Student Profiles

Pauline from Belgium

1.  Why did you choose to come to Canada/Red Deer?
I wanted to learn English but wasn’t particularly attracted by the USA and wished to travel the world. Canada seemed to be the perfect country to achieve my dreams as an exchange student. Red Deer is a little town close to the mountains. A perfect place for someone who loves hiking surrounded by a big range of wildlife and amazing views.

2.  How is school different here?
In comparison to my country, Belgium, I found school way easier. It wasn’t complicated at all for me, really bad at English when arriving, to keep on track with my courses. I actually got pretty good grades.
Also, the teachers are really friendly and welcoming, and you get a wide courses range, which is great.

3.  What do you like about our program?
I liked the fact you meet a lot of people from all around the world. You visit places you’d never have gotten the possibility to…
My English improved A LOT while I was there and I can tell that it was one of the best experiences in my life.
The staff was always there to help us if we needed to.

4 .  Do you have any advice for future students?
I would recommend making contact with as many people as you can. Never mind if you are shy, they will not come to you if you don’t try by yourself at first. Canadian people are known to be friendly, there is no reason why they would reject you.
Same regarding the other exchange students, they are in the same situation, and in my experience, you get pretty quickly close to them.

I would also advise them to not talk to the other exchange student in their native language. Never. It’s the worst thing to do if you wanna learn another language.
I’ve been watching some of my friends doing it and I can tell their English didn’t improve that much at all.

Enjoy as much as you can. You won’t live that twice.

5.  Anything else to add?  ie favourite thing, experience, etc.
GO TO THE MOUNTAINS !!!!

Luna from Japan

1.  Why did you choose to come to Canada/Red Deer?

I decided to go to the Gateway Christian School.  So I was able to belong to two schools, Lindsay Thurber and Gateway.  I always go to the gateway after lunch, and There is only me as an international student. Don't you think it's cool?  You will have more opportunities to interact with Canadians.  The teacher always helps me. Also, Red deer is not a city, but it's not a countryside. Good for international students who are coming to learn. 

2.  How is school different here?

Everything is different from Japanese schools. I’m really satisfied to stay in here, and I thought it is important to be able to show individuality. In Japan, you can't dye your hair,do nails and do make-up at school. Everyone is a different style every da I like this culture. ︎

Also I only take 4 subjects in one semester. I still cannot believe it, and this suits my life. You can take your favorite subject and the class always ends around 3 o'clock.  My favorite subjects are photography, cosmetology, and gym class. English, social studies and biology are kinda difficult for me, but I have completed them with the help of my teachers and friends

3.  What to you like about our program?

I think here’s program is really nice. We had so many trips and activities. There are a lot of kind people who always care about me.  The response is excellent and quick, and when I changed my host family, they changed immediately. 

4 .  Do you have any advice for future students?

If you want a great experience, you should choose here.  School events are fun, and also events only for international students are awesome too. I think it's important to try without fear of failure. 

5.  Anything else to add? ie favourite thing, experience, etc.

I have both schools in Japan and Canada now. I’m grade 11 in Canada, but I’m already grade 12 in Japan. Which means it’s really hard, and I have so many assignments. BUT I’M REALLY HAPPY TO STAY IN HERE. I LOVE CANADA, AND I LOVE ENGLISH!!! 

Lara from Italy
1) I have always wanted to go one year abroad in Canada, maybe it's because I didn't want to choose the basic option of the USA, or maybe it's because I felt like it was the right place for me, but Canada surprised me. The main reason I chose specifically Red Deer was because of its geographical position and program. It's not a big city, and everyone knows everyone in the school, so it's easy to move around, experience everything and make lots of friends. Not to forget that it's close to the mountains, it's close to Edmonton and Calgary. Furthermore, I have kept myself in contact with several friends that were studying abroad like me, and to be honest, just a few of them had the opportunity to visit their province with their organization and the group of internationals.
2) School is a totally new experience here. As an Italian girl, I believe it is one of the most different school systems compared to mine. The most impressive fact is that here you can actually choose the courses you want to follow. Finally, I could focus on what I like and not on what I am "forced" to study based on the school I attend in Italy. One more thing that I love is the people and teachers from the school. Of course, there is still a certain level of formality between a student and a teacher, but I don't feel afraid to communicate with them, even with the principals! In Italy, a student talking with the principal was a big deal, here, Mr. Good just stops by to ask how I am doing. Naturally, the best part is how school sports are an essential part of the school community, and how sports and outdoor activities are so much better and more entertaining. Now that I think about it, this is also a reason why I chose Red Deer. You have to be ready to hike, bike, and hang out outside a lot!
3)As I already mentioned, the opportunity of visiting the Province with other International students is amazing. International students are recognized by the school, and the help that is provided is so incredible that I was really surprised by how welcoming my first week was.
4) Something that really helped me was playing school sports from the very first moment; all the Canadian friends I met are mainly from school sports. The best moments I had are from the memories of my volleyball season. It has been such a great experience that I would do that all over again. The fact of being a Raider, made me live my school experience more in-depth, feeling the school spirit. Once a Raider, always a Raider. Even just standing on the bench or watching the basketball team playing, was the experience that I would suggest to everyone to live.