Dr. Alex Marland (Politics), Jarislowsky Chair in Trust & Political Leadership, led a field trip to Halifax recently with 23 Acadia students, including exchange students and local retirees auditing his class. Four Saint Mary’s University students and five students from the Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières joined them as well. The theme of the trip was Politics and the Media.

Their day included tours and exclusive discussions with CBC Studios, CTV Atlantic Studios, National PR and MLAs and ministers in Province House. They wrapped up the day sitting in on a live taping of the CTV evening news.

The trip fostered connections between students, politicians, and media outlets, showcasing unique learning opportunities through collaboration.

Acadia politics major student Navjot Kaur said of the day:

“Seeing where political debates and decisions actually happen was fascinating. I learned about the history of Nova Scotia’s legislature, one of the oldest in Canada, and how it still plays an important role in modern democracy.

“The highlights of the day were definitely the tour of Province House and our visit to the political party caucus offices, where we got to see how political parties organize and communicate.

“The best part of the day was connecting with classmates and professionals, learning firsthand how communication, leadership, and decision-making all come together in the world of politics.”

Fifth year politics student Sterling Shannon said: “Interactive educational experiences like this trip are important parts of the university experience. Class work is important too, and opportunities like these to put what we learned into practice and network outside of our regular circles are invaluable.”

Morgane Saudrais-Rouillé is one of the five students from Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières who travelled to Halifax for the field trip. "It was a very enlightening experience. I met wonderful people from different backgrounds and different universities. I met passionate professionals who gave us their time and with whom we were able to discuss and ask questions. The day was so interesting that I wish it could have lasted longer.”

“I am extremely grateful to have had such an opportunity, which, as an international student, is very rare in my country. The students at Acadia University are very lucky to have such opportunities and to have Mr. Marland as a professor.”

The field trip was made possible with funding from the Jarislowsky Chair positions at Acadia and Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières.

“Their journey is a good example of how collaboration in the Network of Jarislowsky Chairs in Trust and Political Leadership can benefit students,” Marland said.