Western University - UWO
speciality: Art & Design

When picking a university fresh out of high school, I wanted to go somewhere that not only provided an amazing academic life but also an inclusive and vibrant student life; Western is exactly that. I thoroughly enjoy my classes and program while also enjoying two of the many clubs Western has to offer.

The Faculty of Information Media excels in not only introducing students to crucial angles and aspects of media and communication studies, but also listens carefully to students to teach them about the aspects of culture they interact with regularly, allowing students to apply their learned skills to their preferred field immediately. The University promotes the growth of different communities not only through vast course selection, but through extracurriculars and an active student body as well. The winters are harsh, but it’s very easy to be kept busy.

I was enrolled in the Media, Information & Technoculture (MIT) program at Western University. Most if not all of the professors who I encountered were very gracious and supportive of their students. There are great career services and in general, the university has great resources for its students. In my third and fourth year of the MIT program, classes were more specialized and focused with smaller class sizes which really allowed me to focus on the career path that I saw for myself as well as creating stronger connections with my professors and my peers. Overall, Western is very community driven. Any student, if you reach out, will be able to find support for any issue they might encounter.

Overall, the MIT program is as amazing as it is informative. Standing for Media, Information & Technoculture, MIT focuses on analysis, research & theories, and the history of ways that media and institutions affect us, and how we affect the development of different media. As an MIT student, you have the option to take classes within the program that focus on different aspects such as law, business, music, etc. In this format, students can learn how MIT intersects with different programs, and prepare students if they choose to take graduate classes in a different program. Since students have the opportunity to grow within different fields and a variety of internships, there are many career options post-graduation.
While every MIT teacher is very qualified in their field, sometimes the information can be hard to grasp and their delivery (depending on the teacher) can be hard to understand. With that being said, teachers will always host office hours during which the student can ask questions regarding the course.
As for the school overall, I would say it has its ups and downs – it has both a great party scene and great programs. They often prioritize the school over the students (and their safety) and do not make an effort to change how students can be affected in their safety and problems faced by other students/teachers.