What grounded me was the quiet, consistent support of this campus. It wasn’t dramatic gestures, but the small things: a professor patiently explaining a concept after class, a residence advisor genuinely asking how I was settling in, classmates becoming study partners and then friends. Slowly, UCalgary became the a place where I felt I truly belonged. That sense of being seen and supported changed everything for me. 

By my third year, I wanted to help create that same feeling for others. Becoming a Community Ambassador was a chance to pay forward the welcome I’d received. Working with over 300 residents, my focus was simple: foster connection and ensure everyone, especially those far from home, felt someone was there for them. Receiving the Residence Rising Star Award was unexpected and deeply humbling – a reminder that small, consistent efforts to build community matter. 

That spirit of connection carried into my current Co-op role in Student Recruitment. Supporting campus tours and helping build our volunteer community has been more than just a job—it’s been a chance to share the story of UCalgary with prospective students who might be feeling the same uncertainty I once did. Every time I speak to a student who’s unsure, I remember what it felt like to be in their shoes. Knowing I might play a small part in helping them feel at home here is what I value most.

Right now, my focus is practical: completing my co-op term, finishing my Finance degree, which includes a minor in Data Science, and preparing for the CFA Level 1 exam next year. These are the next steps in building the skills I need to pursue my career goals. But more than that, UCalgary has given me the confidence to believe I can contribute meaningfully, and the humility to know that real change is built steadily, in community with others.

If you feel uncertain or like you haven’t found your place yet, I understand. It took time for me too. UCalgary became more than a university; it became the community where I discovered my footing and purpose. My advice is simple: be open. Try joining something that interests you, even if it feels small. Reach out to someone—a professor, an advisor, a classmate. The connections you make and the quiet support you find here can become the foundation for something significant, both for yourself and for the communities you’ll eventually serve. This campus helped me find belonging. I believe it can help you find yours too.