Hi there!
I am Jouella Gonsalves, an international student from India, and I came to Toronto, Canada in 2023. While applying to colleges in Canada, I realized I didn't have anyone to give me a realistic picture of what to expect from Canadian education. So, I watched a few YouTube videos and decided to pursue a good-ranking college that offered a media course which was one of the best for an international student like me. However, it was nothing like I imagined. My first year was a struggle as I juggled a new schedule, a part-time job, college assignments, and much more. Thankfully, things have started to look upward this year. So, let me give you a realistic picture of what to expect when studying at York's School of Continuing Studies to help guide your decision-making if you're considering enrolling here.
- The Quality of Students:
York University's School of Continuing Studies has a unique admissions process that includes a video interview. In this interview, students share why they want to join their chosen course. This filters out students who are indeed interested in learning. In my class, most students are from India, so there isn't much diversity here. But honestly, it's the same thing at other colleges too. I've made some amazing friends though—friends who I know will be at my wedding! In a country full of strangers, I've created my own little family, and I’m sure you will too if you join this university.
- Fixed Schedule:
The course runs four days a week, giving students a fixed schedule to build their lives around it. This schedule gives students ample time to work on their assignments, participate in extracurricular activities, and work part-time. It also helps students maintain a steady and healthy work-study-life balance. - Teachers and Guest lecturers:
While I can only speak for the course I am taking, the professors care about more than just imparting knowledge of the "how" and "why" into our minds. Professors such as Tim Campbell Smith, Doris Montanera, Andrew Temes, and Heath Applebaum are committed to providing a well-rounded education that bridges the gap between academic theory and real-world practice. They are practising professionals in the industry making their insights much more practical and valuable. They also bring in real industry leaders such as Ivan Pehar (Country manager at Spotify) and Uri Gorodinsky (Managing director at Amazon Ads Canada) to share their insights on the inner workings of the field. It is enriching and highly educational to get a glimpse of the industry from these experts.
- University Association:
York School of Continuing Studies is associated with York University making the degree weigh way more than just a college degree. This helps with future job prospects and also gives access to more resources and opportunities. - In-Depth Learning:
One of the things that sets the curriculum approach apart is the focus on just two subjects per semester. This means that the professors can dive deep into each topic, going way beyond the basics. We don't just stop at theory - we get to put what we've learned into practice with hands-on activities that make the concepts feel real. We've used cool tools like prompt cards and LEGO blocks to help us understand and innovate the lesson plan. It's an engaging way to learn, giving us a much deeper understanding of how things work in the real world.
- Affordability:
York University's School of Continuing Studies is cheaper than colleges like Humber, Seneca, and Centennial. I was able to work part-time and save money to pay off a lot of my fees. This goes to show that you can get a good education without spending too much. - Transportation:
I often struggle with directions, so I was nervous about my first winter commute to the York Continuing School of Studies. My first class was at 8:30 AM, and I worried about getting lost on campus. But I found out that the building is easy to find! It’s just a five-minute walk from the York University subway station. If you take bus number 41, it’s only a minute’s walk from the bus stop to the building.
My two cents on what York School of Continuing Studies could do better:
- Con - Lack of resources for international students:
As a former Humber College student, I've noticed that York University lacks some essential resources for international students. Unlike Humber, which partnered with a housing website, York doesn't offer much assistance with accommodation. George Brown College provides co-op placements through its placement cell, another service York lacks. These co-ops offer valuable real-world experience and improve job prospects. If York developed and communicated similar support systems, it would greatly benefit students, especially those new to Canada. Additionally, they don't offer free pads and condoms, which other colleges provide.
Advice - While York's School of Continuing Studies doesn't offer accommodation or co-op placements, don't let this deter you. Use services like Kijiji and 51 Housing to find accommodation. Pursue internships independently to gain work experience. The school's fixed schedule allows you to balance studies with part-time work or internships effectively.
- Con - Limited Activities:
While the York University campus always has events and areas to play games and relax, the York University's School of Continuing Studies does not host any activities. There are no clubs exclusive to the school. If there were, it would create bonding experiences and encourage students to spend more time on campus. A few more interest clubs and a concrete student body exclusive to this school would help students bond better and bridge the gap between faculty and students.
Advice - Due to limited school-specific events, proactively join or create interest clubs and get your classmates to join them or volunteer for city events. This will help build your resume, expand your network, and connect you with valuable resources and people. - Con - No cafeteria in the building:
The building does not host food chains or cafés except vending machines. This is inconvenient as students have to leave the building and go to York Lanes or Seneca’s canteen for food options. Having a canteen in the building would be of great value to the students as they would spend more time in the building rather.
Advice - Although the college doesn’t have a canteen, there are plenty of nearby food options like Chipotle, Insomnia Cookies, Tim Hortons, and Pizza Pizza within 100 metres. York Lanes offers various grocery stores and small cafés/restaurants for affordable and good food. Additionally, you can access free groceries with grocery cards provided by the college. - Con - No library:
The one thing I dislike is the absence of a library in our building that offers books related to our courses or for leisure reading. This reflects poorly on the institution, as a library is not just a place to borrow books but also a space for reading and studying. While the college has small AV rooms available for study, hard-copy books and access to sites like VividData are not readily available. This lack of resources significantly impacts our learning experience and research capabilities.
Advice - Get a Toronto Library Card:
As a student, get the Toronto library card as it gives you access to a range of services across the city, whether you're looking for entertainment, information or educational resources, including free access to 17 attractions in Toronto you will find it. It will not only save you money but is very useful too.
In my experience, York University's School of Continuing Studies offers more advantages than drawbacks. The school's strengths lie in its quality education, diverse student body, industry-experienced professors, and affordable tuition. The opportunity to learn from and network with industry experts is invaluable, and the friendships I've formed have enriched my academic journey. While it may not be perfect for everyone, for me, it has proven to be the right choice, providing a solid foundation for my future career in digital and content marketing. Remember, your university experience is what you make of it!
