An insider’s guide to the best place to live, campus food and more

Deepali Verma, 22
Business analytics

Why did you choose Cape Breton University?
I love to travel, and one day I was surfing the web for beautiful places to visit in Canada. That’s how Cape Breton Island caught my attention. I started looking for a university to attend there, and it turned out that Cape Breton University offered a program that was well-suited to helping me launch a career in business analytics.

Describe some of your best experiences so far.
I’ve had a wonderful time at CBU. On my first day at the university, I was happy to see flags from various countries, reflecting the school’s commitment to diversity. Another good experience has been my involvement with the Jennifer Keeping Centre for Accessible Learning, which serves students who have disabilities. Through the centre, I’ve had the chance to tutor students in chemistry, which is my favourite subject. Because of the pandemic, I took my first semester online and I expected the classes to be boring, but they weren’t. The professors have been very helpful and co-operative, and they always do their best to make their lessons interesting for students.

Are you involved in extracurricular activities?
CBU offers a great host of extracurricular activities. I started as chief editor at Caper Times in October 2021, and I have learned so much during my six months in this role. I generally love being a part of activities going on in and around campus.

What do you think of your professors?
I’m pursuing a post-baccalaureate diploma in business analytics, a field that is very different from my previous area of study. It’s always a challenge to go through a big transition, but my professors have made it smooth and enjoyable for me.

What do you think of the school’s administration?
When signing up for classes, I find the CBU website quite accessible and easy to use. The administrative staff are helpful and able to find solutions to any issues or questions you may have, no matter how minute.

What is off-campus life like in Sydney?
Life in Cape Breton is peaceful and harmonious. Although Cape Breton University is a few kilometres from Sydney—the main town on the island—the bus service makes it easy to commute. In general, Sydney is very student-friendly. Many shops and restaurants offer student discounts.

PROFILE: Cape Breton University | Sydney, N.S. | Founded 1974

If I wrote the school motto: ‘Mark a new trail’
Best place to live: Downtown Sydney
Best place to study: The CBU Library is my all-time favourite place
Best campus events: Cultural celebrations and holidays such as Diwali, Lunar New Year and Halloween
Best campus food: The cafeteria and Tim Hortons
Best cheap lunch: The CBUSU food bank generally offers free lunch on Thursdays
Best pizza: Alexandra’s Pizza in Sydney
Best place for a fancy dinner: Little Chef, the Indian Eatery
Best giveaway: Thanksgiving giveaways
Best bar for hanging out: Montana’s BBQ & Bar
Best live music venue: The university’s Boardmore Theatre
Best hangover breakfast: Subway
Best weekend activity: Fun with friends, watching the latest movies or reading a book
The thing that surprised me most about the school: The amiability between people on campus
If I could change one thing about the school: Better placement opportunities for students