Gege Lu, an international student from China who study Early Learning and Community Development program at Algonquin College shares how spending weekends in Ottawa helped her embrace a slower pace of life, discover independence, and gradually find a sense of belonging in a new city.
Before coming to Canada, I thought the biggest challenges of studying abroad would be language barriers and adapting to a different education system. However, after living in Canada for two years, I have experienced many meaningful changes and personal growth. I have realized that many of these changes actually happened outside the classroom, especially during those seemingly ordinary weekends.
As someone who grew up in China, I was used to a fast-paced and busy lifestyle. I was familiar with busy streets late at night, 24-hour convenience stores, lively restaurants, and many entertainment activities. There were always so many things to do on weekends. In the past, my weekends were also full of different activities, and I was always busy going from one place to another with my friends.
However, my first impression of Ottawa was completely different. When I first arrived in Ottawa, I looked at the city through the car window on my way from the airport. I could hardly believe that this was the capital of Canada. It seemed so quiet and even a little empty to me. Before arriving, I had imagined that Ottawa might not be as busy as Shanghai, but I did not expect such a big difference.
After living here for some time, I noticed that although the streets were quiet and many stores closed early, this city gave me a sense of trust between people and a more relaxed, slower lifestyle. Gradually, I started to enjoy this way of living. Maybe Ottawa was not a boring city. Instead, I needed to learn how to experience life in a different way. I became curious about what local people usually do on weekends and started exploring the city.
Saturday: Learning to Slow Down
Although Ottawa does not have as many busy streets or entertainment activities as some large cities, it has many beautiful parks and forests. During the summer, the city is filled with warm sunshine and wide blue skies. People can spend time in nature and relax.
On Saturdays, I sometimes visit Parliament Hill by myself, walk along the Rideau Canal, or explore different restaurants, shops, and vegetable markets in ByWard Market. Sometimes, I also go for a morning run at Dow’s Lake and enjoy the beautiful views. These places are not only famous attractions in Ottawa, but they also give me opportunities to learn about the city’s history, culture, and the daily lives of local people.
Gradually, I realized that weekends do not always need a clear destination, and I do not have to plan every minute of my day. Sometimes, simply walking around the city without a plan, finding a quiet place to look at the blue sky and green spaces, watching people around me, or bringing my sketchbook outside to draw is enough to make me feel satisfied.
Slowly, this peaceful lifestyle and the time I spent in nature helped me feel calmer inside. I started to have more time to think about my personal growth. I also had more time to focus on myself and explore who I truly am.
At the beginning, this was something I could not understand or accept. Because of my past experiences, I often connected efficiency with personal achievement. Whether I was studying, working, or planning my free time, I always felt that I needed to do something useful to prove that my time was not wasted.
However, my experiences in Ottawa made me start questioning this idea. Does every moment of our lives need to produce something to be meaningful? If we do not complete any plans during a weekend, does that really mean we have wasted our time?
I started to realize that slowing down does not mean wasting time. Instead, when we stop rushing toward our next destination, we may finally notice the small details that we usually ignore.
A peaceful walk, a beautiful sunset, or a simple and honest conversation can all become meaningful moments in our lives.
Sunday: Finding a Balance Between Independence and Loneliness
Compared to Saturdays, Sundays in Ottawa are usually even quieter for me.
After relaxing on Saturday, I usually spend Sunday organizing my life and preparing for the coming week. Sometimes, I go grocery shopping and plan my meals for the next week. Other times, I finish assignments that I have not completed or study new materials given by my professors.
Before coming to Canada, my parents often told me, “You are going to live independently.” At that time, I thought independence simply meant being able to live on my own without depending on my parents.
After living alone in another country, I realized that independence means much more than that.
When people talk about studying abroad, we often focus on the exciting parts, such as making new friends, exploring unfamiliar cities, and having more freedom.
However, studying abroad also means experiencing loneliness. When we leave our familiar homes, families, and friends and move to a new country, we need to adjust to many things that we used to take for granted.
This feeling can become stronger during weekends. When our busy classes are over and we have more time alone, we may start missing our hometown, friends, and family.
This is especially true during the winter. Canada has heavy snowfall, which can make going outside difficult. There is also less sunlight, so our emotions may become more sensitive and noticeable during this time.
At first, living alone may make us feel uncomfortable or worried. However, as time passed, I started to understand that being alone does not always mean feeling lonely.
Loneliness may come from a lack of emotional connections, while spending time alone can also be a personal choice.
Sometimes, cooking my favourite meal for myself or spending a quiet afternoon alone can also bring me a sense of happiness and satisfaction.
I started learning how to pay attention to my emotions, understand my own needs, and find a lifestyle that works best for me.
Perhaps true independence does not mean that we no longer need help from others. Instead, it means understanding our own needs, being willing to ask for support when necessary, and having the courage and ability to face life’s challenges on our own.
Gradually Finding a Sense of Belonging
Because I had more time to myself on weekends, I started exploring Ottawa, visiting historical places, and learning about the local culture.
At first, I needed Google Maps to find almost every destination. Now, I can remember many places and bus routes without checking my phone. I went from feeling uncomfortable in this unfamiliar city to gradually wanting to stay here and enjoy my life.
Slowly, I started to feel a sense of belonging to Ottawa, almost like the feeling of being at home.
But what made me feel connected to a country where I did not grow up and where the culture was completely different from my own?
Was it because I had lived here for some time? Was it because I had made many friends? Or was it because the experiences and memories I collected in my daily life slowly helped me build an emotional connection with this city?
In fact, I believe that a sense of belonging comes from walking along familiar streets every day and enjoying the sunshine on my skin. It comes from having favourite places to visit and developing my own daily routines.
A sense of belonging is something that slowly develops through ordinary moments in everyday life. It is about finding a place where we feel comfortable in a different cultural environment.
If you are planning to study at Algonquin College, I hope you will give yourself some time to explore Ottawa outside of your studies.
You can visit Parliament Hill to admire some of the city’s historic buildings, watch the sunset along the Rideau Canal, experience the local markets at ByWard Market, or explore interesting places around the city with your new friends.
Gradually, you may realize that studying abroad is not only about earning a degree. It is also a journey of personal growth, emotional development, and improving your ability to live independently.
If you also come to Ottawa from a busy city, you may learn to slow down and rethink the relationship between efficiency and enjoying life.
You may learn how to live independently, spend time with yourself, and discover who you truly are. You may also develop a more open mind and learn to understand the world from different perspectives as you experience different cultures.
Just as my father once told me: “The purpose of studying abroad is not simply to earn a higher degree, but to stand in a higher and broader place and see the world from a wider perspective.” So, why not start with a simple weekend?