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    February 18, 2025
    Yalena, Bachelor of Commerce in the Haskayne School of Business

    Meet Yalena: My Most Memorable Experience as a UCalgary Student!

     

    When I first set foot on campus four years ago, I had no idea that choosing to attend the Haskayne School of Business would lead me to one of the most rewarding, challenging, and unforgettable experiences of my life. It wasn't just about lectures, case studies, or other traditional business school activities like I had thought—it was about finding a team, pushing my limits, and discovering what I was capable of. And nothing embodied that more than when I joined JDC West Team Haskayne.  
     

      

    My name is Yalena, and I am a fourth-year business student at the University of Calgary. Nowadays, my life is filled to the brim with competitions, events, and presentations. Currently, I try to have an even balance between my professional and my social life. However, it couldn't have been more different in the first semester of my first year.  

      

    Despite being born and raised in Calgary my whole life, there were some uncomfortable moments in my first year of University. I've always considered myself an extrovert, and while it took some time to discover the right places to connect, I knew that finding community was just a matter of stepping out of my comfort zone. It was only because I took a risk that I could find not only friends but also a true community on campus, and this was through joining clubs. Funnily enough, my first experience in student clubs had nothing to do with business. I have loved music and performance since I was a kid. My first extracurricular was attending the Schulich Soundstage open mic nights, where I met the executive team, made friends, and eventually became an executive myself!  

      
      
     
     

    While I loved open mic nights, I longed for community in the business faculty and thought of how nice it would be to find friends in classes and know people around campus. However, I was terrified even when the opportunity to apply for JDC West Team Haskayne came up. It took some time, but I eventually found the courage to apply, interview, and make the team! Lots has happened since; I have competed at JDC West twice, been an executive and coach, won 1st place in two international case competitions, joined and completed the co-op program, and even became the current President of the University of Calgary Consulting Association. While a lot of hard work and practice came before each of these achievements, I can confidently say I couldn't have done it without the support of the amazing community I found in Team Haskayne. I've made friends and mentors for life. After meeting such inspiring and welcoming students, my university experience has been more positive than I imagined.  

    While finding your people isn't always easy, taking risks and getting out of your comfort zone will help you find like-minded people in your life. I found this by joining student clubs in and out of my faculty. University life can be challenging, but when you go on your academic journey with friends and find a community that supports you, the future feels much more exciting. 

        


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