Long day today with 2 classes, HRM and my first Mandarin Chinese class. I am looking forward to these two courses even though I had to drop a good course. The first chinese class was confusing but I will slowly catch up since I've already missed 4 classes and since I've never studied Mandarin Chinese before. Hope to improve soon!
I have bought a big backpack to run around with. Laptops, books and other necessary stuff. I think I walked around with 5kg today and that's not all of the books I need. Only have 30 minutes between HRM and Chinese class. During that time, I have to buy/eat lunch and walk a couple of blocks since all of Concordia's buildings are all over the place ^_^;
The metro train stopped during the way home. Some technical issues so I had to walk a station. I haven't mentioned that I have to use the metro to get to campus, right? It's 5 stations away with one transfer. Takes approximately 30 minutes to get to campus. Earlier if you are lucky with the train. The best and cheapest way to travel is to get an OPUS card. It's half price for students (with a student ID), which lands on $43 per months with unlimited travel. Otherwise it's $3 per fare or $5.50 for two way.
And about the title...
Yes, I've found an template for a gallery. The website is: http://adragonsadventuregallery.blogspot.ca. Still under construction and I will be uploading pictures soon enough. I have to upload one on each post. But there is a gallery!! Enjoy!!
Monday, 17 September 2012
Sunday, 16 September 2012
The choices, so many difficult choices
Before I start, I do have to mention a couple of things that I always forget.
The taxes. Yes, the taxes. When you buy things here in Canada, you always have to pay taxes. If you see something for $5.00 then it's 5.00 + taxes. Which is pretty annoying. The taxes now is about 14% of the total price, which is quite high... Not a happy student.
The second thing to mention is for the ones enjoying their nightlife. Tip are always expected. Don't remember how much but it was pretty high. So it's basically drink + tax + tip. But what I see, it's only necessary to tip once?
The third thing is: If you aren't here as an exchange student or special commerce. It's quite expensive to study here but it may be worth it. JMSB (John Molson School of Business) is one of the biggest and best business school in Canada. My chosen courses costs approximately $7000. No joke. It's for one semester.
The last thing should be: Register early for courses. It's one hell of a time to choose courses if you aren't a program student. You have to choose courses which isn't full, doesn't conflict with other classes, you need permission from the departments and the prerequisite (recommended) courses. I've had a very difficult time choosing the courses I want so I decided to take a language course, Introduction to Mandarin Chinese. It's 9 credits but the introduction 2 is for 6 credits, which means 2 classes per week. I need 6 credits to get to 15 credits. So I went to the department and discussed about my background with a not very nice receptionist. If you want to study Mandarin Chinese, you have tell them if you have a background in the language. She told me to do a placement test, which I did. Got 14/20 of the test which classified me the Introduction course 2. "Perfect!", I thought. Then I realized the second class of the week is on the same time as another course, Conflict and Negotiation Resolution. That's a wonderful course and a super lecture (Dr. Oppenheimer). I really didn't want to drop the class but I just had to. Tomorrow is the last day to add and drop courses. But I am STILL at 12 credits. It's considered full-time at Concordia but apparently CSN in Sweden doesn't count that as full-time. You have three semesters here. Winter, Summer and Fall. I can't find other courses and I hope my home institution agrees with this. Well... I will see how this works out.
The courses I am taking now is:
MANA 362 Human Resource Management, 3 credits (Corresponds the course: HRM, rekrytering och kompetensutveckling at my home institution which I need)
MARK 454 Personal Selling, 3 credits (Marketing course. Wierd but cool teacher. Gave us an very fun, wierd yet scary assignment. I will tell you about that one later)
MCHI 206 Introduction to Mandarin Chinese II, 6 credits
Since I still have to add a few more courses when I go back. I rather study things I want to learn here instead.
So many problems, but enough whining! :D
Review of the week: Pretty nice.
Bought 2 tickets for events. First one is an apple picking event at a farm. Cost $20 and arranged by ISO (International Student Office) and the second one is called a Day trip to Laurentians. It seem to be an adventure trip with canoes, camp fire and extreme sports. Sounds really fun and costs $45, arranged by CISA. Let's quote:
Also went to Comiccon Montréal. My first one and just attended for a couple of hours. Quite expensive ($35 Saturday) but got to see how it was. The difference between Comiccon and the anime conventions in Sweden is that the age is higher here. Many nerds who knows their stuff and many passionate ones. Huuuge market and celebrities signing autographs. Lots of lecture for those who are interested. And.... no taxes were charged at the market. What?
