Discover the journey of an international student in Canada at York School of Continuing Studies, Toronto. Explore cultural adjustments, academic challenges, making friends, and valuable advice for future students
York School of Continuing Studies in Toronto has been an amazing adventure since I left India to move here. When I sit back for a moment and reflect upon all of my experiences over the past year, it fills me up with so much love and happiness. The process of Canadian culture and University life was really a challenge for me but somewhere all these things add up to a world of personal growth and cultural learning boost. This is just a part of the things I had to do: from lugging groceries in the biting cold to waking up early and commuting to part-time jobs even in freezing temperatures in winter in Toronto. So much fun and good memories!
In this post, I want to share my experiences on navigating a university in a foreign country and making friends from different backgrounds, finding intensity in studies and leaving the routine monotony and taking a little journey to some of the very amazing places and being happy and ultimately growing in a new environment. I hope sharing my insight can help other international students transitioning to studying and living in Canada!
Traveling from Home to Canada's Biggest City
Moving away from home to study abroad is the toughest decision, I have ever made. Even though there was lots of excitement and looking forward to all the times I left India it felt more like I was jumping into the unknown. During the days, I could feel that I was not at home. In Toronto, UBER is not an option for international students either, and public transit is the most economical way for us to travel. However, as soon as you get down to your work, such as dealing with assignments and presentations, you will be so focused that you will have no time to feel that way.
The very first weeks of being on campus were quite tough. The flight was rough, but when I landed, I barely ate and slept. Navigating the maze of buildings, dealing with the heavy textbooks, and understanding my professors were the three things that drained my strength. At the beginning of my stay here, I grappled with the first wave of culture shock and homesickness, yet the bond, I established with others adjusting international students who were undergoing the same experience, among other things, was invaluable. We used our common backgrounds to our advantage, forming a very strong relationship that is like a center away from home.
Person who loves to explore is what I am, so when I came to Toronto I was eager to dive headfirst into multiculturalism. The town’s rich mix of cultures, eating places, museums, and parks brought along countless weekend experiences. It was a vivacious sight of Indian places that pleased my palate.
Creating a Wide Range of Friends and Networking
one of the standing-ovation moments in York, for me, is an amazing happening as I have been given the opportunity to meet individuals from all parts of the universe. As an introvert, it was not a smooth ride, but with the group’s assignments, I was able to collaborate with assorted people and thereby get the opportunity to acquire varied perspectives. I invested my choosing friends in the many ways one can grow and advance and in so doing, that brought about a lot of friendships along with me in doing that. Getting out of my comfort zone led me to the faithfully caring city that depicts York SCS for the foreign students' experience.
Handling Academic Burdens
My enrolment at York School of Continuing Studies was full of mixed emotions, that is, being both excited and nervous. Doing Digital and Content Marketing was like my life winding back down memory lane back in college. The manner of teaching in York with its often engaging and innovative methods was great and facilitated my migration to a more successful grade. The exclusive cohort program structure gave me a shorter time to complete the course work with flexible class hours.
In the beginning, I was apprehensive to talk in front of the class, but I was helped both by my teachers and classmates, so, my self-confidence started to develop to a level where I could put forward my views. In addition to working in groups with colleagues and getting with the professors, I worked with the course materials and certifications to remain on top of my studies. The strenuous workload imbued in me the virtues of determination, the true usage of time and space, and adaptation.
I learned to break down large assignments into smaller, manageable tasks. I made a plan of the time to study which worked out just fine for me, and I was able to keep my mind focused on the study and off the distractions that tried to come my way. To control my costs, I employed part-time at LCBO and deposited money in the card I carried on weekends in Downtown. On those days when things were tough, I could picture myself enjoying my impending job as a Digital and Content Marketing Associate with a nice little glass of wine in Montreal.
Advice for Upcoming Students
- Be sure to familiarize yourself with the Academic and Learning Support available to you, such as the Writing Centre and the Learning Centre
- Be open to making new friends by attending social events. Ask questions and receive clarification about unfamiliar concepts and practices from a professor or classmate if need be!
- Undertake classes in spoken French or English to enhance prospects for employment and advancement in this international role by developing spoken or written language abilities
- Create a resume listing extracurricular activities, volunteer experience, part-time jobs and internship history.
- Visit a range of Canadian destinations with your friends. (The beauty of Canada is something to behold; it’s almost like a chill fall dream!)
I hope these experiences and tips will help future international students make the most of their time in Canada.
