10 Study in Canada Stories from International Students
Do you wonder what it is like to study in Canada? Is there someone who can share their experiences with you right where you are? Yes, there are lots of stories to read or listen to. Most universities have a website where international students share what it is like to study in Canada. Here are 10 neat stories.
Kerstin Stausberg
Kerstin Stausberg attends the University of the Fraser Valley in one of Canada’s warmer cities, Abbotsford. She says what helped her most with her adjustment to life at UFV were UFV mentors she met when she arrived. She further says, “When I started university, I met people from all over the world, enabling me to gain cultural competency by making friends who each have a different cultural background. I love it! I don’t have to travel to all the countries to get to know a new culture. I can just stay in one country and get almost the same experience just by talking to a variety of students.
“I love it! I don’t have to travel to all the countries to get to know a new culture.”
If I don’t hang out with friends, I study and get to experience the wonderful interaction with classmates and instructors by being in small classes up to 36 people. That’s so awesome! Profs actually remember you and you get to even chat with them outside of the classroom.” But why settle for just a few words from Kerstin, why not read all of her story here?
Kerstin story is just one of the many you will want to read. To read more stories from international students at the University of the Fraser Valley, click here.
Ishan Arora
Ishan Arora at the University of Alberta had an incredible journey getting to Edmonton from his home in India, including getting lost in a country were he didn’t speak the language. That has got to be fearful if this is your first international trip! Sometimes it’s the journey that is just as eventful as the arrival at the university of choice. Follow Ishan’s extraordinary adventure here.
And what is it really like at the University of Alberta. These students share their story about Life on Campus.
Andressa Lacerda
From Trent University in Ontario comes the story of Brazilian native Andressa Lacerda who came to Canada in 2008 as an international student. Hers is a success story from graduating in 2011 from BSc. Biology to a Master’s degree to PhD and then co-founding Noblegen Inc. which is now 50 employees strong. Noblegen’s mission is to positively impact people and our earth through redefining the future of nutrition.
Jessie
Jessie is from Taiwan and started her studies in Vietnam and then came to the University of Waterloo to improve her English. This is her impression of Waterloo, “You have really amazing computer science courses, and I was curious. I heard Waterloo was innovative and I wanted to see something I wasn’t used to at my own school." One of the differences she experienced between her university in Vietnam and the University of Waterloo is, “"There is more individualism. I find students are more focused on their work. It was really interesting to see because back in Vietnam, we sit around a table and discuss the course with our professor." Maybe you want to experience all and more of what Jessie experienced here at the University of Waterloo.
Abdullah Barakat
Not everyone takes a road trip across Canada to compare university experiences, but that is what Abdullah Barakat did upon graduating from the University of Waterloo. One of the differences he found was, “Waterloo is a unique beast since co-op is such an integral piece of what we do, versus other schools where it isn’t as prominent.” In this road trip, he visited 40 cities and 47 university campuses. But what else does he say? You won’t know until you click here to learn the rest of the story.
Koosoom Kookum
Koosoom Kookum from Mauritius studies at Memorial University, Grenfell Campus. She calls it her home away from home. Not only did the immense beauty of the landscape amaze her when she arrived, but “another thing that struck me from the very beginning was the abundance of warmth and kindness that I felt from every single Newfoundlander. This is probably one of the main reasons why I am so connected to this island now.” To read all about Koosoom’s experience and other stories, click here.
Azaro Roker
Azaro Roker from the Bahamas is studying Development Studies at St Francis Xavier. He is thankful for the financial aid he receives from this university tucked away in Antigonish Nova Scotia. He says, “Bursaries help me to get by on a monthly basis. They help me pay for food, and bills like my rent.
These kinds of student financial aid programs are extremely important, because they help students with their everyday basic needs. I know how students value the school and the bursary program.” Read his story and others here.
Pheerawich Chitnelawong
Pheerawich Chitnelawong moved to St Francis Xavier University from his home country at a time when he barely spoke English. He has made great friends here and this is one of his thoughts on the university, “I feel secure and that creates a great study environment. Academics here help me build a strong foundation, with small classes and accessible professors. I am confident to say that all my professors know me and I visit them in their office if I have any questions or just to seek advice.” To read more about Pheerawich’s experiences at St Francis Xavier, click here.
Lan Liu
Lan Liu came to Fredericton from Beijing to study at the University of New Brunswick. She can laugh about it now but when she arrived all she saw was trees and wondered what she was getting herself into. But even then she “immediately liked Fredericton,” she says. “Even though it was a much smaller city than I was used to, the people were really friendly, and it was so clean and beautiful that I couldn’t help but like it. It was also a really great, quiet place to study and focus on my program.” Why not find out more about the University of New Brunswick and friendly Fredericton from Lan?
Olive Ozoemena
Olive Ozoemena from Nigeria had no idea what would await her when she arrived in Saint John and joined the University of New Brunswick’s MBA program. She fell in love with the community and now works for a Newcomer’s program where she meets and works where “newcomers of diverse backgrounds, religion, ethnicities, and beliefs drive me to advocate for and foster change in our community through conversations, programs, discussions, policies, and collaborations.” To read Olive’s story and how studying at UNB impacted her life, click here. Your life could be impacted just like hers by becoming a student at the University of New Brunswick.
“Education is the first step toward doing better”
I hope you found these international student stories as inspiring as I did. It makes me want to go back to university as a senior citizen and learn and experience what they are enjoying. Maybe these stories are enough to make you back your bags and head out to study in Canada. To help you pack your bags for a Canadian university, contact us to find that perfect study destination just for you.
Photo by Godisable Jacob from Pexels