Capilano University Students Blogging Abroad

Attending an info session for study abroad was the first step that I took in embarking on this journey I am on. Choosing to apply for this study abroad experience in Vienna was the second. Now that I am here in Vienna, I see why something deep inside that told me I needed to go. This was the opportunity for an experience I had only dreamt of. Growing up, my perception of Europe was defined by photographs and stories other people told. But now these photographs and stories are mine to tell. Salzburg, Austria where the Sound of Music was filmed For those looking into studying abroad, I’ll pass along some insight. Firstly, I would stress the fact that you need to be open to the experiences and all that may come of it, both good and bad. I went through a period of time where I was very anxious about the whole idea, even after I decided that this was something I wanted to do. I debated whether or not I was the right “type” of person for this opportunity. The truth is anyone and e...

What a journey it has been so far! March has been an exciting month; the weather changing form snow to sun, flowers blossoming, and the thrill of meeting new friends from all over the world has made my time in Innsbruck more than what I could have imagined. The city has so much to offer and you find yourself experiencing new things everyday.   Within my first week I bought a used bike and started exploring the city. At one moment you find yourself in the historic old-town, and the next you are cruising beside an aqua marine coloured river – I am in love with this city! Meeting friends has been easier and less intimidating than I thought it would be. There are so many international students in the city and everyone is more than welcoming. This has already got me feeling “at home” in Innsbruck   I would have to say the highlight of my trip so far has been snowboarding on the local mountains that surround Innsbruck. I have gone up Kuthai, Stubaier Gletscher, and ...

I am now at the tail end of my time in Bordeaux and am less than a week from finishing my exchange. School is finished and now my time is spent preparing to leave and saying good bye’s to lots of amazing people I’ve had the chance to meet since arriving on New Year’s Eve. It is a sad thing to finish, as this was such a great time. But it does mean that I am just about finished my study abroad experiences through Capilano. Bordeaux was my second time doing study abroad. I also went to Vietnam last February through a 10-day field study. Taking part in both types of study abroad has been an awesome experience and it gives me the opportunity to make comparisons between the two different options. Soooo, here are my thoughts on what the pros and cons are of each option. Some of you readers may be considering study abroad and may not know whether you want to do a field study or a 4-month exchange or both! If this is you, I hope this helps. Short Term Programs Pros Field...

I’ve been living in Auckland now for a month and a half, and am beginning to see my old comforts and habits rear their heads all over again. The novelty of a new place has been able to distract me for some time but now that school is becoming more intense and my life is no longer just an extended vacation of indulgence and new friends I’ve started to see the city in a different way. Experiencing new surroundings with a bunch of fun loving people from all over the world allowed me to look at Auckland as if the city itself was a new friend. Learning its quirks and oddities just as I am with the new people in my life. But I’ve been noticing that Aukland has began to take on some of the personality traits of my new friends. It seems to enjoy the same kind of nightlife and listen to the same music as the majority of my new pals. And that began to concern me. Auckland isn’t a member of my new group of friends, it’s a culturally rich and diverse city. Yes, it’s a fun and a...

We Are the Lucky Ones …   What can I say? I am so incredibly grateful to have the opportunity to study in Scotland. Traveling has always been one of my favourite things to do and this allows me to do what I love while still working towards my degree.   I was so nervous to stay somewhere for such a long time without being able to leave whenever things got sticky, or complicated, or just plain weird. I thought I wouldn’t make friends or that I would want to move on to somewhere new. I was so wrong. Study abroad brings people together, you get to learn about new cultures and see and do things that probably aren’t possible in your home country. I mean Budapest, Amsterdam and Paris are a 2 hour plane ride away and London is just a quick bus journey (just kidding, it's 12 hours on the infamous Megabus – which actually costs just £10, making it worth the trek).   So far, I’ve explored castles, visited the home of the Lochness Monster, I even tried ...