By Dipanpreet Kaur
The day I boarded the flight to Toronto marked the start of an odyssey loaded with obstacles that would mold and alter me. I stepped into an unfamiliar land to pursue my academic journey. It was like planting a seed in a new garden―exciting, yet full of uncertainties. Being an international student is hard, I know. As I reminisce about my first year at York University, I remember the blend of enthusiasm and nervousness that characterized my experience. I am sharing the following key tips based on the obstacles I faced, and the valuable lessons learnt from them. My goal is to empower international students as they face the hardships of studying abroad.
Travel and explore
My very first tip to all upcoming international students―to travel and explore their campus, neighborhood, and famous tourist spots in Canada. Be Dora the Explorer in this new country and familiarize yourself with the public transit system. During the first two months, I found it difficult to find my way to different destinations. I confused various intersections of roads, boarded the wrong buses and trains, and lost my way. Thanks to the people who invented the GPS navigation system, I was able to reach home safely. Thus, travel and explore as much as possible; it will help you become acquainted with the various modes of transportation and routes in Canada, allowing you to feel more at home as you discover your newfound homeland.
Be aware of cultural sensitivities and social norms
YorkU welcomes students and faculty from a variety of backgrounds, each with their unique cultural viewpoints. Respecting these differences is critical for preventing misunderstandings and establishing strong relationships. I discovered this when I initially arrived at York University. Excited to make friends, I welcomed a new acquaintance with a hug, as is typical in my country, only to discover that they preferred a handshake. This taught me the value of monitoring and asking about social norms to acknowledge others’ limits.
Utilize academic resources
Transitioning from the Indian education system to the Canadian education system was one of the major challenges that I faced during my first year. It was hard to pivot my studying strategies, as in my home country, the students are spoon-fed notes. From straight ‘A’s, I landed to ‘B’s. These B’s forced me to ask for some guidance from one of my professors about the same. My professor advised, “Dipan, if university is offering the academic resources such as the Writing Centre, then utilize them to the best!” I went to the Writing Center, which provided me with aid in making my thesis, research essays, and other assignments better. This resource helped me to pivot from rigorous learning and memorization to a dynamic and interactive educational environment.
Utilize Career Center resources
Many international students join university right after graduating from their high schools. That was the case for me too. So, I did not have much experience in building my resume in the right format. But in one of the online workshops, I got to learn about the Career Center. The staff there helped me not only to build a strong resume, but also prepared me for interviews. I am grateful to YorkU for providing this free resource, which enabled me to get a work study job in my own faculty during my first year which is difficult to get throughout your first year. Therefore, I would say, take advantage of this resource.
Build relationships with professors and TAs
It is important to make your connections and relations with your professors and tutorial assistants (TAs) stronger. Do not hesitate to approachthem during their office hours for guidance and support. They will always help you to develop a better understanding of lectures, readings, and the requirements of assignments. Building such strong professional bonds will make professors and/or TAs remember you by face and name, leading to getting a recommendation letter from them. These recommendations will make your profile stronger and pave the path to getting good jobs.
Get involved on campus
I am volunteering for a couple of clubs, including CMDSA and SWSA, York International Organization, Global Peer Mentor Program, and Peace by Peace (a student led non-profit organization). I am recommending that all students get involved on campus and volunteer in such clubs and/or organizations as it will help you build a support network, make new friends, and feel more connected to the campus community. These volunteering opportunities also enhance the soft skills of students such as communication skills and leadership skills. YorkU offers a wide variety of co-curriculars to take part in.
Health and well-being is important
During my first year, I juggled studies, volunteering, and other events, often ignoring myself. Some days, I ate only one meal and was anxious over tests, believing I was multitasking but disregarding my mind and body. No doubt studies and co-curriculars are important, but nothing is more important than your well-being. Speaking of which, YorkU also offers health services on campus. If you want to talk to someone then you can get help from the Student Counselling, Health & Well-being (SCHW) service department. Thence, never compromise with your health and well-being.
Balance studies and social life
A good university experience requires balancing academic commitments and social interests. In my first year at YorkU, I concentrated intensively on studying since I was afraid about falling behind in my classes. However, I quickly discovered how important social contacts were to my well-being and personal development. By effectively scheduling my time and prioritizing assignments, I kept strong academic status while still attending campus events and developing important relationships with peers.
Be organized
To overcome my tendency to forget tasks or procrastinate, I find it effective to either create a tangible to-do list and post it on my wall or add tasks to Google Calendar to meet deadlines. This technique helps me stay on track and do assignments on time. For more information on how to overcome procrastination and remain organized, I recommend reading “How I Overcame Procrastination | Advice from a Student.” This article holds helpful information that will help you in efficiently managing your time and achieving your academic targets at York University.
Stay positive and be patient
Finally, I want to advise all future YorkU students to never give up. Moving to a new country and adjusting to a foreign culture might be difficult, but it is critical to be optimistic and believe in yourself. You will confront challenges, but constantly remind yourself of your ultimate goals—it will raise your morale and keep you going. Be patient, trust the process, and work diligently and intelligently. All the trials you face will be worthwhile.