Moving across the pond: from Canada to Cambridge!
Read what some TSR Freshers have to say as they start university this Autumn. Are you a Fresher this year? Create your own blog!
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Moving across the pond: from Canada to Cambridge!Hello!
My name is Susan, and, as the title suggests, I will be moving across the pond in just over a week. I will be leaving my beloved home country of Canada, where I've lived my entire life, to study Modern & Medieval Languages at Cambridge University! To say I'm excited would be a serious understatement!!
It's actually pretty rare for Canadians to do their undergrad in the UK, so why I am doing so? Well, I've been in love with all things European for as long as I can remember (that might just explain my degree choice
) so that's one of the reasons behind my move to the UK. I also wanted to experience life in a different part of the world, immerse myself in a new culture, be really independent... you know, all that clichéd stuff that comes with moving abroad.
My UK student visa was finally issued yesterday (after a lot of stress!!!) so it all seems pretty real now! I'm so excited, although that's not to say I'm not just a bit nervous as well... but I guess that's a part of being a fresher and going to uni, whether it's in my home country, or abroad!
More updates to follow xx
P.S. I also update a blog here, but it will be more or less the same things I post on TSR
Last edited by -raisa; 22-09-2012 at 21:54. -
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Re: Moving across the pond: from Canada to Cambridge!
Thank you! I'm really hoping I'll love it there too xx(Original post by xoxAngel_Kxox)
I wish I was brave enough to take such a huge step for something I'd love Best of luck to you and I hope you're happy over here!!
Thanks! Where in Canada are you thinking of doing your undergrad?(Original post by raveen789)
Im the opposite i really like Canada haha, although i think id prefer to do my undergrad here
good luck
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Re: Moving across the pond: from Canada to Cambridge!I meant id rather do it in the UK, but my family live in toronto. I really like it there!(Original post by -raisa)
Thank you! I'm really hoping I'll love it there too xx
Thanks! Where in Canada are you thinking of doing your undergrad?
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Re: Moving across the pond: from Canada to Cambridge!Oh sorry my bad! haha I'm from Toronto actually, and I think I much prefer the UK(Original post by raveen789)
I meant id rather do it in the UK, but my family live in toronto. I really like it there!
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Re: Moving across the pond: from Canada to Cambridge!My cousins live in Brampton(Original post by -raisa)
Oh sorry my bad! haha I'm from Toronto actually, and I think I much prefer the UK
lots of Asians, I like the UK but I also like it over there!
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Re: Moving across the pond: from Canada to Cambridge!haha that's true! lots of Asians in Brampton(Original post by raveen789)
My cousins live in Brampton lots of Asians, I like the UK but I also like it over there!
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Re: Moving across the pond: from Canada to Cambridge!Update:
I got my passport back from the UKBA today with my new UK student visa – it's so beautiful and shiny and just so cool that I can't stop staring at it
Today I also received the programme schedule for the New International Students Orientation at Cambridge University on the 28th. Unfortunately, the orientation starts promptly at 9 a.m., so even though I was hoping to sleep in a bit to help deal with the jet lag (my flight arrives in the UK on the 27th, the day right before orientation!), I guess that won't be possible
Today also marks the one week countdown until I fly to the UK!! Everything seems so real now, with my shiny new visa in my passport, and with the timetable for the International Students' Orientation... I just absolutely cannot wait for this all to begin!
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Re: Moving across the pond: from Canada to Cambridge!Don't be so anal toward our poor guest.(Original post by jaffa1)
you do realise most british people dont consider themselves European..not a political thing but we just aren't very european culturally, dont make that mistake!!
I made the reverse trip. I have to say, Canada is a much more relaxed place. I think you'll notice the change in atmosphere quite distinctly. -
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Re: Moving across the pond: from Canada to Cambridge!It's not anal, there is a huge difference between British and European culture. I would suggest that Canadian culture (apart from the natives and maybe Quebec) is much closer to British culture than European culture is.(Original post by Tudball)
Don't be so anal toward our poor guest.
I made the reverse trip. I have to say, Canada is a much more relaxed place. I think you'll notice the change in atmosphere quite distinctly. -
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Re: Moving across the pond: from Canada to Cambridge!What is "European culture", exactly?(Original post by James82)
It's not anal, there is a huge difference between British and European culture. I would suggest that Canadian culture (apart from the natives and maybe Quebec) is much closer to British culture than European culture is. -
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Re: Moving across the pond: from Canada to Cambridge!Which college? I prefered living in Canada really and considered UBC and UoT as back ups if I got rejected here. Which part of Canada are you from?(Original post by -raisa)
Hello!
