I graduated from high school in Southern California. You might be wondering why I would ever trade year-round sunny weather for freezing cold winters. I get asked that a lot! Regardless of the cold, I really wanted to come to Bishop’s for the community. So honestly, I don’t regret coming to Bishop’s one bit because its more than a campus.
Choosing Canada for University
First off, I am a dual citizen, so I knew studying in Canada would be the best option for me financially. Universities in the USA are very expensive, but Bishop’s has international tuition fees that are even cheaper than out-of-state tuition at many American schools.
But while financials were a big part of my decision, so was the location and the school itself. I wanted to go to an English-speaking university in Québec, which only has three options. I was born in Québec, so I wanted to come closer to my family. Out of the three English-speaking schools, Bishop’s stood out for its character and charm because of its small-town feel. I liked how it looked online, so I took a virtual tour to see more of the campus. After a little more consideration, I decided to apply.
What Set Bishop’s Apart
I spent a lot of time researching Bishop’s compared to other universities, seeing what programs they offered, residence options, tuition costs, meal plans, the surrounding area, etc. Bishop’s was winning me over. They were consistently checking boxes for me in each of those categories. For example, I came from a high school with a lot of school spirit. Bishop’s has the same, which I think makes coming here ten times better.
I was interested in journalism in high school and I love writing so I picked the English major with a concentration in Film and Media Studies.The English department is small but I love it! The professors are really close with their students, since we tend to have the same profs for multiple classes during the year. The professors come from all walks of life and truly care about what they’re teaching, always making class interesting.
The class sizes are more intimate, with my largest class having around 70 students, which allows students to get to know the professors on a personal level. I like this because it’s easier to ask questions and make connections within the class.
Living on Campus
When I was looking at residences, I preferred to live alone. I was surprised by the bog-style dorms Bishop’s offers and found it really interesting. There are other types of dorms like traditional and suite style, but the bog style dorm is the one I wanted to live in the most.
You get your own room but share a bathroom with one other person, so you still get a slice of the communal dorm experience.
Other buildings, like Mackinnon, are more traditional style and are perfect for people who thrive in more social environments. A lot of my friends live there and you always see a few friends when you’re walking around. Ultimately, I decided on putting Kuehner at the top of my list. It’s closest to the gym and I get to have my own space.
Unlimited Food?!
Compared to other universities I was looking at, Bishop’s also had the best meal plan offer. You can eat unlimited times a day no matter which plan you choose. You won’t always want a full meal, so it’s nice to just be able to get snacks during the day. The chefs cook a lot of different types of food for everyone’s tastes, and you can catch me at the stir-fry station at least twice a week.
Adapting to the Small-Town Life
I come from a big city, so I knew the move to Bishop’s would be very different. Lennoxville is a small town with a charming college town vibe. If I ever need something that is not available in Lennoxville, it’s easy to drive about 10-15 minutes into Sherbrooke to a Walmart, Costco, or the mall, for example.
One thing that did make me a little nervous before coming here was the public transportation. I had a car but I didn’t want to bring it with me, so I knew that I’d have to find a different way to get around. Public transportation was intimidating to me, since I don’t have that back home. I didn’t have much to be nervous about because it is fairly easy to use.
A car is very useful to have, but if you’re on the fence about it, I would say it’s still pretty easy to do things without one. Lennoxville is a very walkable town. Stores and restaurants are all around a 15 minute walk from campus. To get into Sherbrooke, taking the bus is your best option if you don’t have a friend to carpool with. I don’t have any problem walking to Maxi or Dollarama for necessities, and going with friends makes it more fun.
A Decision I Knew I Wouldn’t Regret
After this research, I felt I had a good grasp on what Bishop’s was like and knew I wanted to apply. While all my friends were applying for colleges just an hour’s drive from home, I was going for Bishop’s, a six-hour flight away.
I was very nervous about possibly having to go more than 2,000 miles away from everyone I knew. The idea of a fresh start made me even more nervous when I saw I was accepted, but it has turned out to be just what I wanted.
I wouldn’t have picked a school back home over Bishop’s. It’s such a rewarding experience being here. I’ve met people from all over the world, and the people I met in the first week have turned out to be my best friends.
