It was a treat to compose letters on the train

On route to Germany and after thoughts on Paris

Posted by BCSAadmin on 09/11/2017

By: Alice (Ruo Ran) Wang, Kwantlen Polytechnic University, winner of the 2017 Stories from Abroad Scholarship.

I am sitting on the train heading to a small town in Germany called Kassel. The quinquennial contemporary art festival—documenta—is taking place there and as a budding art historian, it is imperative that I visit it during my artistic pilgrimage. After two weeks in Paris, I am looking forward to being in a smaller city. Big cities have their glamour and dynamics, but it is in the countryside that we find the space and air to breath.

Writing the draft of this entry on the train is a particular treat. Not only am I delighted to be composing it with a fountain pen that I had recently purchased in Paris, I have always considered the process of writing to a kind...

Tags: Kwantlen Polytechnic University KPU Stories from Abroad Study Abroad Scholarship art history Paris Kassel Germany
Category: Student Blog
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Peter Mate

Knowing your Surroundings

Posted by BCSAadmin on 09/05/2017

By: Peter Mate, Fairleigh Dickinson University, Vancouver Campus, winner of the 2017 Stories from Abroad Scholarship and a member of the BC Study Abroad Writer in Residence Team.

Awareness of surroundings is critical in maximizing satisfaction when studying abroad. This maximizing effect derives from the detection of appropriate actions relative to ones environment. Hence, determining the correct action, relative to ones environment determines the level of satisfaction when travelling. This awareness evidenced itself while I lived in Raday Utca (street) in Budapest’s IX district. This region of the city borders the cities District V (Downtown), District VII (area frequented by tourists), and District VIII (a notoriously seedy portion of the city). Hence, District IX absorb...

Tags: Writer in Residence Study Abroad Scholarship Winner Advice Travel Fairleigh Dickinson University FDU Travel Tip
Category: Writers In Residence
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Mariam Ali, Express Réussir au Canada

How My Exchange in France Has Changed Me

Posted by BCSAadmin on 09/04/2017

By Mariam Ali, Simon Fraser University, winner of the 2017 Stories from Abroad Scholarship.

Last summer before my exchange to IEP de Strasbourg, I remember being so nervous about my exchange, asking myself how I would fare abroad. One year later I’ve changed in so many ways, growing as a person while improving my French and my knowledge of the world.

First, my exchange in Strasbourg has made me more independent. Living on my own and figuring out various tasks, all while I was going to school, was often challenging, but I learned the importance of managing my time and prioritization. Budgeting could also be challenging, making sure my money lasted, knowing where to get student discounts, but also knowing when to spend on myself. Another challenge of life in France wa...

Tags: France Europe Study Abroad Stories from Abroad Winner experience Scholarship 2017 BC Study Abroad scholarship
Category: Student Blog
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Cheryl Olvera, Unicorn hot chocolate at Room 76

Wash, rinse, repeat.

Posted by BCSAadmin on 08/28/2017

By Cheryl Olvera, Simon Fraser University, winner of the 2017 Stories from Abroad Scholarship.

Routine. That is what I had in Vancouver. I had my uni classes (‘uni’ is now how I refer to university, just as the British do, which makes me think of unicorns every time I say it so now I just use the unicorn emoji to refer to school via text), my part-time personal trainer job, my CrossFit gym, my amazing friends, my fav coffee shops. Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE me some routine. It’s actually quite useful when you’re in uni too, because you can just focus on your assignments instead of trying to reorganize and sort out your life every second day. But routine really gets you on autopilot, and before you know it, you’ve lost sight of your path, your purpose, or lost your inquisit...

Tags: Study Abroad Stories from Abroad Winner experience Scholarship 2017 BC Study Abroad scholarship Brighton england
Category: Student Blog
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