To mark Canada Day, we reached out to uOttawa students from across the country to hear their stories. They told us why they decided to come to Ottawa, their favourite thing about being here and one thing they’d love to bring from home.
Alberta
Brendon Sitko, General Bachelor’s
I needed a change in my life, to get outside my hometown and see what the rest of Canada looked like. And the uOttawa campus looked beautiful in photos I saw on the internet.
All the activities here, like going to Gatineau Park, hiking and boating, make the city fun.
I’d like to bring my parents because I’m super close with them and being here would make it easier for them to cheer me on at my football games!
Nova Scotia
Iain Sellers, Political Science
Ottawa is a politically charged city that offers students tons of opportunities to get involved in national organizations and make a real difference. Plus, the option to do French immersion at a university so close to the Quebec border is pretty hard to beat.
It's incredible to be able to get away for a weekend and find nearby hiking trails or even to head over to Montreal or Toronto for a few days.
I’d bring donair sauces, hands down. Nova Scotia makes an incredible donair and dipping pizza into the sauce is awesome!
Saskatchewan
Maddie Spanier, Criminology and Law
I chose uOttawa for better schooling opportunities and a culturally diverse experience.
It’s a big city with more of a small town feel, with events and entertainment constantly happening.
I’d bring from home the beautiful sunsets, clear skies and open spaces.
Manitoba
Cody Cranston, Management
I looked around at some different options across the country, but felt uOttawa would be the best fit for me. I loved the fact that it’s a downtown campus, because it makes anything I need accessible. I could also sense the pride that people involved with the University had when I spoke with them.
There’s always something to do in Ottawa and so many great ways to get out and enjoy yourself. In summer, so many great parks and bike paths to explore and, in winter, skating, festivals and plenty of cool museums.
But Manitoba is home to some of the greatest lakes in the world! There isn’t a feeling quite like driving out to the lake on Friday afternoon and jumping in right when you get there.
Quebec
Émilie Morissette, Law
I had lived in Quebec City my whole life and wanted to experience new things. Canada’s capital city seemed a good choice.
And the weather is nicer than Quebec City’s!
I’d like to bring the poutine from Casse-croûte Marcotte.
Prince Edward Island
Sebastien Arsenault, Economics and Public Policy
I came to uOttawa because the school offered me the chance to continue my education in both French and English, which was very important to me.
I love the political atmosphere that surrounds Ottawa and that it’s a somewhat big city but still has small-town charm.
I’d like to bring PEI’s fresh seafood and the ocean water!
New Brunswick
Janelle Boudreau, Communications
Initially, I decided to pursue my postsecondary studies back home in New Brunswick, but after one term, I had already decided that the university where I was studying just wasn’t a good fit for me. After not much thought, I took a leap of faith and applied to uOttawa (very close to the deadline), and it was the best decision I have ever made. It’s funny because I get this question a lot, and I can’t really answer it in any other way than I followed my intuition, and it’s so rewarding to do so, trust me.
Ottawa’s a really good fit for me, because although I do love the city, nature is really a part of who I am because of where I grew up. The Ottawa-Gatineau region’s a good mix of both — it’s kind of the best of both worlds. Where I grew up, bonfires and four-wheeling are how friends and family get together, and it’s where the best memories are made, so it’s definitely awesome to still be able to partake in similar activities here.
The extremely fresh and cheap seafood, especially fried clams. Oh, and the free parking.
Newfoundland and Labrador
Maria Park, Biomedical Science
I decided to come to uOttawa because it’s not too big, not too small, and is jam packed with opportunities. Thanks to Schulich Leader Scholarships and uOttawa Financial Aid and Awards, I was able to start my dream degree here!
Ottawa offers so many opportunities for learning outside of class. Being in the nation’s capital, there are amazing festivals, museums and cultural landmarks to explore when I’m not studying. My personal faves are the National Gallery and the Rideau Canal.
I’d like to bring my whole family here, along with the quintessential Newfoundland foods. Nothing can beat my Nan’s home-cooked Jiggs dinner!
Nunavut
Bruce Uviluq, Law
I decided to come to the uOttawa Faculty of Law because of its reputation for a focus on negotiation and dispute resolution.
My favourite thing about being in the city is there are always a lot of Inuit here!
If I could bring one thing, it would be lots of country food.
Ontario
Rahat Sheikh, Biomedical Science
Once I started talking to a lot of my future graduating class, I realized they were exactly what I was looking for in classmates. Everyone was extremely friendly and didn’t seem to be “fake” at all. Since I accepted my offer in February, I’ve made a ton of amazing friends who I can’t wait to meet next year. That’s an added bonus, along with the small size of the Biomed program, insane amount of scholarship/bursary money, as well the food!
I love how quiet it can be at times, along with all the amazing architecture and older styles buildings in certain parts of Ottawa. And the city being bilingual is really nice.
I’d like to bring my mom’s home cooking. Both my parents are chefs, and my family owns an Italian restaurant in Scarborough called Pizza La Rosa (@pizzalarosa).
British Colombia
Inaara Merani, International Development
I’ve always been passionate about giving back and making a difference in the world and when I heard about uOttawa’s International Development program, I felt like it was made for me.
I’ve been so blessed, being able to pursue a career in something I’m so passionate about, in a city where the most can be done! Ottawa was the right choice for me because of all the opportunities it offered in my field, and I can’t wait to see where the future takes me.
Northwest Territories:
Justina Marianayagam, Health Sciences
One of my favourite things about Ottawa is the bilingual culture. There is a small pocket of Francophones up north in Yellowknife, where I was able to learn French. Being able to keep up my second language at a postsecondary level was a once in a lifetime opportunity. I also love the mix of the outdoors within the city — I am always outside up north and being right by the Rideau Canal and Gatineau Park helps me escape the busy urban life.
If I could bring anything from the Northwest Territories, it would be our midnight sun. In the summer time, the sun stays up until 3 a.m. and then is back up within an hour. It would definitely help with staying up late to study when it still looks like its 2 p.m. outside!
Yukon:
Dilpreet Bajwa, Health Sciences
I love the vibe at uOttawa and the welcoming nature of the students! Being from a small community in Whitehorse, it’s always nice to see that amidst the competitive nature that university students usually adopt, there can a sense of togetherness!
One thing I’d bring from back home would probably be the mountains! Although Ottawa has a wonderful landscape, which reminds me of home, all it’s missing are those high reaching mountains and scenic views! (Obviously not a possible task, but the mountains and scenery make Yukon unique and that’s what I love about that place.)