Student Blog

By: Brian Lau, Simon Fraser University, winner of the fall 2019 BC Study Abroad: Stories from Abroad Scholarship

Study Abroad Destination: Singapore

I always thought that a detailed itinerary is the way to travel. I will know exactly what I am doing and have an expectation of what I will see. I want to control and the knowledge of what I will be doing before I do it. But recently, I caught myself losing control over what I want to do, rather I felt that the itinerary was in control. This made the places I visit of low value and insignificant. After some reflection, I concluded that I focus on the future more than I live in the present. I can...

By: Razma Hazarat, Simon Fraser University, winner of the spring 2019 BC Study Abroad: Stories from Abroad Scholarship

Study Abroad Destination: Accra, Ghana

After a long 5 months, of course I was incredibly happy to come back home. Aside from all of the amazing friends I’ve made, there is a list of other things I'll greatly miss. Here are the top 5 that come to mind. (1) Constantly snacking on fresh fruits and veggies: there was a cute little market just steps behind my dorming building. You don't bargain here, but make sure you come by with a Ghanain friend for your first few times to get the best pricing on your following visits. (2) Huge mangos the size of my face for less than a...

By: Razma Hazarat, Simon Fraser University, winner of the spring 2019 BC Study Abroad: Stories from Abroad Scholarship

Study Abroad Destination: Accra, Ghana

Due to the regularly skewed perceptions of Africa held by many in the Western world, I received some negative reactions to my decision to travel to Ghana. However, my decision to stick with my gut and trust my research has been incredibly rewarding. All of the international and Ghanaian students I met were incredibly kind, generous, humble, and down to earth. I didn’t run into a single bad apple, and I made amazing life-long friends.

Studying in Ghana has certainly been quite an experience. Although I made plenty of frien...

Jaimie Cryder, University of Victoria, winner of the spring 2019 BC Study Abroad: Stories from Abroad Scholarship

Study Abroad Destination: Seville, Madrid, Barcelona, Paris, Amsterdam, Hamburg, Copenhagen

Enjoying tapas in Sevilla’s lively plazas, cheering on Real Madrid in the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, biking along the canals of Amsterdam and swimming in Copenhagen’s clean waterways are just a few of the highlights from my time studying abroad. Along with countless memories with new friends, the Uvic European Urban Sustainability Field School offered me a worthwhile learning experience that has helped me shape my future academic and professional goals. Prior to the field school, I had a passion for the subjects of environmental studies and social...