Discover more about the programs Renison International Office offers through the words and experiences of students who have participated in them!
Interested in sharing your experience? Contact RIO.
Study in China Summer 2024 Trip
Two weeks in Beijing proved to be, at times, fun, challenging, educational, and impactful. We managed to fit a lot of cultural excursions into a packed schedule (including a section of The Great Wall, the Temple of Heaven, and the Forbidden City), alongside language learning classes. There were so many sights and conversations that I would've never been able to experience outside of this trip that have helped me understand Chinese culture and values. I am especially grateful for our TAs at BNU who took up the roles of teachers, translators, tour guides, and friends to support our group throughout the trip.
Anne Hambly：
The trip to Beijing funded by Renison and led by our wonderful teacher Li Laoshi was an amazing cultural experience that I will remember for my entire life. My relevant highlights of the trip were climbing the Great Wall of China, being forced to sing when we were late for class in the morning, getting interviewed for CCTV International Television, and practicing interacting with people in Chinese. As a foreigner in China, it was fun to see how many people wanted to get pictures with us or of us. Our teachers from Beijing Normal University, Wang Laoshi and Yue Laoshi, traveled everywhere with us and were great teachers of Chinese culture and language. Aside from that, they were also cheerful, funny, and extremely kind people, and I miss them already. By the end of the trip, my classmates and I were all very close. We ate meals together every day, stayed up late talking in the dorms, performed Yi Jian Mei on the Great Wall of China, ate a hand destroyed watermelon, and played cards on a Hanfu lobby floor. Overall, it was the trip of a lifetime!
Irene Hu :
The Study in Beijing trip hosted at Beijing Normal University (BNU) through Renison University College was an incredible once-in-a-lifetime experience. I had the opportunity to immerse myself in Chinese culture through the various excursions we went on, such as the Temple of Heaven, Great Wall of China, and Forbidden City! I was also able to meet 15 other like-minded students who were interested in learning the Chinese language, which made the experience much more rewarding. Everyone from the teachers at BNU to the locals on the streets were welcoming and friendly to all of us. From strolling along the Hutongs of Beijing to eating authentic Chinese food like Peking duck, it was such a memorable experience for me. I hope that more students will be able to experience similar trips like this in the future!
Victoria Jubenville ：
This trip was truly an amazing experience. I was able to experience Beijing’s culture through courses at Beijing Normal University and excursions around the city. I saw many attractions that I will remember for my lifetime including the Forbidden City, the Temple of Heaven, and the Great Wall. These attractions were a great way for me to learn about China’s history and gain deeper understanding of the country. I also enjoyed the daily classes which sharpened our skills in Mandarin. Being able to spend time with students from the university was a great way to learn more about the culture and make international connections. When arriving in Beijing I felt very welcomed from the school and my classmates. I am grateful that I had this opportunity alongside other students from the University of Waterloo as I formed meaningful friendships and was able to experience China in such a unique way.
William Kennedy：
Beijing is a city unlike any other place I've been. It is simultaneously very historic yet modern, chaotic yet organized, and urbanized yet lush in green space. I am very grateful to our hosts at Beijing Normal University who brought me and other Waterloo students to many historic landmarks such as the Temple of Heaven, the Forbidden City, and the Great Wall of China. Every person I encountered was welcoming and excited to see me, and I am especially fond of the children who would exclaim “外国人!” wàiguórén (foreigner!) upon seeing me... I was even stopped for photos on multiple occasions! Though Canadians like myself may find the level of security and surveillance alarming, I never once felt at risk as Beijing is exceptionally safe to explore. In the end, I feel like I have seen Chinese culture for myself while improving my language skills. This was my first time in China and I would encourage everyone to experience how different China is at least once in their lives. I hope to return again someday!
Olivia Eleanora Rose Laufer:
I had the opportunity to take a trip to Beijing to learn more about the culture and language in China. My favourite part of the trip was climbing the great wall. Seeing it made me contemplate all of its history and all of the hands that laboured in creating it. Not only was it a magnificent work of engineering, but witnessing its majesty up close left me awestruck. It was very physically taxing to climb but doing so as a group (and in the rain) brought us closer together. It was nice to be able to see the Chinese locals and school children also hiking the wall at the same time as us and there was calming and beautiful music playing from the speakers.
