Guest Column: International students from Monarch Park C.I. tour University of Waterloo campus

By ANNA DUBROVSKA

Earlier this month, approximately 30 international students from Monarch Park Collegiate and other Toronto District School Board (TDSB) schools travelled to the University of Waterloo for a tour.

“Every year we take international students to different universities, so that they can find out about their post-secondary options,” said Rory Stretch, school guidance counsellor, of the June 3 visit to Waterloo.

During the tour, the students explored the facility and campus housing of Waterloo, learned about the residence fees and co–op possibilities, and lastly were invited for lunch. 

Right after their arrival, the visiting students were guided through the residence village by a Waterloo student.

There are two possible styles of living apartments — traditional and suite-style. “In traditional-style, you don’t have access to the kitchen and there are shared bathrooms.  In the suite-style residences, it is basically an apartment, with two or three other roommates,” explained the guide.

Another difference is that the traditional-style is considerably cheaper, costing around $4,000 per term, compared to $5,000 for the suite-style.

There was also a chance for the students to walk through the different rooms in the traditional-style section. The living place was furnished with a bed, built-in wardrobe and desk. Everything was modernly styled and looked comfortable. 

 

In the second part of the trip, students were ushered into one of the student hubs. This part of the university served as a larger canteen, offering a plethora of fast-food options, such as Tim Hortons, Subway, Pizza Pizza and others.

Many of TDSB students on the tour were later shocked to hear that on the first floor of this building there was actually a dental clinic and pharmacy. 

Another building the visiting students were led through was the faculty of science. Specifically the building specializing in geology that had many labs and displayed collections of the rocks.

One of the last topics discussed by the guide was the university’s co–op program. This program enables students to work throughout the holidays in a field of their studies and later helps them to cover some tuition costs. 

After the engaging tour, students were treated to lunch in one of the student  canteens — Watson’s Eatery.

There the students experienced what university food is like — and many were amazed. On the day’s menu were burgers, fries, chicken stew and haddock with black bean salsa. Besides that, there was a salad bar and dessert section.

“I really liked the food,” said one of the students.  

Finally, as a result of the tour, the motivation of international students to continue their studies in Canada was definitely strengthened.

“If I were Canadian, I would definitely go to Waterloo. Now I am interested in finding some possibilities for me,” said one of the participants.

Stretch then concluded the trip and said: “Generally most of the international students decide to stay in Ontario even for universities.”

And this highlights why such trips are vital for international high school students considering their future options. 

• Anna Dubovská is Czech international student at Monarch Park Collegiate Institute.