures, and by doing that you will become a true global citizen!

Topic: History