Gillian Middleton :
Wow what a whirlwind 2 week trip! Traveling to China can seem very daunting for the everyday Canadian due to both the cultural and language barriers, even with taking Chinese 101, 102 and 201 before this trip I sometimes felt out of my depth with the language but it provided me with a huge learning opportunity to strengthen my spoken language skills. This trip not only allowed us to experience the rich historical sites such as The Great Wall, Temple of Heaven, and The Forbidden City but this trip taught us about the daily lives of students from taking public transport to eating together in the student canteens on campus. I met 17 amazing new friends on this trip that I now know I can go traveling again with them in the future, I will cherish this experiences for the rest of my life. Thanks again for this opportunity. Pro tip for traveling in China: make sure you have Alipay and it works before getting to China. :)
Tomiwa Ogunleye:
Visiting and studying in Beijing was such an inspiring experience. For me, one of the major roadblocks in my language learning journey has been finding the courage to speak without doubting myself. From the moment I arrived my courage was put to the test. Just the thought of ordering lunch at the cafeteria had become such a daunting task for me. As the trip progressed, I found community in our collective desire to learn as students. Sometimes we would challenge ourselves to exclusively speak Mandarin to each other. We made lots of mistakes, but it helped us start to shake off our timidity. Then as we explored the city, participated in class, and interacted with the community, my confidence continued to grow. To the point where I was confident enough to bargain in Mandarin at the local market. It wasn’t perfect, but it reinforced this idea: you don’t need to be perfect to try, but you must be willing to try in order to become perfect. I still have a long way to go but I'm so grateful for this experience and would definitely go again in a heartbeat.
Elizabeth Schnurr ：
This past August, I had the most amazing experience in Beijing through my university’s Study in Beijing summer program. On this trip, we saw so many beautiful places like Beihai Park and the Hutongs. We also got to learn so much about Chinese culture through trips to historic places like the Temple of Heaven, the Forbidden City, and the Great Wall of China. One of my many favourite memories was getting to wear Hanfu to the Forbidden City! Throughout my time in Beijing, my Chinese improved a lot! By the end of the trip, I felt much more comfortable speaking and was able to have some conversation with local people. Additionally, not only was it fantastic to see Beijing first-hand, but it was also awesome to see what university life is like in China through our classes and accommodations at Beijing Normal University. I have always wanted to go to China, but as a university student it is expensive to travel. However, because of the funding that was provided to me for this trip, my aspiration to go to China became possible! It is a trip that I will always remember. Thank you!
Closer to the World
An interview with Emma Johnston, conversation partner volunteer
Why did you choose to participate in the Conversation Partner Program (CPP)?
I initially chose to participate in the program so I could make a connection with someone outside of my normal social circle. I am passionate about travel and learning about other cultures, and I was thrilled at the idea of making a friend from somewhere else in the world, particularly somewhere I hadn’t been before. I am also a Kitchener-Waterloo native, and an English major here at UWaterloo, so I knew I could be a kind and helpful resource to someone trying to learn English and adapt to Canadian culture.
What was your overall experience?
My experience with the program was one of the most memorable so far in my academic career. I am happy to say that I have made a friend for life! I met Luna in May of 2019, and we got together every week for three months until the program ended in July. We participated in a campus scavenger hunt together, ate at some local restaurants and cafes, went to the movies, and visited local hotspots like RIM Park, the Grand River Trail, and THEMUSEUM in downtown Kitchener. She asked me questions about the conversational aspects of language and was overjoyed to learn facts about the community - like where you can ice skate in the winter, the foods they sell at the seasonal markets. In return for giving her more insight into my hometown, Luna often told me about her life in South Korea, which I was very pleased to hear about. We talked about our schools, our lives and our interests. It was so wonderful for me to realize that although we led different lives in different places, we were able to connect on just about everything!
How did CPP make an impact in your life?
Being with my conversation partner, I found I had a new appreciation for my everyday life. I feel as students, it is easy to fall into a very monotonous routine. Stick to the same circles, and stay along your chartered path is sometimes the message received. Joining this program really took me away from my routine of life in the most wonderful way. I was shown how the world works beyond myself, and it still felt very personal somehow. I recall one week, Luna and I travelled to downtown Cambridge. Luna had seen Kitchener and Waterloo, but wanted to check out the third of the tri-cities. I have been to Cambridge on many occasions, and kind of had an indifferent, if not wary, relationship with it. However, the moment we stepped foot in the city, my perspective changed. I heard Luna marvel about the architecture I merely glanced over and express delight in seeing the Grand River run through the city.
