Canada – Kaviya
Student: Kaviya
Course: Bachelor of Computer Science
Program: Trimester exchange
Describe the city you were living in the landscape, the culture, the weather, etc.
I lived in Waterloo, Ontario and stayed on campus in a four-bedroom apartment with other exchange students, including two Australians, one British student and one German student. Living together made the exchange experience even more special because we were all discovering Canada at the same time. One of my favourite things about Waterloo was experiencing the changing seasons. Fall was honestly one of the prettiest things I had ever seen, the colourful leaves made every drive feel like a landscape painting. Then came the snow, which completely transformed the campus. The University of Waterloo also had so many clubs, activities and events that made it easy to get involved.
Did you go on any memorable trips to explore your host country or maybe a nearby country?
One of the best parts of my exchange was getting to explore so much of Canada. I visited Toronto and went on road trips to Montreal, Ottawa and Quebec City, which gave me the opportunity to experience different parts of the country and see how unique each city was. Of course, I also had to try poutine for the first time! Another memorable experience was visiting Canada’s Wonderland, a huge amusement park with some incredible roller coasters. We went during Halloween, which made the whole experience even more exciting. From road trips to trying Canadian food, travelling together became one of my favourite parts of the exchange.
How did you make friends and what sort of things did you do together?
I made friends by attending university events, joining different activities and simply being open to meeting people from different backgrounds. Born in Mauritius, I have always loved learning about other cultures and my exchange gave me so many opportunities to do that. I attended a Garba event and experienced a Caribbean dinner for the first time. At a trivia night, I joined a team with people I had only just met and we ended up winning and each receiving a $50 Amazon voucher! I also visited Niagara Falls, made plenty of trips to the famous Tim Hortons, tried corn dog and I even swam in a creek for the first time. Experiencing Christmas in Canada with the friends I had made was another magical and unforgettable part of my exchange.
How did you decide which study abroad opportunity to do?
The University of Waterloo had always been one of my dream universities, particularly because of its reputation in mathematics and technology. However, studying there independently as an international student would not have been financially realistic for me. Through Deakin Abroad, I was able to study at Waterloo without paying additional tuition fees to the University of Waterloo, which made an opportunity I had once thought was out of reach possible. When I saw Waterloo among the exchange options, it immediately stood out to me. Being able to study at a university I had admired for years while continuing my Deakin degree was an opportunity I knew I wanted to take.
What’s your one piece of advice for a student who is preparing to study abroad? How should they prepare?
My biggest advice would be to research your host university and destination before you go but also leave room for spontaneity. Look into the university clubs, student events, accommodation, transport and places you would like to visit so you have an idea of what opportunities are available. At the same time, some of my favourite memories came from experiences I had never planned. Say yes to events, introduce yourself to people and try things that you would not normally do at home. Exchange goes by incredibly quickly, so make the most of every opportunity, whether it is travelling somewhere new, joining a club or simply spending time with the people you meet.
What is the one big thing you will always remember from your experience? Or one big lesson that you learnt?
The biggest thing I will always remember from my exchange is the friendships I made. I went to Canada excited about studying at the University of Waterloo and exploring a new country but I came home with friendships that continued well beyond the exchange itself. I am still friends with people I met during the program and I have even had the opportunity to meet some of them again after our exchange ended. Looking back, it is the everyday social moments, travelling together, sharing meals, attending events and experiencing new things for the first time that mean the most to me. The experience taught me that the people you meet can become the most memorable part of travelling abroad.