Introduction
( Alt Text - A traffic light, a street light, and several trees can be seen in front of the York University SCS building. Furthermore, there is a parking structure next to the SCS building as well as a TTC transport service.)
So far, my university experience in Canada has been nothing short of a rollercoaster of good moments and challenges. One of the first obstacles I experienced as an international student was securing affordable housing during the winter season. Even though York University provided modest lodging for new students, I had no intention of staying.
In the cold, getting up early to make the journey to class was also a little difficult. It was a little difficult for me to adjust to the cold winter because I was from Nigeria, where the temperature is generally hot throughout the year. In order to be warm, I seem to recall needing to wear two layers of shirts underneath my pullover hoodie.Aside from the persistent cold, I like everything about winter. How I first learned to construct a snow angel by swinging my hands and legs up and down in the snow, or how I rolled up a handful of snow in my hands to make a snowball during a snow battle. During the winter time, Main Street and parks appeared isolated due to everyone staying indoors.
Walking through York University for the first time was a sight to see. Each building had a distinct architectural framework, and no two looked alike. The structures had a sleek look to them. While the external building design may give you an idea of what to expect, the inside design blew my mind, from the magnificent black and white color gradient to the floor-to-ceiling window walls in the classroom that allow streams of natural light to flow in.
My Program Journey
My lectures begin at 3:30 p.m. and end at 6:30 p.m., which I initially considered unfavorable, but as time passed, I discovered it was an ideal fit for me. Though it was difficult to find work during the winter months, I was fortunate to find an early morning job that ended at 1:30pm, giving me enough time to prepare for my evening courses. Balancing work and classes taught me time management lessons.
I met a lot of intriguing people there, some of whom I now consider close friends, and it didn't take long for groups to develop for assignments and projects. It was also a blessing that I had lecturers who had a high level of expertise in digital marketing.
Since this was my first time traveling outside of my native country, I felt homesick at the start of my program. After getting to meet a few of my course mates, that quickly changed. I can recall getting nervous whenever there was a tight deadline on an assignment. I had to carefully manage my time and strike a balance between my career and school as a result.
I discovered that every instructor values a dialogue-based approach to education, which surprised me somewhat because I was accustomed to speaking mainly in response to questions. I was able to learn new things from both my professors and fellow students since this kind of learning fosters engagement. As someone who tends to keep to myself and doesn't communicate much in class, this really helped me to see my constraints and work on becoming more engaged. At first, the course load was a little low, but as we dug further into the program's technical details, it became a little more intense but also rewarding.
Classroom Experience
Conclusion
A positive mental attitude is a crucial skill for students to develop. You will undoubtedly face obstacles and hurdles as a result of your program, as I did, but knowing that tackling challenges helps us grow as humans in general has encouraged me much. Don't be hesitant to ask for assistance when you need it. The university provides numerous academic resources, which were quite beneficial to me. The most important one for me was the online library. York also offers immigration advice to international students, which I was fortunate to use while filing for my extension. I contacted them, and they responded with an email containing materials for study permit extensions, as well as a link to specific dates when an in-person or virtual drop-in immigration consulting event will take place.
I made a lot of friends at York University who were from all over the world, and they really helped to improve my perspective on the world. I was able to study in a supportive learning atmosphere that promotes academic performance, and I had the opportunity to interact with several amazing instructors who gave me a wealth of useful knowledge. I couldn't have asked for more. As my program is about to come to an end, I can't help but notice how quickly time passes and, more importantly, how attending university is about more than just getting a degree—it's about taking advantage of new opportunities and embracing any obstacles you may face along the way.