If you could live and study anywhere in the world, where would it be?

Greece. The beautiful Mediterranean Sea has always had a special place in my heart. The Greek salad, yoghurt, baklava, fresh olives and pita bread holds a special place in my stomach! I would never run out of sites to see in Greece: The Parthenon, Cape Sounion and the Temple of Poseidon or the Agora. For someone who loves history and culture, Greece is the place for me to study. It's also an exceptional location for soaking up the sun. I imagine myself reading a book and lying on the seashore, in utter relaxation… The beautiful scenery and sculptures would satisfy the artist that longs to escape from within my heart. In a word, Greece would be… Paradise.

Where in the World?
by Hannah Hunter-Loubert - Queen Elizabeth High School, Calgary AB

Many people look at the question “If you could live and study anywhere in the world, where would it be?” and immediately think of the dream vacation spot they’ve always wanted to see. (New York! Berlin! Paris!) At first I did the same. I launched into a list of where I could go and what I could see: London! I could finally see the birthplace of the Beatles. But what about the Coliseum in Rome? And the Giza pyramids? Or maybe the Sidney Opera House?

As I fantasized about seeing historic landmarks and famous buildings, I realized that there was a flaw in my thinking. All I was thinking about was the location. While I was focused on the location, I was missing what studying abroad is about. Living and studying in a new city is about finding a new perspective on yourself and the world around you. The people you meet and the things you learn are far more valuable than the location you do them in.

So how, then, do you choose a location? My suggestion is for people to go where they want to. A tourist hotspot will still be exciting to visit, but I also warn those people to be careful to appreciate more than the architecture and landscape. I personally will be in London, making sure to experience more than Beatles relics.

It has been said that self-fulfillment is what we fear most,
So we live our lives allowing a single city to be our host.
But when the world has more places than can be seen in a lifetime,
And more people than dust particles we see in rays of sunshine,
Why do we settle?

If I could live and study anywhere
I would live and study everywhere.
They say there's no place like home-
I'd ask, "which one? Brazil, Japan or Rome?"

Because if home is the best place in the world as a whole,
Then why limit best places when it's under your control?
You can learn while you study by reading in a room,
Or you can learn while you study by experiencing an Indian monsoon.

While books provide imagery, allowing the imagination to see,
Pictures speak a thousand words, giving the eyes tranquility.
Better than a picture, though, is an experience itself-
Like visiting the North Pole instead of picturing an elf.

So if I could live and study anywhere, my answer would be
That I would live and study everywhere, and I will - just watch me.

Florence, Italy, most well-known for being the birthplace of the Renaissance is full of history that you can see first-hand. Why learn about people and places through a textbook? You can climb the hundreds of steps up the Duomo, take a stroll across Ponte Vecchio - a bridge so beautiful it was the only exception to the bombings during the Second World War, and visit the Uffizi or one of the many other art museums.

The lifestyle is not exactly how it is portrayed on Jersey Shore; there are no hot tubs in the apartments but with the tiled roofs and wooden shutter windows you will be living in all that European housing can offer. The pizza, despite the difference from ours, is delectable and the pasta more scrumptious than imaginable. After pulling an all-nighter while finishing up that essay you will be in dire need of a coffee. There are no Starbucks but any of the cafés can brew a macchiato or espresso that can rival the best of them.

So, if you are looking for a place full of culture or just somewhere that will serve better food than what the cafeterias try to pass off as edible, Florence cannot be beat. Still a main destination for music and studies, Florence has also evolved into a dream place to live.

Who needs to be on the top of the world when you can be in the middle? I would love to study in Quito, Ecuador, which is almost right on the equator. It is a breathtaking location as well, as Quito is in a valley of the Andes.

The landscape also demonstrates values of the people, as there are many man-made, cultivated fields of barley and wheat. The Andean mountains and valleys have also affected the academic institutions, because universities in Quito offer programs regarding sustainable development, or the impact of environmental damage on indigenous cultures. I would love courses like that, because I feel that an active initiative for environmental sustainability is vital for a viable future.

Learning these methods and issues in Quito would be inspiring, because the capital is such a marvelous example of man co-existing with nature. The remnants of the Spanish past, such as the old colonial buildings, would serve a lovely backdrop to the festivals and nightlife, displaying the people’s good natured and small town behavior that is said to be still present in this large city.

Mostly, I would like the experience the juxtaposition of an old colony – I would love to see the architecture of an old Ecuador against modern skyscrapers, fruit vendors in front of boutiques, and I seek to learn of a culture that maintains the peace with Earth while paving a future for its people. These are lessons that can never be taught inside a classroom.

