Thon Aguto
Victoria, BC
Current City: Victoria, BC
Year arrive: 2014
School: University of Victoria
Academic program: BSC Economic Finance
1. From your experience transitioning to Canadian life and culture, do you have any advice for new WUSC students?
Coming to Canada and experiencing Canadian life and culture is a wave of weather, food and culture choke. Every WUSC students from far east of the country to west coast has experienced this life aspect in one way or another. Relate with WUSC alumni and local committee within your town. Mingle and make friends within the university community.
2. Do you have any advice on choosing academic programs and careers for later success after school?
Mostly, we come here with a certain set of programs that each one of us want to pursue. Sometime such programs that we had in mind are not offered in our assigned universities. It is important check program courses that your major requires. Research programs before making decisions. Changing from one program to another is time consuming if you are already halfway through a program.
3. How can new students cope with loneliness and feeling out of place when they first arrive in Canada?
Feeling out of place is good but don’t stay in it for too long. The first months of your arrival will be amazing hanging out with local committees and friends but as school gets intensive you will feel lonely occasionally. Find sports, hiking and other activities that you can participate in to break out of that loneliness.
4. From your experience, what does it take to succeed in Canada? (Measuring success in academic and professional terms).
Success in Canada requires strong will-power and self-drive. We have gone through tough circumstances in the past and you might experience some minor challenges here and there but those are just bumps on the road and you can’t let them stop you from finishing your journey.
5. What challenges do you think hinder new students from succeeding in Canada?
This may sound stupid, but it’s important to limit the number of family obligations you take on when you first arrive. I know we have the natural instinct to try to help our families and relatives back home. A lot of expectations are put on us to bring them out of hardships when we come here, but establishing yourself here first will put you in a better position to help them after school.
6. Seeing how credit scores are important in Canada, do you have any advice on managing money or building up a credit profile?
Managing money should be one of your top skills here in Canada. If you have a little money to invest, then do so asap, don’t smile at your account when that cash can be earning you returns. Keeping your credit card payments up to date is important. Have a good financial knowledge and understand how you use each dollar you make or spend.
7. Do you have any ideas on how new students can manage expectations from friends and family back home?
Every challenge coming from back home will take a toll on you but you have to be mindful of your mission here and prioritize it. Your family should understand that too. You know life is challenging and you have to communicate that reality to them about life here in Canada.
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?
Mainly no, but some are coming along. I would network a lot and participate in community events. Traveling to different countries as an exchange-student is an added advantage. Use that opportunity if you have it in your department.
