The French-Canadian students brought with them a language and customs that were unknown to Island students in a personal way. Of course they knew about Quebec and had some contact with Acadians who spoke French and had their own customs. But living and having social contact with the French-Canadians had a far reaching impact on the English speaking students beyond the everyday campus activities. Friendships developed, sports, music and social interests were shared, which opened the Island students to a world beyond their own small enclave. The F rench-Canadians were more sophisticated, had better clothes, usually had more money, and were quite adept at entrancing the Island maidens who responded to their Gallic charm. In addition there were some excellent athletes who came from Quebec and in hockey especially, they carried the SDU banner to much sought after championships.

A longer term benefit was provided to Island students from this cultural exchange: they knew from personal contact that such relationships were to be valued and as the F rench-English conflict in Canada began to simmer the Island graduates from SDU were knowledgeable and sympathetic to the aspirations of the French-Canadians. In addition they passed this attitude on to their children so that this understanding continued to the next generation. Modern day cultural exchanges take place with considerable fanfare. SDU students had them without knowing what they were called.

For the F tench-Canadian students the advantages of the time spent at St. Dunstan’s was no less beneficial. Senator Jacques Hebert“ in a section in one of his books speaks of the escape from the constricted classical educational institutions in Quebec to the relaxed and somewhat carefree relationship that existed between students and professors at St. Dunstan’s. Jacques Gilbert -one of our classmates- speaks of Hebert’s comments in this

manner:

“ ...he (Hebert) talks about the apprenticeship of freedom where students are trusted and where nothing is forbidden. He wraps up beautifully by saying that we discovered everything about ourselves by being confronted by a different culture and other values. While. . . Islanders were strictly adhering to their respective origin/traditions, we all mixed socially and otherwise in total harmony at St. Dunstan’s, and we all became less narrow and more mature in our outlook.”

A detailed explanation of the relationship of St. Dunstan’s with Laval University may be found in Dr. Edward MacDonald’s excellently written “The History of St. Dunstan’s University.” 1855- l956.

*Jacques Hebert: “Hello, World! On Canada, The World and Youth" Colonbooks/Roberts Davies Publishing.