Study in Canada

Canada? Yup, Canada. It is a nation that is located up above USA in the world map or atlas ~ And as you can see, it is also a great place to see the stars, since it is close enough to the north pole, where it is a little colder that the other nations.
Now, let’s stop for a while and think about our future. For the time being, as Senior High School students, we all know that we will go to learn in a University in the near future, right? And, if you are the type of person that is bored with all of the system in your own nation, you must have a slight thinking about studying abroad, right? Well, here is a recommendation! You can study in Canada!

What Language does Canada use?

Generally, it is certainly important to know what kind of language that our destination’s nation uses. As a matter of fact, you can be in a culture shock if you don’t know about it. First of all, before we move on to any other things that we need to know about education, we must know what language is used in Canada! It is basically English and French. Well, if you can’t speak French that easily, you can go to a University that uses English as their basic language.

Why?

First of all, and it might be the main reason that you want to take, is that, IT’S CHEAP! Yeah! As a foreigner, we really have to consider money, right? Well, Canada is considered as a cheap place. It’s not only based from their view, but also by the United Nations ~ As you can see, Canada is considered as one of the best places in the world to live in! It is basically based on Canada’s achievements in education, life expectancy, national income, and also their general quality of life. And, it is also because of their fresh water, comfortable neighborhoods, and a health care system that is a model for the world-wide.

Above all, Canada’s education system is excellent and ranked among the best in the world! And as I told you before, its tuition fee is among the lowest in English-speaking countries. And don’t worry about work! You can work for up to one year after you receive any degree or diploma. And as an international student, you can also work with a work permit.

Okay, and also, according to a website of the Canadian Government, there are about 70,000 applicants from outside Canada in 2005. And from the year 2000, it is actually doubled ~ Now, isn’t that cool?

Cost?

Well, as I say before, it is actually cheap, including the total of life expenses. Well, generally, the life expenses itself cost about CAN$400-$800 per month. And if you are actually looking for the total costs, maybe you can see this table right here:



It is taken from Study Canada. It is actually surveyed at 2003, but I still think that the price won’t be too far out from that, don’t you think so too?

Oh, you might also want to think of where you'll be staying there, right? There are some choices. Living in a dormitory, home-staying, or even stay at a house off-campus. Well, it's really up to you on where you want to stay. But, in order to press your living cost, may I suggest you to actually stay in the dorm? There are a lot of benefit of living there. First of all, you'll realize that it is much closer to the faculty that you might want to take, and then, you can also meet some friends that study the same subject as you do. You can socialize with them and also share some stories. Maybe that will get rid of all that home-sick thing that you might be afraid of :D

Faculty and University?

I’m glad you ask! Haha. In general, I have done some research about the top Universities there. And it is also said that there are some Universities included in Top 100 Universities in the World ~ Congratulations on McGill University for ranking the 19, University of Toronto for ranking the 29, University of British Columbia for ranking 44, and University of Alberta for ranking 78. For the best faculties? Well, University of Toronto has the best Law Faculty there. You can also go study MBA there in University of Toronto, with the rankings of about 580 score of TOEFL test.

And if you like agriculture, you might want to have at least IELTS 6. Or you can also go to the Faculty of Arts and Cultures, whether it is on University of Toronto or Carleton University. Actually, there are a wide range of Universities and Faculties to choose there. So, you just have to keep your eyes wide open and search for a lot of information there in the internet.

Oh, you might notice that I have mention University of Toronto so many times, right? Well, it is actually because University of Toronto is one of the favorite University in Canada :D

What should I do if I don't have enough money or preparation?

Now, that is the main point I'm trying to write here! XD As you can see, people always say "I am not capable of doing this or that". Now, by writing this kind of texts, you can get enough information and start your preparation right now. As you can see, you can start by trying out TOEFL or IELTS tests to see how far did you exceed in the time being. And if you don't have enough money, you can start working on something so that you can earn money. Or maybe, as I remember that we can't work part-time in Indonesia, we can just save our allowance from our parents. Little by little, you can reach the amount you needed to study abroad. It doesn't mean that if you are poor, you cannot go to school abroad. Don't forget that there are some scholarships there in Canada too. Just go search in the internet, read the material needed for the scholarship, and then do the best you can :D

What steps should I take so that I won't be lost in my mind?

First of all, you must know what interests you the most. This concludes the faculty you want to enter in the near future.
And then, sign up on the university, they may have an organization here in Indonesia, since we have an International connection world-wide and some ambassadors here, right?
Don't forget to make a visa, since you are studying abroad. There is a student visa, that allow students to stay without being questioned about their identity, in this case, you can also call it KTP in Indonesia.
After that, apply and take the tests, hopefully you can do it well and get the University you want :D So, don't forget to keep studying ~

So, where can I get more information?

You can go to CESI that stands for Canadian Education Services International. It is actually, emm, what do you call it? Well, I call it an organization, maybe. Anyway, it provides you the detail, including costs and also benefits, other than what I have mentioned earlier. You can also go on a summer camp or other programs similar like it from there. Just click: CESI and happy searching.

