Arkansas resident Amy Beaver determined to make a journey earlier this yr— however not simply anyplace. She wished one thing that felt acquainted So she requested ChatGPT what sort of place can be much like her residence in Fayetteville. “I acquired my passport final yr and was like, ‘OK, now I can journey in a foreign country.’ After which I acquired numerous anxiousness over that as a result of I do not communicate a second language and I do not know different cultures,” stated Beaver. “I requested ChatGPT the place I can go that’s most like the place I at present stay.” Its response? Guelph, Ont. Beaver’s response to the chatbot’s suggestion was made right into a video, recorded by her daughter, that went viral on TikTok and Instagram. “I’ll go to Canada,” Amy tells Emily within the video. “Will you progress to Canada with me?” Within the recording, Amy additionally highlights among the issues that Fayetteville and Guelph have in widespread: a college, a climbing health club and 4 seasons. “I feel they may communicate French there,” she tells her daughter. The video was made in February. This previous weekend, forward of Canada Day and in time for Satisfaction celebrations in Guelph, Amy, her husband Jeff Beaver and Emily lastly made it to metropolis.
A tour of the town
Unsurprisingly, this Beaver household felt at residence within the Canadian metropolis nearly instantly. The three went on a downtown meals tour, visited the Artwork Gallery of Guelph and got a tour of the College of Guelph campus. Alex Charette, supervisor of communications and advertising in pupil expertise on the College of Guelph, was stunned when he first noticed the household’s TikTok video and heard about them eager to go to Guelph. “The primary response we had was they really pronounced Guelph accurately. As a result of more often than not, folks will say ‘gulp,’ or one thing else like that.” Charette stated the Beavers had been proven most of the college’s well-known landmarks, together with the enduring Gryphon statue. He stated Jeff Beaver felt related to the varsity’s mascot. “Jeff additionally shared that his hometown is known as Griffin,” stated Charette. “We had been very a lot thinking about showcasing all the worth Guelph has to supply.” Jeff and Amy are in entrance of the College of Guelph’s well-known cannon. On their tour of the varsity, the household discovered concerning the lengthy custom of scholars portray the cannon at evening. (@lovebeav) One of many first stops the household made was to the Guelph Humane Society for a tour. Abigail Heckbert, engagement co-ordinator on the Guelph Humane Society, stated employees members had been thrilled to indicate them round. “We discovered that they’re big animal lovers and that they’ve canine at residence,” Heckbert stated. “Their tour was fantastic and it was so good to study that, in fact, not solely are they tremendous keen about animals and animal welfare, however additionally they are actually keen about wildlife as nicely, which was actually superior.” Together with the excursions, the Beavers got the complete diplomatic remedy in Guelph. They met and had a photo-op with Mayor Cam Guthrie, MP Dominique O’Rourke, and MPP Mike Schreiner in entrance of the Guelph signal. In a submit on Instagram, Guthrie stated it was his “pleasure” to welcome the household to “our superb metropolis.” “Should you’ve been following the Beavers’ viral TikTok and Instagram video, you will know that Amy, Jeff and Emily are having an exquisite time touring all throughout our metropolis,” he wrote. “I am so completely satisfied you’re feeling welcomed in Guelph — so come again any time.”A welcoming environment
One may argue the Beavers’ first go to to Canada was completely timed. Arriving forward of Canada Day, they acquired to expertise among the nation’s renewed patriotism. “I feel we should always simply have a good time Canada Day,” stated Emily. Her sentiment was echoed by Amy, who felt a stark distinction between life in Canada and within the U.S. “I am actually disillusioned in what has occurred in the US. I am bored with opening the information each morning and being afraid,” she stated.
The Beavers household in entrance of a beaver statue on the College of Guelph to match their quintessentially Canadian final identify. They are saying they plan to sometime return to the southern Ontario metropolis. (@lovebeav)
For Emily, visiting the town throughout Satisfaction celebrations was additionally a spotlight. She stated that as a queer individual, she felt very welcomed by Canadians.
“I’ve lived in different cities in the US and it’s extra welcoming to queer folks in sure elements of the nation. However as an entire, I am unable to say that I’ve ever actually felt prefer it was regular. Right here there isn’t a undercurrent that what you’re doing is flawed.”
When requested in the event that they plan to return to Guelph, the household gave a convincing sure.
“I am feeling very patriotic for Canada proper now,” stated Amy.
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