As a classic film aficionado, there is no better place to study than where it all began: where tiny projectors first thrilled audiences with the novel idea of moving pictures, grew with sound and size, and blossomed into a multi-billion dollar industry. Here, struggling immigrants became movie moguls, built studios from scratch, and transformed the small municipality of Hollywood into what it is today, a Dream Factory.

Along the shore of California, Los Angeles is blessed with gorgeous weather and a little place called Hollywood at its heart. Tourists are bombarded by memorabilia shops, tours, and numerous attractions, but these sun-soaked sightseers soon tire of the flashy sights and return home. Yet, for some it is a source of ongoing inspiration. One can visit the historic Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, marvel in the footsteps of pioneers who paved the way, and know they stand where greatness once stood. These cement prints conjure up dreams of success, reminding us that those of cinematic royalty, were and are real people. On a pensive day, the Hollywood Forever cemetery beckons to be wandered. Inside, tombstones and crypts mark the final resting places of artists who remain immortal on the silver screen.

Aspiring students will find three eminent film schools stationed in Los Angeles, all which rank among the top 25 globally. And, let us not forget the renowned Hollywood Sign, landmark to a centre of flourishing celluloid culture, which for many, is the stuff dreams are made of.

If I could live and study in any City, I would choose Vancouver, British Columbia. The Reason I would choose Vancouver is because of all the colleges for Film Direction and Video Game Design. I would take classes in Computer Animation, Film Directing, and Game Design.

Another great reason Vancouver is perfect for me is because I will be able to get a good part-time job, visit my family, and focus on my studies!

That is why I think that Vancouver would be the best place ever for me to live and study.

"If I find in myself desires which with nothing in this world can satisfy, the only logical explanation is that I was made for another world."- British philosopher and novelist C.S. Lewis

I can't but recall this quote whilst thinking about the school of my dreams. This, because my dream school cannot be reached by means of mere muggle transporatation vehicles like airplanes, and busses. By now you've probably realized I speak of none other than the (pronounced thee) Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Yes, I'll admit my choice is cheesy, but think about it. The content of our classes seem so bland and futile in comparison to Harry Potter's. Who wants to do laps in P.E., when they could be playing a good ole game of Quidditch? Think about all the years aspiring doctors spend in medical school, when they could just have healed people with a flick of the wrist and a touch of the wand. And that ex-best friend who's publicizing all your deepest, darkest secrets, couldn't anymore if she was a toad with 32 warts (courtesy of transfiguration classes).

Founded 1000 years ago, with the school motto of "Never Tickle a Sleeping Dragon", (common sense), Hogwarts is the epitome of amazing. I mean, I'm sure there may be some rather unfavourable attributes about attending Hogwarts, like deadly encounters with Dark Wizards, but I think its worth it. Besides, Voldemort doesn't seem so bad in comparison to some of my teachers.

I have always been one of those kids who spent their time daydreaming about their future. It scared me but I knew deep down where I wanted to go, and that for now my life would be an endless pursuit of my dream job. Growing up I had a deep passion for animals, nature, and writing. Even now I still do, and it now brings me to my ultimate goal. My dream is to travel and write for National geographic! To trek through the vast Rain forest of Venezuela to get special footage of endangered species. Or the harsh desert of Saudi Arabia. Uncovering the secret lives of creatures on the other side of the world, whether on land or the deep sea. My dream is to travel and explore this earth and share it with others through my articles and pictures. There are so many things our eyes have not seen, and our world needs to be reminded of the importance of all the life on this earth.

Cobblestone streets, majestic castles and elegant architecture around every corner. The city of Prague is magical. People buzz with excitement across the various squares scattered across the city, hidden stories captured between every stone beneath your feet.

What better way to experience the Golden City than to create a life within its towers? Prague's prestigious film school is the one of the oldest in the world. To be able to use the City of 100 Towers as a film location would be a dream come true for a striving cinematographer.

Brilliant minds such as Franz Kafka and Alphonse Mucha have rested their talents in the city center of Europe. Walking through Prague is like walking through an open air museum—strolling through history. Delicious food and drinks (the city is especially known for the highest beer consumption in the world!) only add to the lively atmosphere. To be able to absorb such culture while studying would be a definite plus to any student.

Unique landmarks such as the astronomical clock and John Lennon wall decorate Prague’s colourful streets with even more to admire. Towns such as Český Krumlov are scattered around the capital of the Czech Republic, ready to be visited at any time.

Language barrier? Žádné obavy, mohu naučit!
(No worries, I can learn!)

As a mere high school student aspiring to enter the challenging film industry with a healthy appetite for everything the world has to offer, the heart of Europe seems like a good place to start.