Hello 🙂 My name is Zelda and I am currently a third year Film and English student at University of Southampton. I’ve spent the last academic year studying at Huron College of Western in University in London Ontario, Canada.
Academics:
An interesting difference between Huron and Southampton University–or any British university– is that they have classes as opposed to the lecture/seminar model that we follow. These are exactly what they sound like, mimicking a structure more similar to the one we had in school. I really enjoyed this aspect, as I find interactive learning much more effective than note-taking in terms of information absorption. Attendance also factors into your grade here, ranging anywhere from 10-20% per module. Though this was something that took a bit of getting used to, particularly on morning where the snow was up to my knees, it’s an aspect of Canadian university that I’m retrospectively grateful for. Increased attendance in classes meant that it was much easier to forge personal connections with others and create a community, one of the most essential parts of thriving in a new country.
Cost of Living:
Before moving to Canada, I would advise other students to make sure they are prepared to make a firm budget. Relocating anywhere, even if just for a year, is a costly measure at the best of times, but Canada specifically was expensive in ways I didn’t initially consider. Firstly, their groceries are much more expensive, with fresh produce being especially dear. The trade-off for this is that their takeaways and fast food are much cheaper than in England. I urge students to resist the temptation of overindulging regularly as this is obviously an unhealthy and unsustainable way to live–that being said, I definitely made the most of this difference during my time there. It’s not just groceries, but toiletries, medicine, and anything that you would generally buy from the shop that has an inflated price, so I’d advise to stock up on anything you can whilst still at home. There is also the issue of tax; unlike within the UK, in Canada tax is not included into the price on item labels and is revealed at the till. This can make budgeting difficult as its always a bit of a guessing game as to just how much you’ve spent, though general rule of thumb is to add around 20% onto your final price. That being said, certain aspects are much cheaper. One example is rent, which, converted, is only around 70% of the price I’d pay back home. The other is public transport. Though this isn’t the case nation-wide, I was lucky enough to live in a student city that not only had regular transport, but also included a bus pass within the cost of enrollment. This meant that I had unlimited bus travel with no additional cost for the entirety of my time there (within the city). It’s all about learning to adapt and make a budget that works for you and your new lifestyle.
Weather:
Arguably my favourite part about my year abroad was the gorgeous weather. I arrived in September and yet it was still summer, clear blue skies greeting me every morning. Autumn was equally beautiful, and it truly felt like I was in an 80s halloween movie with how orange and yellow the world was. Though the snow of winter could be annoying at times, I could never properly dislike it due to how magical it felt. Canada is a truly exquisite country, and its seasons present themselves fully. One warning I’ll give, however, is for future students to be prepared to trek through large mounds of snow. I visited two cities during the city, with one of them being Toronto, and other than city centres the Ontario councils appear to be a little neglectful. Many pavements remained unshoveled for the entirety of the season. This wasn’t too bad for me, as I’m young and able-bodied, but its something to consider for someone who may have more limited mobility.
Activities:
Due to the weather, I think, there is a much greater emphasis on sport and outdoor games within our age group, which I really enjoyed. Your average student is also generally more involved in campus activities than their British counterparts, I’ve found, which I think has to do with the mandatory attendance and increased time spent at university. I would advise future students to immerse themselves as much as possible, as going abroad is all about discovering new experiences and getting involved in the local community. There’s also a big difference in night life, with an emphasis on bars as opposed to nightclubs. My university town didn’t even have a club, and it was known as one of the biggest party schools in Canada! Due to Canadians favouring bars over clubs, nights out often start and end a lot earlier, which can actually be useful based on your schedule the next day. I would advise befriending a group of locals before going out, as many of the event days are almost exclusively word-of-mouth. A different experience to British university nightlife, to be sure, but fun nonetheless.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, I thoroughly recommend for every student to take a year abroad if they can. Meeting new people and studying in a completely different type of institution prompts so much personal growth and reflection that is integral at this age. My biggest piece of advice to future students is to immerse yourself with the locals as much as possible, and thoroughly involve yourself in community activities where you can. Not only will you make friendships that may even supercede your time abroad, but you’ll come home knowing you used your opportunity to travel to the very fullest.