Desiree Enderer
My name is Desiree Enderer. I’m an international student from Germany and I study Journalism, Etudes Francaises and Political Sciences at Concordia University in Montreal. This is currently my second year at Concordia but my third in Montreal.
I initially came to Montreal to improve my French. Due to the fact that I spent a year the U.S. as an exchange when I was in high school, I really wanted to go to an English speaking university. Concordia offered the programs I was interested in, the setting and the multicultural atmosphere. I was also lucky enough to qualify for the French fee exemption program.
Elie Chivi
Hello everyone! My name’s Elie Chivi and I’m an international student here at Concordia in my fifth year and (hopefully) final year. I am Lebanese but grew up in Dubai and am currently double majoring in Human Relations and Creative Writing. I have been involved at Concordia for several years now, most prominently with the Concordia International Students Association where I am currently President. I have chosen to take an active part of on-campus activities because I found it to be a productive and healthy way of filling up my time and meeting equally motivated people. Thankfully, this university has given me the opportunity to branch out and truly test my capabilities, as frustrating as it can be sometimes!
Audrey Noeltner
Hallo!
My name is Audrey and I am half French half American. I grew-up in Paris, New York and Los Angeles. I am currently in my third year studying at Concordia University. I am majoring in Human Environment and Urban Planning, two subjects which I have found extremely interesting. I am also a tour guide for the school and tour the campuses to people from all over the world. I am always impressed by how far reaching Concordia's reputation is worldwide. I have found Montreal to be the best of both worlds; the friendliness of people, the culture, the safety and the fun! I love Concordia and its unique atmosphere and even more this year because i convinced my two brothers and my boyfriend to join the school !
Monica Lafon
Flight: Mexicana 880, Destination: Montreal.
Flashback.
When I said goodbye, I didn’t cry.
I told my parents I would call them as soon as I got there.
I promised my brothers I would have fun.
I hugged my best friend and said I would keep her posted on EVERY single detail.
I smiled and waved, and took my passport out to pass through security.
Five hours on the plane wasn’t too bad. But as soon as we landed, I think I got it: “Wow, this is my new home for a couple of years…”
It all started at the Trudeau International Airport. I passed immigration and was sent to wait at another line to finalize the process the CAQ, which the Government of Quebec asks international students for. I was talking to another person that was in the same flight as me, you know, because I was nervous of course. But then a woman broke in and said: “Hey! Where are you from? I love Spanish. I am from Marruecos.”
From that moment on, I realized that different from back home, speaking more than two languages was the norm. It was kind of cool when someone greeted me by saying: “Hallo-bonjour?” Because I could basically choose to answer in English or in French! Or sometimes even switch from one to the other!
Then, I had to get my bags and pass through customs.
I was scared.
I had a backpack with a computer, camera, books and important papers.
I had my guitar on my back and two more heavy bags.
Of course they stopped me!
“Do you have any alcohol or cigarettes?” I said no, but the only thing I did have was Mexican candy.
They said it was fine, so I passed!
As the doors opened, I saw a sign with my name: “LAFON”
Yep, that’s me…
Barry Wong, his wife and his two daughters were there as volunteers to pick up first-year university international students both going to Concordia and McGill universities.
On the way towards my new home, they asked me: “So Monica, why did you decide to come to Montreal, a place with cold winters, and to study at Concordia?”
“I love the snow and I hope I can go snowboarding here, because in Mexico, snow is only on top of volcanoes! But I decided to transfer from my university in Mexico, where I was studying Communications, to study Journalism and Political Science at Concordia. Universities back home don’t have the system of choosing a Major-Minor. So for me, this is the perfect opportunity to join two fields that I am interested in!”
For one thing, I was wrong about winter… you really do have to adapt to the cold and especially the fact that the days become shorter…
But I was right about Concordia. This is my second winter… but the people, the teachers and the places to discover in Montreal ALL make up for the difficult weather!
