Exchange Diary (CityU Students)

Goodbye... repeated the word sadly, I turned back and walked away from families and friends. This will be the first time I leave my lovely shelter for such a long time.

Nonetheless, I was not alone. We were in a group of eight people when we left. While waiting for nine hours at Vancouver International Airport for a transit, we chatted and played little games, which got us familiarized with each other and allowed time to fly. After another while, we finally reached Montreal, the destination.

One most immediately and noticeable change was the weather, from positive 15 to negative 15, from cloudy to snowy. To most of us, it was the first meeting with snow. We didn't feel cold but very excited. We enjoyed ourselves under the beautiful scenery and new images. Change is also what we targeted at when we applied for the Student Exchange Program. We all want a radical development. The snow didn't wash away our determination and motivation.

After settled down, we experienced the life of foreigners that used to be entering our ears from time to time - going to the supermarket, buying food and stuffs that are enough or us to not going out for a week. Because of the jet lag, all of us are going to sleep early. We planned to spend the next few days on travelling around and knowing more about the city. We will also visit our schools before the semester starts. We are so looking forward to our exchange study.

Finally, the school has started for a week. I finalized my timetable and have attended classes of each course at least once. I am taking a total of five courses here - Introduction to the study of Language; Economics Crises; Investment Management; Organizational Behavior and Strategies and Organization.

Although almost all courses are taught in English in City University, it is still so different to learn in an English speaking environment. The style of teaching is so different too. For example, we have to watch films and read reference books for Economics crises, and we need to use clickers to answer multiple choices in classes for Organizational Behavior. More than that, students in McGill are so proactive learning, they used to be raising questions and making responses in classes. The learning atmosphere is excellent. I will try my very best to adapt to such new styles, which I believe will be good to me.

31st December 2010 was an unforgettable day. We went to Old Town of Montreal for the New Year countdown. That was my first countdown not in my house or on my bed. With hundreds of people standing under the rain, snow and fireworks, surrounded by beautiful music, the experience is really memorable.