Starting a new adventure

Now that it’s time to start planning to leave home, what might students want to think about before embarking on their new adventure?  We recently spoke with students at Algoma University in Sault Ste Marie for input, and here are a few suggestions that the students made!

Pack some snacks!
JungRyun from Korea really misses some traditional foods from back home, while  Yukihiro adds that in Japan it is more likely to have miso soup and rice for breakfast, rather than bacon and eggs, or toast and cereal.  The two agreed that if they were to visit home sometime in the next few months, they would return with some traditional spices and some snack foods that might otherwise be difficult to find in many Canadian grocery stores.

Bring a piece of home with you
Javier from Mexico reminds students to bring photographs or mementos from home that you can share with your new friends. These will also cheer you up when you get a little homesick.

Get to know your destination
Take the time to get to know the country you are travelling to, says WenJie from China. Knowing more about the country you’ll be living in can put you at ease and allow you to transition faster to your new home.

No matter what you bring (or forget!), be prepared to get involved in activities on campus from the beginning, says Yuriko from Japan. Canada may be a great educational option, but as a “truly multicultural” country it is also an excellent place to develop lasting relationships with new friends from all over the world.