Canada
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Montreal: Pedals, Parks & Public Transport
By Katie Dolan, McGill University, Montreal, Canada From the very first day that I arrived in Montreal, the city was noticeably vibrant, clean, and well-taken care of. In the summer time, there was music on every street, and every restaurant was full of people sitting outside on terraces. But as the months passed and the weather got (A LOT) colder, the atmosphere didn’t change. People embraced the cold weather and the snow. Every frozen lake became an ice rink, and winter jackets were fashionable. Over the year, the respect and love that Montrealer’s have for their city became so obvious. Montreal is such a unique city because it is literally…
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Merci Montreal
By Katie Dolan, McGill University, Canada After facing every challenge that comes with moving 3,000 miles away from home for almost a year by yourself, it truly is saying goodbye that is the toughest part of going on an exchange. I always thought going on an exchange would be a great experience, but I never could have imagined just how great it would be. After being home for a couple months now, I have had some time to reflect on my year in Montreal and all my favourite areas of the city, classes that I took, and trips that I went on. I feel so lucky to have lived in…
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Rockin’ around the Canadian Rockies
By Katie Dolan, McGill University, Canada Banff, you are absolutely beautiful! After a year in Montreal, a couple of friends and I decided to take a final big trip to the Canadian Rockies before our exchange was over. In early May, we went to Banff, and I can confirm that it is well and truly worth the hype. We landed in Calgary late at night, so it was very dark when we arrived in Banff, and we didn’t see much that night. The next morning, I got ready and went downstairs for breakfast where we were staying. I have never in my life made toast with such an incredible view.…
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If I Could Start My Exchange Year Again: Lessons from Calgary
Deborah Oshidero, University of Calgary, Canada Spending a year abroad at the University of Calgary has been one of the most exciting, challenging, and eye-opening experiences of my life. Looking back now I feel like there was a lot of things I would do differently if I had the chance to start it all over again. So this last blog from me is essentially me telling you what to consider and do when on your own year abroad experience! While I wouldn’t change the friendships, the memories, or even most of the mistakes, there are definitely a few practical things I wish I had known from the beginning. First and…
- Application, Canada, Erasmus, Global Guidance Ambassador, Mental Health, North America, Uncategorized, University of Toronto, Year Abroad Travel
Rainy Days and Dealing with FOMO: The Art of Solo Dates
By Isabelle Henaghan, University of Toronto Mississauga, Canada Choosing to do a year abroad can be daunting for many reasons. You might end up reeling pros and cons lists on your notes app on the 142 as you reach closer to the acceptance or referral deadline with My Placement. But whether you had premeditated the concern of feeling alone or not, I am confident that it is a feeling that almost everyone experiences during the exchange. Doing a year abroad is one of the best decisions I have made for myself. I have absolutely loved meeting so many new people from all over the world, and I have found the…
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Why Kensington Market Is Still One of Toronto’s Best Places to Explore
By Isabelle Henaghan, University of Toronto Mississauga, Canada Kensington Market quickly became one of my favourite spots in the city. It’s a neighbourhood that feels completely different from downtown Toronto with so much colour, creativity, and character. The streets are lined with vintage stores, independent cafés, tiny bakeries, and food spots from all over the world. Every time I go, I notice something new: a mural I hadn’t seen before, a second-hand shop hidden down a side street, or a live band playing outside a café. One afternoon, while browsing through a vintage shop, I started chatting with an elderly leatherworker who had been working in the area for decades.…
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Keeping Warm in the Cold
By Katie Dolan, McGill University, Canada After a few months of only seeing minus numbers on the weather app, I am finally beginning to defrost, and now I can safely say that I have survived my first Canadian winter! If you take anything away from this, the most important tip I have in dealing with temperatures like -20 degrees is to face it and enjoy it. I know that sounds a little crazy, but I truly mean it. Whether that involves actually spending time outside or embracing alternative options like joining an indoor sports team, it is the best way to stay surrounded by friends and avoid feeling isolated and…
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Navigating Academic Life at McGill
By Katie Dolan, McGill University, Canada McGill isn’t nicknamed the ‘Harvard of Canada’ for nothing! If I am being honest, there is a pretty hefty workload at McGill. This might not be what some of you want to hear, but as someone who hasn’t said no to many (or any for that matter) social activities during my exchange, I have been able to manage my workload just fine. In all seriousness, yes, there can be a lot of work, but it is more than doable, and McGill students really live up to their ‘work hard, play hard’ reputation. Class Size and Schedule As a business student, I have been studying…
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Exam Season on Exchange
By Deborah, The University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada My first semester on exchange went by SO quickly, honestly it felt like exam season came and poured a bucked of ice water over my head. While exams are stressful no matter where you’re taking them, the experience here felt surprisingly structured and supportive, especially within the law faculty. One thing that really stood out during this period was how much effort the university put into student wellbeing. There were loads of organised events running alongside revision season, including doggy yoga sessions, studyathons, and other low-pressure activities to help students decompress. These were genuinely helpful in breaking up long days of studying…
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Life in Toronto – What To Expect
By Isabelle Henaghan, University of Toronto Mississauga, Canada. Sunset from Toronto Islands
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Reading Week Roadtrip: NYC, Boston and Vermont
By Katie Dolan, McGill University, Canada. Eight days, three states, and a ton of photos later, it’s safe to say that I’ll be thinking about this trip for a long time. New York With around 10 days off in October, some friends and myself decided to go on a trip to New York, Boston, and Vermont. We got a night bus from Montreal to New York which got us in at around 8am in the morning. You can imagine how much a NYC bagel and coffee hit the spot after the 8-hour bus ride. But in fairness, the bus wasn’t actually too bad at all and I would be lying…
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Sustainability in Canada: What I’ve Learned (and Am Still Learning)
By Deborah Oshidero, University of Calgary, Canada Since moving to Canada, I’ve been trying to live more sustainably – both in my daily habits and long-term choices. It’s definitely a challenge at times (especially with how far apart everything is!), but I’ve also found small ways to reduce waste and make more eco-conscious decisions.
