Deng Ngang Deng
Current City: Kalgoorlie, Western Australia
Year arrived in Canada: 2008
School(s): University of Trinity College in the University of Toronto, Laurentian University
Academic Programs: Honours BSc. in Geology Specialist, Master of Science in Geology and Geophysics
Current Occupation: Professional Geoscientist, Managing Director at Target Mining Resources
1. From your experience transitioning to Canadian life and culture, do you have any advice for new students coming to study in Canada?
In Canada you eat and wear what you want. No controls you and so you should be mindful of what you say about other’s food or clothes.
No mean no. If a girl or a boy says no, it means just that: NO.
2. How can new students cope with loneliness and feeling out of place when they first arrive in Canada?
Make use of your WUSC network. Join study groups and avoid a group of carousers. A lot of people lose direction for trying to appease and trying to fit into their new networks. I had a great network. Today, five of my network are CEO of multimillion enterprises and one is a scholar at Oxford University. Another is the Chief Editor of Harvard Law Journal.
3. From your experience, what does it take to succeed in Canada?
Understanding yourself, your circumstances and why you are in Canada is your first point of reference. Once you have grounded your foundation, friends and society will build on that foundation to make you a great being that you want to be.
4. What challenges do you think hinder new students from succeeding in Canada?
Student life demands time and resources regardless of one’s status. Planning one’s time and money accordingly is therefore crucial and all students must understand this fact. They need to save up for emergencies. Failure to manage time and money creates stress when needs arise and that can lead to depression, drug abuse and alcoholism.
Career choice should be thought through in term of ease of completing the course, the prospect of getting a job after graduation and enjoying that type of work. It pays no bills to graduate with a PhD in “being proud”. Do a course that will make you employable.
Choose your network carefully. They say birds of the same feathers flock together and it is true. Do not join a network with friends who will use you. A good starting point for your network is your WUSC committee.
5. Seeing how credit scores are important, do you have any advice on managing money or a credit profile?
Spend on what you really need. An extravagant lifestyle is usually a recipe for massive debt. Take small, manageable credit cards.
6. Do you have any ideas on how new students can manage expectations from friends and family back home?
There are contradictions that come with high expectations from relatives and friends. Today you will be told to focus on school, tomorrow the same relative or friend will ask for money to buy cloth, food, take someone to hospital. You will be made to feel like a failure if you don’t send money. However, if you shift your attention to making money for them, the same people will wonder why you are not graduating from university like your colleagues and they will be the first one to preach your failure. You will never satisfy everyone at the same time. Do what you think is good for you first. Fulfill your mission first
7. Were your aspirations met? What would you do differently if you were to start over again in Canada?
I would manage my money well. I have probably waste lots of my money on non-vital things like expensive cars and ungrateful connections (keyword = “ungrateful connection”). I would invest in the real estate market at my earliest possible opportunity.
