The numerous partner universities of the UG provided me with a range of prospects for both academic and personal growth, an opportunity I have been anticipating during my third year of my Bachelor’s degree. Although Canada was not initially my preferred destination (Covid restrictions), I am grateful to have discovered Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario. This institution has afforded me access to exceptional research facilities and opportunities, and has connected me with outstanding individuals both within and beyond the academic arena.

I have to admit that Kingston, as a city, did not fully meet my expectations. At times, I found it to be somewhat monotonous and underwhelming, particularly in light of its substantial student population. That being said, I thoroughly enjoyed the glimpse into the North American approach to higher education, especially everything surrounding the actual educational parts. I would consider the type of school spirit that I experienced at Queen’s as incomparable to most European universities – the atmosphere and meaning of football and hockey games, the obscene quantity of merchandise which was not only bought, but actually worn by the students, and the amount of extracurricular opportunities in forms of clubs ranging from political themes over cheerleading to Minecraft (I am not kidding.) created a strong sense of community which fostered a feeling of home in the city. (Although it ended in a broken toe, trying out for the Cheerleading team remains a highlight.)

Out of the almost 3000 mostly unnecessary photos I’ve taken, I’ve selected two that somewhat capture the essence of a semester abroad experience in Canada. The first photo was taken during Queen’s homecoming festivities, showcasing a vibrant atmosphere filled with current students, alumni, friends, and family sporting Queen’s colours of red, yellow, and blue – as well as engineering students who, for their own reasons, died themselves purple. The lively, intergenerational dynamic of the event featured a street party stretching over the entire university district and campus, along with impromptu roof- and tree-climbing and a substantial police presence. The second photo shows Banff National Park’s Lake Louise Ski Resort. While snowboarding in -22 degrees poses its own challenges, we welcomed the brief escape from the dreary December weather in Ontario in exchange for some classic winter wonderland scenes and left with all toes accounted for.

Overall, my semester abroad in Canada provided a unique opportunity to immerse myself in a surprisingly different university culture. Free from the usual constraints of academic demands, the entire experience allowed me to reflect on and reconsider my usual study habits. I was reminded of the many, various aspects of student life and to not get lost in the one that involves sitting at a desk for hours on end.

Through access to state-of-the-art research facilities, I gained valuable research experience and honed my ability to adapt to new academic environments. One of the most memorable aspects of this semester abroad, however, was undoubtedly the people I met along the way. Although uncomfortable at times, leaving your bubble once in a while is not worst idea. The numerous trips I took were probably my highlight. Exploring the natural beauty of Algonquin National Park, getting stuck in snow somewhere in rural upstate New York, catching the fall colours in Vermont, or going on a solo trip to New York City.

Upon reflection, I am simply dumbfounded by the abundance of experiences I was able to cram into such a limited time frame and am forever grateful for this opportunity.