Friday, May 18, 2018
Kelvin HO, McGill University, Canada
28th August 2016
When I first arrived at McGill University, it was a very exciting moment. The campus itself is large with a lot of open areas. The buildings are very classy and beautiful. Then I went to the Service Point, where international student or other freshmen can acquire general information about the orientation. I remember the first time that I met other international students there. She was from Netherlands and exchanged to McGill University for one semester. We chit-chatted and exchanged our Facebook after getting our official Student Card and Insurance Package. Everything was going really well and I got a great start of my exchange life in McGill University in Montreal.
30th August 2016
Discover McGill Day is the campus-wide McGill welcome day to kick off the orientation week. All international students and first-year students were grouped according to our faculties and met at the Molson Stadium, the biggest outdoor stadium in the campus. I met a lot of new friends in my group. After that, we were led by two senior students to play some campus tour games that helped us explore and know the campus of McGill University more. At noon, I participated another annual orientation activity: Pizza Lunch. It was led by our principal and we were served with free pizza and ate together around the campus.
31th October 2016
Montreal Impact is a local
professional soccer team in Montreal. I was really lucky that I could get a
ticket to watch the Eastern Conference Final of Major League Soccer (MLS)
between Montreal Impact and Toronto F.C. in Olympic Stadium. This match was so
remarkable because this was the first time that two Canadian soccer teams could
enter the Eastern Conference Final in MLS history. In total 61004 people
attended the game and some of them were from Toronto. The atmosphere of the
game was really good and there were five goals in this match which made
Through some mutual friends on Facebook, I met some international students from Hong Kong who were also having their exchange studies in Montreal. Some of them were from Hong Kong University while some of them were from Chinese University. On that day, we met at Evo, a hostel that many of them accommodated in and had a party. We had some party games and poker games after having pizza dinner. I was a bit unlucky that I lost in some games and I was penalized as a loser by taking a dancing video.
When I first arrived at McGill University, it was a very exciting moment. The campus itself is large with a lot of open areas. The buildings are very classy and beautiful. Then I went to the Service Point, where international student or other freshmen can acquire general information about the orientation. I remember the first time that I met other international students there. She was from Netherlands and exchanged to McGill University for one semester. We chit-chatted and exchanged our Facebook after getting our official Student Card and Insurance Package. Everything was going really well and I got a great start of my exchange life in McGill University in Montreal.
30th August 2016
Discover McGill Day is the campus-wide McGill welcome day to kick off the orientation week. All international students and first-year students were grouped according to our faculties and met at the Molson Stadium, the biggest outdoor stadium in the campus. I met a lot of new friends in my group. After that, we were led by two senior students to play some campus tour games that helped us explore and know the campus of McGill University more. At noon, I participated another annual orientation activity: Pizza Lunch. It was led by our principal and we were served with free pizza and ate together around the campus.
31th October 2016
This was the first festival
that I celebrated outside Hong Kong with my friends. The culture of celebrating
Halloween by dressing up with different costumes is very common in Montreal. At
that day, I dressed like Ken Clark, also known as Superman in DC Comics, and
went to a club with my friends from different universities including McGill
University, HEC Montreal and University of Concordia. I also met some new
friends introduced by our friends.
22th November 2016
Montreal Impact is a local
professional soccer team in Montreal. I was really lucky that I could get a
ticket to watch the Eastern Conference Final of Major League Soccer (MLS)
between Montreal Impact and Toronto F.C. in Olympic Stadium. This match was so
remarkable because this was the first time that two Canadian soccer teams could
enter the Eastern Conference Final in MLS history. In total 61004 people
attended the game and some of them were from Toronto. The atmosphere of the
game was really good and there were five goals in this match which made
the
match more exciting and fun. At last, Montreal
Impact defeated Toronto F.C. by
3:2 and I celebrated
and chanted with the fans after the match. This was a
very
unforgettable experience.
21th December 2016
Through some mutual friends on Facebook, I met some international students from Hong Kong who were also having their exchange studies in Montreal. Some of them were from Hong Kong University while some of them were from Chinese University. On that day, we met at Evo, a hostel that many of them accommodated in and had a party. We had some party games and poker games after having pizza dinner. I was a bit unlucky that I lost in some games and I was penalized as a loser by taking a dancing video.
