Current city: Peterborough, Ontario

Year arrived in Canada: 2019

School(s): Trent University

Academic program(s): Bsc Biomedical Science

1. From your experience transitioning to Canadian life and culture, do you have any advice for new WUSC students?

I would tell them to just take their time to get to know how everything works here and not take it in all at once because it can be overwhelming.

2. Do you have any advice on choosing academic programs and careers for later success after school?

I would tell them to be sure of what they want and feel free to ask for help, go for academic advising to be sure you are taking the right courses that will count towards your program.

3. How can new students cope with loneliness and feeling out of place when they first arrive in Canada?

I would advice them to keep in touch with their loved ones and also find things they like and have fun... connect with people around the school. If there aren’t any South Sudanese around, they can make friends in their school and be mindful of what they share.

4. From your experience, what does it take to succeed in Canada? (Measuring success in academic and professional terms).

I haven’t had much experience with this but in my opinion, its getting into a good program that is marketable and would give you the job security after graduating. Being open minded also counts.

5. What challenges do you think hinder new students from succeeding in Canada?

I think we tend to come with a lot of expectations, and when they are not met we settle for anything for as long as we survive. Also, with the kind of pressure we get from back home, we may opt to make money instead of finishing our studies so that we get good jobs that will sustain us in the long run.

6. Do you have any ideas on how new students can manage expectations from friends and family back home?

I think they should explain their situation to their family and friends and maybe focus on what they can manage. They should be frank with them and tell them that they aren’t able to do anything financially at the moment, that when they do graduate they will try to help out financially.

7. 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 were partially met because I got a chance to get into the school which I had been yearning for since I completed my high school in 2015... on the other side, my expectations of life in Canada were bigger than what I got and I think I would tell the new students to lower theirs a little bit. If I was to start over again I would have the experience of what I can do and what I shouldn’t so I would have the ability to choose my courses wisely and know how to get a job easily afterwards.