First steps in Canada: Autumn discoveries and adventures

Between the walls of UQAC and the vast expanses of Quebec, I've found two classrooms. Ready to discover my fall school? In this first article, I'll tell you all about my arrival in Quebec, and my adventures during this first season.

UQAC Residence, Val-Lombrette, Chicoutimi

I - Discovering my new home: Chicoutimi and UQAC

After landing at Montreal airport, clearing customs and driving six hours straight north, I finally arrive in Chicoutimi, the city where my new university is located for one year, my final year of studies.

Chicoutimi, a small town in the heart of the Saguenay, a true jewel nestled between the mountains and the river. With its colorful houses, all different, an American-style grid city with a single shopping boulevard!

Don't expect to find the same hustle and bustle as in Paris or Montreal. No, this is the kind of place where you take your time. You take the time to admire the scenery, you take the time to say hello to passers-by and, above all, you take the time to learn. I like to think of Chicoutimi as a city on a human scale that allows you to slow down a bit, to breathe. It's like an invisible boundary between the big cities of southern Quebec and the immense wilderness to the north, with its small local villages.

Saguenay Fjord, Chicoutimi

In this photo, you'd think you are in the middle of nowhere, yet as I walk along the road near the old port, the city lies just behind me, but also opposite, on the other side of the river. All I have to do is walk down the hill where I live to face a landscape that is commonplace to the locals, but which fascinates me and makes me want to explore every inch of this city. The Saguenay River stretches some 160 kilometers inland from the St. Lawrence estuary to Lac Saint-Jean. The fjord is surrounded by steep cliffs, lush green valleys and breathtaking natural scenery. Chicoutimi is actually one of the three districts of Saguenay, which resulted from a merger of the three cities in 2002, the other two being La Baie to the east and Jonquière to the west.

Then there's the Université du Québec à Chicoutimi, or UQAC, standing proudly atop its hill like the watchtower of our student city. This vibrant, friendly campus is a veritable maze of alphabetical buildings. Building H, also known as the Alphonse-Desjardins Pavilion, houses most of the administrative offices, but also offers a view of the entire city from its 7th floor.

As for the main pavilion (P), it's the real beating heart of the university. This is where I attend most of my classes in the Computer Science and Mathematics Department (DIM), but also where I share convivial moments in the canteen, attend performances in the theater/cinema hall or wait in the cafeteria overlooking the bus station.

From left to right: building H & the (S)ports avilion from the (P)rincipal pavilion

Then there's UQAC's incredible diversity, reflected in the university's museum-like corridors. From Ubisoft trophies won by video game teams, to rocks from all over the world, to stuffed wildlife, there's always something to discover. And let's not forget the sports pavilion, with its myriad of activities: from the gym to the racquet sports courts, and its Arena, the training ground for the Saguenay ice hockey team, whose every game brings together all the fans on campus.

Voilà, Chicoutimi and UQAC became my new daily life for a year. A small town with a big heart and a university taht reflects the city. I'll come back to my courses in future articles. For now, let's put on our coats, get off campus and explore the autumnal beauty of Quebec...

II - The call of the sea: an outing to Tadoussac and an encounter with the giants of the sea

Fasten your seatbelts - or maybe not, like in our iconic yellow bus, where every bump in the road had us bouncing on our seats! UQAC had organized a trip to Tadoussac, and I found myself en route to this seaside town with my roommates and a bunch of daring students, including Anaïs, a PACES student and a brave swimmer who didn't hesitate to jump into water approaching 10°C!

Whales on the St. Lawrence at the mouth of the Saguenay (river) 1st & 3rd video provided by Maxime

Tadoussac, land of humpback, beluga and rorqual whales. Autumn is the ideal time to observe their migration. We boarded a boat to try and catch a glimpse of these specimens, as well as dolphins and seals! Every sighting was enchanting, a live wildlife scene.

To round off the day, a walk along the "Pointe de l'Islet" trail offered a grandiose finale with a panoramic view of the fjord flowing into the Saint Laurent. A day of total immersion in the beauty of Quebec, a breathtaking experience to kick off this autumn adventure.

III - On the trail of a thousand colors: fall hiking at Éternité bay

Grab your backpack, your hiking boots and follow me on a magnificent hike in the heart of the Saguenay Fjord National Park. With two friends from UQAC, we decided to take on the challenge of the Statue trail, a 300-metre ascent for a 4-hour round trip.

The spectacle of Quebec autumn unfolded before our astonished eyes, transforming the forest into a living tableau. At every turn, every climb, it was as if we were advancing through a blazing landscape, contrasting with the deep blue of Éternité bay sparkling in the distance.

