Dear Concordia,
I have recently completed my undergraduate degree in Biology from Concordia University, and I would like to relate to you some of my experiences at Concordia. I came to the university in January 2004 as an international student; my biggest shock upon landing in Canada was the massive amounts of snow and the cold cold weather here. Upon arrival I stayed at the Hingston Hall dorms and loved the experience. First of all it helped me to make friends which helped a lot with keeping my homesickness at bay plus my friends helped me to understand and navigate the metro and introduced me to the social scene in Montreal. Next I had to look for a part time job; in this endeavor I was helped by the international students office; so I started to work at the bookstore and as a stock keeper in the labs. In the summer I had the opportunity to work in the residence again as the housekeeping staff because the residence is converted to cheap housing for tourists. During my stay in Montreal due to circumstances beyond my control I was unable to go to see my family and since I came to the city I was unable to go back home but I have to say that Montreal and specially the Concordia community has a way of making you feel like family, the international students office folks were very helpful all along. I suffered from a bout of clinical depression and i got a lot of help from the councelling and development and the heath departments at Concordia. I was encouraged and started to go running with one of the nurses Donna at Loyola campus and my councellor Noreen helped me sooo much that I cannot even begin to express my thanks to her. I was able to come out of my depression and be a happier person and though my grades have been all over the place and I even got failed out of university. I want to say thanks to Concordia for not giving up on me and giving me a second chance. Thanks to all the proffessors in my department who have worked hard to make our university experience a lot of fun and helping us to learn new and intersting things. I had the chance to work with the clients at the centre for the arts in human development at Concordia and I was inspired by their enthusiasm and grit, it helped me to stay in university. It is an excellent effort on the universities part and helps not only the clients who come and learn the arts but also volunteers like us who work with them on many levels. The other initiative I greatly admire, taken by the university is the Sustainable Developement program in place, it has done a lot to educate students and faculty alike and is helping to transform the policies at the university for a better and more sustainable future for all of us to enjoy.
It is easy to take the creme de la creme of the student lot from high schools and Cgeps and than expect them to do well, as is the case in a lot of universities in Canada and around the world, its a whole different ball game to give a chance to students who are not neccessarily doing exeedingly well in schools. I was always a good student even when I came to Concordia as a transfer student my gpa in my college in the USA was a 3.98 but having to live here on my own for a long time, having to deal with the weather and isolation and being tight on money was very tough for me and hats off to Concordia for understanding that and giving me so many chances and letting me stay and finish my degree.Which i finally did this semester [fall 2008] and I am all set to graduate in the summer of 2009.
Once again i would like to extend my thanks to every one at the International Students office, at the Councellling and Development centre, at the Health Centre, all the faculty and advisors in the Biology Department and the Concordia open door policy for giving every one a fighting chance and not just one chance but in some cases such as my own numerous chances. Now I feel motivated to go and do a graduate degree in a couple of years, to think that at one point in my life I was not even sure I would have an undergraduate degree it is a very big achievement for me and I can not thank Concordia university enough for believing in me.
Thanks Concordia!! I love you
Sincerely,
Fatima Shah
student id #5311748.
