Carleton University
speciality: Accounting & Finance

I look back at my time at Carleton University with much fondness and nostalgia. I pursued my Bachelor of Commerce with a major in Accounting between 2010-14.

The faculty were knowledgeable and approachable which made learning easier (and now that I have no deadline worries, somewhat fun). At the time Carleton was still expanding to the sprawling campus it is now, so we had to walk / run fairly far to catch classes. Now even the business program has its own building so I assume classes are more centralised.

I was an international student and I loved the diversity and exchange of experiences and opinions at Carleton. No matter the subject, from Sociology to calculus to language to tax & audit, there was always just as much to learn from peers as from professors. It definitely opened my mind and made me think. The Sprott Business School had an amazing lineup of professors from within academia as well as from the corporate world, blending theory and practice well.

The campus is nestled right beside the Rideau river and is a visual treat across all the seasons. Though if we talk about Ottawa, we need to speak to the cold winters and Carleton had an amazing tunnel system that spans the entire campus. You can use any entrance and travel across campus in toasty warmth. The tunnels also have a collection of different shops, vending machines for whatever you may need – along with cozy nooks and bustling junctions so you can spend time between classes recharging or hanging out with friends.

Being an international student, Carleton was fairly expensive, though average in tuition costs compared to other universities in Canada. There are limited bursaries and scholarships with strict GPA requirements to retain. These were helpful relative to Canadian tuition but were significantly lower compared to international fees. Another expense was the on-campus restaurant and cafeteria; considering that you have very few options, the prices are quite steep (for a student). Other campuses like the University of Ottawa located downtown have access to a more diverse and competitively priced range of restaurants and eateries.

Carleton is accessible via bus or train through Ottawa’s public transit system, OC Transpo. The system has deteriotated over time and commute can be a pain point for many (especially during rush hour, in winter, or during exam season). While dormitories are convenient, they can be quite expensive. Off-campus housing near the University (Sunnyside, Prince of Wales, etc.) can be relatively cheaper with options to walk to University (yes, even in winter).

I would also like to personally speak to the amazing Muslim Student’s Association and prayer space that Carleton has. It enriched my time at the University and gave me fresh appreciation for views, customs and kinship across hundreds of cultures. And it provided me with a space to recharge spiritually in a more personal way, being so far from my own home, family and culture.

Unfortunately I cannot speak much to the sporting facilities, but Carleton has some of the best teams in the province (especially for Basketball). Our mascot is Rodney the Raven. Their gym facilities in particular were very nice and access is generally granted with the price of tuition.

Lastly, I would like to say that given the opportunity and financial ability, I would love to go back and do a graduate course at Carleton, just to be able to walk through its halls and experience the bustle of school life again. Even though it is endearingly known as the “University of Last Hope,” I am grateful that I got a chance to spend my formative youth there.

My first year at university was an overwhelming experience since it was my first time studying in a different country. Gave me a chance to expand my social network and connect with a lot of people from different countries. The atmosphere around campus is just calm and very encouraging.