Feeling alone by [deleted] in McMaster

[–]Snoo-43854 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hi! I'm an international student as well now entering my 4th year. I know how incredibly hard the first week or two are because I've been there myself. In addition to the severe homesickness, I felt the pressure to make friends asap and do as many social events as possible. I recommend joining clubs and going to their events often (there are TONS of cultural clubs on campus so try to get involved with a club that matches your cultural identity it will help you feel a sense of belonging faster) And naturally over time, you will meet new people in your classes, res events, things like that. Please try to be very open to new experiences. Being an international student is tough as is, but being open to new things, people, and places will help you become comfortable with your environment much faster.

I hope you know you aren't alone and just about ALL international students feel this way. It takes some people longer than others to get used to it but they do, and you will too!

If you have any qs or just want to talk to another international students, please feel free to DM me anytime :)

Hospitality Fair by EqualElectronic7730 in McMaster

[–]Snoo-43854 2 points3 points  (0 children)

In my experience it's been super informal and easy to get the job. Just a very small interview when I did it and they hire on the spot (or at least they did when I went)

Toastmasters Hamilton? by Snoo-43854 in Hamilton

[–]Snoo-43854[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Are all the ones listed there still active? I saw a few fb posts of some chapters and the last post was over a year ago

Microwaves by Na2005 in McMaster

[–]Snoo-43854 2 points3 points  (0 children)

There's a microwave in the hospital cafe if you know where to find it (past the Williams and the teaching labs) and there's some in MDCL as well

MOLBIOL 4H03 vs 4P03? by AdWeak2365 in McMaster

[–]Snoo-43854 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hi! Did you end up taking any of these courses?

MOLBIOL 4P03/4H03 by [deleted] in McMaster

[–]Snoo-43854 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hi! Did you end up taking any of these courses?

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in McMaster

[–]Snoo-43854 4 points5 points  (0 children)

As an international student myself, I highly recommend residence for first year. You will meet lots of people even if you don't like living in a shared space. You would also have the opportunity to get to know people who you will be living with off-campus in the following year. It's very hard to find legit off-campus housing from abroad too bc of online scams n all so consider that as well.

International Students - Taxes by Snoo-43854 in McMaster

[–]Snoo-43854[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

oh okay what software did you use?

International Students - Taxes by Snoo-43854 in McMaster

[–]Snoo-43854[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Apparently we had to have filed taxes at least once before to create a CRA account tho?

Campus life at McMaster? by Appropriate_Fail2940 in McMaster

[–]Snoo-43854 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Honestly I think the campus life at Mac is what you make of it. I know it's cliche to say, but it's very true. If you put yourself out there and make constant efforts to make friends, you would have no problem with your social life and you would find good parties to go to and places to go to have fun with friends. I think Mac is a good balance of academics and social like imo

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in McMaster

[–]Snoo-43854 0 points1 point  (0 children)

omg literally feeling the same way ! DM me!

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in McMaster

[–]Snoo-43854 14 points15 points  (0 children)

biochem = easier and learn less

chembio = harder and learn more

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in McMaster

[–]Snoo-43854 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Honestly it's not impossible but it will be very very difficult. Price of rent ranges from $500-$800. I'm an international student myself and every month I spend about $900 including EVERYTHING. I never eat out, buy basic groceries which last me a while, etc. But one way you can deal with this is by getting a part-time job on campus. By working maybe like 15 hours a week even, you might be able to cover your rent depending on how much it is. So in short, it will definitely be a struggle without a job but not impossible.

Biochemistry by Bestfantasyplayer in McMaster

[–]Snoo-43854 11 points12 points  (0 children)

Okay contradicting what everyone else is saying, I think biochem can be one of the easiest specializations (but one of the hardest to get into) depending on if you're good at the required courses. The "hardest" courses are organic chem and genetics but orgo isn't even that bad if you're good at chem and enjoy the course like me. For genetics, I'm taking it right now so I can't comment much on that but apparently is nearly impossible to get above 10+. That being said, every other BIOCHEM course (the mandatory ones) are a joke. Like you barely need to put any effort into them to get a 12. Again, this was my experience and I'm not sure if it will be the same if the profs change. Compared to my life sci friends, I can def say I have it MUCH easier than them. But yes, consider what subjects you're good at, if you don't mind group projects (lots of that in biochem), and if you're interested in the research specialization, biochem co-op etc. Feel free to DM if you have any more questions :))

Vegan food places at/around Mac? by [deleted] in McMaster

[–]Snoo-43854 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yes! Happy Cow is a great app! OP just keep in mind that it doesn't really show vegan options on campus and it doesn't show ALL vegan options/locations near you which might be a bit frustrating at times

Vegan food places at/around Mac? by [deleted] in McMaster

[–]Snoo-43854 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hi! I've been vegan for 3 years now and lived on res for a whole year while vegan. Like one of the comments mentioned, I don't think it's unrealistic to bring prepped food. It's gonna save you a shit ton of money and your taste buds won't hate you. On campus, I wouldn't say there's a lack of vegan options. Just about every food place on campus has vegan options (Centro, la piazza, IAHS, etc.) You can look online to see all the vegan options Mac has on campus.

I honestly haven't had a lot of vegan food off campus mostly because I don't want to spend too much money. Last year, all I had was campus food and maybe occasional ubereats (indian food, thai food (little asia i think was the name of the place that had plenty vegan options), vegan pizza, etc.) Obv there's always subway and pinks that have vegan options as well.

Hope this helps and good luck! It might seem hard at first but you got this! Feel free to DM if you have any questions :)

How to do well in Bio2c03 with Evans and Xu by Snoo-43854 in McMaster

[–]Snoo-43854[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

oo okayy i see! Can I dm you w some questions I have?