This resulted from my high total mark on the entrance exam to Hanoi Foreign Trade University, group D focused on Mathematics, English and Literature. Japan was my first choice as a study destination as this country is close to Vietnam. But then, because of some personal reasons, I changed my mind. Based on the advice from staff of the Vietnam International Education Development (VIED) on Canadian education, as well as the information on universities in the world, I chose to study at the University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada, majoring in Economics.

During the preparation period, I received much support from the university staff. They not only helped me with the application procedures but also gave me advice on the courses, fields of study, learning and living conditions, etc. Every time I had a question, I was able to get satisfying answers from them.  Thanks to this strong support, I made careful preparations when I was still in Vietnam so that initial difficulties when coming to Canada could be avoided.
University of Alberta (U of A) is one of the leading universities in Canada with high quality teaching and facilities. This university is very large with many campuses, which are built with a combination of modern and ancient architecture.

As a student, what concerns me most are teaching methods, course content and international student services. Firstly, regarding the learning conditions, the professors at U of A are very interactive, helpful and enthusiastic. Students who have further concerns about material can ask questions freely during the lecture, outside of class or through email. Based on my recent experience, this method proves to be very useful as the teachers can provide you with quick help every time you approach them. In addition, new technology is integrated into U of A’s students learning process. What I find most interesting is that, in some courses, students can submit the assignments online instead of printing or writing them. On those websites, discussions can be made between teachers and students about the questions and answers. Furthermore, big libraries with large amount of books also contribute to the improvements of student performances.

Secondly, with regard to academic programs, the university provides students with different courses in many fields of interest such as Business, Engineering, Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, etc. The subjects offered are quite interesting and attract students from all over the world. This semester, I experienced some of my favorite economic courses.

Finally, U of A’s International student services are of great help. Students are given satisfying answers for different questions on issues such as visas, study permits, work permits or tax-paying procedures. In short, I am satisfied with my learning environment here.
Canadian weather is one of the problems being taken into consideration by many Vietnamese students. The fact is that, despite the extreme cold outside, inside the room, it’s always kept warm. Even more interesting, there are a lot of activities here like skiing, snow balls fights or snowman making, etc. Quite contrary to my worries in Vietnam, I enjoy playing with snow very much. For this reason, in my opinion, weather is not a big issue. 
An advantage for students in the University of Alberta- Vietnam scholarship program is that they have the opportunity to receive funding from U of A, in addition to that provided by the VIED. Thanks to that support, I have a comfortable life without worrying too much about the cost of living and therefore, can concentrate on my studies.

The scenic city of Edmonton and the beautiful University of Alberta made a deep impression on me right from the first days. Although having lived here for just over two months, I feel attached to this peaceful land. I really appreciate the chance to study at this university. University of Alberta is wide open to every student from all over the world. I do hope, in the near future, I can welcome more Vietnamese students to come here.