<aside> ✨ If you’d like to connect with Meherzin, you can find her on Iscicle @ zin05
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Meherzin is a recent alumni of George Brown College in Canada, where she studied Early Childhood Education. We had the chance to ask Meherzin about her experience in Canada as an international student, as well as what it was like to study Early Childhood Education, and what advice she has for you! Here’s what she had to say:
Studying in Canada wasn’t as exciting as I’d hoped it would be, to be honest. I’d expected something just like I’d seen in the movies! Before I landed, the actual study part was far back in my mind because the process had taken so much out of me that I completely forgot I’d have to study as well. Since I had my sister here with me, my journey was a little less stressful (also I’m a nerd, so I was completely into studying my first semester.) By the second year, I was very laid back, but I somehow managed to keep an above-average GPA. I think that not having a part-time job during my studies helped me a little, because my friends who were juggling a job and studies were struggling a lot. I felt very left out though - because it was very stressful to not have a job and I was barely able to manage my expenses.
I wish I’d talked to more people and been a little more interactive with other students, rather than just sticking to people of my nationality. Also, I wish I’d spoken to my professors more, because I realized very late that networking and creating connections is so important. I wish someone had told me that being connected with professors is very important (rather than just answering questions in class by raising your hand). I think if I were close with them, I could’ve been recommended by them or just had the chance to ask them about prospective opportunities. I also wish I could’ve experienced more of the “college life” in general.
It’s a very interesting course and I loved it. I had placements with different age groups and I had so much fun, though the work can get very stressful: it is physically and emotionally exhausting. The assignments are challenging and they push you to apply real world experiences/think outside the box. The placements are fun if you apply yourself completely to them. You should try to make connections with everyone (you might just end up being hired after the placement if the management likes you). However, it isn’t just your exceptional work in the classroom that matters - if you aren’t friendly with the other staff or just keep to yourself, things might not work out.
I realized that at the end of my placements, I would have great connections with the children and had completed all my assignments on time, however I’d made the mistake of not talking more with the staff or management there. I’d always be shy and introverted, which I am still very regretful about. I wish I had opened up more because even though I did a good job there, I failed to make connections and stuck to just completing my work. If I were to give someone advice about the course, I’d say to make connections wherever you go and to take breaks because the work is very emotionally taxing. The free hugs from the children are completely worth it though!! Honestly, if I have a bad day, the children somehow make it better with their hugs and the things they talk about. Overall, it is such an amazing course and I loved every bit of it!
Make friends from different nationalities and explore the country as much as you can while you’re a student! I wish I hadn’t wasted so much time just sitting at home! Time goes by so fast that you don’t realize it while it goes on, and once you start working, you won’t have much time left for those things!
Also a quick tip: I realized through my experience that some students had no idea about the different free things that the University gives students! For example, if you apply, my College would give out free groceries. Apply for bursaries and awards, too. It’s a very rare chance that you’d get it, but still apply! Also the college student association has jobs too, so apply apply apply - even if you think you might not get it, just try!
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