Kuol Majak, P.Eng

Profile Info:

• Current city of residence: Saint John, New Brunswick

• Year arrived in Canada: 2008

• School(s): Dalhousie University

• Academic program(s): Chemical Engineering

• Current or target occupation/profession: Process Engineer for Crude Unit, Merox Units/Chemical Engineer

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

Transitioning into Canadian life requires open-mindedness to different cultures, while still sticking to your own cultural values (to better appreciate Canadian and your own culture).   Understanding different situations and how things are done in your new society is important. Being cognizant of your purpose and goals in Canada will play a key role in how you integrate into the Canadian society and will help you stay out of trouble, financially or socially.  

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

I would encourage new students to get involved in events and activities around them, especially during their first year in Canada. This will help them make new friends and connections that may last a life time. During frosh week, everyone is new on campus and I would encourage new students to introduce themselves and connect with other students in their classes or resident. Socialize but do not get carried away. First year is one of the few times where you are likely to lose focus or direction. Many students lose sight of their goals and priorities due to adaptation challenges in the new environment, living away from home and the new freedoms and stuffs available to them.

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

Depending on how you define success, to me it means achieving at least one of your goals/dreams that you had in mind before coming to Canada. Or even newly adopted goals according to realities in Canada. Without stating the obvious, work hard on your goals, develop your network of friends during your time at school. Keep friends who provide positive influence in your life.  One of those friends might introduce or recommend you to their other friends or parents working for companies of your choices or other social support services that you might need. Participate in career fairs to network and in peer mentorship programs in your school. You learn a lot from those programs.

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

culture and lack of family support system. Most WUSC students are bread winners in their families and are expected by relatives to help them financially while going to school at the same time. Finding the balance between the need to support your family and friends that you left behind in the camp and success at school is the key to overcoming financial problems.

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

A good credit score is important, but building it is hard if you do not stick to your budget (living within your means). If you intent to build your credit score, the best way to do it is to prepay your credit card or pay your balance statement in full, not just the minimum payment ( that is if you have money). To avoid having to borrow a lot of money from high interest credit cards, do not spend all your money from your part time job. It is good practice to save 3 to 6 months worth of your monthly expenses as emergency funds and strictly ensure you have an emergency before spending them. It might take long to reach that goal but it is the best way to financial freedom and less stressful academic years. Do not get a lot of credit cards, many credit cards hurt your credit scores.

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

Communicate with your friends and family, open up on issues you are facing and how different the realities are from your previous expectations. When faced with problems, reach out to former students and learn from them on how they solved similar problems. Get part time job on campus, I recommend looking for jobs where you can study while working, or where you can get free meals.

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

• My ‘adjusted aspirations’ were met.

• I would have taken a part time job that enabled me earn while studying at the same. Saving money during the summer is a good way to stabilize yourself financially to cover emergency expenses during the school year.