It seem to be more exciting events in the near future. There is a run called Color Me Rad, which a cute and beautiful lady mentioned to me. Will tell you more about this run later on! :D
One post per week is not okey. Sawri. Will try to not be so lazy. Harr, harr, harrr ~ !
~( x_x )~
The taxes. Yes, the taxes. When you buy things here in Canada, you always have to pay taxes. If you see something for $5.00 then it's 5.00 + taxes. Which is pretty annoying. The taxes now is about 14% of the total price, which is quite high... Not a happy student.
The second thing to mention is for the ones enjoying their nightlife. Tip are always expected. Don't remember how much but it was pretty high. So it's basically drink + tax + tip. But what I see, it's only necessary to tip once?
The third thing is: If you aren't here as an exchange student or special commerce. It's quite expensive to study here but it may be worth it. JMSB (John Molson School of Business) is one of the biggest and best business school in Canada. My chosen courses costs approximately $7000. No joke. It's for one semester.
The last thing should be: Register early for courses. It's one hell of a time to choose courses if you aren't a program student. You have to choose courses which isn't full, doesn't conflict with other classes, you need permission from the departments and the prerequisite (recommended) courses. I've had a very difficult time choosing the courses I want so I decided to take a language course, Introduction to Mandarin Chinese. It's 9 credits but the introduction 2 is for 6 credits, which means 2 classes per week. I need 6 credits to get to 15 credits. So I went to the department and discussed about my background with a not very nice receptionist. If you want to study Mandarin Chinese, you have tell them if you have a background in the language. She told me to do a placement test, which I did. Got 14/20 of the test which classified me the Introduction course 2. "Perfect!", I thought. Then I realized the second class of the week is on the same time as another course, Conflict and Negotiation Resolution. That's a wonderful course and a super lecture (Dr. Oppenheimer). I really didn't want to drop the class but I just had to. Tomorrow is the last day to add and drop courses. But I am STILL at 12 credits. It's considered full-time at Concordia but apparently CSN in Sweden doesn't count that as full-time. You have three semesters here. Winter, Summer and Fall. I can't find other courses and I hope my home institution agrees with this. Well... I will see how this works out.
The courses I am taking now is:
MANA 362 Human Resource Management, 3 credits (Corresponds the course: HRM, rekrytering och kompetensutveckling at my home institution which I need)
MARK 454 Personal Selling, 3 credits (Marketing course. Wierd but cool teacher. Gave us an very fun, wierd yet scary assignment. I will tell you about that one later)
MCHI 206 Introduction to Mandarin Chinese II, 6 credits
Since I still have to add a few more courses when I go back. I rather study things I want to learn here instead.
So many problems, but enough whining! :D
Review of the week: Pretty nice.
Bought 2 tickets for events. First one is an apple picking event at a farm. Cost $20 and arranged by ISO (International Student Office) and the second one is called a Day trip to Laurentians. It seem to be an adventure trip with canoes, camp fire and extreme sports. Sounds really fun and costs $45, arranged by CISA. Let's quote:
Totally can't miss this out!"There will be plenty of adventurous activities where you'll have the chance to show your amazing skills. There will be team sports such as soccer and volleyball and EXTREME activities such as kayaking, tarzan rope and rock climbing!
Don't miss out the CAMP FIRE & SUSPENSION BRIDGE!"
Also went to Comiccon Montréal. My first one and just attended for a couple of hours. Quite expensive ($35 Saturday) but got to see how it was. The difference between Comiccon and the anime conventions in Sweden is that the age is higher here. Many nerds who knows their stuff and many passionate ones. Huuuge market and celebrities signing autographs. Lots of lecture for those who are interested. And.... no taxes were charged at the market. What?
It seem to be more exciting events in the near future. There is a run called Color Me Rad, which a cute and beautiful lady mentioned to me. Will tell you more about this run later on! :D
One post per week is not okey. Sawri. Will try to not be so lazy. Harr, harr, harrr ~ !
~( x_x )~
 |
| Kiyfang signing out ~ ! |
Sunday, 9 September 2012
The First Class
I will get better at updating!
Starting from the last update.
Tuesday September 4th: Québec Election
The classes was suppose to start the 4th but it seem to be an selection today so all classes is canceled. Taking it easy. Reached level 80 at Guild Wars 2. No more pressure. The goal is reached!
