John Abuoi Bul
Current City: Kingston, Ontario
Year arrived in Canada: 2016
School(s): Queens University
Academic Program: Civil Engineering
1. What inspired you to pursue your studies in Civil Engineering of all the academic programs that were available to you?
Civil Engineering is a very broad discipline, which offers solutions to many of our current problems like climate change, global warming, waste disposal, wastewater management and infrastructure. I wanted a program, that would provide me with a wide range of options to engage in instead of being trapped in lifelong career with limited options. I love outdoors and Civil engineering provides just that.
2. Do you have any advice to new students joining post-secondary institutions on choosing academic programs and careers for success after school?
I would encourage them to pursue academic programs they are most passionate about, don’t select a program because of prestige or status. Additionally, all the academic programs or careers are within reach and possible to achieve, so go after your dreams!
3. What challenges do you think hinder new students from succeeding in Canada?
One of the challenges that hinder new students from succeeding in Canada is failure to seek help and guidance from friends, classmates, and academic advisors. Reach out whenever you can instead of trying to figure out everything on your own.
4. How can new students cope with loneliness and feeling out of place when they first arrive in Canada?
New students can cope with loneliness and feeling out of place by reaching out to former Alumni and current students at their schools who might have gone through a similar experience. Don’t be afraid to ask and get involved in your local committee and international student center. Call home whenever you can.
5. Do you have a mentor? If so, how have they helped you in your academic or professional career?
Yes, South Sudanese senior and graduate students provided me with so much guidance and helped as a freshman. They helped me by sharing their study habits and time management skills. They also emphasized the importance of keeping up the lectures and the assignment, this assisted me to finish my assignments on time and never missed a deadline.
6. From your experience so far, what does it take to succeed in Canada? (Measuring success in academic and professional terms).
To succeed in Canada in academics from my own experience requires persistence and determination. You can always retake a failed class if you are determined to achieve your academic goal/career. Additionally, the support from the parents, friends and the community thousands of miles away rooting for you also influenced/fuel the desire to succeed. You did not come this far to fail, they would encourage.
7. Is your racial profile helping or hindering your professional growth? That is, if race is a factor at all.
I am yet to start my professional career job; however, racial profile or race would not be a factor to stifle or impede my professional growth in my opinion. With good work ethics and integrity, a thriving career is possible. I might encounter biasness which could slow down my progress but cannot ultimately stop my career growth.
8. Do you have any ideas on how new students can manage expectations from friends and family back home?
New students can manage expectations from friends and family back home by knowing and acknowledging what is outside their abilities and what they are capable of. Self-awareness is key in managing high expectations. Know what you can and cannot do and be honest about it.
9. Seeing how credit scores are important in Canada, do you have any tips on managing money or building a strong credit profile?
Use credit card when buying expensive purchases, instead of your debit card.
Link your credit card with your debit/Chequing account so that you can easily transfer and pay your credit
Buy from thrift stores (Mitumba) whenever you can.
10. What do you know now that you wished you had known before you enrolled in first year of university?
Making use of the student help centers/resources. Get involved on campus activities more. Study smart not harder.
11. If you can reflect on your personal journey, were your aspirations met? What would you do differently if you were to start over again in Canada?
At this point of my journey, I can say I am on the right track to fulfilling my aspiration of becoming a professional Eng. I have met one of the requirements, which is an undergraduate degree, a few more requirement to go but we are working on that. If I were to start over in Canada, I would be more outgoing than reserved like I was.
12. From your experience transitioning to Canadian life and culture, do you have any advice for new students?
For the new students, it’s okay to be different or be a minority in a class/lectures. Stay true to yourself and be open minded to the various cultures you will encounter.
