Francisca from Chile

“I had the incredible opportunity to study abroad for a semester in 2024, thanks to receiving the ELAP Scholarship (Emerging Leaders in the Americas Program) from Global Affairs Canada.

As a Civil Engineering student from Chile, I continued my studies at Lakehead University in Thunder Bay. There, I gained a deeper understanding of the differences and similarities in structural design, particularly in terms of the norms and regulations that guide the field in Canada.

Living away from home is always a challenge—meeting new people and stepping outside your comfort zone. But it’s totally worth it, because every experience, every emotion is unique, and every lesson, memory, and connection will last a lifetime.

Those four months gave me a broader perspective on the world, on myself, and on engineering as a whole, seeing how everything works in its own complex and beautiful way.

Canada is a multicultural country where everyone has a space to grow, learn, and share their culture. I will forever be thankful for this opportunity to meet incredible people, learn from diverse cultures, and gain a deeper understanding of who I am.”

Exchange student
Lakehead University
Thunder Bay, Ontario