The Other Press Mailbag

The following letter has been edited minimally to com-
ply with house style; it has not been edited for content.
We here at The Other Press appreciate hearing from
you, so if you’ve got something on your mind, please
send us an email at othereditor@yahoo.ca.

Dear Editor: *

I am an ESAL student at Douglas College. I
arrived here on January 2. This is my first
semester. I emailed you because I want to
talk about strikes. I cannot believe that
they have had strikes three times since I
arrived here. I do not know about the
Canadian system and what happens in Canada
very much. But I want to say something
about my own opinion for myself, not for
any others, because it seems no one listens
to my thoughts. I want to let people know I
am here.

I have no supporter, so I have to stand
on my own feet and use my own money to
study overseas. It took me almost five years
to make money and get a good enough score
on the TOEFL to enter colleges or universi-
ties as a foreign student, which was very
hard. I have already paid for my college,
about $4,300 for one semester as internation-
al students usually do (in addition, they are
increasing our tuition fees for the Summer
gemester!). It is very expensive for me and
was a big decision for me to come here. In
fact, my family still opposes (my decision to

FEBRUARY 16/2005

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come here) and is worried about
me very much, even though I do
not ask them for money. I real-
ly wanted to (come here), and
had to quit my job in order to
achieve my goals. I have no
regrets though, except that I
sometimes get homesick. This is
why I do not feel like having
this special vacation because of
strikes. Perhaps, if I were rich,
I would be happy that they
(BCGEU) are on strike.

Because I used to have a job
in my country, I can understand what both
sides think, but I cannot afford to think
about other people. When I was in my ex~com-
pany, I always wondered if they would raise
wages. Of course, I hope this problem will be
solved happily and peacefully. But now I am
just a student who is not allowed to get a
part-time job outside college, and has to
save money to continue studying here. I do
not know who will Hsten to my opinion. I am
wondering if the coNege will refund my
money for the days that are used for

 

 

strikes, because the strikes are not my fault
or my mistake. I hope that somebody answers
my questions. Anyway, although it has only
been a very short time, the people I have
met here are friendly and helpful. I appreci~
ate it. I hope that I will like this country.
And I will study hard to achieve my goals,
Thank you for reading my email. I am look-
ing forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

An international student

 

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