Fall is here — the leaves turn colour from green to red and we exchange daylight for longer nights, nights that for four months will be filled with number crunching, group projects, and the dreaded and inevitable grappling match with Blackboard. All that struggle, we imagine, will be worth it because school is about getting a good GPA and a degree — but there is much more going on.
As students we try to separate our lives into social, school, family, work, and whatever else will fit on a day planner. But they are intertwined. For some, school is a family away from family, especially for those who study abroad. They are brave, intelligent, and fun people who remind us that life here is a privilege we often overlook. For domestic students, tuition is a lot more affordable and the majority of students can live at home with family. As an international student, English may or may not be a strong language, and the workload and amount of classes one must take are commendable, in addition to sometimes feeling isolated or alone.
So here is to international students: welcome back to Canada, and keep going strong following your goals and dreams this year at UFV! And thanks for opening our eyes to the hard work you are doing and being an inspiration to keep on going!
Rachel is working towards a BA with a concentration in English and Theatre. She has been employed at The Cascade since Fall 2021 as a Staff Writer and a Jr. News Editor. Currently, she is the sectional News Editor and enjoys meeting and interviewing people as well as taking long walks in nature. Rachel also likes to stay up to date on the latest trends and informs students through her fashion column entitled Campus Fashion.