It was as if I was seeing everything with fresh eyes. I have carried that ability to look at things beyond surface level ever since that day. I am grateful for the insight and genuine wonder she was able to provide me during our time together.
What is your favourite memory from your time participating in CPP?
Although sad, I think my favourite memory from our time together was our last day. We had some really great moments, but that one has stuck with me in particular. We took the ION back to Renison from THEMUSEUM and just sat watching the streets pass by and enjoying each other’s company. We both gave each other handwritten cards and exchanged hugs and thank yous. It was sad, but there was also a sort of peaceful content in knowing we had formed a great relationship that would carry on. We were able to reflect on our growth together, share in the joy of our memories, and I found that really meaningful.
Are you still in touch with your conversation partner?
I am still in touch with my conversation partner. We send each other life updates every now and then. I just recently sent her some photos of the fall leaves changing colour. Before she left, she had told me she wanted to see what fall looked like in Canada. Once again, she has made me appreciate my surroundings – without even being here! We always tell each other to “be happy”. I hope to visit her in South Korea one day. She told me she would show me around Seoul the same way I showed her around KW.
What does the conversation partner program mean to you?
The program to me is all about forming friendships, understanding each other, and truly just appreciating the joy of human connection. One thing I considered as part of the program (and re-joining it again this fall) is the fact that both partners have so much in common before they even meet each other. By joining the conversation partner program, students already have an appreciation for each other. They are committed to spending time getting to know each other, and are open to learning and communicating. I think that is so important for any relationship.
Do you think it is important that students participate in the conversation partner program? Why?
I think it would be really valuable for anyone to participate in the conversation partner program at Renison. We live in an increasingly interconnected world, and the University of Waterloo undoubtedly has a global presence. I would say it is the responsibility of the modern student to be invested in their world, and I believe this program allows for that in a type of international experience that is hard to replicate.
The program offers two students a learning that goes beyond the classroom, rather, it is an intimate brush with humanity – a sharing of laughs, cultures, and memories.
The program allows people of different cultures to take time to value, respect, and show kindness to one another, something I think the world always needs more of. I am so grateful to continue to be a part of this program, it has made me closer to the world than I ever could have been on my own.
Learn more about the conversation partner program
Our Differences, Define Us
By Nathanael de Boer, conversation partner volunteer
Meeting with Danh, my conversation partner, over the last few months has been a truly awesome experience. I was initially quite nervous to meet him.
I was worried the language barrier would be too significant or that we wouldn’t have anything in common. But after meeting Danh, my fears were quickly quelled; we navigated the language barrier quite well, and while we ultimately didn’t have that much in common, I honestly think that’s what made my talks with him so interesting.
One similarity we did find however is a shared love of food.
A typical meeting for Danh and I consisted of sharing a conversation and a meal. We started off just meeting in the Renison Cafeteria, but as time passed our conversations grew in length and the locations of our meetings changed. We expanded ever outward, taking on SLC, then Waterloo, and then heading all the way to Kitchener to try a Vietnamese place Danh had heard was good. Most recently, we had a last-minute meet-up in SLC where we ended up sitting and talking for over three hours. Throughout our discussions I introduced Danh to Timbits and homonyms, and he introduced me to Bún bò Huế and real estate investment.
After initial polite conversation, I started helping Danh with assignments, editing things he’d written, and explaining grammar rules. Eventually we started getting into deeper topics, talking more about our personal lives and our families. At our last meeting we ended up having this really intense discussion about the privilege associated with being born in Canada, and having access to quality education, and the responsibility to create change associated with that privilege and power. While I've always been grateful for what I have, and I totally acknowledge that my place of birth and socioeconomic status are privileges that most do not have, hearing Danh’s perspective as someone who’s lived in both the developing and developed world was a real eye-opener. He talked about how most people in North America don’t realize how lucky they are to have access to the education that they do. We went on to discuss the importance of people who have positions of power being actively involved in global development, because they have the resources to create change much more quickly.