Labels: 2016/2017 Semester A
Kwan Hoi Lei Stephanie, ESADE Business School, Spain
Life of Exchange Student is a pursuing of new culture, new experience and lifetime memories. Share my e-Blog with you when I currently go on exchange in Semester B 2017-2018 in overseas.
8th February, 2018
After settling down in my new home in Barcelona, I can't wait to start my new semester in ESADE. ESADE is located a little bit away from the city center in Sant Cugat, but it is a tranquil little town with lovely stores around. We had a very short orientation on the courses structures, facilities and security in the city. I was paired up with a local student for the International Buddies Program and he told me a lot about the city and Catalan culture. I was excited to know more about Barcelona and meet some new friends from the other countries.
9th February, 2018
My Spanish teacher told us that a typical Spanish starts their day with a cafe con leche (coffee with milk) with a piece of toast or biscuits. It is interesting to learn that Spanish have a very late lunch from 2pm to 4pm and a late dinner usually at 9pm. Most stores are closed in the afternoon as Spanish are used to nap in the afternoon. The picture is taken after my Spanish intensive class. I hanged out with my classmates to a famous local restaurant in La Rambus. As a chocolate lover, I am so obsessed with churros, which is said to be the Spanish version of fried dough.
10th February, 2018
Barcelona is a cosmopolitan city which is famous for its architecture and nightlife. The photo is taken outside the Sagrada Familia. Sagrada Familia is the landmark of Barcelona. This unique medieval cathedral has attracted more than millions of visitors every year. One thing interesting about this church is that it is still under construction since 1882, and it is hoped that the construction will be completed by 2026. Apart from Sagrada Familia, the genius work from Guadi is definitely worth-a-visit.
11th February, 2018
I have Spanish intensive classes from Monday to Friday for the first two weeks. As I am a complete beginner of Spanish, I found it difficult to catch up with a large amount of vocabularies to be learnt within a few days. Nevertheless, the classes are definitely a unique experience as it is conducted in small groups with a lot of activities and games in between to strengthen our memories. After two weeks of hard works, I am able to order food in a restaurant and read the menu.
12th February, 2018
We treat our Friday with the famous Paella in Spain after class. After a week of class, I have already established close ties with the other classmates. Unlike Hong Kong, students here participate actively during discussion in classes. They raised hands frequently whenever they have doubts and are not shy to express their opinions in front of the others.
8th February, 2018
After settling down in my new home in Barcelona, I can't wait to start my new semester in ESADE. ESADE is located a little bit away from the city center in Sant Cugat, but it is a tranquil little town with lovely stores around. We had a very short orientation on the courses structures, facilities and security in the city. I was paired up with a local student for the International Buddies Program and he told me a lot about the city and Catalan culture. I was excited to know more about Barcelona and meet some new friends from the other countries.9th February, 2018
10th February, 2018
Barcelona is a cosmopolitan city which is famous for its architecture and nightlife. The photo is taken outside the Sagrada Familia. Sagrada Familia is the landmark of Barcelona. This unique medieval cathedral has attracted more than millions of visitors every year. One thing interesting about this church is that it is still under construction since 1882, and it is hoped that the construction will be completed by 2026. Apart from Sagrada Familia, the genius work from Guadi is definitely worth-a-visit.
11th February, 2018
I have Spanish intensive classes from Monday to Friday for the first two weeks. As I am a complete beginner of Spanish, I found it difficult to catch up with a large amount of vocabularies to be learnt within a few days. Nevertheless, the classes are definitely a unique experience as it is conducted in small groups with a lot of activities and games in between to strengthen our memories. After two weeks of hard works, I am able to order food in a restaurant and read the menu.
12th February, 2018
We treat our Friday with the famous Paella in Spain after class. After a week of class, I have already established close ties with the other classmates. Unlike Hong Kong, students here participate actively during discussion in classes. They raised hands frequently whenever they have doubts and are not shy to express their opinions in front of the others.
