'The people are so kind'

It's a long way from Indonesia to the Okanagan, but a group of university students have made the trip to learn more about Canada and our culture.

And while they were in the area, the group of university students spent part of their day at Davisons Orchard.

Some 150 students are spending five weeks in Kamloops at Thompson Rivers University as part of a culture and language exchange program, and a group of them took a little detour to Vernon where they checked out the popular orchard, had ice cream and sipped what they called “the best apple juice they have ever had.”

The two cultures could not be more different, so what did the guests think of their host country?

“This is my first time going to Canada,” said Jussya. “It's safe and clean. Oh my God, I feel so safe here. Everybody is so nice and kind and I love them. They are so welcoming.”

Jussya said the students are having a lot of fun in the Great White North.

Nisya, the doctor for the students, said they are from a trade school in Jakarta.

She also liked many aspects of Canada such as the people and the food, but admits it has been challenging adjusting to the weather.

“We have a problem with the weather. In Indonesia we have the hot weather, but it's not dry,” said Nisya. “It's kind of hard for us. We are not used to the dry.”

Weather aside, Nisya found the Canadian reputation for being the nicest people on earth is well founded.

“I like it here because all of the people are so kind and they are helpful. They always say 'Sorry' and 'Thank you,' I love that,” she said.

The group will also be visiting Victoria and Vancouver before they head home in a few weeks.