So I’ve completed my first month studying at OCADU in Toronto, Canada!
I’ve done the obligatory trip up the CN tower, visited Niagara Falls on the coldest day of the month (brrrrrrrr!) and went to an Ice Hockey game.
I’m living in an apartment with two guys both named David; One a graduate from OCADU and the other a film student from Ryerson. Finding accommodation in Toronto was quite difficult, so I am very lucky I found a room in a great location with great transport links and a lot of things all within walking distance.
After getting to grips with how the TTC metro operates, it’s pretty simple. Essentially, the underground system has 2 lines that connect the city together. Above ground there are buses and streetcars.
The city feels smaller than I imagined. It isn’t overwhelming like London or New York. I’ve hardly ever had to stand on the subway, even in rush hour…quite a contrast to the London Underground. Also the temperature hasn’t been as cold as I was expecting, and we’ve only had a little bit of snow!
What’s great about living in a city is there is always something creative going on. So far I’ve been to Toronto design off site festival, an exhibition at the Gladstone hotel, and the Toronto Light Festival.
The courses at OCAD are very different to the structure of the courses at WSA. Classes’ start at 8:30am and some don’t finish until 9:30pm, and the studios have open access pretty much around the clock. At home I study Fashion Design, specialising in Menswear. At OCAD, students have the freedom to take classes from all pathways. Therefore I am taking classes in Fibre; Constructed design and concept development, alongside Photography and Photo-based printmaking. I wanted to make the most of learning in a new environment and take inspiration from all areas of art. It has been nice trying unexpected pathways, but linking and incorporating them into a Fashion orientated project. The workload is quite intense. We are set weekly assignments, as opposed to an accumulation of work handed in at the end of term. Also, everyone refers to University as ‘School’, which I still find quite funny.
The Art Gallery of Ontario is right next door to the university and as a student we get free access, which is so good!
Things I miss from home; Chocolate. (Proper Chocolate!) I actually cannot put into words how disgusting the Canadians take on Cadbury’s really is. I’m awaiting another parcel from my mum. I also joined a local Boxing club. This is something I had started previous to my exchange but I didn’t want to give it up whilst I was away. I’ve trained with the current bantamweight champion of Canada!
I’m so glad I decided to study abroad. Already, I have met so many new people and have learnt so much.
– Grace