Current city: Calgary, AB

Year arrived in Canada: 2000

School(s): University of Alberta (BSc, MSc), University of Calgary (MD)

Academic program(s): BSc. Electrical Computer & Electronics Engineering (Biomedical stream), MSc. Mechanical Engineering, MD (medical doctor).

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

Do not lose your identity.

Be willing to adopt and embrace new elements into your culture. Be willing to de-emphasize non-constructive elements of your own culture. However, do not lose your culture. Otherwise, you will lose your identity and that will have a profound impact on your mental health and wellbeing; you will feel incomplete and directionless.

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

Pursue your interests.

Yes, consider economics, yes, consider career opportunities, yes, consider the inputs of those that know you and those that have your best interests in mind. However, if you don’t pursue something that resonates with you, not only will you be compromising yourself, you will rob the world of your contributions. Life is difficult, careers are challenging and it is hard to truly apply yourself to something you do not care about. With that being said, it is also unrealistic to think you will only gain fulfillment from one pursuit. Do not narrow you vision, do not undermine your capabilities, do not suffocate your interests, we are complicated creatures with a multitude of interests and much to offer.

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

Get involved.

Canadian universities provide many opportunities to engage other students. Find a club pursuing a cause you are interested in, there, you will find like-minded individuals. Alternatively, you can engage in a variety of communities outside of campus (e.g., poetry clubs, theatre, computer programing groups, athletics groups, etc.). If the community you seek does not exist be bold enough to create it. There is a good chance you are not alone in noticing the void, although, you might be the only one willing to take the first steps to fill it.

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

Vision, perseverance, sacrifice and a community of support.

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

Expectations.

This is a loaded question; however, expectations play a large role. Expectations from the community, often times the community constrains what success looks like and does not allow for flexibility or adventure. Expectations from society, it was only in the 1980’s that the world was exposed to S.Sudanese and even then only during the aftermath of the second civil war in the 2000’s that a respectable amount of S.Sudanese immigrated to western countries such as Canada. As a result, Canadian society has yet to mature into a society that understands and caters to the needs of S.Sudanese, in particular youth going through the Canadian system. Due to the dark pigmentation of our skin, we are among the most identifiable racialized groups within Canada and even the world. Due to our height, our youth are perceived as older than they are and unjustly treated as such. Regarding expectations, there are many factors at play and a lot of work to do from both the S.Sudanese and Canadian community. Finally, Expectations of ourselves, we need to be kinder to ourselves, not everyone will be a Doctor, Engineer or Lawyer nor is that ideal. Communities thrive from diversity, we need scientists, entrepreneurs, artists, athletes, entertainers, car salesmen, barbers, politicians, etc., disproportionalities in any one area will have a negative impact on the collective community.

6. Seeing how credit scores are important in Canada, do you have any advice on managing money or building up a credit profile?

Loans are loans, treat them accordingly.

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

Simple, you are a student.

It is to everyone’s benefit that you complete your studies. That might involve you being selfish for an extended period of time. However, you cannot help anyone if you are unable to provide for yourself. For that, you need to be selfish and finish your studies first – the resources you are granted are to assist in that aim and nothing else. It is hard. I know. But you will be the most use to everyone (including yourself) after you are finished with school.