“In Canada you become an incredibly optimistic person (if you haven’t been before) and get an easy outlook of life”: Milana Beskieru on how travelling through the academic mobility programme changed her attitude to life and helped her make friends all over the world.

Milan Beskieru, a second year student of the BA Business Management programme at the HSE Graduate School of Business, this spring visited the oldest university of North America - Canadian Laval University. The educational institution, founded in 1663, is located in the French-speaking province of Quebec. Read about the atmosphere at the university and how difficult it is without the French language in this review.

In my first year at the HSE Graduate School of Business, I dreamed of going on an exchange study trip. I decided on the country and university at the end of my first year, when applications for the academic mobility programme were accepted. I chose Canada as the North American structure of society and mentality has always impressed me. And I was right! I can say with certainty that it was the best four months of my life. 

The exchange programme started in January 2023, and at the time I had no idea what was going to happen and what to expect. The first welcome event was held at the modern campus for business students. The dean of the university spoke in detail about all aspects of the course, with an emphasis on the international component. On that day, I met a lot of people who changed my attitude to life during our communication (it sounds very pathetic, but it's true!). 

The first informal event for exchange students was held at the local club Midnight Blue - this day can be considered the birth of our close and friendly team. During the next four months we had lots of parties and informal meetings, which my phone and I will remember forever - 17 thousand memory photos!

Studying and socialising in an international environment helps you get “up to speed” in all aspects. Firstly, you practice your language skills: My English improved a lot during the exchange programme. But I have to say straight away that you'd better speak French in Quebec. Of course you can live without it, like 95% of the exchange students and I did, but there are mostly French speaking people in the city who don't speak much English. Secondly, you become an incredibly optimistic person (if you haven’t been one before) and you start to have an easy outlook of life.

The teachers at the university are incredible people who are always willing to help in any way they can. I had a total of four teachers, two of which were my favourites: Patrick Fournier, who made very funny jokes during classes, and Maryam Darvish, who gave chocolates to all those who were active and answered questions. 

The grading system differs from the GSB: here each subject has its own scale. In finance, for example, an A+ grade starts at 92 per cent, while in entrepreneurship it's 96 per cent. You need to take this into account when allocating your resources. 

I would especially like to note that the guys who come from Europe, America and other parts of the world are very open, kind and active, always ready to help. They will support you, help you with advice. In such a company you feel like the best person in the world. I would like to continue our communication - I am planning to visit my Italian friends in Venice in July. I am sure that such connections are priceless.

Speaking of Canadians, they are open, friendly, easygoing and diplomatic! This part of their mentality is admirable, and every time you talk to the locals, you really enjoy it. Moreover, it is partly the reason - because of the people - why I will be trying to apply to the MA programme in Canada in two years!

In conclusion, I envy those who will have this experience. I hope you will get the same emotions as I did!