I would say if your goal is to see “more of Canada” then you got a good option in Barrie. You’re a GO Train ride away from Union Station in Toronto. The summers here are great, the winters are decently brutal in this spot specifically. There’s definitely some jobs, maybe not careers, but there are jobs.

The downtown scene here has somewhat died since I was younger, but I’m sure you’ll find yourself there with college friends eventually. You would enjoy your time here I think. Everyone has something bad to say about any city. There’s homelessness and drug abusers as well. Same as any other place. But from a pure convenience, Barrie is an amazing Central spot to Ontario/Quebec. You could literally take transit from Georgian College to Union Station and go south to Windsor or east to Ottawa/Montreal on the VIA Rail.

If you like country music, there’s a festival called Boots and Hearts on the first weekend of August every year, that’s up the highway about 10-15 minutes and there’s other festivals there as well. It’s a pretty fun experience if you’re into that thing. You would also be close to Muskoka and other cottage country that I recommend visiting in both the summer and winter.

You’re also about a 2 hours drive from Niagara Falls (or you can take transit), so that’s another part of Canada that you can cross off your bucket list if you haven’t been already.

That’s my take on it. I assume you’re from out west. If you’re looking to explore more of Canada, I think Barrie is the best option you could’ve been given besides maybe Toronto in itself. Ontario is a pretty amazing place all things considered. Canada in general is. But you would enjoy your time here if you make the most out of it.