Mariam Ali, Heidelberg, one of the many cities I visited in Europe.

Budgeting for Exchange

Posted by BCSAadmin on 03/20/2018

By Mariam Ali, Simon Fraser University, winner of the 2017 Stories from Abroad Scholarship and a member of the BC Study Abroad Writer in Residence Team

One of my biggest concerns before my exchange in France was earning enough money to pay for it. My uncle recommended that I create a budget and find out in advance how much rent, transportation, food, entertainment and travel would all cost. By talking to other students who had already went on exchange in France, I learned that I would need roughly $15,000 to fund two semesters and live comfortably. Using the advice and the information I received, I set about making a plan to earn enough money for my exchange.

I applied for as many scholarships and bursaries as I could, working hard to boost my GPA above 3.5 out of 4...

Tags: Stories from Abroad Scholarship Winner Explore see the world Simon Fraser University Writer in Residence Europe exchange Budgeting
Category: Writers In Residence
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Adeline Hadijanto, Paris

Tips on how to save money in Europe

Posted by BCSAadmin on 03/13/2018

By Adeline Hadijanto, International Hotel Management student at Royal Roads University and a member of the BCSA Writer in Residence Team.

Like many student travelers, I wanted to explore Europe as much as I could while I was on exchange in Austria. Surprisingly, with some careful planning I was able to visit more than 35 cities and towns in 13 different countries in one semester without straining my budget too much. Here are a few of my suggestions that will hopefully help you to be more cost efficient:

  • Plan ahead.
    1. Make a list of all the places that you want to visit and prioritize the destinations base on your preferences.
    2. Make sure to check your class schedule before you make your itinerary!
    3. Use the GoEuro App (...
Tags: Writer in Residence Royal Roads University stories experience Europe Study Abroad tips and advice
Category: Writers In Residence
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Vancouver artist Kenneth Yuan in from of Yves Klein’s IKB (image courtesy of Yuen)

And then there is art…

Posted by BCSAadmin on 02/27/2018

By Alice Wang, Kwantlen Polytechnic University, winner of the 2017 Stories from Abroad Scholarship and a member of the BC Study Abroad Writer in Residence Team

Image credit: Vancouver artist Kenneth Yuan in front of Yves Klein’s IKB (image courtesy of Yuen)

My piece of advice as a Writer-in-Residence is this: wherever you go, visit the local art institutions and expect to be confused by the works. Art is a piece of history crystalized in an object. It is not supposed to be easily understood. And if it is, it’s probably very bad art.

Good art takes a lot of time to unpack. I used to abhor paintings that are of one color such as Yves Klein’s blue painting IKB 3 (1960). “What was the point of that?! I can do that and call myse...

Tags: Study Aboard Stories from Abroad Kwantlen Polytechnic University Writer in Residence Europe Paris France Advice
Category: Writers In Residence
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Day 11: Never say goodbye

Posted by BCSAadmin on 02/21/2018

By: Lucy Dabbs, Georges P. Vanier Secondary School, participant of the 2017 Beijing International Education Exchange (BIEE) Summer Camp.

Although many dreams are achievable, stopping time is not one of them. When I awoke this quiet morning, my heart wished that it could stay in China forever, that the summer wouldn't end and every night we could spend on the field drinking mate and dancing to Spanish music. My heart wished I didn't have to leave all these amazing people, that it didn't have to get out of bed and pack my bags.

The rest of me however, couldn't wait to get home to the West Coast, to my nice bed and regular sleep schedule, to the fresh air and cool temperatures of the ocean. My brain knew that realistically I couldn't stay in China, and this camp would...

Tags: Georges P. Vanier Secondary School Study Abroad BIEE Summer Camp exchange International Student education exchange Beijing BC students
Category: Student Blog
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