Finding comfort in a new country: My first-year story as an international student at UCalgary
This is a little piece of Vietnam from my holiday a few years ago. Tropical paradise and stunning nature everywhere!
Studying abroad has always been a dream of mine, a way to challenge myself and experience life from a different perspective. Moving halfway across the world from Hanoi, Vietnam to attend UCalgary is undoubtedly one of the hardest things I have ever done, but also one of the most rewarding. Choosing Canada began in a pretty unexpected way. I was watching Kim’s Convenience, and it made me want to see the country for myself. Growing up listening to artists like Justin Bieber and Shawn Mendes also made Canada sound especially cool.
Arriving in Calgary felt surreal, and it wasn’t long before I would find myself questioning my decision. It quickly dawned on me that I was thousands of kilometres from home, cooking for myself, figuring out how to take the bus, managing my own time and money, and trying to get used to everything new. Even though I'd watched countless vlogs, trying to anticipate how everything would play out, nothing could have prepared me for how different everything would actually feel. Having to grow up overnight felt like a nightmare and turned out to be overwhelming.
Culture shock hit fast—and sometimes, in funny ways
The first few weeks were spent trying to fit within Canadian social norms. There were times in public when I felt out of place and awkward. People here say, “Hey, how are you?”, but don’t actually expect an answer. They say “sorry” for everything, even when you bump into them!
At first, I was confused and awkward, but eventually I realized it’s just part of being polite. Now, I say “sorry” without even thinking about it. Little gestures like holding doors open or thanking the bus driver started to feel natural.
What I didn’t expect was how mentally draining it can be to speak English all day, every day
In my first week at UCalgary, it felt like my brain was working overtime—in class, during group projects, in stores, even just chatting with people. I was constantly translating everything in my head. I’d come home every day completely wiped out. On top of that, I was stressing about money. For months, I couldn’t stop converting Canadian dollars into Vietnamese dong (VND). Every sandwich or coffee felt expensive, and I was scared to spend too much.
It took me a while to realize that both things came from the same place of wanting to do everything “right.” Once I gave myself permission to relax a bit, things got better. I started journaling in Vietnamese, watching shows from home, and spending money on small experiences that actually made me happy like trying new food with friends or taking a weekend trip.
My first winter at UCalgary: I was shocked at the amount of snow Calgary gets... it's so pretty, but felt endless
My first Calgary winter
Once the snow came, all I wanted to do was stay inside. It was pretty to look at, but it felt endless, and that isolation only deepened my loneliness. The holidays were particularly hard without family. Seeing people celebrate birthdays or Lunar New Year with loved ones made me homesick in a way I hadn’t felt before.
Everything changed when I started saying "yes": yes to grabbing hot chocolate after class, yes to snow walks, yes to spontaneous trips to Banff or Canmore. Suddenly, winter didn’t feel so bad when I had people to share it with. I'm lucky to have friends here, who have became more like family.
Finding support and friendship
Through all of this, one of the biggest supports I received was from International Student Services (ISS). I joined the International Student Mentorship Program, and my mentor was a lifesaver. She gave me advice about studying, settling in, and just made me feel less alone. ISS also helped me get my SIN number so I could work part-time, and they host workshops that make all the confusing paperwork so much easier. I still follow their Instagram to keep up with updates and events; it’s super helpful.
During Lunar New Year, we each cooked dishes from our countries and had a gathering.
I won’t lie; my first few months in Canada were a roller coaster. Everything felt new and unfamiliar. There were moments of confusion, homesickness, and self-doubt, but also laughter, growth, and friendship. Moving across the world by myself was scary, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything. It’s where I found independence, confidence, and a new version of myself I didn’t know existed.
And if you ever need help or just someone to talk to, International Student Services or the student volunteers at Peer Support are always there to support you!