Manyang Lual

• Current city of residence: Montreal, Quebec

• Year arrived in Canada: 2017

• School: McGill University

• Academic program(s): Computer Science/Economics

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

Make friends, be curious and ask a lot of questions. First year is the best time to meet and make new friends. Don’t limit your friends to only those who look like you.

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

It is very normal to be home-sick and lonely the first few months you arrive in Canada. The best way to cope with loneliness is to adopt a new ‘family’ preferably your local committee. Try as much as possible to engage with your local committee. The first friends you are going to have are from your local committee. Go to the activities organize by your local committee and you will meet more students and make more friends.

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

Honestly, I am still figuring it out (sad laugh).

Self-discipline and focus are the key to every one’s success story. Decide what you really want to do and focus on it. By the way success in Canada doesn’t mean finishing school and getting a degree!

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

Insufficient Preparation. I think there has to be preparation and orientation given to wusc students prior to coming to Canada. Most students are not well prepared for life and challenges in Canada.

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

Managing your finances is one of the most important skills you have to learn in your first year in Canada. Develop and stick to a budget

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

First of all, you have to manage your own expectations. Your friends and family have a limited access to the kind of life here in Canada and they get glimpses of it through your social media. Limit your social media, clearly define what you expect out of life here and feed them that.

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

Yes.

I would focus more on my academic performance in first year

I would have tried to be smart with my money and save more.