Page 32 iStudy Guide 2019/20
P. 32
32
iStudy
2019/20
OVERCOMING THE CHALLENGES
OF STUDYING IN CANADA
Although Canada is an English-speaking country and living there is wonderful, it is very different from
England and I personally underestimated the amount of challenges I’d face. From actually not being
understood (one friend thought I wanted to go for dinner at three because I said we should go at ‘half six’)
to my eyelashes freezing, there were many things I was not expecting at all.
Canadian universities demand a lot from their students. A typical course will have participation grades,
a short essay, a long essay, a midterm exam and final exam. This can be overwhelming and exhausting,
especially when classes can run until 10pm! I did not realise the workload would be as challenging as it
was, and I definitely did not think I would have classes starting after 6pm.
UNIVERSITY DIFFERENCES
Top Tip:
Plan, plan, plan. Canadian universities are good at giving you all your deadline information at the
start of the semester, so make sure you are aware of these and can plan for them. Talk to Canadian students,
they know how to cope with heavy workloads and late classes, so they can give you advice on how they keep
on top of it. Also, Canadian professors are very happy to provide deadline extensions, so don’t forget to talk
to them if you’re struggling.
On the surface Canada is similar to the U.K., but once you move there you notice how different things are.
One particular struggle for me was how hardworking Canadian students are; they rarely took breaks to
have fun whereas I preferred a balance. Another problem I faced was people thinking I was rude when
I was being sarcastic, because Canadian humour is very different and they don’t always understand
sarcasm. Finally, Canadians have a reputation for being friendly for a reason, they are incredibly friendly
but this can be overwhelming when everyone including the woman serving you your Timmies coffee
wants to chat with you about why you’re living in Canada and you just don’t feel like talking.
CULTURE SHOCK
Top Tip:
Make friends with lots of international students as well as Canadian students because they might
have the same approach to studying that you do and you can have fun with them while your Canadian
friends study. The only way to overcome the sarcasm barrier is to make sure you add ‘joking’ to the end of your
sentences, so they know. Lastly, embrace the friendliness. You’ll end up missing it when you leave Canada.
iStudy
2019/20
OVERCOMING THE CHALLENGES
OF STUDYING IN CANADA
Although Canada is an English-speaking country and living there is wonderful, it is very different from
England and I personally underestimated the amount of challenges I’d face. From actually not being
understood (one friend thought I wanted to go for dinner at three because I said we should go at ‘half six’)
to my eyelashes freezing, there were many things I was not expecting at all.
Canadian universities demand a lot from their students. A typical course will have participation grades,
a short essay, a long essay, a midterm exam and final exam. This can be overwhelming and exhausting,
especially when classes can run until 10pm! I did not realise the workload would be as challenging as it
was, and I definitely did not think I would have classes starting after 6pm.
UNIVERSITY DIFFERENCES
Top Tip:
Plan, plan, plan. Canadian universities are good at giving you all your deadline information at the
start of the semester, so make sure you are aware of these and can plan for them. Talk to Canadian students,
they know how to cope with heavy workloads and late classes, so they can give you advice on how they keep
on top of it. Also, Canadian professors are very happy to provide deadline extensions, so don’t forget to talk
to them if you’re struggling.
On the surface Canada is similar to the U.K., but once you move there you notice how different things are.
One particular struggle for me was how hardworking Canadian students are; they rarely took breaks to
have fun whereas I preferred a balance. Another problem I faced was people thinking I was rude when
I was being sarcastic, because Canadian humour is very different and they don’t always understand
sarcasm. Finally, Canadians have a reputation for being friendly for a reason, they are incredibly friendly
but this can be overwhelming when everyone including the woman serving you your Timmies coffee
wants to chat with you about why you’re living in Canada and you just don’t feel like talking.
CULTURE SHOCK
Top Tip:
Make friends with lots of international students as well as Canadian students because they might
have the same approach to studying that you do and you can have fun with them while your Canadian
friends study. The only way to overcome the sarcasm barrier is to make sure you add ‘joking’ to the end of your
sentences, so they know. Lastly, embrace the friendliness. You’ll end up missing it when you leave Canada.