Wednesday September 5th First Class and Health Insurance Card
I went to get my health insurance card today, which I thought would be free but it cost ~ 350$ per semester. I do have an Health Insurance Card from University of Skövde so I need to speak with them to see if I don't need the Concordia one. The line there is soooo long though.
Also got my Concordia Student ID. Now I am officially a student of Concordia. Woho!
My first class was today. All my classes are held so late... Most of them end like 20:15. Anyhow, the first class was Conflict and Negotiation Resolution. The doctor was very good. I like him so far. The course seem promising.
Thursday September 6th Second class
Class for today was Workplace and Staffing (In Canada......) Yes, it is apparently focused on the staffing in North America and the professor is very... strict. Telling us she has been teaching this class to ages and know everything. Not sure if I want to drop that class or not but most likely, I will. I mean, maybe a new teacher should try to teach?
Friday September 7th No class, just strolling around
No class today. Tried to accomplished different matters like to register to one more course etc but still full. Then I went to one of the orientation BBQ event at Campus Loyola. Just watched for a while and then left.
Went out to explore the Lacine Canal in the evening. Only Karli showed up so we walked around the canal and back to Downtown. Downtown is basically where all the high buildings, shops and events are. There is also a "red district" and gay village.
Saturday September 8th CISA orientation
Orientation with the other association for international students today. It was pretty nice actually. I won a phone (3 of 100 or something...) but that was actually a Public phone which I spoke about in my last post. The phone can only be used in Montreal (?) or Canada so I don't really need it. But hey, it's worth 19$. Many associations showed up and told us about them self as well as playing some games with them. So many prizes and giveaways, haha. There were also a martial arts school there which I joined their "challenge". 6 people. 3 girls and 3 boys. Received a pretty cool t-shirt from them! Ching!
After the introduction, we got paired into groups to play some games around the university and ended with a BBQ. It was nice and then the rain come pouring down... but it was still nice. People dancing in that heavy rain, haha!
Aaaannnd for today...
... was actually my first kung fu class ever. Shaolin Wing Chun kung fu. It's a traditional kung fu school with philosophy as such. I liked the feeling but I will search for other schools before I decide to join.
Then I went for a picnic with JIC (JMSB International Committee) at the Parc de Mont-Royal (Metro: Mont-Royal). Very big park. Apparently it was the same person who designed central park in U.S. who designed this as well. Lots of different activities around the park. People with different hobbies. It also next to a mountain. It takes 40 minutes walk uphill, someone told me. The view is suppose to be great up there so I plan to have a nice walk/run up and see for myself!
Met my Buddy there. It was difficult to get in the groups it seems... I don't know. Didn't get a good feeling. Maybe it will get better later on...
So... Should sleep soon to get up and go to school early. Have to try and get into the course. Hope someone as dropped them... xD
Also... I totally need to change my eating habits right now. It's... not very good... xD
Starting from the last update.
Tuesday September 4th: Québec Election
The classes was suppose to start the 4th but it seem to be an selection today so all classes is canceled. Taking it easy. Reached level 80 at Guild Wars 2. No more pressure. The goal is reached!
Wednesday September 5th First Class and Health Insurance Card
I went to get my health insurance card today, which I thought would be free but it cost ~ 350$ per semester. I do have an Health Insurance Card from University of Skövde so I need to speak with them to see if I don't need the Concordia one. The line there is soooo long though.
Also got my Concordia Student ID. Now I am officially a student of Concordia. Woho!
My first class was today. All my classes are held so late... Most of them end like 20:15. Anyhow, the first class was Conflict and Negotiation Resolution. The doctor was very good. I like him so far. The course seem promising.
Thursday September 6th Second class
Class for today was Workplace and Staffing (In Canada......) Yes, it is apparently focused on the staffing in North America and the professor is very... strict. Telling us she has been teaching this class to ages and know everything. Not sure if I want to drop that class or not but most likely, I will. I mean, maybe a new teacher should try to teach?
 |
| Monkey Island |
 |
| A&W. Cheap Mama, Papa, Teen, Oncle Burgers and alot of drink. |
No class today. Tried to accomplished different matters like to register to one more course etc but still full. Then I went to one of the orientation BBQ event at Campus Loyola. Just watched for a while and then left.
 | |
| SUMO BBQ at Campus Loyola. |
Saturday September 8th CISA orientation
Orientation with the other association for international students today. It was pretty nice actually. I won a phone (3 of 100 or something...) but that was actually a Public phone which I spoke about in my last post. The phone can only be used in Montreal (?) or Canada so I don't really need it. But hey, it's worth 19$. Many associations showed up and told us about them self as well as playing some games with them. So many prizes and giveaways, haha. There were also a martial arts school there which I joined their "challenge". 6 people. 3 girls and 3 boys. Received a pretty cool t-shirt from them! Ching!
