"Only Seen It in Movies" Exchange in Canada in 2025: Is It Worth It? #560

Upon arriving in the new environment, the most significant differences noted compared to daily life in Recife involved security measures and the general demeanor of the local population. For a woman traveling alone, the necessity for heightened caution in the home city requires double the attention. Conversely, the extreme kindness exhibited by strangers in the Canadian setting was immediately noticeable. People readily engage in conversation, offer smiles, and express gratitude, creating a welcoming atmosphere unlike the anonymity often found in larger urban centers.

The overall experience presented sights and situations that felt as if they were only previously witnessed in cinematic productions. This exposure to a different way of life served to completely broaden the participant's perspective. Such an immersive cultural and linguistic environment naturally cultivates a strong desire to remain studying for an extended duration to absorb more of the experience.

There are things here that were only seen in movies.

A common consideration for potential visitors involves the harshness of the local climate, specifically adapting to intense cold and snow. While the interviewee expressed uncertainty about handling the severe cold, reports suggest that the local winter conditions are indeed described as violent. Despite this, the general adaptability of Brazilians is highlighted, suggesting that a positive mindset is key to acclimating successfully to drastically different climates.

The exchange trip represented the individual's inaugural experience studying abroad, undertaken at 33 years of age. The motivation stemmed from a long-held desire to visit the scenery associated with the Heartland series, combining this interest with the goal of language immersion. The formal English instruction spanned three weeks, which was a relatively short period, commencing at the A2 Plus level, situated between basic and intermediate proficiency.

The experience is overwhelmingly deemed worthwhile, even when limited in duration. The fundamental distinction lies in studying a language where all daily interactions occur in English versus the classroom setting back home. This full immersion accelerates learning significantly, confirming the worth of the investment for language acquisition.

Accommodation was arranged through the school in student housing facilities. This involved sharing an apartment with other international students; in this specific case, the arrangement included sharing with one other student. However, the setup provided a private room, as the apartment featured two bedrooms, which was seen as an excellent arrangement. The choice of Alberta was highly satisfactory, leading to no regrets about selecting that specific location.

Opportunities for socializing extended well beyond scheduled lessons. It was possible to coordinate outings with fellow students from the school in the afternoons or evenings. This social interaction, combined with the academic schedule, allowed for extensive exploration of the city, involving visiting numerous locations and walking extensively throughout the area.

Revisiting the comparison between life in Calgary and the home region of Recife confirms that security remains the paramount difference. Daily life in Recife necessitates constant alertness, especially for women. Furthermore, the mode of personal transport differs significantly; while motorcycle use is common in the home city, Calgary exhibits far fewer motorcycles, mostly limited to recreational models.

Beyond safety, the natural environment of Calgary was highly praised. The abundance of parks provided tranquil settings for relaxation, with one instance even allowing for a brief nap outdoors. The general gentleness of the people persisted as a positive characteristic observed throughout the stay.

The security for me was what made the biggest difference, and perhaps the kindness of the people too.

The journey to Canada involved several stops, flying from Recife to São Paulo, then to Toronto, and finally to Calgary, indicating a long and tiring travel day. The student opted for the Canadian visa rather than attempting the American Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA), primarily to avoid the risk of denial, knowing the final destination was Canada. This Canadian visa ultimately resulted in a student visa status.

The actual entry process through immigration was unexpectedly smooth, involving only passport scanning without verbal questioning about the purpose of the visit. However, a specific inquiry was made regarding food items carried in the luggage. The student mentioned only having cake, which passed inspection. This leads to an important cautionary note regarding prohibited items.

The learning materials are entirely digital, accessed via an application where texts are downloaded for use on a personal device, such as a mobile phone. The classes are described as highly dynamic. The school attended was Baser, which provided a very engaging learning environment. The structure involves presenting weekly goals at the start of the week, followed by continuous exercises.

Exercises are frequently conducted in pairs or groups, and instructors actively mandate the exchange of partners to prevent students from only working with those they feel most comfortable with. This forces communication with a global mix of students, including peers from Japan, China, and other Brazilians. For students studying longer periods, a test is available every four weeks to potentially advance to the next proficiency level.

The decision to choose Calgary was affirmed by the overall positive experience, particularly citing the high levels of nature and safety. The speaker, who previously exchanged in Vancouver in 2018 and subsequently moved to Canada, admits a bias but strongly recommends the experience. For those hesitant about the difficulty or distance, successful execution hinges entirely on meticulous planning.

The ultimate advice for anyone dreaming of coming to Canada for an exchange, regardless of whether it is for one month or two, is simply to commit and attend. The country is beautiful and secure, and the experience guarantees personal growth, offering a broader worldview. Planning travel during vacation time, even for a short duration, is highly encouraged for career starters and executives alike.