Viewpoints on Eternité bay, Statue trail, Saguenay Fjord National Park

At the summit, we were greeted by the first snow, adding a touch of purity and freshness to all those colors. How could we resist an improvised snowball fight? The spontaneity of this moment will remain one of the best memories of the day.

This national park, with its trails, via ferrata, panoramic views of the fjord and its forests, is a must-see experience for any student in search of adventure. Moments like these make Quebec a real treat for the mind and the heart. When's the next one?

IV - City escape: from Chicoutimi to Manhattan

With winter approching in Chicoutimi, we decided to migrate south for another remarkable escapade in the city that never sleeps. The trip organized by the school's association was fun, but still open to criticism on certain points. That's why I'd advise you to organize it yourself. Not only will it be cheaper, but you'll also avoid any unpleasant last-minute surprises. And for the more adventurous among you, you should know that UQAC students are eligible to discount codes for car rentals. With a little preparation and a good map in hand, Manhattan is all yours! Don't hesitate to contact me (see contact section) if you have any questions, I'd be glad to share my experiences and advice with you 😉

During our stay, we visited some of the city's must-see sites: Times Square, Central Park, 5th Avenue, the Empire State Building and the Statue of Liberty. These mythical landmarks need no introduction. However, it was elsewhere that I had my greatest experiences.

The real jewel in the crown of this trip was undoubtedly the American Museum of Natural History . It's a total immersion in the history of cultures and civilizations from all over the world. What particularly impressed me was the wealth of information on the various nations and peoples I was able to discover. Not to mention the awe I felt when confronted with gigantic dinosaur skeletons and the life-size reconstruction of a whale. A truly enriching experience!

From left to right: the whale at the Museum of Natural History & Little Island in front of Manhattan

Later in the day, I recommend an evening or twilight stroll to Little Island and The High Line. Little Island, on the Hudson River, is an artificial island, a little jewel of architecture and greenery, with a breathtaking view of the skyline. It was like being in a bubble in the heart of the city. Immediately afterwards, we climbed The High Line. Imagine lush green spaces interspersed with works of art, suspended above the urban bustle, illuminated by the twinkling lights of skyscrapers. A striking contrast and a true haven of peace in the heart of Manhattan.

To end the evening on a high note, we headed to Whitmans for the best burgers in Manhattan. The place is warm and welcoming, and chatting with the waiters about New York life made the experience even more authentic. Far from the usual tourist attractions, it was these exceptional moments that made my trip to New York unforgettable.

V - The northern lights dance: an unforgettable celestial spectacle and a chilling but warm encounter

Saguenay, despite its latitude close to that of Lille (North of France), offers better visibility for observing the northern lights. This meant I was able to head out in search of these celestial lights in the night.

I've been lucky enough to observe this phenomenon several times, and two occasions have particularly stuck in my mind. The first photo below is the brightest aurora I've seen, reflected on the fjord, captured by my fall roommate (@thom_bnt on insta). The second was an unexpected encounter with a professional observer, during an outing in -20°C with my winter roommate (@e1.paturel on insta). In the freezing wind, I listened to these two people sharing their experiences and passion for photography with overflowing enthusiasm. In the middle of this frosty meadow, this exchange was a very warm moment.

Northern lights -- Expectation vs Reality, Chicoutimi

Over time, I've learned how to hunt for the aurora, how to equip myself with the necessary tools and how to choose the right moment to go out, always hoping to witness this celestial spectacle. Here are a few tips I've picked up:

Three things you need to know

UTC is Quebec time + 4 hours, information is always delivered in UTC format.

The Kp index is an indicator of past and future geomagnetic activity, which can help you predict the aurora.

No bright white lights when observing the night sky, as they may disturb other observers. Instead, use a red headlamp, which doesn't dilate the pupils and lets you keep your vision adapted to the dark.

When to observe them: in fall or spring, the sun should set early, and it shouldn't be too cold either.

Where to watch northern lights

I recommend a personal spot where you won't be disturbed by road or city lights. You can either stay in the car parked facing north or step outside. You can also head further north, towards the villages of Mont Valin. Don't forget that the northern lights are very low on the horizon. Be careful, equip yourself with red lights and patience, and look straight north.

Where to get information

The NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) Aurora dashboard gives you a wealth of information for predicting the aurora up to 3 days in advance.

The Aurora mobile app (Android / Apple) provides more precise information over the next 30 minutes, such as cloud cover and current magnetic activity.

There's also a Facebook community, Aurores du Québec (in french), dedicated to the northern lights. Start with the FAQ, which will answer most of your questions.