Chol Aruei Riak
Current city of residence: Calgary, Alberta
Year arrived in Canada: 2011
School(s): University of Saskatchewan
Academic program(s): Physiology and Pharmacology (2016), Chemistry (2018) and Chemical (Process) Engineering (2019)
Current occupation: Process Engineering/Process Innovation Intern
1. From your experience transitioning to Canadian life and culture, do you have any advice for new WUSC students?
My sincere advice to new WUSC students is to make as many friends of any background/ethnicity as you can because life could be pretty challenging (socially and academically) when tackling it “kisolo”
Also, I would advise them to learn the art of financial literacy to avoid the pitfalls many of us have been victims of
In today’s economy, the labor market has turned into who you know rather what you know, so start networking at your first year as you mature academically and culturally in this freezing country.
2. Do you have any advice on choosing academic programs and careers for later success after school?
Time and tides wait for no man, as a result, enroll in courses transferable to most programs as you decide what program best suits your strength and that you enjoy.
Seek advice from WUSC students who came ahead of you or are enrolled in program you are interested in. Avoid the so-called academic advisors in your schools. They are only useful when you have enrolled in the program of your interest. The truth is, they cannot help in deciding which program to choose or to enrolled in.
Look at the employability of the programs you are interested in and get necessary information and advice. Getting a job is a big deal here!
3. How can new students cope with loneliness and feeling out of place when they first arrive in Canada?
Simply by making friends, getting out of their shy cocoons or try to adapt as much as they could. Sociability and adaptability are skills one needs to have in their skills-box
4. From your experience, what does it take to succeed in Canada? (Measuring success in academic and professional terms).
Academic-wise, you need to be prepared. Read ahead of professor, do assignments in time (even though I am a last-minute dude), read the books to understand the concepts rather Professor’s PowerPoint slides. Furthermore, make friends so that you tackle assignments/projects together or laboratory works with ease. In programs like engineering and computer science, you need buddies for your life to be a little bit easier
For professional terms, it depends on luck, networking, dedication and never giving up. It is advisable to get an intern/coops to increase the likelihood of realizing professional dreams because experience ‘ni mchujo’ in (professional) job search
5. What challenges do you think hinder new students from succeeding in Canada?
Expectations: we came here sometimes with huge or somewhat unrealistic expectations that end up demoralizing and spinning us out of the control wheel. I advise every kid coming through WUSC to dream but with realistic dreams
Lack of valuable information: there are many ways to succeed in this country but limited access to information that can inspire us or help us make informed decision is a contributing factor.
Financial illiteracy: coming from poor families, we think we can solve every problem that our families faced when we were back there. The truth is those problems are looping infinitely (coders know what an infinite loop is!). If we learn to be at least financially informed or “financially stable” that is meeting our most basic needs without a need to worry, then we can help our families with ease. Remember, a drowning man cannot help another drowning man
6. Seeing how credit scores are important in Canada, do you have any advice on managing money or building up a credit profile?
Drowning oneself in debts is the worst thing to do here. Life here is lived on credit (borrowing). I would advice my new WUSC brothers and sisters to have ONE credit card to build their credit scores and no MORE than that. Believe me or not, financial struggles get real and you don’t wanna mess up your credit history if you will be dreaming of taking mortgages or financing cars
7. Do you have any ideas on how new students can manage expectations from friends and family back home?
Simply, I would like them to be true and real to themselves and with their families and friends. Otherwise, wanting to satisfy all needs at the same time results in some adverse outcomes!
8. 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?
My aspirations are somewhat met. They are somewhat met because my knowledge quest is fulfilled but professional quest is in limbo.
I would enroll in a technical school and study a diploma in the field of science and technology. In this way, I avoid accumulating student loan and perhaps secure a somewhat good paying job with less years of schooling and debts.
I have come to realize higher degrees are not really that useful in this society lest with luck, and proper connections. Consequently, I would go on a networking/connection spree, internship/coop hunting!!
In addition, I would decide on the first term of my first academic year on what program to undertake instead of wanting to this or that so as to avoid wasting time as well as to minimize student loan
