“I really enjoyed meeting people from different cultures, making new friends, and getting out of my comfort zone.”
Can you introduce yourself? Tell us your name, where you’re from, and a bit about your background.
I’m Mariana, a 19-year-old student from Portugal, and I’m going into my third year of a Bachelor’s degree in Management.
What were your expectations before coming to ABC Toronto?
I was expecting a multicultural environment, which is something I really like. I was excited to meet people from different cultures and get to know new people.
I also decided to come to Canada because it was my first time travelling to another continent, and I thought the culture here would be very different from Europe.
What were you hoping to learn or achieve during the program?
The program is quite similar to what I study, so I already knew some of the topics. I was hoping to learn more and explore some things beyond what I usually study.
One new thing I learned about was the Flourishing Business Canvas model, which I hadn’t heard of before.
What surprised you the most about the program?
One thing I noticed was that the workshops were more practical than I expected, which made it easier to interact with everyone and get involved in the activities.
Did the experience challenge you personally?
Yes. I think it’s always challenging to speak English with other people when it’s not your first language. It was also a challenge to meet new people, make new friends, and leave my comfort zone.
What is one memory from the program you will never forget?
I really liked the photo hunt. It was very fun, even though we walked a lot! It was a nice way to explore the city while doing different activities and getting to know Toronto.