My name is Susan, and, as the title suggests, I will be moving across the pond in just over a week. I will be leaving my beloved home country of Canada, where I've lived my entire life, to study Modern & Medieval Languages at Cambridge University! To say I'm excited would be a serious understatement!!
It's actually pretty rare for Canadians to do their undergrad in the UK, so why I am doing so? Well, I've been in love with all things European for as long as I can remember (that might just explain my degree choice) so that's one of the reasons behind my move to the UK. I also wanted to experience life in a different part of the world, immerse myself in a new culture, be really independent... you know, all that clichéd stuff that comes with moving abroad.
My UK student visa was finally issued yesterday (after a lot of stress!!!) so it all seems pretty real now! I'm so excited, although that's not to say I'm not just a bit nervous as well... but I guess that's a part of being a fresher and going to uni, whether it's in my home country, or abroad!
More updates to follow xx -
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Re: Moving across the pond: from Canada to Cambridge!I don't think someone else's blog is the place for this discussion.(Original post by Tudball)
What is "European culture", exactly? -
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Re: Moving across the pond: from Canada to Cambridge!I'm going to King's – are you going to Cambridge too? Which college/subject? I actually also had UofT as a backup, just in case I missed out on my offer (but realistically, I probably would've taken a gap year & gone elsewhere instead if that happened, since I didn't want to stay in my hometown)(Original post by Mike93L)
Which college? I prefered living in Canada really and considered UBC and UoT as back ups if I got rejected here. Which part of Canada are you from?
haha from what I've seen on TSR, I know that's true... but the UK is still a lot more 'European' than Canada – the culture is still very different(Original post by jaffa1)
you've come to the wrong place if you wanna experience european culture but british culture is just as good i promise!! most british people dont consider themselves European..not a political thing but we just aren't very european, dont make that mistake!!
No I completely disagree! Although I haven't spent too much time in the UK, I feel culture in the UK is very different. & In my opinion, Canada doesn't have too much of its own distinct culture; we're just like more polite Americans, to be honest :/(Original post by James82)
It's not anal, there is a huge difference between British and European culture. I would suggest that Canadian culture (apart from the natives and maybe Quebec) is much closer to British culture than European culture is.
Relaxed? What do you mean by that? x(Original post by Tudball)
Don't be so anal toward our poor guest.
I made the reverse trip. I have to say, Canada is a much more relaxed place. I think you'll notice the change in atmosphere quite distinctly. -
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Re: Moving across the pond: from Canada to Cambridge!Downing for Natsci(Original post by -raisa)
I'm going to King's – are you going to Cambridge too? Which college/subject? I actually also had UofT as a backup, just in case I missed out on my offer (but realistically, I probably would've taken a gap year & gone elsewhere instead if that happened, since I didn't want to stay in my hometown)
I really liked the idea of sunny Vancouver haha. I lived in Toronto for a few years - absolutely loved it.
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Re: Moving across the pond: from Canada to Cambridge!Oh, so I guess I'll see you around Cambridge sometime?(Original post by Mike93L)
Downing for Natsci I really liked the idea of sunny Vancouver haha. I lived in Toronto for a few years - absolutely loved it.
'Sunny' Vancouver? That's not how most people would describe the place! – It's known for being rainy!! & Haha, Toronto's okay I guess, but I'm excited to leave :P -
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Re: Moving across the pond: from Canada to Cambridge!Update:
Less than 24 hours to go now!!
Basically, tonight will be my last night's sleep in Canada!
It sounds clichéd, but it's true... I am a complete mix of emotions! I am as worried about certain things as I am excited about them, if you get what I mean.
I'm worried about not making any friends, about people not liking me – at the same time, I'm more than excited about meeting new and different people (and you'll all have lovely British accents) I'm nervous about university classes, especially at a place like Cambridge. I've barely finished half of my reading list (I actually accidentally ended up saving 2 of the longest books for last, so I haven't read them yet 
) and I haven't looked any any French grammar since... before interview (yes, I study French at uni, but I actually didn't take any French courses during my last year of high school ) On the other hand, I'm so excited to be studying French and German, my two passions, at a university-level! It seems surreal that I won't need to be taking any more classes in subjects I don't like (like chemistry for example!!)
So I fly to London tomorrow evening, giving me lots of time to finish packing my stuff haha... (I really think I'm going to have to pay for an extra bag), I'm arriving in the UK on the 27th I absolutely cannot, cannot wait
xx
(P.S. A longer, detailed version is available on my blogspot blog; link in my sig)
) so that's one of the reasons behind my move to the UK. I also wanted to experience life in a different part of the world, immerse myself in a new culture, be really independent... you know, all that clichéd stuff that comes with moving abroad. 
) and I haven't looked any any French grammar since... before interview (yes, I study French at uni, but I actually didn't take any French courses during my last year of high school 
