Kia ora from Toronto!
I’m Ash, currently on a semester exchange at the University of Toronto studying law. I am taking Evidence, Employment, Law & Psyche and Class Actions. It’s been over 2 months since I arrived in Canada!
Winter
When I first arrived in Toronto, the weather was absolutely freezing, far colder than anything I had ever experienced. For weeks, temperatures hovered around -20°C, and the polar vortex at the end of January into early February made it even more intense. The adjustment was a shock from Auckland, where it never snows and rarely drops below zero.
I had never lived in snow before, and to top it off, I even had to buy a puffer jacket, something I never thought I’d need. But despite the cold, there’s something magical about walking through a fresh snowfall, seeing the city blanketed in white, and experiencing true winter for the first time.
Now that the weather is finally warming up, I’m getting to explore more of what Toronto has to offer. The city is vibrant, diverse, and always buzzing with something happening. From incredible food spots (the poutine obsession is real) going out to enjoy the sun.
Travel
I spent my first week and a half in Vancouver since there were no direct flights from Auckland to Toronto. So I said to myself, why not?
Now I understand why people call it “Raincouver” in winter. It felt like it rained nonstop! But despite the gloomy weather, there was a silver lining, I learned to ski for the first time. So, I guess some good things do come from the rain.
I assume I just caught Vancouver on a bad stretch because every local I met swore that the city is breathtaking in spring and summer. The way they described it—lush mountains, stunning beaches, and endless outdoor adventures made it sound a lot like New Zealand. Maybe I’ll have to come back and see it for myself when the sun decides to show up!
I arrived in Toronto the day before my birthday, giving me about a week to settle in before classes started. With time to spare, I embraced my inner tourist and explored the city, including a trip to Niagara Falls!
Visiting in winter, while undeniably freezing, was an incredible decision. The entire landscape was blanketed in snow, making it feel like a true Winter Wonderland. But the real highlight came a few weeks later when the temperature dropped to -20°C. I returned to Niagara, and the falls were almost completely frozen over this time, which rarely happens! It was surreal to witness such a rare sight, and it made me appreciate just how extreme (and beautiful) Canadian winters can be.
I visited Montreal and Quebec City during my reading week (this is their one-week-long mid-semester break). This was my first time fully planning a trip from start to finish, handling everything from accommodation and transportation to activities and food. It was a bit daunting at first, but it was a rewarding experience in the end.
My friend and I spent four days away, with two dedicated to travel. The bus ride from Toronto to Montreal took about 6–8 hours, giving us plenty of time to enjoy the scenery. We had about a day and a half to explore Montreal, followed by a one-day trip to Quebec City. While Montreal had a vibrant, energetic feel, Quebec City truly captured my heart.
The French-inspired architecture in Quebec City was absolutely stunning; it felt like stepping into a European postcard. The cobblestone streets, charming cafés, and historic buildings made it feel worlds apart from anywhere else I’ve visited in Canada. Wandering through Old Quebec, seeing Château Frontenac towering over the city, and experiencing the mix of French and Canadian culture was a definite highlight of the trip.
Despite the packed schedule and arriving in a snowstorm, I loved every moment of this trip. It was my first real taste of travelling on my own terms, and it left me eager to explore even more of Canada.
Social
So far, my journey has been about stepping outside my comfort zone and putting myself out there. Arriving in a new city alone meant pushing myself to interact with new people, which wasn’t always easy. But I quickly realized that forming connections, especially with other exchange students, was one of the best parts of this experience.
Meeting new people involves a lot of trial and error; you have to “vibe-check” everyone to find your people. But once I did, it was completely worth it. There’s something special about bonding with other exchange students because we’re all in the same boat—here for a short time, eager to make the most of it, and open to new experiences. Whether through activities, travelling, or just enjoying the nightlife, everyone shares that same mindset of making every moment count.
I’ve now found friends I genuinely enjoy spending time with, and they’ve become such an important part of my exchange experience. At first, I was prepared to spend this time alone, unsure of what to expect. But looking back, I’m so glad I pushed myself to socialize. I honestly can’t imagine what this exchange would be like without them.
Making friends with other exchange students has been an amazing part of my experience, but I’ve found it much harder to connect with people in my law classes. The cohort is small, and since most students have been in the same classes together for years, they already have their established friend groups. It sometimes feels like breaking into those circles is nearly impossible.
I know part of it might just be me feeling intimidated. Maybe I need to put myself out there more, stop sitting at the back of the lecture hall and actually start conversations. It’s easier said than done, but I know that the more I push myself, the more opportunities I’ll have to connect with people.
Academic
It has been quite challenging adjusting to the education system here. Obviously, with Canada and New Zealand having separate jurisdictions, the law will change regardless of whether both countries are under the commonwealth. However, I did not consider that each province has their own jurisdiction! So, Vancouver and Toronto do not always have the same law.
Learning about Canadian law has been both fascinating and rewarding. I thoroughly enjoy my classes, but they differ significantly from the teaching styles in Auckland. One of the biggest differences is the law school admission process. Unlike in New Zealand, where students can enter law school straight out of high school, domestic students must complete a bachelor’s degree in another field and then take the LSAT. As a result, my classmates are generally older, with the youngest first-year students likely being around 23.
Cultural Shock
One of the biggest culture shocks I’ve experienced is how often people struggle to understand my accent. It’s not just the exchange students; even Canadians seem to have trouble! I’ve had to repeat myself more times than I can count, and sometimes, I just give up and adjust how I say certain words to make it easier, like “water.”
What’s even more amusing (or frustrating, depending on the day) is how often people mix up New Zealand and Australia. To many of them, there’s apparently no difference at all! I can’t tell you how often I’ve been asked, “So, you’re from Australia, right?” or had people assume the two countries are basically the same.
It’s been an interesting adjustment, but at least it’s led to some funny conversations. If nothing else, I’m becoming more aware of how different my accent sounds to others, even though I always thought I did not have a strong kiwi accent. Kiwi
Overall, I’m having an incredible time in Toronto and am so glad I took the leap to go on a semester exchange. This experience has already broadened my perspective in many ways, and I can’t wait to see what the rest of the semester has in store!