Elizabeth Yom

Profile Info:

Current city of residence: Toronto, Ontario

Year arrived in Canada: 2008

School(s): Brock University

Academic program(s): International Political Economics

current or target occupation/profession:  Public Service - Government of Canada

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

I would advise them to be confident and be open to learning and accepting Canada as their home.  Make friends of all backgrounds. It will help you with networking for job opportunities after school.

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

Always reach out and connect with your WUSC colleagues and even older WUSC students who came ahead of you. This is your family now.  Always call home and chat with your friends, it helps release some stress.

3. From your experience, what does it take to succeed in Canada?

Work hard in your academic life and also do not forget to make friends and volunteer. Take part-time jobs, that work experience will come handy after graduating.

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

Drinking and hanging out with wrong crowds who will not motivate you to do well. Also take it slow on integrating into Canadian way of life, do not come and jump into Canadian culture. You can socialize but do not make it your daily life mission.

5. Seeing how credit scores are important, do you have any advice on managing money or a credit profile?

From my own personal experience be very careful with credit cards, they are good only if you know how to manage your finances. If you are not careful, that can mess you up later down the road. Here, there is no family or friends to lend you money or rely on financially.  Here, it is you and you alone. People here do not just randomly lend money to their friends, finances are very private.  You will learn to live within your means, do not compare yourself to other students.

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

You have to be realistic and honest with yourself and them.  Let them know that you are sponsored, and that you are not working. The only way for you to help them in the future is if you are able to graduate and find a job.  Especially during your first two years, it is very important that you make it clear to them that you are not able to support them unless you got a part-time job. Still, you will not make enough money to sponsor bigger projects or expectations.

7. Were your aspirations met? What would you do differently if you were to start over again in Canada?

I would say put yourselves out there. Make friends instead of being scared of venturing outside your comfort zone. Involve yourselves in activities in school, sports etc. I would have stayed away from credits cards until I understood how they work first.   I won’t say my aspiration were fully met but I think I am in a good place at the moment and there is room for growth daily.