University of Toronto Campus, Canada.
In recent years, the trend of participating in university tours, especially in Canada, has been chosen by many Vietnamese families as a smart, effective and practical approach, helping to properly orient students' international study future.
Various university tours
Canada is currently among the top 5 countries attracting the most international students in the world, not only because of its prestigiouseducation quality but also because of its open policies, high social security and multicultural living environment. Along with the globalization trend, universities in Canada are increasingly proactive in organizing introductory activities and learning experiences - including campus tours - to connect with international students early.
A "campus tour" usually lasts from a few hours to a few days, organized directly at the school or in a hybrid model of online and direct. The tour content is diverse: Students can walk around the campus with local students, learn about the facilities, library, labs, dormitories, student clubs, academic support centers... Some programs also integrate the experience of trial classes, attending career orientation seminars or meeting leading professors. For many young people, this is the first time they have a concrete idea of what a university space is like abroad.
In particular, leading schools such as the University of Toronto, McGill University, University of British Columbia (UBC), Simon Fraser University or University of Alberta all design very professional tour programs, with versions specifically for students from Southeast Asia or Vietnam, including language support, scholarship information and success stories from Vietnamese alumni.
One of the most prominent academic destinations in Canada is the University of Toronto - a globally renowned university not only for its academic quality but also for its ancient architecture, large campus and prime location in the city center. With a history of more than 190 years, the school has become an ideal stop for academic tours, where visitors can explore the massive library system, visit ancient buildings with strong European influences, and learn about the higher education environment in North America.
Some educational institutions and study abroad consulting centers in Vietnam also organize “Edu Tours” - combining visits to many universities in the same 7-14 day trip. These tours usually have a specific schedule: Morning visits to schools, afternoon participation in experiential activities such as visiting museums, national parks, or interacting with the local Vietnamese community. Participants are not only 11th and 12th graders preparing to study abroad, but also 9th and 10th graders and their parents.
A typical example is the tour to visit the university cluster in Ontario (including University of Toronto, Waterloo, Western University, York University...) organized by a study abroad company in Ho Chi Minh City every summer vacation. Ms. Nguyen Thi Ngoc Mai - program coordinator - said: "We built the tour with the desire that it is not just a trip , but also a long-term orientation opportunity. Students can meet students who are studying, listen to their real-life experiences, thereby having a clearer picture of their future studying abroad and being better prepared mentally."
Not just a superficial experience, many universities also incorporate the element of “long-term connection” into the tour, such as expanding opportunities to register for trial lessons, issuing certificates of participation (a plus point in the application process), or supporting direct application procedures right after the tour with advice from experts.
New approach to Vietnamese international students
A key element that makes a campus tour appealing is the experience. Studying abroad is not just about acquiring knowledge, but also about living and adapting to a completely new environment. These tours help students get used to the pace of school life in Canada. From there, they have a more realistic view, avoiding false expectations or culture shock when entering the first year of school.
Ms. Tran Thi Bich Huong, a parent in Cau Giay District, Hanoi, who took her son on an experience tour in Toronto, commented: “I was very worried because my son was quite shy. But after the trip, he became more confident and proactive in learning more about the study program and suitable majors. It was that direct contact that helped him clearly mature in the way he thinks and plans for the future.”
For many high school students, participating in tours is also a motivation to study. When they see the modern dormitories, 24/7 libraries, or large stadiums on the campus of their dream school, they can easily set more specific goals for the IELTS, SAT exams or prepare a thorough study abroad application.
In addition, the mentality of “choosing right from the start” is also the reason why Vietnamese families, especially in big cities like Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, are willing to invest in an experiential trip before officially submitting their application. The price of such a tour ranges from 70 - 120 million VND/person - not a small amount of money, but is considered by many parents to be “worth the money” because of its clear orientation effect.
With the strong development potential of global education and the excellent training quality of the Canadian university system, academic tours are and will continue to be an effective bridge, helping Vietnamese students to confidently step on the journey to conquer knowledge in the 21st century.
Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/du-lich-hoc-thuat-thu-vi-tour-trai-nghiem-truong-dai-hoc-o-canada-704657.html
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