wfo.bz.it - Wirtschaftsfachoberschule H. Kunter - Bozen

Der Schüler Jan Manfredi (4B-WS) erlebt dieses Schuljahr aus einer ganz anderen Perspektive. Er verbringt nämlich ein Auslandsjahr in Kanada und berichtet auf Englisch von seinem Alltag dort.

"Greetings from Canada!

This amazing journey started on the August 25th in Milano. I met there fellow exchange students from Italy. We traveled together to the “new World” and the new experience. I want to give you insight into my experience.

In total we had to take three flights. We departed in Milano, over to Munich, then a nine-hour flight to Toronto and then from there to Ottawa. Although it was long, we kept ourselves busy with the entertainment provided by the air line. We underestimated, how long the immigration process would take. We had to get our study permit, because some of us are staying the whole year. Eventually we got through and catch the last flight to Ottawa. There we were picked up by our respective host families. I am staying with Teresa and Kevin.
I’m so happy to have the opportunity to stay with them. They really want the best for their international students. I stay with them, a relative of them and a Japanese exchange student.

During my stay I met and meet wonderful people by the day. Already in the first days I could get to know my now called friends. The encounters organized by OCDSB really help with it. I can now proclaim, that I have friends in many places, Canada, China, Germany, Brazil, Switzerland, and so forth. In the begging, it was hard to get connections with Canadians, but that changed quickly. Two months ago, I was a stranger from a distant country and now I’m Jan, a friend and a companion to many. The openness of Canadians is and the multiculturalism of Canada is as my economics teacher would but it “quite intriguing”.

Now the most important topic, school. The schools in Canada take than back home. It takes an American approach. One can pick their classes. This also leads to not existing like a class in the sense of a group of people like we have in Italy. This approach has the advantage, that a student can focus on the interest and abilities. Due to that many get stressed out over school. For math I have to say, it is more difficult than in South Tyrol but it’s manageable. In addition to that many do sports to get scholarships later. The universities and the life as a student are higher than in Europe so for many a scholarship is vital. This coherently leads them, to not really enjoy their youth as much.

To wrap it up, I can only recommend doing a year abroad. One can expand their horizon and meet new people. Canada has treated me well so far and I can only recommend it. This is a personal choice based on preferences and goals. If you still have questions or are curious about my life, feel free to contact me on Instagram @le_jan_manfredi."