Every summer, TWU students have the opportunity to join a number of meaningful travel studies. Those interested in law and government may be especially excited to see the Ottawa travel study at the Laurentian Leadership Centre.
This year, 21 TWU students studying Business participated in the Ottawa travel study (April 28–May 11). The students stayed at the Laurentian Leadership Centre, a historic mansion in the heart of the nation’s capital, within walking distance of Parliament Hill, Rideau Canal, the National Arts Centre, and many other major sites.
Learning from a variety of area experts
The travel study is led by Dean Kevin Sawatsky, professor of law, and Dr. Jon Waind, interim executive director of the Laurentian Leadership Centre. In addition, the students heard from a variety of experts in law and government, including several members of parliament, the director of government relations for the Canadian Bankers Association, Carla Qualtrough, who is minister of Sport and Physical Activity Canada, and Ray Pennings, executive director of Cardus, a Canadian think tank.
"I was encouraged to become more engaged in the political, social, and cultural environment I live in by thinking critically ...and learning to communicate and have constructive dialogue."
Gaining insight into government and policy-making
"Hearing from Members of Parliament gave really interesting insight into the inner workings of government from their perspective," Cami Matsumoto, a business student specializing in the leadership and management stream, reflects on the Ottawa travel study. "I was encouraged to become more engaged in the political, social, and cultural environment I live in by thinking critically about issues rather than avoiding them, and learning to communicate and have constructive dialogue."
Learning in community is another highlight of TWU's travel studies, as Matsumoto shares, "Getting to know the group was so much fun! I got to make new connections and continue existing ones, and we all got to experience Ottawa together."
"It was a blessing to get to learn alongside and from the other students on the travel study, and to get to explore the city together," Matsumoto adds.
Onsite learning
Much of the group's learning took place onsite at key locations, including the Ontario Court of Justice's Ottawa Courthouse, the Supreme Court of Canada, and the Canadian Intellectual Property Office. The students witnessed Question Period in the House of Commons, and joined the Leadership Dinner of the National Prayer Breakfast at the Shaw Centre. Venturing beyond the capital city, the group visited the Kingston Penitentiary in Kingston, ON, and St. Joseph's Oratory in Montreal, QC.
“Getting to experience first-hand the many different moving parts that influence our government’s decision-making was invaluable to me.”
Travel study alumni reflections
Kate Hansen, a student from the 2023 Ottawa travel study, remembered the program as a “transformative experience,” and pointed to the benefits of learning outside the classroom. “You will learn more than you ever could in the confines of a classroom through experiential learning," she commented, "meeting people in the professions, getting to understand and learn different cultures, ways of life, and more.”
Another student from last year's trip, Griffin Martens describes the experience of studying within the nation’s capital as "an opportunity that you will regret not taking.”
“There are many different aspects to government that we don’t even think about,” he said. “Getting to experience first-hand the many different moving parts that influence our government’s decision-making was invaluable to me.”
About TWU Travel Studies
Travel studies allow students to be immersed in a different culture. TWU professors lead the courses, joined by guest speakers who provide a local perspective. For many students, participating in a travel study is one of the most memorable experiences of their entire major, if not a life-changing one. Learn more about Travel Studies at TWU.
About Trinity Western University
Founded in 1962, Trinity Western University is a global Christian liberal arts university. We are dedicated to equipping students to discover meaningful connections between career, life, and the needs of the world. Drawing upon the riches of the Christian tradition, seeking to unite faith and reason through teaching and scholarship, Trinity Western University is a degree-granting research institution offering liberal arts and sciences as well as professional schools in business, nursing, education, human kinetics, graduate studies, and arts, media, and culture. It has four locations in Canada: Langley, Richmond-Lansdowne, Richmond-Minoru, and Ottawa. Learn more at www.twu.ca or follow us on Instagram @trinitywestern, Twitter @TrinityWestern, on Facebook and LinkedIn.
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With images submitted by TWU students. Banner image by Elijah Croyle.