Hello, present and future language assistants! Wow — I just came across this site while I was thinking about the good old days when I was an English language assistant at l’École secondaire Barthélemy-Joliette in Joliette, Quebec, back in 2003–04. I can’t believe it’s been over 10 years — wow! I hope today’s language assistants are enjoying the experience to the fullest. My best friend and I were both English language assistants in that same year, and we were so inspired to go into teaching that — well, I’m in my seventh year of teaching French as a second language in Ottawa, and I love it! Time really flies, though. I hold many dear memories of some really great times. In fact, I still keep in touch with some of the teachers I worked with nearly 10 years ago — only this time I’m a teacher too! In my second or third year here in Ottawa, I hosted a French language assistant as well, wanting to give back to a program I really believe in. So keep up the great work! And for folks who are wondering whether to take the leap? Yes! GO for it! Some of my best memories are from that year — the people I met, the places I visited, the many laughs and jokes, even some of the tough times! Merci! Thanks so much, CMEC, for this program!