From 11/7 to 11/8, I participated in the Vancouver Summer Programme offered by the University of British Columbia. I was excited to explore new things in a country that I had never been to but also nervous about all the uncertainties ahead. As expected, everything went well and I experienced and witnessed so many new things that I am excited to share.
The culture in Canada is quite different from that in Hong Kong. Canadians tend to express their gratitude, whether it is for a huge gesture or just a tiny one offered by strangers. For instance, they will say thank you to the driver when they get off the bus or to someone who holds the door for them. They always have a smile on their faces and have the courtesy to say thank you, which I strongly appreciate. Furthermore, Canadians tend to greet and offer help even if they do not know each other. When I was grocery shopping in a supermarket, an old lady could not place her shopping cart on the cashier counter; a young man ran to the counter and helped her without any hesitation. From this, I could feel the kindness and purity of their hearts—they care for and respect each other. Every time I saw these tiny and heartwarming interactions, I felt safe and a sense of belonging. With this excellent attitude among locals, a harmonious and respectful atmosphere is built in the neighbourhood.
For the academic aspect, there are no big differences between UBC and universities in Hong Kong. However, I think teaching in Canada focuses more on how students apply their knowledge in daily life, how students understand and utilise it, rather than simply indoctrinating theories in class. Moreover, the study atmosphere is more relaxing than in Hong Kong. Students in Canada know how to maintain work-life balance; they will hang out with friends in the sports field to play games, exercise, or just enjoy snacks to release stress and recharge after class. On the other hand, students in Hong Kong would sacrifice their leisure time and happiness to put all their effort and time into academics, which contributes to unhealthy physical and mental health. Therefore, I think the vitality at UBC is much higher than at universities in Hong Kong.
For personal growth, I discovered that I am quite skilled at cooking during this one month when I had to cook dinner by myself and practise healthy eating. At first, I was not confident, but after learning from the instructor and experimenting with recipes on my own, I am now confident to cook basic dishes for myself, friends, and family. Secondly, I am delighted and grateful to myself for having the bravery to join this summer programme alone in a country I had never been to, having the chance to step out of my comfort zone. I am a person who is always afraid to try new things or reach out to strangers and I always wished I had the courage to take this step. After meeting students and staff from around the globe and tackling difficulties alone in this programme, I have gained the courage and am ready to explore more of this world. In addition, my social circle has also expanded by meeting students from other countries or cities such as Japan, Korea, the Philippines, Mainland China, Singapore, etc. By meeting new friends, I could learn more about their teaching and learning styles in their home countries and their daily habits. As they live far away, we cannot meet very often or may never meet again, and from this, I have learned to cherish every moment we have as well as the precious and amazing encounters in our lives.
One of the difficulties during this programme was homesickness in the first week. Facing many uncertainties, unfamiliar faces and places, and the problem of jet lag, I felt very insecure and missed home greatly. Therefore, I went to Richmond Public Market to have a Chinese lunch and visited a Chinese grocery store. There were many Chinese and Hong Kong people, which made me feel at home. Another method was to chat and cook with my roommates; we shared our feelings, which made me feel that I was not alone. I also went out for walks while listening to my favourite music to get familiar with the place. After a few days, I started to adapt to the environment and living style in Canada. Another difficulty was getting familiar with the transportation system in Canada. For instance, in the neighbourhood where I was living, passersby had to press a button to cross the road, but I did not know this at first, so I just stood there waiting endlessly for others, not knowing when to cross. I felt really helpless at that time. Besides, when passengers want to get off the bus, they have to push a bar to open the door, which does not open automatically; if no one opens the door, the driver will start the bus. The first time I took the bus, I did not know I had to push the bar, so I just stood in front of the door unsure of what to do. Luckily, a helpful lady told me to push the bar and I got off the bus successfully. With the help of others, I became familiar with Canadian transportation very quickly.
I am grateful that I met so many amazing people during this programme, even though it was just a short time, it was still memorable. Furthermore, the goal of broadening my horizon has been achieved. I have learned and experienced Canadian culture and the learning atmosphere, and appreciated many astonishing sceneries that cannot be found in Hong Kong. The Vancouver Summer Programme has given me a chance to achieve higher levels of personal growth and academic achievement, helping me become a better person.
Last modified: 29 October 2025