Travel and explore Canadian natural beauty during my exchange

During the 2023 autumn session, I was fortunate enough to have the incredible opportunity to study abroad on a university exchange program in Regina, Canada. This was my first time living overseas for an extended period and I was excited to embark on this new adventure.

It was initially daunting to leave everything I knew behind at home and enter a whole new country alone. But upon arriving, I was immediately struck by the friendly and welcoming nature of Canadians. I quickly became close with the locals who introduced me to Canadian culture and made my time here one of the most memorable and enjoyable experiences of my life. The small city had a cosy feel to it, and I quickly found myself settling into my new surroundings. I was also fortunate to receive accommodation on-campus in a large 2-bedroom dorm with a kitchen and lounge area which made my living situation easy.

One of the biggest adjustments I had to make was to the weather. Coming from a hot and sunny climate, the snowy winters took some getting used to, however, the city was fully equipped to combat the cold.

Another major adjustment for me was to the education system which is different from what I am used to at UTS. I chose to study direct equivalents of my UTS subjects in marketing and finance. These classes were not delivered in lecture/tutorial format. Instead, we had two scheduled classes per subject each week which were more discussion-based and practical to encourage critical thinking. This was both challenging and rewarding, as it allowed me to grow both academically and personally. Guest speakers would frequently join these classes to offer new perspectives and share their expertise. Additionally, weekly quizzes were helpful for applying learned content and retaining it.

One of the highlights of my experience was the opportunity to travel around Canada with new friends and explore the country’s natural beauty. I visited places like Toronto, Calgary, Banff and took various road trips to surrounding lakes which left me in awe of the natural wonders of this country. The landscapes were breathtaking and unlike anything I had ever seen before. With Canada’s proximity to the United States, I was also able to travel here to escape the snow and enjoy warm weather during the mid-semester break.

Throughout my exchange, I had the chance to meet people from all over the world who were also studying abroad. It was amazing to hear their stories and learn about their different cultures. These friendships have lasted beyond my time in Canada, and I am grateful for the connections I made. I also loved the sports culture where I could play various sports with friends including basketball, ice hockey and soccer at the great facilities on campus.

Overall, my exchange experience was unforgettable. It gave me the opportunity to grow personally, academically, and culturally. I would encourage anyone who has the chance to study abroad to take it, as it is an experience that will stay with you for a lifetime.

Mia Clarkson
UTS Business School
Autumn 2023 at University of Regina, Canada