An Adventure on Uncharted Lives in Canada

By Chloe Jang

By Chloe Jang, Humber Student



Are you a tenderfoot in Canada?

And are you also new at Humber?

If you are, then we are friends for the just simple reason that we are here together!

My name is Chloe, an international student from South Korea. I came to Toronto 5 months ago with my husband Dan and lovely two cats. After arriving here, I have studied English at a Humber EAP program until last April, and now I am preparing for the Human Resources Management program starting this September.

The most important reason why I chose to come to here is that I really love Canada’s natural environment. Ever since I watched Canadian luxuriant forests, crystal lakes, the wide spaces of its prairies, and even wild animals on TV when I was young, I have fallen in love with Canada. So, I started to prepare going to Canada with Dan once I got married to him.

Living in Canada is a very exciting and adventurous experience for me, and also makes me feel satisfied with all that I expected. Nowadays I usually go to parks in my neighborhood to take a walk, get fresh air, as well as enjoy its amazing mood. I had never imagined that I could walk with a rabbit or a bird as a friend along the beautiful street, but now, I became friends with them! From June, I am planning to learn how to paddle a kayak at the Habourfront, and then I will go somewhere by myself to enjoy a peaceful and secluded area. Also, I am dreaming about going to the Rocky Mountains in 10 years with my family (of course including my cats!), driving our own camping car. How wonderful it is!

I have experienced a number of things such as being respected and recognized as me, myself, not as a stranger and an outsider, which makes me attracted to Canada and Humber as well. I am looking forward to having a lot of experiences ahead of me, even though I don’t know what and when they will come.

Do you think here you are a stranger apart from natives? I believe I could share my stories and feelings with you as a friend, a colleague, or a sister who has the same concerns you have had. My stories in this blog are maybe becoming your stories and sometimes your guide of choices, I hope. 

Coming in my next blog, I would like to tell you how the Humber EAP program was and suggest you how you can improve your English beyond the campus.

How to earn, save and pay your way through college!

As an Ambassador in Humber’s International Centre I often got calls from potential students asking about the cost of studying at our college. While Humber offers one of the most competitive tuition fees, the heavy price tag of studying abroad is sometimes daunting for those with only nickels at the end of their purse strings.

“Uh…how much did you say?”

(Long, awkward pause…)*I hope he didn’t pass out.

 “Ummm, o.k. thank you.”

Studying overseas is always something you have to plan for. Being International means you have to pay full tuition fees, which today, could run you over $13,000 or more per academic year. But there are benefits to studying abroad. A recent American survey showed that students who studied overseas were more likely to land a better a job quite sooner than the average graduate! http://www.iesabroad.org/study-abroad/why/career-benefits.

So, before throwing in the towel (or throwing out your dreams for that matter), consider these options:

Humber’s Entrance Scholarship:

Humber College offers international scholarships ranging from $1,500 to full tuition (renewable) scholarships each year. These are offered to three (3) first time applicants with demonstrated excellence in academics and community involvement. To find out more about these scholarships visit our website at: http://www.international.humber.ca/study-in-canada/scholarships.

Loan from are relative, friend or a lending institution:

Families and friends are also great resources for getting that extra buck you need-especially if you don’t qualify for a loan from a formal lending institution. Approach this as a business venture. Provide them with a payment plan outlining your expenses; including how and when you plan to repay the loan. And, remember to honour your promise-you never want to be the “he’s-never-getting-another-red-cent-from-me” fugitive…uh, relative that everyone avoids (or hunts)!

Charity/Scholarship Organizations/Alumni Groups:

Research possible scholarship or charity organizations (or alumni groups) affiliated with your country on- line.  The National Institute of Jamaican-Canadians (NIJC) is particularly helpful to Jamaican students in need while there are countless other organizations for international students from other countries. So Google away!

  

Work on (or off) campus:

All international students are eligible to work on campus while in Canada. Although you’re paid minimum wage (approximately $10 per hour), this can go a long way in closing the gap between expenses.  You can visit the college’s career website at http://www.careers.humber.ca/ for available job postings or view Canadian jobs on http://toronto.kijiji.ca/.

Create a College Fund

Create your own college fund; the earlier you start the more likely you are to meet your target. In your monthly budget, include a sizable chunk for your future college tuition (once your immediate and essential costs have been covered). Keep your expenses at their minimum. It’s a tremendous sacrifice but it will be worth it in the long run; you’ll be one step closer to becoming a Humber graduate!