Samuel Thiak

• Current city of residence: Vancouver, British Columbia

• Year arrived in Canada: 2013

• School(s): Simon Fraser University

• Academic program(s): BA (Political Science), MA (International Relations)

• Current or target occupation/profession: Defence/Security 

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

Transitioning to Canadian life and culture is a process which often starts on campus where you are placed. In this case, the first community you are associated with is in your school residence for those who live on campus, and student clubs like the local committee.

My advice is simple. Let the process take its course, engage more in school activities, that way you will make friends. Attend social events outside school. Play sports.

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

Participate in the events organized by WUSC local committees on campus. Also, get involved in social events. If you have time and money, travel across Canada and see the beautiful landscape and people. FaceTime your family and friends back home, we live in an interconnected world.

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

It takes both resilience and hard work. Coming from refugee camps, I think we know what it means to give it all you got. Sometimes you will fail some courses or change programs but if you are not distracted from your goals, you will be just fine. There is also enough support system across various universities like mine, which helps too.

Networking and making useful friends can help in getting that interview, hence a job.

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

One of the biggest challenges is high expectation we often have in terms of academic programs/careers. We all want to go to medical school, Law, and Engineering. While these are all great and programs we can do, we often forget our real interests and strength in other programs, and as a result some might end up struggling and waste sponsorship years, or even end up dropping out.

The most obvious challenge is financial stability. While most universities provide one year sponsorship, students end up taking loans to finance their education. On top of that, families back home expect some financial support from you. Then, you end up having to look for part time job, combined with your classes, which eventually affect your GPA. It’s a multiplier effect.

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

The earlier you start to know how to manage your money, no matter how little, the better in the long run. Juggling life here and supporting family should not make you forget to save some money. If you plan on buying a house in the future, you better work on that credit score, don’t use that credit card unless you are sure to pay it back in time.. Seek advice from financial experts freely available through WUSC or local committee on campus.

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

First of all, you must be able to take care of yourself here, both financially and health wise. Helping family comes after that. We come here as students, not economic immigrants who might be well off, or foreign workers whose purpose is to work. We must make our family and friends understand that. Only after getting that degree that you might be able to support them in some ways. It is also not a guarantee that after getting those degrees, you will get a job. Still, you can send that extra dollar to send your brother/sister to school, but only if it’s not putting you into some financial jeopardy.

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

I have partially met my aspirations, with a BA and MA coming soon I am hopeful they will be fully met, that is if COVID-19 doesn’t end the world. If I were to start all over again, I would choose my current program at the beginning and focus on that. It would save me time and money.