One university in the world or the world within one university?
This is a question that I asked myself when I was in my fourth year as an undergraduate student at the University of Alberta. Currently, I am completing my Master’s at the University of Ottawa and I am still wondering about the same question.
I eat lunch with my friends from Quebec, Tunisia, Lebanon, Uruguay, Ontario, Argentina and Japan. I am extremely thankful and happy to see that universities in Canada have such a diverse student body on their campuses that makes it extremely easy to make friends from all over the world. This has infinite advantages.
Throughout our many meals together, we share thoughts, anywhere from cultural differences between Japan, Tunisia, and Uruguay to discussions about our next soccer game with the co-ed campus league or about apple picking in Ontario. This opportunity is unique!
Why am I arguing all this? It fascinates me to see that we can share so much while enjoying a simple lunch together. First, I think about the many disappointing things that I have seen throughout my life, or the countries that I have lived in before. Then, I see a table full of friends that share, laugh and grow together. I cannot help but ask myself: how can we do it at a table over lunch and why don’t we do it as a society?
I think that having the chance or the opportunity to study in a Canadian university not only gives you the chance to meet excellent professors and academics, but at the same time grants you the opportunity to bond with friends and learn from each other.
Over the course of my studies in both Alberta and Ottawa, I have not only been learning in classrooms from professors, but a lot from my friends and their cultures as well. In many aspects of my personal life, I have learned more from my friends than from my formal courses. Going to university is of course an experience of learning, but learning in an informal, relaxed environment while eating and talking to your friends is the best opportunity that one could ask for.
Six years have passed since the first time I had my first international experience sharing cultures, food, music and great debates. I still have those on a regular basis with my friends in university and I find them so stimulating that I would not trade them for anything.
My recommendation is to make new friends that might be looking for the same experiences as you share a lunch, a dinner, or even breakfast with them as often as possible. You will without a doubt discover new cultures, traditions and ways of life! You will quickly find out that not only is it an extremely rewarding opportunity, but you will also find that you are going to grow three times faster as a human being and benefit extensively from those moments of sharing.