Global development has been an issue of importance to me for some time. About seven years ago my parents adopted three girls from The Philippines. I had the opportunity to visit the country and it was a truly life-changing experience. The poverty I witnessed and things I heard sparked a strong interest in issues such as human trafficking, sweat shop labour, and the link to developed world consumerist culture. My concern about these issues led me to sponsor a Filipino child through Compassion International, and I also often make these issues the focus of artwork I create in my free time.
All this aside, hearing from an educated adult who has lived that disparity first-hand had quite an impact on me. I am still thinking about how I can create change and empower others.
I hope to use my career to leverage Corporate Social Responsibility, and advocate for sustainable business practices and investment within developing countries.
Engaging with a culture with which I am unfamiliar allowed me to gain access to an understanding of the difference between a Bachelor’s degree in North America and a Bachelor’s degree in Vietnam. Danh came to Canada to pursue a Masters degree. His hope is that this degree will allow him to pursue a career path that will give him the social currency, networking opportunities and connections that will give his infant son the opportunity to someday study in North America as well. Unfortunately, Danh has had great difficulty getting accepted to the University of Waterloo Engineering program of his choice because while he has many years of experience working as a mechanical engineer in Vietnam, the mechanical engineering degree he earned in Vietnam is not considered equivalent to a mechanical engineering degree earned in Canada. I hope I can use my future role within the business world to encourage global development, and lessen the socioeconomic gaps between countries, because I feel country of birth should not affect access to opportunity.
The time I spent with Danh taught me the value of reaching outside your comfort zone and connecting with people.
Throughout this past term Danh and I explored more than just food. We dove deep into our personal, familial, and societal differences, exploring our pasts and our values. and I believe we both gained insight and perspective on how vast and varied this world is, and how we share responsibility for making it a better place.
Learn more about the conversation partner program
Through the Conversation Partner Program, we have made friends for life
"Through the Conversation Partner Program, we have made friends for life."
by Renison International Office with Kaitlyn Chorowiec, Phoenix Mullan, and Michelle Kim
With that being said, how can we see or measure the impact of the Conversation Partner Program? What effect does it have for participants? For Kaitlyn, the experience she had as a conversation partner allowed her to see how similar all people are. As she puts it, “borders may divide us physically but we still laugh at the same things and feel the same emotions.” For Phoenix, the program allowed for learning about her own heritage: “The program helped me integrate my own culture into my life because I’m adopted. I wanted to know more about my own culture…not from a textbook but from someone that’s lived their life.” And for Michelle, the program had a social impact: “it helped me be a lot more social by exploring the KW area.”
“We have built a little community because of our conversation partners. This may not be the same for everyone, but the experiences of sharing culture is something very profound.”
An important and invaluable experience: Japan-Canada Academic Consortium
Are you interested in developing your leadership skills while networking and meeting students from around the world? The Japan-Canada Academic Consortium (JACAC) is a great opportunity for students to do just that; working in groups, each year students come together to debate, present, and discuss that year’s forum theme. From immigration policy to crisis in the humanities to Japan-Canada relations, topics are varied and dynamic allowing for an enriching academic experience. The program runs alternating years in Canada and Japan.
2019 participant
Meet Daniel Qi a 3A Civil Engineering student at the University of Waterloo who participated in JACAC 2019 at Queen’s university in Kingston, Ontario, Canada.
2019 theme: “Japan-Canada Relations in an Era of Global Change”
Why did you choose to participate in JACAC?
I chose to participate in this program because it seemed like a fun way to meet new friends during reading week. One of my professors also encouraged us as engineers to play a bigger role in policymaking and this was a good program to jump into that field.
What does the JACAC program mean to you?
The JACAC program is a great opportunity for students to engage in networking and meeting like-minded people from across the country and even the world. It is an important and an invaluable experience.
How did JACAC make an impact in your life?
Participation in the forum has exposed me to students whose backgrounds greatly differ from my own. Through exchanges of ideas and just daily conversation, I was pulled out of the engineering bubble, which surrounds me. Everyone took a different path, faced their own challenges, and worked hard to partake in this forum. Everyone has a story from their past and a goal for their future and it is important for future policy makers to understand these different perspectives.
What did you learn/reflection on the theme?
I think the forum helped me understand just how important policy decision on the macro level could be for us as citizens of our respective countries. In today’s turbulent political environment, it is important for us to fight for the values we believe in especially for people in countries with similar national interests such as Canada and Japan.