Get to Know Your School

By Katherine Elliot, StudyinCanada.com

One of the best ways for you to know which university or college is the right fit is to check out the campus and see if it has the right environment for you. You’ll want to get a feel for the culture, the people and experience what it would be like to be a student there. When you are looking to move to a different country for school you often can’t go for a quick campus tour, so how can you still get that experience thousands of kilometers away?

It helps to be in a world that is increasingly digital. Universities and colleges are well on their ways to giving you a first-hand experience of the institution right in the palm of our hands. Looking at the school’s official website is a great starting point but it doesn't always give you the chance to understand the student side of studying there. On the other hand, looking at a school’s social media sites will let you see pictures of events and the campus and often there are links to articles that let you know a bit more about the school beyond the program you will be studying.

You can also look into student blogs. Sometimes these may be written by international students. A blog will help you gain an understanding of the student experience from a first-hand perspective.

As for feeling as though you are walking the halls of the school, look to see if they offer an eTour or Virtual Tour and take yourself on a little journey.

Finally, try talking to students or recruiters. They have a lot of knowledge about the institution and can tell you what you need to know! Visit them if they come to you, or check to see if they offer webinars or live chat options. If they don’t, they are always just an email away!

It is a good idea to learn more about the schools you are interested in before you start studying there. Looking at a variety of resources will help you to feel comfortable with your choice. Remember, don’t be shy to ask questions and poke around for alternative ways to get the information you need. It will all pay off in the end!