For Fall Break, I had the opportunity to go to Toronto, Canada with International Affairs Scholars, and it was a very enjoyable and worthwhile experience!
Our first full day there, we took a tour of both The Aga Khan Museum and The Ismaili Center. The Aga Khan Museum was dedicated to showcasing the art and culture of the Islamic World. There were artifacts on display such as paintings, ceramics, manuscripts, clothing, and more, many of them being nearly 1,000 years old. The artifacts were beautiful, and the artistry that went into their creation was magnificent. Islamic culture is a culture that very few people in the West are exposed to in any great depth. I wasn’t aware of the deep artistic history of the Middle East until I came to the museum. The Ismaili Center serves as a gathering place for Ismaili Muslims in the Toronto Metro Area. Ismaili’s are a small sect of the Sunni Muslim community. The center had many rooms for reading and discussion, as well as a large prayer hall for services. The center as a whole was very beautiful. The architecture accentuated natural light. Most the building felt very lit and open, without much artificial light. The serenity of the space makes it a very beautiful and tranquil place to practice faith.
The next day, we visited Casa Loma, the Royal Ontario Museum and the CN Tower. Casa Loma is a large house, built in the style of a European castle, that has been converted into a museum. The house overlooked the city of Toronto from its perch on a hill, and tall spires allowed for great views of the city. The Royal Ontario Museum had a wide range of exhibits that focused on things from Canadian history, to the indigenous peoples of Canada, to archaeological findings in Canada. This museum was very informative about the history of Canada. The CN Tower allowed us the opportunity to see all of Toronto and surrounding areas from the observation deck, situated much higher than any of the other buildings of Toronto. The view of the city was magnificent.
The IA trip to Toronto was an unforgettable experience that has been one of the highlights of my college experience up to this point. I could think of no better way I could have spent my Fall Break.