Introduction
Arriving in a new country as an international student in the month of January- Winter Intake can be both overwhelming and fulfilling at the same time. Filled with loads of excitement and a fair share of struggles, these are the words that have been taught to an international student in their homeland. In January, I arrived in Canada to begin my Certificate Program in Public Relations. My journey has been a combination of overcoming obstacles and figuring out where I fit in this beautiful and friendly nation.
The Winter Welcome by Canada
When I exited the airport, I was awestruck by the cool winds coming from every direction. Coming from a country where winters mean light sweaters and occasion jackets, those super strong winds in Canada were too much for me to handle. I was in a state of shock and my heart was being sarcastic and teasing me for taking winter intake. My first week was full of shivering, bundling up my thin, layered sweaters from India, purchasing a budget-friendly winter jacket along with the boots, and learning the correct way to use Google Maps for directions. Winter Intake is tougher guys.
Settling in Stage- International Student In Canada
My friends from India who came here earlier helped me find housing off campus, as rent was touching the sky for on-campus accommodation. Accessibility to my campus life was gone in minutes. York University is huge and beautiful. Different-looking buildings with different patterns and names were mesmerizing. While I was enrolling in Public relations at York University I got to know that one of my friends has also enrolled for that and to our surprise I sections, even the flight was also same. In the early stages, I was just exploring the university with her, and after attending the initial few classes, I got to know that the contrast between the teaching styles of Canada and India is huge. It was like I entered a whole new domain of education wherein everything was based on practical knowledge; they had a more student-centric approach where we were encouraged to participate in debates and discussions and give presentations. But coming from a background where I used to write everything, make notes, and learn everything by heart, I had some double thoughts regarding the teaching style.
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Academic Challenge at York University- SCS
The grading system at York University has posed some additional difficulties for my journey. Some professors do not reveal the grades of assignments promptly and prefer to grade them all at once and at the end of the course, which hinders the chance for students to learn from their past mistakes and perform better or make relevant improvements in their upcoming work. This lack of immediate feedback discouraged me, and that is why I wasn’t feeling motivated enough by the end of the first few courses. Later on, I got to know that there is a possibility that your professor can alter the grades after an assignment has already been graded. This added another layer of confusion, anxiety, and uncertainty to my life. This flexibility must have been given to the professors for some important factors, but this snatched away the feeling of fulfillment or completion from me.
Absence of Cultural Events or Fests in York University
When we talk about life at a university, it gives me joyous thoughts that yes, it is going to be magnificent, full of entertainment and festivities, but here York University falls very short. There was a lack of cultural infusion, festivals, and social gatherings, which highly impacted my experience as an international student. Absence, or even if such gatherings were going on, those invites or information were not passed on, which made my life in Canada a little more monotonous and a lot less vibrant or fun. I had high hopes for welcome parties, prom nights, and other social events, as those are a few of the major events at a university. I feel the university is not just about studies, academics, and your goals; it is also about creating lasting memories and good connections, and when such creative events are not present, it kind of creates a huge impact on your overall experience as an international student in a new country and kind of takes away the advantage of knowing someone better or being good friends.
Life on a Campus
Subjects and classes are divided decently. At a time, just two courses are running, giving students ample time to adjust, have one-on-one sessions with professors, and clear any of their doubts. It’s just like taking tiny steps towards our goals. Decent classrooms with all the basic amenities. However, there is no proper recreational area or cafeteria for my building. It would have been so beneficial or convenient for us as students and even for professors if we had access to some good food or coffee. I had to take a 10-minute walk from my building in a winter wonderland just to get a cup of hot coffee from Aroma, and that too within my 20-minute break. Someone who is living in Canada knows how crucial coffee can be for a person.
Credit Issue and Part-Time Job in Toronto for Students
Finding my first part-time job in Toronto as a student was a task. I applied for more than 100 jobs online and offline but wasn’t able to land anything until May. Everything was sailing smoothly after that. I got myself enrolled in another course at York itself, namely digital content marketing. In Canada, every immigrant tries to save as much as they can because they have already spent so much on their studies, some have applied for loans as well. While I was enrolled in my second program, I learned that I wouldn’t be able to transfer my credit from the public relations course to the digital content marketing course, as that course had much more to offer than public relations at York University. However, due to a lack of research or guidance from the university, I lost a chance to save a bit on my studies. If you are enrolled in any other program, be it human resource management or business administration, you are eligible to transfer your credits, but that's not the case with Public relations at York University. However, these two courses often go hand in hand as both aim to increase a brand's reputation, engagement, and reach with the target audience. So, this was like another bummer added to my list of disappointments.
Personal growth and support
Life is a compilation of your experiences. I have several stories to tell to my friends and family back home. My experience at York University has not always been a bummer; there are moments when I feel warmth from the friends I meet on campus. I love how YorkU is implementing the feedback they get from their students and how they are trying to be better, it is always said that every experience is a positive experience, always view it as an opportunity for growth, learning, and new adventures. Thank you, York, for providing me with everything and making me a better person inside and out.
