Student Life In Canada - A Nigerian Girl's Experience

By Mosimileoluwa Alabi

13 November 2019

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I checked myself over in the mirror one last time (that was the sixth ?one last time?).

I?d always find something to adjust. But this one last time was really the one last time! I couldn?t have been more proud of myself. I took in a long deep breath. It was my graduation day. I looked at the photos hanging on my wall. They told the story. From the day I was christened to my first prize in primary school to the numerous awards I won in secondary school. What a beautiful and smart lady I had grown into.

And here I was, on my way to adding yet another one. Adrenaline rushed through my veins as I ran down the stairs to join my amazing family. Jack also shared in the excitement as he kept barking and wagging its tail as we drove out of the compound.

It is no longer news that I was one of the best graduating students from my secondary school. The prestigious, high standard Queen?s College, Yaba, Lagos. A school where knowledge is imparted indeed and in truth. I had rehearsed how gracefully I?d walk to meet those estimable scholarly juggernauts whose secret prot?g? I have been as I strived hard in my quest to also stand like them someday; patting young brains that have diligently eaten up their books and were now receiving the fruits of their many nights of sowing.

My hard work paid off more than I expected as I was awarded a scholarship to study my chosen course at the prestigious University of Toronto ( the Lester B. Pearson International Canadian Scholarships Program). The organization was looking to give scholarship opportunities to exceptional Nigerian Students. My joy knew no bounds not just because I was awarded a scholarship, but because of the smile my parents had on their faces all through the ceremony. I was obviously ?the daughter in whom they were well pleased?. I was to join the league of Nigerian students in Canada alongside my best friend, Fechi who also wanted to study in Canada.

We had to apply to the school and go through a number of procedures. We also had to take our English Proficiency Test. The English Proficiency Test is very necessary when travelling to countries that adopt the use of English as their primary language of instruction in schools and institutions. We were lucky enough to get our acceptance letter from the school 6 months before resumption which gave us ample time to apply for our Canadian student visa/permit. The whole application process stressed us out.

We were not aware of a lot of requirements especially the fact that we had to write a statement of purpose, explaining the purpose of the trip and why we had chosen the University of Toronto.

To avoid being a victim of the stress the writer talks about, click here to meet with a consultant to ensure a seamless visa application and the requirements for a Canadian Student Visa.

If you?d like to know more about other visa types for Canada, click here.

After a long list of goodbyes and hugs (my mother cried her eyes out) we eventually boarded our flight to Canada. It was not my first time boarding a plane but it was my first time leaving the country. However, it was Fechi?s first time for both.

It has been 2 years now since I left Nigeria for Canada and my stay in this country has been a rollercoaster of events. However, the good sides outweigh the bad sides by far. My first month in Canada as a student was hectic. I had to get my SIN (Social Insurance Number) -- you cannot work legally in Canada without one because when you start a job, you?d be required to provide your SIN. The SIN is also needed to pay taxes and also access government benefits. I also had to get a local cell phone plan, set up a bank account and build a strong network of friends (this was a bit huge for me as I am normally an introvert but it went a long way in making me feel at home in Canada) .

I got a job two months after resuming my study at the University. I was fortunate to live on campus. Fechi, however, was not that lucky and she had to look for an off-campus accommodation which was a bit of a challenge because she was a foreigner but it was rewarding as it gave her the chance to explore a new neighborhood, meet new people and also find a place to settle in that truly felt like home (unlike mine, I had to share living spaces with a number of other students). On-campus accommodations are actually way cheaper than off-campus accommodations. I got a job two months after at a bookstore just two blocks away from the University.

Working in Canada as a student is one of the advantages of choosing Canada as your study destination. Most Nigerian students, as well as other international students, can work for up to 20 hours per time and full time during scheduled breaks, without a work permit. However, you should note that you cannot start working in Canada without a work permit until you start your study program. Working while studying enabled me support myself and not totally rely on my parents on funds as well as to meet new people which could help me build connections and gain experiences that could make me stand out in my job hunt later on after my study.

While most international students in Canada do not need a work permit to work while studying, some study programs require students to complete a Co-op or Internship Work Placement before they would be able to graduate. In cases like this, such students would be required to possess a Co-op Work Permit in addition to their study permit. To obtain a Co-op Work Permit, you?ll need a valid study permit and a letter from your college or university stating that all students in your program need to complete work placements to get their degree. This can be likened to the 6 months/1-year compulsory SIWES program for certain courses in Nigerian Universities.

Sitting right now under a tree priding itself in the center of the University of Toronto and enjoying the sun of summer while observing the colorful human traffic of students as they go in and out of classes, couples' display of affection and the numerous activities on campus, I wonder if these students actually have a daily routine.

Do you think it is easy to have a routine while in university? I do not live my life haphazardly but I barely have a routine because of various obligations and deadlines throughout an academic term and it has continued to evolve over the years. Unlike when I was in a secondary school in Nigeria, I even had every day completely planned out (I had my alarm set for every activity I had to engage in after school hours). I mean, I had it all put together then. Now, I truly believe that more responsibilities get accrued to you as you age and advance in life. Currently, as I plan to enter my 3rd year, my day starts by 6 am with a visit to the University gym for a workout before class. This has been the only constant thing in my ?daily routine?. My classes follow after. I?m usually free on Thursdays -- this is when I spend extra hours at work and volunteer at a children's center.

Lunch is usually the best time of the day. I try to save money by bringing leftovers from dinner or, on days when I feel like eating something different or want to be sociable at lunch, I go with Fechi to grab a Sushi roll (I really love Sushi and there are Sushi restaurants everywhere that are pocket-friendly). I sometimes go for a strawberry and chicken salad on days when I remember that I?m working towards being a member of the fit fam.

Kimchi, Cucumber and Avocado Sushi Rolls

Immediately after my classes in the afternoon, I go to the bookstore where I work. I sometimes make time to study there because my job is flexible and balancing the time commitment for my studies is not difficult. My evening schedule greatly varies, depending on the time on the academic calendar and if I have impending academic work. On some evenings, I go for yoga which helps in decluttering my head while on others I hang out with Fechi and my other friends. Most evenings involve dinner, which includes my 2 other roommates eating, laughing and talking loudly with each other. We share the highs and lows of the day. My bedtime varies but over time I?ve been able to peg it to 11 pm since sleeping is pivotal to my overall well-being and impacts my daily life greatly.

Not to forget, I found love right here at the university. Kelechi, (I?m sure you were expecting me to mention Craig or Jill) is one of the people that make my university life an exciting one.

If you intend to work in Canada after school, click here to know more about Canadian Work Permit

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