After the introduction, we got paired into groups to play some games around the university and ended with a BBQ. It was nice and then the rain come pouring down... but it was still nice. People dancing in that heavy rain, haha!
Since I don't party much, I didn't join for the afterparty... Still in need to find some more nerdy friends or friends who likes adventures!
Aaaannnd for today...
... was actually my first kung fu class ever. Shaolin Wing Chun kung fu. It's a traditional kung fu school with philosophy as such. I liked the feeling but I will search for other schools before I decide to join.
Then I went for a picnic with JIC (JMSB International Committee) at the Parc de Mont-Royal (Metro: Mont-Royal). Very big park. Apparently it was the same person who designed central park in U.S. who designed this as well. Lots of different activities around the park. People with different hobbies. It also next to a mountain. It takes 40 minutes walk uphill, someone told me. The view is suppose to be great up there so I plan to have a nice walk/run up and see for myself!
Met my Buddy there. It was difficult to get in the groups it seems... I don't know. Didn't get a good feeling. Maybe it will get better later on...
 |
| Parc de Mont-Royal |
 | ||
| This guy... |
 |
| LARPING, like "Lajv" in Sweden |
Also... I totally need to change my eating habits right now. It's... not very good... xD
Monday, 3 September 2012
Exploration and new friends
It seems that I am really bad at posting. Guess I am too lazy and been gaming. Trying to hit 80 (max level) at Guild Wars 2 before classes starts. Have 9 more levels to go so I should manage.
I am now registered to 4 courses but after meeting with another Swedish student and other Europeans, they said that I have to register for at least 5 courses (15 credits) for CSN to count me as an full-time student. Since Concordia have 3 terms, it does sound very likely that I need 5 courses. I have to look into that. Today, I was thinking about to get my Health Insurance Card and Concordia Student ID but it seems the doors at the university was closed everywhere. It's election tomorrow for Québec so classes will start September 5th instead of tomorrow.
I've also got myself a phone number. Checked with 2 operators, Public and Fido. Public does not sell SIM cards. Only phones with plans. The cheapest phone is 19$ and cheapest plan each month is 20$ with only calls and texts. Fido did sell only the SIM card and they had prepaid cards (Like Swedish kontantkort) which I decided to get. The lady helping seems to have recharged wrong card (changed from SIM card to micro SIM) so I didn't get my credit for my number. Went there today to get a new one but closed...
I've also been on one orientation event and one event to gather students who wanted to explore Montréal. Met some new friends. We went to see the Old Part of Montréal. Very much like Europe, Sweden Stockholm's Gamla Stan and Paris structures. Took alot of pictures. Will be a problem uploading it here I guess. Let me find a solution, like creating a gallery or something.
For now, enjoy these pictures ~ !
I am now registered to 4 courses but after meeting with another Swedish student and other Europeans, they said that I have to register for at least 5 courses (15 credits) for CSN to count me as an full-time student. Since Concordia have 3 terms, it does sound very likely that I need 5 courses. I have to look into that. Today, I was thinking about to get my Health Insurance Card and Concordia Student ID but it seems the doors at the university was closed everywhere. It's election tomorrow for Québec so classes will start September 5th instead of tomorrow.
I've also got myself a phone number. Checked with 2 operators, Public and Fido. Public does not sell SIM cards. Only phones with plans. The cheapest phone is 19$ and cheapest plan each month is 20$ with only calls and texts. Fido did sell only the SIM card and they had prepaid cards (Like Swedish kontantkort) which I decided to get. The lady helping seems to have recharged wrong card (changed from SIM card to micro SIM) so I didn't get my credit for my number. Went there today to get a new one but closed...
I've also been on one orientation event and one event to gather students who wanted to explore Montréal. Met some new friends. We went to see the Old Part of Montréal. Very much like Europe, Sweden Stockholm's Gamla Stan and Paris structures. Took alot of pictures. Will be a problem uploading it here I guess. Let me find a solution, like creating a gallery or something.
For now, enjoy these pictures ~ !
 | |
| Part of the Old Port |
 |
| We are actually in a fully working clock tower! Jack, Aya and Leanne in the picture! |
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