Current city: Toronto

Year Arrived in Canada: 2016

School: University of Toronto, UTSC

Academic Program(s): Economics and Public Policy

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

Just one advice, be selfish enough to pursue your interests without apologizing to anyone, yet humble enough to learn from others so that you can successfully attain them. Try your best to see everything objectively, and not personalize things because you are going to encounter a lot of new and unique things. Ranging from political, social, religious, and cultural stuff. Lastly, mental illness is real in this country. Be educated about it, what causes it and how to deal with it before joining the rollercoasters of student life.

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

On choosing academic programs, business and technology programs are the most marketable so far. If you are aiming for big bucks at the end, go for them. If your need for money is very strong, go to a trade school instead and pick up a highly employable skill. Nevertheless, your program will be determined by your main motivation and values at the time.

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

Reaching out to members of the South Sudanese Professional Association is one way. Finding local communities like church, cultural centers and making friends with fellow students also works. Not forgetting your family and communicating with them regularly helps. Take advantage of all the services offered to combat these same issues at school.

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

Not losing sight of the main motivation and mission that brought you to this environment. Be it work or academic, this will help you focus on what matters and blocking out what is not relevant to you. Because some drama may play out at some point and you will need not to get entangled in it. Common courtesy or what is called customer services here is what majority of incoming students understand from traditional customs. It is crucial here as it is in sales, and anywhere for that matter.

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

Culture shock plays a big role. New social, cultural, academic, economic and political norms with their array of issues may distract or disorient a new student. It takes time for new students to process some of these realities. Anyone not previously exposed to these things may not know how to deal with all of them. Then comes personal, family, and academic responsibilities. Compounding all of the above may be the lack of information or the fear of approaching others to ask questions. The good thing is, many students have successfully navigated these wave of challenges and are on track with building their lives and careers.

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

It is very true that money is key to many important things in Canada, or any capitalist country for that matter. Carefulness with money must be a new value. To use a stereotype, be as Kikuyu is to other Tribes in Kenya. I would suggest reading up on basic money management strategies, especially those who have never managed personal income. A book that has been useful to me is, “The Richest man in Babylon”. Keeping track of every penny really works well…knowing when all your expenses and income are expected to come in limits any surprises. If you must use a credit card, make sure you pay it back on time because it is a loan.

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

Be honest with your family about your realities as a student. If they understand, better. If not, you should tell them you hope they understood. But if you know you are okay with all their expectations and can successfully manage them, then that is for you to decide how to deal with it. It is a fact that the society here is very individualistic. This is a serious call on the individual to direct his/her life and to make both major and minor decisions for him/herself. You will have fun transitioning, it is very exciting in many good ways.

8. 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?

Looking back? It would be a lie to say there have not been disappointments and a few setbacks. There still are. Therefore learning how to manage minor setbacks is important. I initially aspired to complete my program in four years, it appears I may take longer than that. I also, initially desired to get into business school and eventually graduate with an MBA. This did not happen because I only successfully scored 90% of the required GPA. But nonetheless, I love my current programs.