The biggest reason was affordability. UPEI has very reasonable tuition, and the cost of living in Charlottetown is also quite affordable. As a UPEI student, I can get a high-quality education and be debt-free when I finish my degree.

One of my best experiences at UPEI was attending my Entrepreneurship & New Venture class. I teamed up with four other students to create a business plan and build a startup company in P.E.I. It was an exciting course, and we had an excellent professor who had lots of experience in entrepreneurship. I used to think I would never have the skills to open up my own company; this course completely changed my mind. Another great experience was student orientation, when I met and bonded with many people in a short amount of time.

Since my first year at UPEI, I have been an adviser with UPEI’s campus life program. This program helps students connect with each other, and it has been a huge part of my university experience. I’ve also been involved in the student union and the English Language Centre.

I find most of my professors super helpful and resourceful. They all have many years of working in their respective fields and are able to offer students valuable practical advice. Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, I did not find it difficult to reach out to my professors whenever I had questions or needed support. They replied within a day or so, and they would try to accommodate me as best they could.

Students have to strategically plan and register for classes to complete their degrees. Most required courses are available during the year, but elective classes are only offered in certain semesters. This can make it challenging to choose and sign up for the courses you want. I suggest meeting with first-year advisement counsellors or counsellors from the student affairs office when you enrol at UPEI. They can guide you to plan out your courses over your degree and recommend courses that best fit your interests.

Charlottetown is small but also fun and friendly. It has restaurants, bars, theatres, bowling alleys and even an axe-throwing lounge.

Best place to live: Brown Court and downtown Charlottetown

Best place to study: The Learning Commons on the main floor of the library

Best campus events: The New Student Orientation and the Global Village Multicultural Festival (during non-COVID years)

Best campus food: Chicken tenders with sweet potato fries at the Fox & Crow

Best pizza: Dolce e Fumoso with chili oil from Piatto Pizzeria

Best place for a fancy dinner: Redwater Rustic Grille

Best giveaway: The UPEI student union has great giveaways all the time

Best bar for hanging out: Bar 1911

Best live music venue: Hopyard

Best hangover breakfast: Seafood chowder at Merchantman Fresh Seafood & Oyster Bar

Best place for a nap: On the leathered chairs in the sunroom of the library

Best weekend activity: Hanging out with friends at the Kettle Black

The thing that surprised me most about the school: The ghost stories in Dalton Hall

If I could change one thing about the school: Free parking areas for students throughout the year