My Exchange Adventure in Canada

It has been my dream to travel to Canada and be able to visit North America! I have always been watching content from North America, listening to their music, laughing at their jokes and watching their shows since I was a child. Therefore, I really thought Canada was the place I wanted to go. 

Canada is a wonderful place for learning. People are so welcoming, sincere, and polite. You can hardly sense they have bad intentions behind them. And they are very inclusive as they accept people from different backgrounds and of different cultures. Being in Canada turned me into a more independent problem-solver. There are lots of opportunities where I have to overcome issues by myself and deal with loneliness. However, you have your own freedom — as when you’re awake, the people who care about you are asleep on the opposite side of the earth.

The education there is also very ideal as people are very engaged in classes, very respectful to the professors, and very active in answering questions. It makes me feel sad to see that students in Hong Kong are always chatting in classes, always on their phones, and not eager to learn.

I have been inspired by how people actively seek change, have innovative ideas, embrace different cultures and personalities with understanding, accept flaws, and create a safe space for freedom of speech. Canada really made me feel welcome and loved.

Ivana Tsui

BA (Hons) in Creative Arts and Culture Year 4 student