By Fathima Ashra Aswerdeen

York University's School of Continuing Studies (YUSCS) Reviewed

Hello, You. It's Ash, your friendly resident at YUSCS. So, you probably landed here because you feel like you're "too young" to be starting a post-graduate program, and are wondering if you will be able to still remain competitive amongst a whole island of seasoned pros, don't worry, I gotcha let me give you a gist of my experience at an Ontario university that's always in the headlines for its strikes, drumroll...... York Universities. Lucky you though, if you're considering York Universities School of Continuing Studies (YUSCS), worry not these strikes are as irrelevant as the 'g' in lasagna. Let's dive deeper into the world of a 20-year-old surrounded by seasoned professionals.

Introduction
They say the journey to keep growing is a constant one. And to further your education is one of them and an important one. At the beginning of this journey, everyone tries their best to find the right place to do it, and I did that too. From leaving my family back home to coming to a completely new country was a tough decision that I made. And it wouldn’t be wrong to say that my time at York School of Continuing Studies has been filled with lots of learning experiences and fun. In this blog post, I will be sharing the experiences I gained during this journey and offer advice for future students to help them through their journey.
My Experience at York School of Continuing Studies
Diverse Learning Environment
One of the best things about York School of Continuing Studies is its diversity. I like how everyone I met during my course has come from different countries, cultures and backgrounds. What makes learning fun and easier are the classmates. Your classmates are your best friends during this journey. There’s a very big opportunity to learn from each other since engaging from different cultures provides you out of the box insights. And not to forget the days when you are feeling low and want to get away from the stressing assignments, they always got your back. 
Flexible Learning Options
Being an international student, who has to support her living and at the same time focus on her studies is a bit challenging. York’s flexibility of timings for each batch has helped me manage my time and allowed me to work on my work and personal commitments.
In the beginning I was allotted a 12:30- 3:30 pm batch that wasn't suitable for me and my part time job so I got it changed to a 3:30- 6:30 pm batch. What I'm trying to explain is that York is not very rigid with their timings and more flexible. Although it might not be the case for everyone. Another benefit of getting to choose between the learning modes is that you get to apply what you learn in real life situations, as I did by taking evening classes while working part-time. It has never been difficult for me to manage my studies alongside working.
Career-Oriented Programs
What I personally like about programs at York helps you advance in your career. All the courses offered here have their curriculum developed with inputs from industry experts. This gives a better understanding on how to apply your learnings in your choice of field.
I felt that the curriculum is designed to be practical and hands-on, giving me the opportunity to apply my skills anywhere. For example, in my program, we developed actual marketing campaigns, which not only taught me the skill but also contributed to building our portfolios.Program Highlights:
Curriculum aligned with industry needs.
Practical, hands-on learning.
Networking opportunities with professionals
Supportive Community
Starting an international journey can be challenging for some. Leaving the comfort of your home country is not easy for everyone. Some challenges require additional support and York School of Continuing Studies has a strong support system. They have Academic advisors, career counselors, different clubs, and organizations to help you succeed. This environment makes you feel part of the community, which is motivating. And like I said earlier, your professors and classmates are your biggest support. 
The support from professors is remarkable. They are very friendly and always ready to help with anything be it academic or personal challenges. The career services team also offers great support when you’re on a job hunt. They offer guidance on job searches, resume building, and interview preparation. I personally have not yet contacted them but I know a few friends of mine who did and they had very positive feedback.
Practical Application Focus
One of the best things I love about York is the focus on practical application. The education system that I come from focuses more on theoretical knowledge, and having to learn a course that emphasizes practical learning has made learning more engaging and relevant.

“Canada is the land of dreams and hard work”, this is what I have heard and read since my days in college in India and I have always wanted to come to Canada, become self-dependent and cherish the opportunities Canada has to offer. In the third year of my engineering, I started to look for colleges and universities that offered courses in digital marketing, the reason why I chose marketing was that I am always fascinated by the creativity and power of persuasion that revolves around marketing and how it had become a necessity of every business. So, as I was reading about different courses, the Certificate in Digital and Content Marketing at York University caught my attention. It offered the exact combination of skills and knowledge I wanted to gain, I instantly decided to opt for this certification.

My name is Vikhyat Aggarwal, and I am an international student from India. I arrived in Canada in December 2022 to pursue a Post-Graduate Certificate in Business Administration at York University. After completing this course, I continued my studies with a Post-Graduate Certificate in Digital and Content Marketing, which I am about to finish as I am in my last semester. This journey has been a roller-coaster ride, filled with challenges and growth, and I'd like to share my experiences and advice for future students considering this path.

York Insights: My Journey With York University

As one of the millions of international students from India, I often ponder whether the investment of my father's hard-earned money is truly worth it. As someone who once considered pursuing a master's degree in India, I know firsthand how incredibly hard—or almost impossible—it can be to crack any competitive exam with the sheer amount of competition. This reality leads many of us to leave the country, following in the footsteps of family members who "made it" in the West, earning a six-figure salary, owning a house, and driving multiple cars.

Did I choose York University because the fees were relatively lower? Because I received the offer letter in just 15 days? Or because the agent called me every day, pushing me to pick this school due to the commission they would receive? I was skeptical too. Here's my experience if you are in the same boat.

I am Aneri Modi, pursuing a postgraduate certificate in Digital and Content Marketing. After completing a Marketing Management program at Sheridan College, and examining job postings online, I realized the growing demand for Digital Marketing skills. After doing some research and comparisons, I chose the Digital and Content Marketing course at York University's School of Continuing Studies. I was attracted by its favorable tuition fees for international students and York’s esteemed brand image in comparison to other diploma colleges.