Landing on the maple leafs carpet...

We were sitting with our parents in our cosy kitchen, it was my 22^nd birthday. Sleepless night… only 2 luggage places, 24 kg each appeared not enough for a 2 years journey to Canada… I could not stick in my favourite saucepan in fact I love to cook for me and my friends!

Next morning I flew 9,5 hours and I landed in Toronto Pearson International. A while later I was surrounded with some friends and people I have already known from my previous trip to Canada. Happy moments and a perfect Birthday gift – a blow-dryer. Why? Different plugs.

Then I had a long period of adaptation. It took about half a year to settle down properly and adapt to the local educational and cultural norms.

Further are some tips I found useful.

Wireless. Very expensive in comparison to Russia and India. Just after the arrival I had no local phone number. And it was a pretty issue to get a good deal, while at that time I did not work and did not have a SIN or a local credit card. My domestic card did not actually work. Thus, first it is better to get a local credit card. First I had a 3 years contract and a white BB, however it was too pricy. I have switched to a phone that was working with Skype that really reduced my expenses.  

Next, clothes – young ladies need dresses, shoes, purses

… endless list. I bet I have not less than 15 different neck scarves. Cargo was the saviour transportation method. My parents have sent me around 7 boxes of essential home supplies and my winter coats. The positive aspect – no import taxes on personal items for students at that moment.

Food. Highly nutritious, mostly sweeter than I was used to and higher in energy value. The lightest milk is almost twice higher in calories than my home product.   

School. Well, I was “otlichnitsa” meaning a 98% GPA student in Russia. The marks were from 1 to 5. In Canada it is totally different, from 1 to 100 %. And the amount of homework and tests is incomparably higher. You should constantly work hard. All marks are based on what you actually submit or what quality answers you give in class. In the middle of the term – midterm exams, in the end – finals. And usually a couple of tests, teamwork projects and/or reports in between the exams. Graduate students are given private study rooms, we have laboratories. Sometimes people sleep at university on a sofa downstairs. Your batch becomes your family. We go out to movies together, go for swimming or golf together, and make soup when somebody is sick. Once a month it is possible to go to a bigger city to have fun, but usually there is no time. High expectations from MBA student, thought studies, high quality education and good employment opportunities after. Students know what they are fighting for.

5 courses per term… 5 books… Nonstop..) Life is my drive)