Well, I guess that is all that I can share with all of you right now. Upcoming post is about Canadian’s culture. Hope you have a great benefit and also help from this narrative I wrote :D

Sang Rembulan di Malam Hari

Malam pun kembali sepi
Kesunyian menyelimuti langit
Jangkrik pun mulai bernyanyi
Angin pun mulai berdansa

Sang Rembulan muncul
Membawa Kebahagiaan
Membawa Kesedihan
Membawa berita duka

Penghancur harapan
Ialah Sang Raja Malam

Pelindung kegelapan
Ialah Sang Raja Malam

Penyair mimpi kecil
Ialah Sang Raja Malam

Jembatan harapan besar
Ialah Sang Raja Malam

Wahai sang rembulan
Diriku kah yang kau ingkari?

Darkness Hell

I can no longer see light
I can no longer feel happiness

The dark past confessed
The howling wolf cried
Just to scare the life
Of the unbroken

Emptiness crossed out my feelings
Capturing blood and sorrow

Loneliness spread
Carelessness damned

The hell's gate is open

Now,
I can hear the dead
Calling my name
Asking me to stay
To play and cry

The sorrowful souls are dancing
Tortured by the endless sins

The messenger of death
Played the game of life

The hollow bodies,
Are dying to kill...

Rib apart your life,
and welcome to hell

Kenyataan

Ratapan Raja Malam
Siap melahapmu

Raungan Raja Siang
Terdengar merdu

Satu per satu,
Harapan pemimpi
Terbang tanpa arah

Jaring-jaring kebohongan,
Tiada henti merajut

Keagungan tiada tara,
Terbengkalai dengan mudah

Sudahkah kau puas?

Selamat datang,
Di neraka terburuk
Di surga terindah

Selamat datang,
Pada 'Kenyataan'

A Letter of Tears

I was once a little girl that does not understand about the sky and what lies beyond our eyes. Then, I grew up living at a house near the planetarium. I've once read a story, that tells me about a girl that fell in love with a classmate that worked on a planetarium. He knew a lot about stars and often took the girl to a secret place with no artificial light. That's my main motivation for moving in to a village, rather than living in a crowded and bright city.

I am already 20 years old, old enough to have a boyfriend and think if I shall get marry sooner or later. But that doesn't make my spirit down. I really love to study astronomy and other thing that related to it. So, I came to the planetarium now and then, randomly, while studying for my thesis.

There, like any other comic books or novels, I met a guy. He is always at the planetarium, watching the show that is annually hold by the planetarium on Sundays.

"You always came at the same day and at the same time. Aren't you bored?" he asked me while I was watching at the show.

"Never. I love learning things like these. It really eases up my mind, even just a little bit," I replied. He kept quiet after that short conversation. Not long after, I ran into him. He was using a wheelchair.

"Would you like to go and have some tea with me?" he asked me with a graceful smile. I kindly accept it and follow him. We have a great time together. And I didn't feel that any dangerous things will happen if I am close to him, not like any other stranger.

A week from that, he asked me to spare some of my time. I kindly accept it. At night, like the story I've read a thousand times, he takes me to a wonderful place.

The place is very wide, with the sky on top of us. We have a great time. We talk about a lot of things, including death. I know that he looks pale, but, I don't have the courage to ask him. And that day ends when Venus shows itself at dawn.

Weeks have past, and I can't find him on the planetarium. So I ask the owner and find that he have passed away. I am shock. Really shock.

The owner then gives me a letter. He says that it is written and addressed for me, so I take it and leave the planetarium.

I never go to the planetarium again since I know about his death, so I almost forget about the letter too. But when I am going for a ride with my bicycle, I come across the most beautiful place that he showed to me. I ride my bicycle at full speed and take the letter. I almost rip it apart, but, I think he would like it if I read it at our secret star-seeing place.

So, I go there at night and place my back upon the breezy grass, and then open it softly. And then, I read it out loud in my mind:

"The stars are like people's life. They are created by Nitrogen and such gases, forming a beautiful star that shines through the atmosphere, making millions of people gazed upon them and 'wow'-ed at them. People are like that too. We are created by our father and mother's sexual gen. And when we make a living, we can shine wherever we are, at our own pace and skills. Stars also die, by exploding, but it will only happen after million of years. We, humans, will also die, by unexpected things and causes.

Sarah, if you find yourself lonely, look at the sky while you are resting your body on the breezy grass. And then, search for the star called Polaris. It won't go anywhere, I promise you. It will be at the same spot in any season, any time. Maybe, it will make you remind about me and my pitiful life, so that you can go on and reach your dream.



I'm sorry that I never tell you about who I really am, and what I've been through. I have an illness that made my internal organs functions degraded year after year. I know that I'll leave you sooner or later, so I wrote this letter. It's because, well, maybe, I don't want to see your sad and lonely face.

Is it called love? I don't care. The most important thing is your happiness and your dream. Just reach it when you have the time, I know you can do it.

Oh yeah, I almost forgot. There will be a meteor shower on the 20th of this month. When that time comes, let's go together, shall we?"

I gently close the letter and look at my clock. It's the 20th of the month that was mentioned by him. I close my eyes. I pray to God for his safety and, without me knowing it, I cry. I let my eyes open slowly and amaze at the sky. It is a meteor shower.



I write something on the back of his letter.

"Like the meteor shower that I see, my tears are racing down through my cheeks. But I know what I must do. To reach 'our' dream and make it a reality. I know that you will always support me, Chris. So, I won't give up."

I rip apart the letter and blow it to the sky. The pieces are being carry by the wind, while I smile and look upon the sky. It'll be a new day.