Mach Ghai
Toronto, ON
Current city: Mississauga, Ontario
Year arrived in Canada: 2015
School(s): York University
Academic program(s): Bachelor of Commerce with Honours (Specialized in Accounting)
Target occupation/Profession: Aspiring CPA
1. From your experience transitioning to Canadian life and culture, do you have any advice for new WUSC students?
It is not going to be easy but everyone has to start somewhere. Carry on with your personal values and principles. Don't be swayed easily by the new culture you will find yourself in..
2. Do you have any advice on choosing academic programs and careers for later success after school?
You are capable of doing any program of your choice but choose the one that you have interest in and passion for. Google search programs & the job market on reddit and YouTube (internet in general). I recommend you talk to WUSC alumni who are in their final year and those who have already graduated. If you have an alumnus who is your friend or relative, talk to them first. In my opinion, I recommend you explore technology programs, especially those with a co-op option. I feel like this is the future.
3. How can new students cope with loneliness and feeling out of place when they first arrive in Canada?
You will have to accept loneliness as part of life sometimes. Common conversation topics in Canada are: sports, weather, what “you or they” did over the weekend and shallow talks about work. Most people don't enjoy talking about politics. Improve your communication skills through self-learning material on the internet.
4. From your experience, what does it take to succeed in Canada? (Measuring success in academic and professional terms).
This is a subjective question. To get far, do not be book-smart only, you also need some street smarts. If possible, get yourself a part-time job (any job) in your early years in school. You will gain a valuable work experience to put on your resume and you will meet contacts to add to your professional network as well.
5. Seeing how credit scores are important in Canada, do you have any advice on managing money or building up a credit profile?
Down the road you might want to make a large purchase like a car or a mortgage, your credit score will be used as a decision-making tool by the lenders to help them anticipate how likely you are to repay your loan on time. Credit card funds are not your money. It is a short-term debt that a company is extending to you. if you make a credit card purchase, you have to pay it within 21 days to avoid a high interest charge, a rate of about 19% for example. Avoid cash advances (withdrawal of cash from a credit card). Always pay your credit balance in full if possible and never miss minimum payments. You will boost your credit score this way.
6. Do you have any ideas on how new students can manage expectations from friends and family back home?
Always remember that you will never please the whole society with money. Financial burdens are part of what leads to mental breakdowns in Canada. Don't take on a non-sustainable responsibility back home because your monthly allowances won’t last for long. If you have to provide financial support to anyone, then wait until you graduate and working full time. You will have some disposable income to share if you choose to.
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?
Financial freedom is a long-term journey, I think there is still plenty of time ahead for me to achieve my goals. Always put in your best work and remember that better days are ahead.
