Yuan Ze University’s “1,000 Students Abroad Program” – My One-Month Experience at the University of Calgary

This summer, I participated in a one-month language program at the University of Calgary in Canada through Yuan Ze University’s “1,000 Students Abroad Program.” Although it lasted only four weeks, this journey became a significant turning point in my life.

Before departure, I didn’t have much confidence in my English, especially in speaking. I often worried that making grammar mistakes or using the wrong words would make me hard to understand. However, once I arrived in Calgary, I realized that no one was perfect. My classmates came from all over the world, each with their own accents and challenges. But we were all willing to listen to one another and express ourselves. The teachers constantly encouraged us to speak bravely and not be afraid of making mistakes. This friendly and positive learning environment helped me gradually let go of my nervousness and communicate more comfortably in English.

To me, Calgary was a safe and warm-hearted city. I still remember our first day there—we hadn’t bought transit passes yet and needed to take the bus. The fare was $3.80, and each of us paid with a five-dollar bill. The bus driver simply said, “Just hop on, no need to pay.” This small gesture surprised us and brought warmth to our hearts as foreigners in a new place.

At the University of Calgary, it was common to see people from different countries everywhere. It was a great opportunity to practice speaking and to listen carefully as we made new friends and shared our stories. Although we came from different parts of the world, we all had the same goal and had gathered in the same place. We tried to learn about each other’s countries and proudly introduced our own. We even brought Taiwanese snacks to share, and our new friends praised them and appreciated the warmth of Taiwanese hospitality.

This experience made me realize how perfect the university stage was for trying. We were still young, and if we didn’t step out now, it would only become harder in the future. It didn’t matter if our language wasn’t perfect—what mattered was our willingness to try and to learn. International exchange wasn’t just about learning English—it was about learning how to interact, communicate, and show respect across different cultures.

This trip to Calgary gave me the confidence to step out of my comfort zone. The world wasn’t as far away as I had imagined. As long as we were willing to take the first step, it was right there in front of us.