By Olivia Bucherer-Ezer, University of Toronto, Canada
It’s been just over a year since I packed up my life and set across the pond to start my year abroad in Toronto and it got me thinking about all the thoughts, fears and anxieties I had that, in retrospect, I truly didn’t need to worry about. So I thought it was suitable to whack them in a blog in case they provide any reassurance for those heading out this coming September.
Continue reading “Prepping”
By Olivia Bucherer-Ezer, University of Toronto, Canada
**subjective of course**
Whether you’re heading out to Toronto in September, perhaps along with a family member or are expecting visitors throughout the year, here are some top tips to give you the most fulfilling experience of the big T-city.
Continue reading “The Do’s and Don’ts of Touristing in Toronto”
by Olivia Bucherer-Ezer, University of Toronto, Canada
It’s been two months since returning home from Toronto and 3756708911 “HOW WAS IT?!?!” conversations later, I thought I’d reflect a little on here about what a whirlwind of a year its been.
Continue reading “Returning and Reminiscing”
By Olivia Bucherer-Ezer, University of Toronto, Canada
Time to plan where to stay in Toronto? Let’s break some options down.
Just a cheeky disclaimer before we get into the nitty gritty’s of Toronto’s accommodation options… this is all based on mine or my friends experiences, which are obviously subjective so don’t be completely put off if you already something in mind. This is more of a guidance in case you have absolutely no clue where to start… just as I did this time last year.
So lets jump in and hopefully this can be of use!
Continue reading “A guide to finding accommodation in Toronto”cringe intended…
by Olivia Lily Bucherer-Ezer, University of Toronto, Canada
Work smart, Not hard.
by Olivia Bucherer-Ezer, University of Toronto, Canada
In the flurry of signing onto an exchange year, sorting out accommodation and figuring out how to fit 30kg of stuff you probably don’t need into a 23kg suitcase I almost forgot that I was moving across the pond to attend university, learn and do work.
Once the novelty of new lecturers, peers, new libraries to explore and campus to navigate wore off a little, the reality of attending Canada’s most prestigious university set in.
As someone who is prone to becoming stressed from work, I was surprised that I wasn’t losing my mind over the amount being dished-out. Reminiscing over the glorious panic attacks I used to have at the beginning of first year, merely because I couldn’t workout how to login to my university email or find the link of a reading I really didn’t need to do, actually taught me more than I could have imagined at the time.
Learning to emotionally detach from work when it is a pass/fail year is the best way to get assignments ticked off the list without it impeding on your social life. Not to say, you shouldn’t try, but rather do what needs to be done, and take extra care over the things you enjoy.
As such, the work at the university or Toronto has taught me heaps beyond just what the content consists of. How to manage my time, balance university with socialising and detach from work not worth stressing over have been key to both mental and academic success!
The takeaway of this blog post is not to discard university life, after all that’s the big reason for doing an exchange; to experience a new style of learning. Instead, engaging in work – especially the parts you most enjoy – while understanding your limits ensures you have the energy to enjoy the rest of what a year abroad has to offer.
As someone wise once said, work smart not hard.
(Otherwise known, by a girl in my lecture, as the “Wannabe New York”. either way, no complaints.)
by Olivia Bucherer-Ezer, University of Toronto, Canada
Exactly two weeks into my adventure, it’s safe to say Toronto was nothing like I expected it to be… (in a good way don’t worry).
Continue reading “The big T-city”