Embarking on a Transformative Journey

By Nitika Chandan

The Choice to Study in Canada

Studying overseas may be amazing as well as scary. For me, Canada was the perfect place because of its great educational system, cosmopolitan surroundings, and kind attitude toward overseas students. At top of my list was York University, with its first-rate programs and great reputation. The application process was competitive, and three months of waiting for a response was taxing. I applied to several universities during this waiting period, and Algonquin College in Ottawa extended an offer for their Interactive Media Management degree. I finished an eight-month degree with honors and then applied to York University. I eagerly accepted an offer letter I received within seven days this time.

Why I Chose York University

Many elements shaped my choice to enroll in York University School of Continuing Studies:

• Reputation: One major factor took York University's prestigious standing into great weight. Having graduated from such a respectable university would surely improve my chances for work.
• Program Structure: Two courses every semester, the eight-month program was orderly. Better knowledge retention and in-depth learning made possible by this targeted approach.
• Affordability: With tuition rates less than those of other colleges, York University was a financially wise option for overseas students.

Starting with an interesting introduction day, my path at York University School of Continuing Studies started. This was a great chance to meet fellow students from many courses, cities, and nations. Snacks, friendly words, and a thorough campus tour comprised the orientation. For new students, familiarizing ourselves with the large university proved quite beneficial.

Alt text: Students attending orientation day at York University


Academic Journey

York University has a very exact academic framework. Classes Monday through Thursday run three hours, four days a week. For international students juggling job and education, this timetable is perfect. From 8:30 am to 11:30 am, the timing of my portion was especially helpful since it let me have the remainder of the day for work, study, and leisure. For me, the university's focus on both theoretical understanding and practical learning has been really helpful.

Alt text: Classroom of York University of Continuing Studies


Key Learnings

The program has greatly improved my competency in several spheres of digital marketing and content creation:

• Traditional vs. Modern Marketing: Appreciating the change in marketing strategies and the influence of digital marketing.
• Digital Marketing Trends: Remaining current with the newest ideas and approaches in digital marketing.
• Tools for Digital Marketing: Learning to apply several digital marketing tools for data collecting and administration.
• Target Audience Analysis: Finding and knowing target markets helps one design successful marketing plans.
• Brand Strategy Development: Creating thorough brand strategy will help to raise brand recognition and interaction.
• Social Media and Website Audits: Doing audits to assess websites and social media channels' performance.
• Content Creation and Storytelling: Honing the craft of narrative and producing original, imaginative work.
• Podcast Production: Creating and releasing podcasts on Spotify and other platforms.
• Search Engine Marketing: Knowing the subtleties of search engine marketing will help one to have better online presence.
• Social Media Trends and Issues: Managing any problems and keeping updated on present social media trends.
• Social Media Calendar: Building and running social media schedules with constant, powerful content distribution.

The industry expert's guest lectures throughout the program have been among its highlights. These seminars offer priceless insights on actual work ethics, trends, and practices. Speaking with experts from firms like Google and Facebook has been eye-opening. Excellent networking possibilities presented by these seminars are also very important for professional development. Particularly inspiring have been guest lectures by former colleagues sharing their experiences.

Alt text: Industry leader giving a guest lecture at York University


Support System

The welfare of students is York University School of Continuing Studies first concern. Conveniently placed on the campus, the health clinic Appletree guarantees quick access to healthcare facilities. Guard.me medical insurance is given to international students to guarantee our health during our stay. For example, I had a tailbone damage in my third semester. Appletree's doctors took good care of me and advised activities to help with discomfort. Within a month I was fully refunded for my medical expenses. The institution also gives mental health top priority and provides several resources to enable students to keep a good work-life balance and control stress.

Alt text: Appletree medical clinic at York University

Areas for Improvement

Although my time at York University School of Continuing Studies has been largely beneficial, there are a few areas that might use work.

Quizzes: Regular tests all through the course would enable students to evaluate their knowledge and memory of the content. Frequent assessments can point up areas needing work and offer instantaneous comments.

Timely Feedback: Giving quick comments on examinations and assignments is absolutely vital. Some classes only showed grades at the conclusion of the next semester, which caused unwarranted worry. Quick comments let students assess their performance and make required corrections.

Feedback on Professors

While I valued Professors Doris and Andrew's thorough instruction during the second and third semesters, the wait for grades was a disadvantage. By comparison, fourth semester Professor Tim has been really good. Even the most boring subjects are made fascinating by his vibrant and dynamic approach of instruction. He guarantees a clear grasp of ideas and offers timely comments, which has tremendously helped me to correct my errors and get better marks.


Conclusion

At York University School of Continuing Studies, my path has been rewarding and enlightening. My professional and personal development has been much improved by the thorough course framework, practical learning method, and encouraging surroundings. My experience in graphic design, web design, and UI/UX design compliments the knowledge I have in digital marketing and content writing, thereby bringing great value to my skill set. These mix of abilities will surely increase my chances for a profession and present new possibilities.

I especially suggest York University School of Continuing Studies to overseas students looking for top-notch education overseas. Anyone wishing to develop their talents and career will find it a great fit for its reputation, reasonably priced tuition, and well-organized courses.

In the end, my stay at York University School of Continuing Studies has been rather extraordinary. This road has been unforgettable and transforming thanks to my new knowledge and abilities, friendships, and support as well. The chance to study at such a famous university makes me appreciate it more than anything else; it also excites me to apply what I have acquired in my next projects.

Alt text: Graduating students at York University

For more information, visit York University School of Continuing Studies.