School's Out
School’s for summer — not forever since I seem to be a lifelong student.
After attending three university sessions in a row (summer, fall and winter), I’m taking a little break. Trust me, I need it.
Since summer 2009, I took four classes, including the very useful French as a second language course I was forced to take (remember, being French is not a proof that I can speak French). It doesn’t seem much like that but I’m working full-time in a very demanding job, and since I already have a university degree, school is not my priority.
Mind you, I’m a good student: two A– and one A+, plus my beautiful bilingualism certificate. I didn’t do to bad for someone who attend classes and sit exams after an 8 hour-long workday.
On one side, my experience with university in Canada is pretty good. First, I hope that eventually I will be able to complete a Canadian degree, even if the goal seems to be very far away. Second, it helps me keep a balance with my crazy work environment. Culturally speaking, it is also interesting to see how things are taught on this side of the Atlantic Ocean: perspectives, especially on economics, history and politics are quite different from Europe’s. Students behave differently too.
However, I won’t probably go back to school full-time. I toyed with the idea for a while last year as I had always wanted to experience the North American university rite of passage. But I realize now that I’m probably too old, too cynical and too experienced for that. I’m sure it’s different at a postgrad level, but I’m stuck in undergrad (remember, my French university degree is not recognized here). I feel miles away from most of my classmates who live the student life: a bachelor pad on campus, busy nights partying and drinking, days cramming knowledge and updating Facebook status, a certainty that they can change the world… Once you’ve seen the world and started working, it’s just hard to fit in. I feel like an alien most of the time.
This is a set of pictures I took at the University of Toronto, for a change. They have a super nice campus too!
You can see the full set of the pictures taken in Toronto here.
 Toronto Skyline from the University |
 Tower |
 Blazon of the Arms |
 Orange Bike |
 Pumpkin Building (WTF?) |
 Hallway |
 Dome and CN Tower |
 Entrance to Courtyard |
Related articles:
- Fall in New York State (1÷2)
- On Campus (Part I)
- On Campus (Part II)
- St Catherine Street
- Above Ground
18 Comments »
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Looks like a really cool place to study. Don’t worry if you can’t party as much as the others, you have a life outside of school. And congratulations on being finished with the semester it must feel great! Keep up the good work!
.-= RennyBA´s last blog ..Interpretation painting art of Nikita Norkin =-.
@Max Coutinho — Trust me, I will enjoy my summer
More on that later… 
@Tulsa Gentleman — I bet it was different! Especially when you are responsible for a family.
@DianeCA — You are right, both educations complement each other perfectly. You are one smart woman!
@micki — Cognitively, I don’t have a problem in fitting so I’m thankful for that. I guess I never really stopped studying, so it makes things easier.
@Agnes — Merci beaucoup (is that right?
)
@seb — And believe it or not, I’m the only idiot who comes to class with a pen and paper, not a laptop. Sigh.
@Seraphine — But fortunately, they did believe I spoke English because I passed the TOEL. Phew. Otherwise, they would have believe I didn’t speak English nor French. What would I have been? A Western Chinese student???
@Beth — I didn’t know you attended this university! So you are a true Torontonian
@Bluefish — Well, you should. When your language skills will be better, it is definitely an option to explore for you!
@London Caller — Oh yeah, we love beavers!
@RennyBA — I don’t mind not partying, between us I’ve never been a party girl. I was hoping to make more friends though.
I have always been a life-long learning students as well and I wish…(hope dreams come true) that I can be an adult leaner going on overseas for anything that is of interest to me.
Toronto is so cool there…are you anywhere near the city centre? Would be great to meet you for a cuppa and you can teach me some basic french
Congrats on finishing school WHILE working full time! Here in the states lots of folks have to work to help pay for ever increasing costs of college. State schools are not too bad (but with budget cuts, getting more expensive) but private schools are ridiculous. The local private university is $40,000 per year for tuition alone. This doesn’t include books,room, board or other expenses.
I worry about costs for my 3 kids.
this means school is either for the ultra rich or those willing to become indentured servants for the next 20 years of their lives. Try paying for that while flipping burgers on the weekends!
Hi Zhu,
I LOVE college campuses. They bring back memories of all different types, and almost all good ones.
So, it’s summer and you can just work and earn money and enjoy your days off!!
I know that you will make it for your degree.
Bises