Make friends with the Canadian students because they know the learning system better and will help you understand and navigate it because how they teach here is different from how we are taught back home.

Cultural shock can sometimes leave you isolated and by being isolated this can lead to depression. Try to venture off an get involved in groups to meet people so you can be able to adapt

Reflecting on my college experience back home, one piece of advice I wish I had received before starting abroad is to prioritize self-care and balance. While the academic journey may differ, maintaining a healthy equilibrium between studies, social interactions, and personal well-being remains vital for success, especially when navigating a new environment.

Going back or starting to study once again in college is a new, challenging, and exciting experience for all students. Especially since this is a new country for individuals who came here internationally, the culture and curriculum are different from what's back home. I have been studying here in Fanshawe College since September 2023, and I learned how the program works, the criteria and requirements for each course, and how to overcome obstacles. My program revolves solely around projects and submissions, meaning we don't have many exams or tests. Therefore, the one piece of advice I would give to students, specifically the individuals in the Interactive Media Design program or the field of design in general, is to always ask questions when confused and read the instructions carefully. This is because if you miss one small detail, it can lower your overall score that you could have been easily prevented. Since we are also encouraged to communicate as much as possible with our professors, there's nothing to lose by just asking a simple inquiry that can solve a wide range of problems or future errors that may occur on your project. For the other programs, though, I would suggest to be prepared and enhance your skills in collaboration and communication, as most courses in all fields require reporting, presentations, and group work. So, being organized and having a plan ready to provide the best output of your work is key to succeeding in any program.

Learning how to deal with the stress led by exams, quizzes, assignments. And learning how to deal with study and life balance.

One piece of advice I wish I had received before starting college is to prioritize self-care and balance. It's easy to get caught up in academics and extracurricular activities, but taking care of your physical and mental health is crucial for success and overall well-being.

Being able to connect with someone like a digital ambassador, especially from my country, would allow me to comfortably inquire and ask questions about navigating being a student in a foreign country. It's better to familiarize oneself beforehand, and receiving suggestions and advice would really be a big help in meeting expectations.

You're going to be exposed to so many new things, places, people and experiences that it'll be very easy to overstress yourself. Make sure to look after your health. Go to bed early. Take a half hour everyday to do something you enjoy.

I wish I had received the advice of being prepared to have a lot of assignments and practicing on time management skills before starting college. I thought there would be just a couple of assignments for each course like mid-term and final. When college started, I realized there were about five plus assignments averagely for each course including but not limited to discussion, reflections, presentations, tests and paper work.

There are many things that had to be overcome on their own, and mistakes cannot be avoided here. Here are some of them that I would discuss with someone who is just starting his way. 1) Driver's license. It is important to clearly understand their need, this process is time-consuming and financially expensive. 2) Bank card. It is important to carefully study the banks as there are many of them. Choose the one you need according to your needs and do not keep the cards constantly 3) Mobile communication. Just like with banks, there are a huge number of operators, and you should not take the first one that comes along. I would recommend using public Wi-Fi for the first time, which is available almost everywhere. This will allow you to communicate with others and choose an operator the first time without wasting time on constant re-registration. This is a very small part of what is worth knowing, as there are many things that will take up precious time unnecessarily, which does not cause positive emotions from being in Canada. Pay more attention to communication, this is the way to idealize life!

One piece of advice I wish I had received before starting college is to prioritize self-care and balance. It's crucial to take care of your physical and mental health, as well as to find a balance between academics, social life, and personal interests. Finding this balance can help prevent burnout and enhance overall well-being throughout your college experience.

Unexpected challenges when moving to Canada included cultural differences, adapting to the climate, and navigating immigration. I addressed them by participating in cultural orientation programs, engaging with local communities, preparing for the weather, and seeking guidance from immigration professionals.

After moving to Canada, one of the biggest challenges I faced was gaining Canadian work experience. Finding a job is not always easy, and it can be even more difficult if it is specifically related to the field you are studying for. Networking in Canada is crucial because it will be easier if someone else can refer you. So, ask for help to the Career Services department at Fanshawe, so they can help you reviewing your resume, cover letter and LinkedIn profile, and try to connect with people from all the fields, because you never know who can help you.

There are lots of unexpected challenges I have faced when moving to Canada and one is searching for part-time jobs. Yes, there are endless opportunities here but I think what makes it a bit harder is the fact that there are also a lot of people doing the same thing with you. The competition is there and everyone is doing their best. When I am starting to feel hopeless, I just remind myself of my purpose of moving here. I go back to where it all started - my dreams and my future plans. Here you just have to be tough in order to survive.

Moving to Canada can present several unexpected challenges, such as adjusting to the weather, cultural differences, and navigating the healthcare system. To address these challenges, I made sure to research and prepare beforehand. I invested in appropriate winter clothing to combat the cold weather, immersed myself in Canadian culture by participating in local events and activities, and familiarized myself with the healthcare system to ensure I could access necessary medical care when needed. Additionally, I sought out support from local community groups and online forums to connect with fellow newcomers and receive valuable advice and assistance. Overall, proactive preparation and a willingness to adapt were key in overcoming these unexpected challenges and successfully settling into life in Canada.

Before arriving in Canada, I assumed finding a place to live would be straightforward. Thus, I booked an Airbnb for a two-week stay, intending to secure permanent accommodation upon arrival. However, the reality proved more challenging than expected. Locating suitable housing took longer than anticipated, leading me to transition to another short-term rental before securing my current accommodation. I navigated through numerous websites to assess available options and pricing. Eventually, I took the lease agreement from the previous tenant, resolving the issue after investing approximately one and a half months into the process.

The weather was one of the things that is quite hard for me. It shifts so drastically. It will affect your physical and mental state. I kind of struggle to adapt to them. But right now I'm good, try your best to stay warm by dressing with proper clothes, take some vitamins, don't skip meals, and do some exercise. I hope this will help you to overcome the challenges of studying abroad. Enjoy this moment.

Many bureaucratic aspects of the system are not expected, we had to adjust to the format. For example, getting a bank card does not take so much time and is easier than in European countries, but it is better to prepare in advance.

Challenges I faced when I moved to Canada include adapting to the weather, understanding cultural nuances, and navigating the healthcare system. Connecting with local communities, seeking support services, and staying informed about resources can help address these challenges.

The biggest challenge I met was the bus schedule. I felt it was so random and the gap between two buses was much longer than I expected. Since I didn’t have e a car. That was the biggest challenge I needed to deal with. I checked on line and downloaded two apps recommended by others. And finally, I got used to the bus schedule and figured out a way to plan my trips more wisely.

I love the place outside near to Oasis the big windows up there is the best place to be. Whenever I go there I click pictures too.

I like to spent lots time in college library for study, where I can get access to all required study materials. I love to hang out with my friends in campus cafeteria and playing basketball 🏀 with friends which makes my day.

You can study in our state-of-the-art library and can hang out in any part around you as there are a lot of recreational facilities around each community here in London

I think definitely checkout the campus store for affordable supplies and find a comfortably seat in the library.

My favorite spot is in student centre, the space is pretty clean and full of wi-fi, so it is good to use laptops,tablets,or phones.

My favourite spots in campus to study are home work lab in B building. And I would like to hangout with my friends at oasis which is in student wellness centre.

The Homework labs are great for studying, you can study individually or in group in the study rooms that are there. Also you can look for the Mezzanine at T buildings, is a really quiet place.

My favourite spot is the Oasis cafeteria. Just because of its ambience.

Probably the cafeteria because I can't study without food! :)