This spring, Keystone School welcomed a group of students from our sister school, Keystone International Schools in Istanbul, for an exciting educational and cultural experience in Canada.

The visit brought together students from across the Keystone community, creating opportunities for learning, exploration, and lasting friendships.

While the photos capture a lot of the memories, the students themselves say it best. Hear from one of our visiting students from Istanbul as she shares her favourite parts of the experience and what made the trip so memorable.

For some students, it was their first time stepping into Toronto’s busy downtown streets. For others, it was a return to a city they had already come to know and love through previous visits. But whether it was their first trip or their third, each day brought new experiences, new friendships, and plenty of memorable moments along the way. 

The group packed a lot into their time in Canada. In Toronto, students took in panoramic views from the CN Tower, explored the city’s vibrant neighbourhoods like Kensington Market and Graffiti Alley, tackled escape room challenges together, and spent an evening watching the hit musical & Juliet at Mirvish Productions. Somewhere between subway rides, coffee runs, and trying to survive Toronto traffic, friendships started forming naturally.

Some of our students joined the visiting students from Istanbul for an unforgettable journey through Canada’s French-influenced cities–– Ottawa, Montréal, and Québec City. They explored Parliament Hill and ByWard Market in Ottawa, Old Montréal and Mount Royal, and the streets of Old Québec, where they took in the charm and history of the iconic Château Frontenac. With guided tours, Canadian classics like poutine and beavertails, and shared experiences along the way, they had the opportunity to experience the unique atmosphere that makes Canada unlike anywhere else in the world.

Some of the most meaningful moments came through community engagement and experiential learning. Students completed community involvement hours by volunteering at Second Harvest, helping support food rescue initiatives while learning more about sustainability and the realities of food insecurity in Canada. The experience encouraged students to think critically about how communities can work together to support one another.

Another major highlight was exploring future possibilities through guided campus tours at the University of Toronto and Toronto Metropolitan University. Students got a glimpse of Canadian university life and spoke directly with admissions representatives about academic programs and the application process.

For many of the students, studying at a Canadian university is already part of their future plans, and the experience gave them valuable insight into what student life in Toronto could look like in the years ahead.