Take a look at Oleksandr Lisivka’s blog post on studying in Canada. Oleksandr is a student of the UCU Business School and he had presently enrolled in an exchange program at the Ivey Business School of Western University. He is participating in the MSc in Innovations and Entrepreneurship program at LvBS and recently began his MBA studies in Canada. Oleksandr graciously shares his impressions with us.
Upon being admitted to the MBA program, I quickly realized that studying could be both challenging and exhilarating. The local approach was different from what I was used to. Instead of the joint learning and independent consolidation of material, as is typical in my previous experience, the emphasis was on independent preparation before the class and joint consolidation during the class. To illustrate, for the first class, we were expected to read 70 pages from books, articles, and additional materials. This approach allowed for a better understanding of the subject matter right from the first lecture, with opportunities to clarify questions instead of just listening to a lecture.
Read more about the MBA exchange program at Ivey Business School
It’s fascinating how this approach changes the learning process. In the classroom, one has the opportunity to deepen and consolidate their existing knowledge while also being able to share it with others. This makes the learning experience unique each time, as each student has their own perspective on the problem, solution, or alternative based on their own experiences. When a question is posed, it remains open-ended, allowing everyone to contribute their own unique perspective due to their different backgrounds, work experiences, cultural perceptions, and most importantly, their individual personalities. This allows for a broader understanding of the subject matter, not just from one’s own perspective, but also through the eyes of others.
Learning can be both challenging and exciting. We are currently in the selection period where students can choose subjects they are most interested in. There are typically 7-8 different subjects available to choose from each month, and it’s recommended to choose 2. However, since spots are limited, it’s possible to miss out on the classes you want to take. For instance, when I joined the classes later, I was unable to register for some classes and ended up being 14th on the waiting list. Nevertheless, if the topic is truly important to you, it’s still possible to attend the class as a free listener.
When you have a study load that is twice the recommended amount, you come to realize the importance of maintaining a work-life balance. You also understand that it’s impossible to do everything you want to do in life, no matter how much you desire it. Whether it’s in education, work, or personal life, it’s important to have priorities that you can rely on when making choices.
The complexity and diversity of education gives a view of the world from different angles and, above all, adjusts the prism through which we look at it. It makes you think about the past to look at it from a different angle, rethink, draw conclusions and try to use it in the future.” – said Oleksandr Lisivka.