Labels: 2017/2018 Semester B
Dhakal Soyena, University of Adelaide, Australia
February 14, 2018
The first day of my five months exchange at the University of Adelaide, and I already know I am going to miss this so much at the end of it. This week is Orientation Week, the most exciting period where classes and assignments have not yet started, and your sole purpose is simply to make friends, explore the university and city! But it is not as easy as it sounds for sure! I realized that you have to be brave and confident, that there should be no room for shyness and regrets. If you see someone who you think you might vibe with, you have to make a move. Honestly, it has been two weeks now, and four of my closest friends right now were made on the first day, and I could not be happier about it! A good friend circle is important to have, be open to meeting new people, be friendly, be nice, and use all that communication skills that were once examined back in university!
February 15, 2018
15th February 2018, the second day of orientation week, filled with activities and lots of prizes. For most of the day, we participated in the Amazing Race Adelaide, where we had to navigate our way through the city and complete various tasks. It was definitely not a piece of cake- running around in the 34 degrees heat of Adelaide and doing 15 push-ups in front of the famous Adelaide Oval. The day required intense cooperation and thinking, but at the same time it was so much fun. Coming back home after an action-packed day, I remember thinking how perfect it would be coming back to see familiar faces of my family and eating together, till it hit me that they were miles away, and I came here alone to fill clean sheets of a brand-new book. But being far from my family and friends, and even further away from my comfort zone makes me appreciate them, and all the opportunities here even more, leaving me less nervous and more excited.
February 16, 2018
February is one of the most happening months here in Adelaide. Of the many festivals and annual fairs this month, one of the most popular ones is the Adelaide Fringe Festival! Filled with shows, rides, and authentic food from all over the world, the Fringe reflects the true Aussie spirit. We went there today, and it was absolutely astonishing. It truly warms my heart to see how friendly people are in Adelaide. Be it the person you just bumped into, the cashier at the food stall, the person in the lift, or the one standing next to you at the line, imagine having a nice and sweet conversation with every single one of them. Although it is not so much of a developed concept in Hong Kong, we can start breaking the barrier perhaps caused by gluing our phones to our eyes, and instead simply start by smiling to the person who just made an eye contact! You never know, it might be a start of a great friendship.
February 17, 2018
The Student Exchange program organized by City University is an opportunity that I say cannot and should not be missed by any student. If you are interested, you should apply. I remember when I first heard of this opportunity, I wanted to take it. But at a point, I was carried away with emotions of insecurity and doubt, till I realized I cannot give up such an opportunity due to fear. It is about taking risks, and stepping out of what is comfortable. Today was a trip to the beach, and it was one of the most beautiful sights I have seen, the limitless blue sky filled with gigantic white clouds, the infinite blue water, and cold but soft-as-pillow white sand. I realized that moment that coming on exchange might be one of the best decisions I have ever made.
February 18, 2018
Coming on exchange, I have started doing things I have never really done before. When you come alone to a country you have never been to before for around half a year, you have a lot of free time, at least until now I do. You have time to try things that you did not have time for before, be it cooking, traveling, or watching the sun set. Apart from making new memories with new people in a new country, this experience is making me appreciate all the things around me, be it something so small or something big. On another note, my lectures are going to start next week, and I am more than excited for it. At the end of the day, no matter how much fun you are having, as a student, education should always be one of our top priority.
The first day of my five months exchange at the University of Adelaide, and I already know I am going to miss this so much at the end of it. This week is Orientation Week, the most exciting period where classes and assignments have not yet started, and your sole purpose is simply to make friends, explore the university and city! But it is not as easy as it sounds for sure! I realized that you have to be brave and confident, that there should be no room for shyness and regrets. If you see someone who you think you might vibe with, you have to make a move. Honestly, it has been two weeks now, and four of my closest friends right now were made on the first day, and I could not be happier about it! A good friend circle is important to have, be open to meeting new people, be friendly, be nice, and use all that communication skills that were once examined back in university!
February 15, 2018
February 16, 2018
February 17, 2018
February 18, 2018
Labels: 2017/2018 Semester B
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