This winter term, the BCIT campus has a few more international voices in the mix. A group of computing students from France has joined the Computer Systems Technology (CST) program as one-term Study Abroad students, bringing new perspectives to our classrooms. Among them is Benjamin Poussart, a 19-year-old student from near Paris, who chose to trade his home city for a term in Vancouver.
“I chose BCIT because it seemed to have very good facilities and a strong reputation in the region.” – Benjamin Poussart, BCIT Study Abroad student
Choosing Vancouver Over the Usual Route
For many students in France, studying in Canada usually means heading to Quebec. But Benjamin and his classmates wanted something different.
“I chose Vancouver because it’s a place with a high quality of life,” Benjamin says. A major goal for him was to improve his English, which he felt would be more of a challenge in British Columbia than in French-speaking Quebec. He also did his research: “I chose BCIT because it seemed to have very good facilities and a strong reputation in the region.”
Same Tech, Different Style
Now attending the second term of the CST program as a visiting student, Benjamin has found that while the location is new, the work is familiar. He says the studies here are quite similar to his home school, EPITA.
“The major difference is how the courses are organized, but the content we study and work is nearly identical,” Benjamin explains. This makes the transition easier, allowing the visiting students to dive right into their lab work and projects alongside BCIT students.
A Win-Win for the Campus
Having students like Benjamin on campus isn’t just good for the visitors, it benefits the whole BCIT community. Local students get to work with peers who have been trained in a different country, sharing ideas and different ways of solving technical problems.
For Benjamin, the move has been about more than just academics. “This experience is broadening my horizons,” he says. “Being so far from home makes me leave my comfort zone, which helps me learn a lot about life.”
Tips for Future Students
As the term continues, the French students are staying busy exploring everything Vancouver has to offer. Benjamin’s advice for any international student thinking about joining BCIT is to jump in with both feet. “Try to learn as much as possible from the university,” he says. “The teachers and students are very friendly.”
As these students head back to France later this year, they leave behind a more vibrant, diverse classroom for everyone at BCIT.
Join us at BCIT
Are you an international student looking for a short-term study experience in Canada? BCIT welcomes Study Abroad students (Free-movers) to join our hands-on programs for a term or a year. Visit BCIT International for program details and eligibility.