Studying Aboard  
By Tianyi Li 

Going abroad to study sometimes is a kind of challenge, particularly when you face a totally different culture. Although the following lonely feeling came over me, once I have studied or been involved in the society, I know the joyful feeling will also rise in life.

First of all, you must come in contact with another national culture, probably receiving some kind of discrimination. What I did was just demonstrate myself in each subject and school activity. Everything is difficult to do at the very beginning. It depends on whether your tolerance is sufficient. I believe that working hard will eventually lead to success.

In order to get involved in society, doing some volunteer work is the best method to integrate the society and yourself. Volunteering will help you to learn English and especially to learn cooperation with others. For example, I joined the “Finding Our Way’ group which is a multicultural group that many new students from different countries joined, and together we did volunteer work. We worked as a team to write our personal stories for new people coming to Canada. I met a lot of people there and eventually we became friends. Also, the teamwork let me learn how to cooperate with others.

To adapt to the difficult environment, it is not just about working in your head, but you also must support the body’s strength. You could join some sports teams, either in or outside the school, which will help you to keep healthy. Studying abroad just involves diligence, positive thoughts and getting along with people.

In Canada, I had to do some presentations in front of the class when I enrolled in English class. At the beginning, I tried to memorize every word that I had to present. Then, I practiced everyday in front of a mirror so that I would know what I needed to improve, such as communication and eye contact. Although my first presentation was not that successful and I felt upset, I still got the opportunity to practice the skill of presentation. I always believe that each setback is an opportunity; each time of feeling sad, a growth. After the first presentation experience, I overcame the mental and the linguistic obstacles so that I could have a quite successful presentation in my English class.

Having studied abroad for several years, you will be disciplined in your patience, have exercised your courage, and developed your field of vision. I think studying abroad has both the pain and also the sweet, so that you will experience everything to be most precious. There are many friends waiting for you. There are challenges that you have to take. Just believe in yourself. You can adapt to the new environment quite well if you would like to study or even live abroad forever. The above is only a one-sided explanation; I hope that it will help some friends who will come to Canada to study.