My York Diaries: Days In York

York Day

I can always remember my first day at York University. It was so cold, around -20 degrees outside, with everything covered in snow, and I almost slipped on the slippery road. I was searching for my class through Google Maps. I was a little anxious because it was my first time far away from home.

My university experience at York University has been a beautiful journey of growth and learning, challenges, and diverse friendships. Despite facing the cold weather and the difficulty of studying English, my second language, I have significantly expanded my knowledge and skills in online marketing. Though there were no classmates from Nepal, I formed meaningful friendships with peers from India, Vietnam, Nigeria, and other parts of the world. Supportive professors like Rovena, Andrew, Heath, Doris, and Leigh played a pivotal role in my positive experience, and I hope this connection with professors helps in secure a successful job placement after completing my digital marketing course. However, I faced some drawbacks, such as unreliable Wi-Fi and technological issues, but overall, my time at York University has been enriching.

Beginnings: The First Step

First Thought

When I first arrived at York University, I was impressed by the size and ambiance of the University. The subway station conveniently located right at the university made transportation much easier. As I began my tour, I was amazed by York Lanes. York Lanes is owned and operated by York University Development Corporation and boasts a variety of amenities, including restaurants, a bookshop, financial services, and health and wellness centers.

Adaptation

Experimenting with the new environment where everything is not the same as the environment I am used to back home was not easy. The culture, whether it is the climatic conditions, the food and drinks was unfamiliar to me initially but I overcame this through the help of friends. They helped me in getting my SIN as well as opening a bank account, getting a Presto card, and a mobile SIM. All these small steps were very important to ease me into the new environment and feel more at home.

Making Friends

I have always found it very difficult to make friends because of my introverted nature. But then at York University, I came across Harmanjot Kaur and joy. It was the best way to be as we found common interests and goals and even became friends. Harmanjot was from India, and thus I got an opportunity to appreciate the Indian cultural traditions and their perception concerning life. She contributed a lot to the completion of my tasks at York, as well as motivating me when needed.

The first year at York University was a year of joy and trials. From the basic fear of having to study in a foreign country from the beginning of my stay to the heartfelt realization of getting to know new friends and studying in a multicultural environment, all those experiences helped me grow. I have found the culture of support among people here and in the academic setting very valuable and fulfilling. I hope to make the best use of the time ahead by building upon the foundation and shining brighter in the next chapter of my life.

Academic Journey

Courses and Professors

During my time at York University, many classes and instructors have influenced me. I consider one of the most influential courses that I have taken to be Marketing for Search Engines and Social Media. This course indeed changed my perspective on what digital marketing is all about and how to function as a consultant in digital marketing. In the given class I gained knowledge about evaluating a website for SEO, creating a Google PPC Ad campaign, performing Social Media Analysis, and getting certified in Google Search Ads as well as Hootsuite Social Strategy. The course was delivered by Andrew Temes, a professor with the ability to link from theory to practice equipped me with the necessary tools and morale to master the art of digital marketing. Another best class that I took was Planning and Analysis for Content Marketing. This course explored how value and business objectives are created with the content marketing campaigns. Doris Montanera, the professor for this course, is an award-winning writer.

Projects and Research

During my time at York University, I engaged in various significant projects that enriched my practical skills and knowledge. I conducted an SEO audit, and website audit, analyzing a website’s performance and recommending strategies for improvement. I developed a comprehensive content marketing plan, focusing on audience analysis and content creation. I created a marketing plan for the Nike brand, covering market research, target audience identification, and promotional tactics. Additionally, I wrote articles and produced video podcasts for social media, gaining valuable experience in content creation and multimedia production. These projects were crucial in preparing me for real-world challenges in digital and content marketing.

Looking for Future

York University has largely influenced my future endeavors goals and aspirations. The knowledge and skills that I got through Digital and Content Marketing are very useful for me to make my career. My professional goal is to become a consultant in digital marketing, aiming to strengthen my clients’ positions in the web environment and to meet their marketing goals and needs. The various friends and understanding professors have provided me with a world vision and desire for learning. I also still want to advise future students, tell them my stories, and advise them on how to go about their student life.