-Why did you decide to study abroad for a semester?
-I think studying abroad is a very rewarding experience for anyone. In my case, it was one of my last chances to have this kind of experience, since I was about to enter the “real world” of work, so I decided not to miss the opportunity to learn about other cultures, meet new people, and experience different ways of studying.
-How did the opportunity to study at the university you attended come about? Why did you choose to study there?
-I always wanted to do an exchange program in an English-speaking country because, aside from the experience itself, improving my language skills was a major factor for me.
At first, the plan was to move to the United States, but as I explored my options, the opportunity in Toronto came up, and I didn't hesitate for a second. Without a doubt, I made the right choice.
-What was it like to study at a European/American university?
-York University is completely different from any other university in Uruguay. It’s really impossible to put into words what the university is like; it’s very hard to imagine.
York has 55,000 students and consists of 12 schools. Each school specializes in a different field of study. To give you a better idea, for example, there is a school of business, a school of biology, a school of physics, a school of chemistry, and so on.
-How did you find the level of difficulty?
-The standards are high. On top of that, the language barrier means we have to work a little harder. That said, we’re pretty used to it by now, since ORT University is very demanding.
-Did you feel ready to study there?
-Yes. I think that doing the exchange program toward the end of my studies made it easier for me to tackle certain topics.
-What was your life like during the exchange program? How long were you there?
-I was there for four months. I had classes for about three hours a day, then I studied for a few hours, and after that I played sports or hung out with friends.
Usually, on weekends, we went on outings and trips to different cities. There was also a group of student leaders who organized various activities for the exchange students; these were really great because we got to spend time with students from the university itself.
-What kind of relationships did you form during your stay?
-Many friendships that I hope will last a long time.
-What stood out to you the most during your time abroad?
-What surprised me most was realizing how people from such diverse cultures can study and live together. In class, there were people from all over the world, and it was amazing to see an Asian student sitting next to an African student, with a French student and a Latin American student discussing a topic.
-How did this experience enrich you?
-In every way. First of all, it was a personally enriching experience, as it gave me the chance to grow as a person and to fend for myself in a country where I knew nothing and no one.
As for academics, there’s no doubt that it has helped me improve my language skills in a way that I never could have here in Uruguay.
I also discovered a different way of studying and looking at things that really opened my mind in many ways.
Interview published in 2014.