Restart after termination: Montreal's magic discovered as a source of strength!

Restart after termination: Montreal's magic discovered as a source of strength!

Jessica Derschowitz's personal story illustrates how traveling not only serves for relaxation, but also for emotional regeneration. After losing her job in May, she was forced to cancel her originally planned trip to Europe. Instead, she organized a short trip to Montreal at the end of October, which she says was a perfect decision. “I was able to leave the stress of the last few months behind me,” said Derschowitz. The flight from New York to Montreal only took 90 minutes and was cost-effective thanks to credit card points earned. The city welcomed them with cobblestone streets and a French atmosphere.

Derschowitz’s itinerary was deliberately laid out, with minimal reservations and plenty of time to explore the city. The experiences in Montreal were less focused on sightseeing; she visited vintage shops and enjoyed Montreal's famous bagels. She spent quality time with her friend, which helped her recharge her batteries.

A look at Canada: working holiday experiences

Nevertheless, Derschowitz's story is not the only one that illustrates how individual travel can be. Another travel experience of a group of five people who traveled to Canada to apply for a working holiday visa shows the different facets of this form of travel. They arrived in Toronto and were immediately taken to their hostel by an organization employee.

Upon arrival, they attended a seminar that provided information about Canadian culture, the job market and laws. Obtaining important documents such as Social Security Number (SIN) and opening a bank account were also supported. While some group members moved to other accommodations, one participant stayed in the HI hostel. The group decided to purchase membership with “WWOOF,” which allowed them to work on a farm in New Brunswick.

They traveled along the east coast of Canada to places like Niagara Falls and found themselves in various hostels. Of particular note were the culinary experiences in Montreal, where they sampled poutine and went on a bike ride.

Diverse worlds of experience

With a stay in Québec City, whose European influence was visible in the architecture, the travelers experienced another highlight. They also visited Prince Edward Island and took Anne of Green Gables tours before embarking on the road trip to Peggy's Cove and Lunenburg.

However, the journey was not without its challenges. For example, the group had a stay in Campbellton that they felt was a bad decision. Despite these setbacks, the experiences were formative. The stay in Halifax even included couch surfing with a stranger and kayaking.

Returning home means that many travelers reflect on their experiences and developments. Derschowitz plans to travel back to Europe once her situation stabilizes, while working holiday travelers continue to wander in different directions after intensive experiences in Canada and on organic farms.

In summary, it becomes clear that traveling - whether as a short trip like in Derschowitz's case or as a working holiday - not only brings exciting adventures, but also plays an important role in personal growth.

For more information about Derschowitz's experiences in Montreal, read more at Business Insider. Reviews from travelers who went to Canada can be found at TravelWorks.