September in Toronto, Canada
September in Canada!
Flying over from Singapore, we were greeted by the cool September weather! The first thing I did was to explore the UofT campus in Downtown Toronto, and it was beautiful!
We had the chance to join an event, “Snap the 6ix” organized by the Centre for Internal Experience (UofT’s Exchange Office), at Cumberland House! The CIE staff were so nice and welcoming, and we had a great time taking the chance to tour the campus while taking pictures and solving puzzles!
University of Toronto Campus
From the campus, you can see CN Tower!
Another highlight was Robarts Library! I would be spending the next few months regularly visiting to get my study sessions in. Can you tell what it is supposed to look like?
It’s looks like a Peacock! Although apparently, it wasn’t designed with that intention in mind?
Some of the places we frequented on our exchange there were Bahen Centre, Convocation Hall, University College, Galbraith Building, Caven Library and other places around campus. (We either had some classes there, or we went over to get some studying done). One particular thing was that there wasn’t really much food options on campus, other than food trucks. It wasn’t particularly cheap either, but the portion sizes are not too bad!
I found that the lectures at UofT were relatively engaging though the content was often less tricky than NUS. The tutorial sessions were conducted by TAs as well, and were pretty okay, although not particularly rigorous.
September was a month filled with new experiences. The fall weather was a refreshing change from Singapore’s tropical climate, with cool breezes and vibrant foliage beginning to emerge. Strolling around campus felt like walking through a postcard.
Neighbourhood
We stayed in Scarborough, Ontario, to the East of campus.
Where we stayed, there was a Tim Hortons right by our doorstep, perfect for grabbing a quick coffee or some donuts on the way to class. Nearby, we also had several supermarkets, which made grocery shopping easy, especially for the times we decided to cook our meals at home.
Cooking together with friends also turned out to be one of the most enjoyable parts of living in Toronto on exchange. It was a way to save money and also have a true taste of independent living outside of Singapore, since there wasn’t easy and healthy food options nearby.
To stay active, we often went on jogs around the neighborhood. Exploring the local parks and trails in the crisp autumn air was a refreshing way to start the day. One weekend, we visited the nearby Scarborough Bluffs. The stroll along the beach below made for a peaceful escape from the busy city life.
Another highlight of daily life was trying Toronto’s incredible food scene. We ventured to various neighborhoods to sample tacos, poutine, and other local favorites. Each meal was an adventure, with no shortage of flavors to explore.
Niagara Falls, Niagara-on-the-Lake
We took a weekend to visit Niagara Falls and the charming town of Niagara-on-the-Lake. In Niagara-on-the-Lake, we slowed things down, enjoying the quaint shops, historic buildings, and stunning vineyard views. We even managed to catch a play, Sherlock Holmes and the Mystery of the Human Heart, at the Shaw Festival. I’ve never watched such a play before, so it was a new experience and pretty fun! “Oh Moriarty!”
We also visited a local winery, where we got to try Niagara’s famous ice wine, a sweet treat made from grapes harvested in freezing temperatures. It was the perfect complement to the crisp fall weather.
We also visited Niagara Falls! Getting close to the Falls, we could hear the roar of the water, and feel the mist in the air. Standing there, watching the water rush down, I wondered how many litres of water fell per second.
We also hopped on the Hornblower boat tour, which took us right up to the base of the falls. Getting drenched by the spray and feeling the raw power of the water was such a fun and refreshing experience. Definitely something you have to try at least once!
Later, we walked around the Niagara Parkway to take in different views of the falls. At night, the falls were lit up in all sorts of colors.
Canada Wonderland
Another highlight of the month was our trip to Canada’s Wonderland. It’s one of the largest amusement parks in the country, and we couldn’t pass up the chance to visit.
Of course, we had to try the Leviathan—a massive roller coaster that’s known for its insane drops and speeds. It was terrifying but so worth it! The adrenaline rush was unmatched, and the views from the top, even for a few seconds, were incredible. (USS could never). It felt like when I jumped from a plane!
There were so many other rides to explore, from thrill rides to more relaxing ones, and we spent the whole day enjoying the park. It was the perfect way to let loose and have some fun after classes.
End
September passed quickly, but it was packed with memorable moments. From getting to know the UofT campus to cooking meals with friends and exploring new places like Niagara Falls, it was a great start to the fall exchange!
Toronto has a nice balance of city life and quieter spots to unwind. While there were some things that made me miss Singapore (TTC disruptions, safety, $$$ prices), between the cooler weather, scenic jogs, and the occasional coffee run, it was easy to settle in and find a rhythm.
There were other things we did as well, such as visiting the F1 exhibition in Toronto, exploring supermarkets, local gems, but that’s for you to experience on your own!