Alt Text: A picture of the University Building with greenery all around and a clear sky and black color street lights around.
When I was back home, I heard from my friends and many YouTube videos that being an international student comes with a unique set of challenges but also results in great rewards. As someone who has come across this path at the York University School of Continuing Studies. knowledge and experiences that I gained are priceless. In this Blog, I will describe my experience, the things that I have to realize, and the tips for those, who are going to be students soon. For anyone thinking about York School, here or in the future, or who may have started on this journey, I hope this is helpful.
I was glad to leave my home country but at the same time was ready to feel some challenges of the new environment. Luckily, the York University School of Continuing Studies made the transition very easy for me due to the support that is extended to students. The first few meetings at orientation were a great tool for familiarizing myself with resources and academic standards.
Alt Text: New students attending an orientation in York, School of Continuing Studies with the white projector on the wall and white color speakers on the wall.
Key Takeaways:
Orientation Programs: These sessions are very important and act as a roadmap because they help to orient in newly formed academic and cultural contexts.
Support Services: York provides students with counseling and advice regarding any issue you can think of as a problem.
There is serious academic pressure at York. Mainly because of constant change in the education system to embrace new systems with ease in the classroom. I remember finding group projects and classes involving other people to be difficult at first but later found them to be beneficial and rewarding for future growth professionally, especially with the dedicated rooms that you can book prior.
Alt Text: Group of 6 students sitting together for a group project.
Building a Social Network:
Alt Text: Students and teachers attending the event and networking together holding phones and coffee cups in their hands.
Being at work and making new connections with fellow students who are especially from other nations was the best and most rewarding. The opportunity to meet students from different countries helped me broaden my perspectives regarding the culture of people and made me feel comfortable in York.
Tips for Making Connections:
Join Clubs and Societies: These types of activities are useful for making friends with people who have the same interests as you do.
Attend Events: York has different cultural exchange occasions & social functions that can be used for business networking. The scheduled events can be seen through York’s cultural clubs on the website.
Be Open-Minded: The key idea is to accept diversity and should have a willingness to be always ready to learn from others.
Managing Finances
Student financial management remains one of the most challenging tasks that every student comes across. I was also aware of the fact that managing cash flow is paramount and the events sponsored by York University such as financial seminars are very beneficial. What’s more, they gave tips that could be implemented and helped in my daily life.
Financial Management Tips:
Budget Wisely: Ensure that you keep track of your expenses and come up with a standard and coherent budget.
Utilize Resources: York’s financial literacy workshops are tremendous in terms of the socio-pragmatics of financial knowledge production.
Seek Employment: Finding jobs on campus is not easy but a good way to have income-generating activities and gain work experience as well.
Balancing Academics and Personal Life
Keep in mind that school and work commitments are difficult to separate Therefore it's important to understand there is always a middle ground where studying or work and a social life can co-exist.
Maintaining a balance between academics and personal life is crucial. For me York’s supportive environment encouraged me to maintain a healthy work-life balance, which was helpful for my well-being.
Strategies for Balance:
Time Management: Prioritize tasks and manage your time efficiently.
Connect with Family: For me, Regular calls to home explaining to my parents the ups and downs in my journey helped me stay grounded and supported.
Some additional tips for Aspiring International Students Based on my experiences,
Be Proactive: Be an active learner in your classes and your student organizations or clubs.
Seek Support: Do not be shy and take as many help services that are available at York.
Stay Connected: One makes a social network and also stays connected to fellow students and ALUMNI.
Conclusion
Hammering the Last Nail, studying as an international student at York School of Continuing Studies is one of the best experiences I have ever had in my life. The difficulties that have come to my path have helped me to improve and the conditions and chances given to me by York have become decisive for me. I would like to note that by following my steps, you will be able to steer your life in the right direction successfully.
Here is some additional information to review.