Li Shuo

“Land Relations” is a fantastic course that introduces students to the city of Thunder Bay and to Canada more broadly — covering topics such as culture, geography, First Nations communities, wildlife, and plant life. We spent much of our time visiting remarkable places in the city using the university bus, and each trip focused on a specific theme, such as birdwatching or plants. Before each outing, we were required to complete a set of readings on the relevant topic. This preparation made every excursion meaningful, easy to follow, and much easier to remember afterwards.

I also noticed that students were always divided into different teams during the lab classes (for both “Land Relations” and “Outdoor Skills & Theory I”). Once each group had completed its assigned tasks, we would switch teams. This system made the lab sessions extremely efficient.

“Outdoor Skills & Theory I” is actually made up of two components: Outdoor Skills II, Theory I, and the Outdoor 1310 Lab. Outdoor Skills II is divided into two main parts:

1. Navigation (map and compass work, UTM)

2. Camp Craft (clothing systems, knots, shelters, and stoves)

The photo below reflects my experience during the “navigation and skills assessment” lab. All my gear ended up completely soaked, but that didn’t stop me from fully enjoying the experience. During this course, we were required to apply our navigation skills in the forest using a compass. Each group consisted of two people. After finishing the navigation task, we had to demonstrate our ability to use the stove and build a shelter independently.

One of the highlights of “Outdoor Skills & Theory” is the three‑day lab trip. Students can choose between a backpacking trip and a canoe trip. I chose the canoe trip — and the photo shows just how unforgettable it was.

Thunder Bay is a beautiful city with great tourism potential, and my exchange took place at the Department of Outdoor Recreation, Parks, and Tourism at Lakehead University. This experience has become one of the most precious memories of my life. I am truly grateful that our university gave me the opportunity to experience it. I encourage every student considering an exchange to keep Lakehead University in mind — especially those studying tourism.

Finally, I would be more than happy to share more about my experience with anyone interested in LU. Please feel free to contact me.