Student Blog

By: Maria Gabriela Rivera Monterrosa, University of Victoria, winner of the spring 2020 BC Study Abroad Scholarship

Study Abroad Destination: France

As someone who grew up dreaming of living in Europe for at least a semester, I was sure that if given the opportunity I’d definitely pick a major city–like Paris, Milan or London. To everyone’s surprise, when the opportunity arrived and I had to pick a city to go on exchange in, I ended up picking a small French city over Paris.

The city I picked is called Reims: a city that is just a short forty-five minute train ride from Paris with a population of fewer than three-hundred thousand people. Famous for being home to some of the most famous champagne houses in the world and its historical importan...

By: Georgia Neil Joy Rodgers, North Island College, winner of the spring 2020 BC Study Abroad Scholarship

Study Abroad Destination: Germany

I had always heard how inexpensive it is to travel within Europe, but I was not expecting to spend 50 euros on flights and accommodation for a 3-night weekend trip to Austria! My schedule at SRH Heidelberg was very travel permitting because the international office at the German University does not allow exchange students to be overwhelmed with schoolwork so that they can focus on enjoying their time exploring. My studies were one course at a time in 5-week blocks. So, I would have a couple 4-hour lectures per week, then I was free to do whatever I wanted with my spare time. So, I travelled! I went to Strasbourg...

By: Brianna Condilenios, Simon Fraser University, winner of the spring 2020 BC Study Abroad Scholarship

Study Abroad Destination: Netherlands

The idea of studying abroad always enamoured me with a dazzling pizzaz; the thrilling new adventures and warm friendships coupled with the opportunity to add a rich layer of perspective to my education. So many people to meet, places to go, things to learn, and foods to try. I spent hours ogling over quaint fairytale looking places in Western Europe on Pinterest. While all of this European dreaming was extremely exciting, it was also just a tad overwhelming. I felt a consistent pressure to see as much as possible in my seven months abroad. This try-to-do-everything-as-fast-as-possible mindset was stamped into my DNA by this po...

By: Theresa Doan, Simon Fraser University, winner of the spring 2020 BC Study Abroad Scholarship

Study Abroad Destination: Singapore

Religion has never been a large part of who I am, but in recent years, I have made more of an effort to understand the religion my mother used to heavily practice. My mom, being the only person in my family who is religious, taught us some of the larger Buddhist practices growing up. Throughout the years, we practiced less and less, and my little connection to the culture and religion was diminishing. The past three years, on Lunar New Year, I have gone to the temple my family and I used to go to growing up, and have prayed for success and happiness for my family for the new year. I would go by myself...