OFFICIALLY A MUSTANG?

Student Exchange Diaries: Settling In

(26/10/2024) 14:07 PM EST

It has officially been two months since I arrived, two very packed and full months of exploring, studying, making friends, navigating my way around the vast campus and officially becoming a Mustang?

Moments in September

The first few weeks of September consisted of me settling into my home for the next 3 months, attempting to make it feel like home, and being excited about the change that would come before me. Although the semester properly started on the 5th, I was still in holiday mode, exploring London and what it had to offer. Fortunately, I made a considerable number of friendships, mostly exchange students, and thus embarked on the journey to explore downtown London and attend events, markets, and recreational activities before we felt settled down. Navigating London has been quite easy as we learnt to get more familiar with the bus routes and timings, eventually becoming experts, although, the public transport system here is a bit unreliable due to the small town nature it still gets you from point A to B!

One big road trip and the other exchange students I made friends with was the trip down to Grand Bend Beach. As it was still summer in Canada (we were totally blindsided and thought it would be cold), we wanted to take advantage of what the weather had to offer before it got colder! Grand Bend Beach was a 50-minute car ride from campus; therefore, we got up bright and early, ready to begin our day. The area was very cute; a long strip of shops, eateries, and plenty more led down to the Beach. We grabbed lunch at this restaurant called ‘Tacos and Tequila’, where I got myself a platter of shrimp tacos, which were AMAZING! (I still think about those tacos until this day) and ended off our trip with a cheeky ice cream break before heading back to London

Fun fact: Beaches around London, Ontario, are not, in fact actual beaches but are lakeshores since Ontario is inland, far away from any coastlines

Throughout the month, I’ve been to the Lucky Lion Night Market, filled with an array of culturally different Asian street food, the annual Western Fair, Museum London, cute small cafes, markets, apple and pumpkin picking, and many more! Throughout exploring London and settling into campus, I got more and more used to my way around here, finally feeling like I had settled in comfortably.

HOMECOMING 2024

One major event held annually at Western is the infamous homecoming football game. On the 28th of September, Western’s football team, the Mustangs, played against one of our rival schools, Queen’s University’s Gaels, where around 13,000 individuals attended. Fortunately enough, the Western Mustangs won in victory with a score of 39-14. During this annual celebration, all Western students dress up in purple (the official colour of Western) or Western merch to show their support and encapsulate the school spirit, enhancing the sense of community and pride among students, alumni, and supporters!

My friends and I, of course, joined in on the school spirit, decked out in purple and Western merch to show our support and pride. Other than the big football game, the whole day was packed with streets filled with Western students hosting street and house parties with music playing and everyone conversing, which was a nice atmosphere to be a part of. Around campus and within the Western Alumni Football stadium, 20+ food trucks were available, and they were FREE!! For Western students. At least to say, we did take advantage of this ;p

Finally, feeling comfortable and settled and participating in one of the biggest school traditions at Western, I’d proudly say I’m officially a Mustang!

October Adventures

Time has significantly flown by, and it’s already October! The sun is setting earlier, the nights are getting colder, and the leaves are turning vibrant shades of red, oranges and yellows.

Unlike the university break systems in New Zealand, where we would get a two-week mid-semester break, the breaks in Canadian Universities are called ‘Reading Week’, which consists of only 10 days. Although it is a time dedicated to focus and catch up on studies and assignments, the majority of students use this time to relax or travel while they have the opportunity. Personally, I used this time to do both! (I mainly focus my time on travelling) Reading week starts on the 10th of October and finishes on the 20th.

Taking full advantage of this time to explore what Canada offers, I spent the 10th to the 14th of October in Toronto, the 14th to the 17th in Banff, Calgary and the 17th to the 20th in Vancouver!

Exploring Canada: From Toronto to Banff to Vancouver

Toronto, Ontario

Ah, Toronto! I’m fortunate enough to have my auntie here, which means I have a cozy (and free) place to stay and enjoy this lively city like a local. As break was during Thanksgiving, my sister joined us from Montreal, and together, we jumped into everything Toronto offers!

Our days were filled with adventures as we explored iconic spots like Kensington Market and Ossington Market, with vibrant stalls brimming with unique crafts, fresh produce, and delicious snacks—pure bliss! One highlight of our trip was visiting the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO). There were endless showrooms and art pieces to see, several floors, and a rooftop feature. Unbeknownst to us, we spent around 3-4 hours in there!

As a certified matcha lover, I couldn’t resist stopping by cute cafes to try their matcha lattes. Each café had its quirky charm, crafting matcha in their own unique ways. One place I still think about to this day is grabbing matcha at the 6×8 market located in Kensington Market. I grabbed a matcha latte with coconut foam—a mix I had never tried before while my sister got the rose matcha with cheesecake foam on top! So unique!!

Banff, Calgary

Next up on my Canadian adventure was the breathtaking beauty of Banff. One of the best perks? Thanks to my New Zealand driver’s license, I could rent a car and hit the road. I joined up with some friends, and we settled into a cozy Airbnb, ready for a weekend of exploring nature’s wonders.

Banff is home to some of the most stunning lakes I’ve ever seen. We ventured to Emerald Lake, Peyto Lake, Bow Lake, Lake Louise, Lake Agnes, and Mirror Lake—each one more picturesque than the last! The vibrant blues and greens of the water were straight out of a postcard, and we spent our days soaking hiking and soaking up the views while snapping countless photos.

Of course, we couldn’t miss a visit to the town of Banff itself. With its cozy vibes, charming shops, and stunning mountain backdrops, it felt like a fairy tale. We relished every moment, surrounded by the beauty of the Canadian Rockies and making memories to last a lifetime.

Vancouver, British Columbia

Finally, I made my way to Vancouver, a city that may steal my heart! From the moment I arrived, I was captivated by its stunning landscapes and endless activities. I opted for a hostel stay, where I met some incredible people—one who was also on exchange from Australia, studying at McGill in Montreal where my sister lives. Talk about a small world!

Vancouver is a treasure trove of cute cafes and eateries, each more inviting than the last. I particularly loved wandering around Granville Island Market, where local artisans showcase their crafts, fresh produce, and mouthwatering food stalls. The atmosphere is buzzing with creativity, and you can’t help but feel inspired! We also explored the historic charm of Gastown, where cobblestone streets meet unique shops and restaurants. Visiting the Vancouver Art Gallery was a must, allowing us to immerse ourselves in the local art scene.

One of the most memorable experiences was riding the SkyTrain, which glides above the city, offering breathtaking views of Vancouver. It’s a different vibe compared to Auckland, where trains are mostly at ground level, and I loved getting a bird’s-eye view of this beautiful city.

Despite the rain that seemed to follow us throughout our visit, my love for Vancouver only grew. The city has a magical charm that makes you forget about the weather, and I can’t wait to return!

Till next time,

Breanna xx