1. How did you narrow down your choices of university to this one?
ADP promotes Drake and Waterloo for Actuarial Science students. University of Waterloo is world-renowned for their Actuarial Science programme. As a bonus, the fees here are also affordable (looking at the ranking).
2. What are your expenses like? (Accommodation, meals, transport, facilities, miscellaneous)
It depends on your lifestyle. Expect to spend around $700-800 per month (everything included). For University of Waterloo students, we have free access to public transportation (bus). But we must carry our student cards at all times for identification. Every meal costs around $5 - $10. The rent for rooms ranges from $400 - $700. Cooking your own food can reduce your monthly expenses significantly, so please learn to cook before you come here. I spend around $500 every month.
3. How did you adapt your surroundings? (Culture, people, weather)
It was instantaneous. People in Canada are very nice and friendly. It's not hard to adapt to the culture here as Canada is multinational. People from different races and backgrounds can be seen everywhere, just like at KL, so you should get used to it easily. About the weather, even though it might be dry and cold when you first reach here, but believe me, you will get used to it really soon. I honestly love the cold weather here very much. Just get yourself a winter jacket and you’re good to go.
4. Did you experience culture shock? If so, how did you deal with it?
No culture shock. Everything was the way I expected it to be.
5. If you were to pick up a language in Canada, what would it be? Would you recommend newcomers to pick it up too? If so, why? If not, why not?
Personally, I prefer Japanese as I watch anime a lot. So, if I were to pick up a language here, it would be Japanese. French is the national language here aside from English, but people at Waterloo seldom speak French. We communicate mostly in English, Cantonese and Mandarin. So, if newcomers want to pick up another language here, I would recommend them to take whatever that they find interesting so that they will enjoy the process of learning.
6. How's life off-campus?
You have a lot of freedom to do whatever you please, whenever you please. Try to find good landlords; they will help you a lot. In fact, my landlord brought me to Niagara Falls when I first arrived and they always invite me over for meals. The public transport here is very convenient. There are bus stops almost everywhere and the buses come on time. Besides, the university provides an off-campus shuttle bus to take students home at night after evening classes. The driver will drop us off right in front of our house. It’s fantastic here!
7. Any advice for students going through college application? How about advise about life in the US? Or perhaps anything you'd like to say (warn) ADP-ians about?
About application, following the instructions would suffice, as well as the procedures for VISA application. When the semester is in session here in UW, it gets boring as there really isn’t much to do except study. So when you’re on break, go on a holiday to de-stress. Overall, it is certainly a life-impacting experience, if you meet the right people to help you succeed.
Interview by Mayuri Mei Lin
Interview by Mayuri Mei Lin
~American Flyer - Spring 2011 Edition~
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