Lorelai

Hello, my name is Lorelai and I'm a marketing student based in Toronto, Canada. My life is a constant balancing act between studies, work, and trying to enjoy the city life. I'm originally from Osaka, Japan, but moved here for my studies. It was quite a culture shock in the beginning, but I've grown to love the diversity and openness of this city.

I'm in my third year at the University of Toronto, and let me tell you, the course load can be quite intense. I'm specializing in digital marketing, so there's a lot to keep up with given how fast the field evolves. It can be overwhelming at times, but it's also incredibly exciting to be learning about such an impactful area of business.

To make ends meet, I've taken up a few part-time jobs. One that I've been doing for a while now is catalogue modeling. I sort of stumbled upon it by chance. I accompanied a friend to an open casting call and was noticed by one of the scouts. At first, I was hesitant, but then I figured why not give it a try? The pay is decent and the hours are flexible, allowing me to arrange my shoots around my class schedule.

Modeling has been quite the adventure. It's a completely different world from my marketing studies but it's provided me with some valuable experiences. I've learned how to present myself, how to network, and how to navigate a professional environment. Plus, it's given me a behind-the-scenes look at the marketing strategies employed by the fashion industry, which is interesting from an academic perspective.

However, modeling isn't my only gig. I'm always on the lookout for opportunities to supplement my income. I do a bit of freelance work as a social media consultant for local businesses. My knowledge in marketing certainly comes in handy here. It’s not just about the money, it's also about gaining practical experience. I've worked with coffee shops, small retail stores, and even a dog walking service. It's rewarding to see how my work can help these businesses grow their online presence.

Life here in Toronto can get hectic between studying and working, but I'm trying my best to take it all in stride. I believe that all these experiences will be beneficial for my future career. Plus, it's not all work and no play - I've met some wonderful people and made great memories along the way.

Living as an international student can be challenging, especially financially, but it's also a journey filled with learning, growing, and becoming independent. So, while things can be tough sometimes, I wouldn't trade this experience for anything else.