Canada is 30 times the size of Germany – with barely half the population. Vast landscapes, breathtaking national parks, extreme weather. Until recently, Paul was a Dual Study student in General Management at Schoeller. As part of his program, he completed a semester abroad at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario – an experience he now looks back on with a clear verdict.
From Stereotype to Reality
First impressions left no room for preconceptions. Those who associate Canada with open wilderness and quiet plains arrive first in quite the opposite: On August 13, Paul’s journey began beneath the skyscrapers of Toronto – a dynamic metropolis with little in common with the stereotypical image of the vast, tranquil north. From there, his route took him through Montréal and Ottawa, past Niagara Falls and several national parks, until he finally reached Kingston.
The former capital of Canada sits between Toronto and Montréal on the shores of Lake Ontario, and is today primarily known as a college town. Queen’s University delivered on every expectation: a sprawling, modern campus home to around 40,000 students, complete with football fields, beach parties, and fraternities – an environment that blends American college culture with genuine academic rigor.
A Different Understanding of Higher Education
The academic culture differed fundamentally from the German university model. Rather than end-of-semester exams, weekly presentations, group discussions, and ongoing assignments defined the pace – a learning culture that demands active participation and sustained engagement. Experienced professors with international backgrounds taught courses in Digital Strategy, Intercultural Management, Business Communication in North America, and International Corporate Strategy.
Subjects that go far beyond textbook knowledge – and that become tangibly real inside an international classroom.
Beyond Campus: From the Rocky Mountains to the Caribbean Coast
Alongside his studies, Paul made the most of his time by exploring Canada in its full range. A two-week road trip took him through Banff and Jasper National Parks in the western part of the country: the Rocky Mountains, diverse wildlife, and the crystal-blue waters of Lake Louise – landscapes that speak for themselves. As the first snow arrived and temperatures in December dropped to −25 °C / −13 °F, Ontario transformed into a winter landscape of ski slopes, frozen lakes, and ice rinks around every corner.
The contrast came in the form of a side trip to Mexico – beaches in Cancún and Tulum, a visit to the world wonder Chichén Itzá, and immersion in yet another entirely different culture.
What Remains
Six months, two academic systems, three countries, one lasting takeaway: the semester abroad advanced Paul not only academically but, more significantly, on a personal level. Being 6,000 kilometers (3,700 miles) from home and relying entirely on yourself builds independence and intercultural competence in ways no seminar can replicate.
Schoeller makes exactly this kind of experience possible for students through its dual study program. Learn more via Careers | Schoeller – Work at a Leading Stainless Steel Tube Manufacturer.