In a blink of an eye, it's already the third week of our study abroad adventure! We are constantly challenged and exploring, experiencing the joy and insights brought by learning and life.

Anthropology

This week's anthropology class was equally fascinating as last week's. The theme was IDENTITY. During the learning process, the teacher immersed us in the impact of identity on different groups, historical processes, and the efforts some contemporary groups make to promote their own identity. Through videos, the teacher showed us some negative modern habits where people hide their identity and wear masks to blend in. Additionally, the teacher engaged us through podcasts to discuss the meaning of dramaturgy and its relevance in studying current social groups. The test on Friday was equally refreshing. The teacher made us delve into our personal experiences and envision the future to understand the potential impact of the identity of being a doctor. After the test, students gained a more comprehensive understanding of the medical profession.

Psychology

On Monday, the little parrots took their mid-term test in PSY (Psychology) class. Most of the students were confident since they couldn't wait to put their learning from the past two weeks into practice and showcase their knowledge on the test papers. After about an hour of testing, the teacher immediately moved on to the next class content. Throughout the week's learning, the students gained a deeper understanding of the relationship between stress and health, and they explored mental illnesses and psychological issues more comprehensively under the guidance of the teacher. After the exam results were out, most of the parrots achieved satisfactory scores and are now ready to aim for excellence in the final exam in the last week.

English

The week leading up to the final assessment in the ESL course with teacher Saba has been quite engaging and interactive. Providing us with the opportunity to create PPTs in class and receive immediate feedback from the teacher is beneficial. The class discussions on various drug-related topics, such as the mechanisms, side effects, and social implications of drugs, have been well-organized. Topics on infectious diseases, including transmission routes, vaccination, and notable viruses like Ebola and COVID-19, have also been explored. All of us actively participate in discussions, utilize our expertise to “help” the teacher, and focus on improving our language expression skills. 

Professor David's course has strong interactivity. In the classroom, he adopts group discussions, encourages us to listen and speak more, and assigns group presentations, which have improved our confidence and oral communication skills through practice. On Fridays, the teacher also gave students a special assignment: to interact with strangers in the city of Ottawa, visit art galleries, take a photo of their favorite artwork, and take a photo from the top floor of a building, allowing us to gain a deeper appreciation of Ottawa's charm.

After school activity

Some of us bold and curious ones discovered there's bungee jumping in Ottawa! We're not ones to back down from excitement, so we rallied a group and headed to Great Canadian Bungee on Friday afternoon. When we caught sight of that bungee platform from afar, our hearts started racing. But we pumped ourselves up and marched right on that platform. With the countdown from the staff, we took the plunge, embracing the sunshine as we soared above the beautiful lake. Jumping into the air and experiencing the moment of free fall, spin and bounce gives us a sense of release and release. The first time bungee experience left us with unforgettable memories and a sense of accomplishment. Overcoming the fear of heights and leaps, bravely meeting the challenge and successfully completing the bungee jump gave everyone a sense of pride and a boost of confidence. It is much like our journey of study. There may be many difficulties at the very beginning, but as long as we firmly believe and overcome ourselves, we will definitely be able to achieve our goals.

Same goes for the water maze in Ottawa - it's a total blast! We got hooked on this unique adventure from the get-go. Who knew rowing a boat could be this much fun! Navigating the twists and turns of the maze put our teamwork and communication skills to the test. Every time we conquered a challenge, we felt on top of the world. It was pure excitement exploring the maze and having a great time together. And the best part? We bonded even more with our friends, realizing the power of teamwork , actively exploring and constantly innovating.