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Student exchange: "no stress" in Canada.
By : Samira Raouda | Sotaque Brasileiro, Number 3, Winter 2003-04
Check out the tips and suggestions before packing
For several consecutive years, Canada has been among the top ten countries in the world to live and work. The new reality is that many people are also opting for the country to study. There are many advantages for those who decide to study or improve English or French, do a specialization, an MBA, among other courses. The country is famous for having a safe society, just, peaceful and very hospitable. For us Brazilians, Canadians speak clearly, facilitating the learning of English. The value of Canadian currency also counts when it’s time to do the math on the costs of studying abroad. In addition, a further advantage in choosing Canada is the ease in obtaining the visa and its extension within the country. Contrary to what many believe, the application for the Canadian visa and extension are not a hard problem to overcome. When the application is well documented and the immigration officer - responsible for examining the application - has no doubt about the intention of the applicant, the visa is granted.
Canada is the second largest country in the world, second only to Russia, and offers students a choice of cities for the exchange. Many Brazilians think that Canada has three cities: Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver. However, the options are many and the advantages of studying in a different province vary with the cost of living, climate, and the number of Brazilians that each one receives. For example, in Toronto (Ontario) the cost of living is one of Canada's highest and where we also find the largest concentration of Brazilians. In Hamilton, which is an hour from Toronto, the cost of living and the concentration of Brazilians are lower, but the city offers little nightlife. Back in Calgary (Alberta), the cost of living and the concentration of Brazilians are low but on the other hand, is one of the coldest regions of Canada. In the city of Montreal students find schools that teach English and French simultaneously. However, it is recommended to study one language and then another.
Another factor that counts in choosing the city is the cost of airfare. For the cities of Western Canada airline tickets are about US$150.00 more expensive. Vancouver, for example, besides being very nice and clean, has one of the more temperate climates of Canada. However, the city is located in the west of the country having the most expensive airline ticket. It is also important to note the distinction of the seasons in Canada. If the duration of the exchange is for one year, the student will see, for example, the green leaves in spring turn into colours like yellow, brown, orange and red until the leaves fall to give the impression that the trees have lost their life, between autumn and winter. As well as the following spring green reappears in a remarkably short space of time. A nature phenomenon unknown to many Brazilians.
How to prepare for the success of your exchange:
In most cases the exchange is like a dream, but many do not know and are not prepared to realize this dream. In general, the student goes through difficult times of depression and if you do not have a lot of guts and willpower, you could even give up. The success of the exchange is not just linked to the school or the chosen courses.
Humility and the ability to adapt to a new life is the key to success. Being humble to forget what he had in Brazil and start a new life from scratch with a new family, a new room, different food, new friends who are in the same boat as you but have different cultures. Respecting the traditions of the others is one of the great lessons of the exchange. A language is not learned or perfected overnight. It is a slow process but if used well, it will always be a wonderful and unforgettable life experience.
It is recommended that students do not travel without a basic level of knowledge of the language. For example, it is important to know how to ask for directions and the value of a product, knowing how to say you did not like something or to say that you are not feeling well. This not only helps ease the adjustment period but gives a higher return on investment.
The exchange is one of the biggest personal investments one can make, but the return on this investment depends on who is investing. If it is parents investing in their children, it is important that they communicate with the school and host family at least once a month. Ask about the academic performance of the child and if he/she is adapting well. But beware: parents wanting the child to do an exchange is not enough. They must want to live this experience as well. Maturity is essential. A student who is not mature could get into trouble abroad. But when the investment comes out of the student's own pocket, besides having knowledge of the language being studied, it is important to have a lot of determination and speak to Brazilians only in the language you are learning or improving. Many students sell their cars, motorcycles and leave their jobs in pursuit of fluency in a second language. Therefore, arriving at another country, it takes dedication and effort. It is ironic how some people think that just by being abroad the foreign language will be learned in a day.
The experience of an exchange brands for the rest of the life. So why not make this experience a success?
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