Viktoriya Kolomiiets, Fanshawe College, London, Ontario, Canada

Vika applied to Fanshawe College in Canada in 2014. She is now finishing her second year. Before beginning classes, she had to improve her English: her TOEFL score was only 59, while Fanshawe College required at least 79. An affordable language school was chosen for her, and she studied there for eight weeks in July–August 2016. Despite all the stress and worries about the consulate, Viktoriya received her visa quickly, within two weeks.

Hello everyone! I would like to tell you a little about my studies.

I have been in Canada for eight months, studying at Fanshawe College in London, one of Ontario's best colleges. I am taking Tourism&Travel(Co-op). It is a popular subject among our students because it covers hundreds of areas within tourism, so finding work should not be a problem. Being registered on a co-op programme means that I will finish with both a diploma and documented work experience.

Co-op students complete a four-month placement in their field. You choose the location, city and even country yourself. The college provides resources and job-search techniques and helps with all the necessary paperwork and permits.

Before college, I spent two months at London Language Institute, where I met people from around the world. I lived with a very friendly homestay family, which helped me settle into Canada. When college started, I moved into a rented room nearby, and I now share a house with other students.

London is a small, cosy city two hours from Toronto. People are friendly and welcoming. There are many foreigners, especially international students, including quite a few from our part of the world. During the first days at college, the Russian-speaking representative brought us together so we could meet and receive useful information.

Studying in Canada was my dream, and Avers Express helped me achieve it. The director, Nataliya Viktorivna, did a huge amount of work that I cannot imagine doing myself. She helped me apply to the college: the application, registration, translated transcript, required documents and answers to all my questions. She also helped with the visa, one of the most stressful processes for international students.

My English was a little below the required standard, so the company helped me find an affordable language school. I successfully improved my English during two summer months there. London Language Institute was in the same city and close to Fanshawe College. During the course I could calmly find accommodation for later, get to know the campus and explore London. When college began, it was much easier for me to settle in than for students who had just arrived.

For all this work, I want to thank Nataliya Viktorivna personally and the entire Avers Express team.