Larson is a recent graduate of the Financial Analysis and Risk Management program. Here is what he had to say about his first year at Waterloo.
Why did you choose the University of Waterloo?
The co-op program! The chance at having paid work experience without having any degree yet? Say no more. It’s equivalent to two years of experience, you have the opportunity to apply what you’ve learned in class to the real-world business and you get remunerated. That is the cherry on top!
Also, the University of Waterloo has a top reputation back home in Mauritius. Studying Mathematics and Finance at this prestigious, renowned school is a milestone for me.
When you received your offer of admissions, how did you celebrate your success?
We uncorked a bottle of champagne. It was a fun night with family, friends, and cakes. If I remember correctly, I rejected all the other offers from other universities within a week because the University of Waterloo was my top choice.
Before you arrived, what worried you about coming?
Being on my own was my biggest worry. There were so many things that my parents had been taking care of and I never realized before, like cooking well-balanced meals, laundry, grocery shopping, cleaning, dealing with bills, managing money, transportation, and the list goes on and on. In the beginning, I remember seeing some of my classmates being picked up by their parents in their car and that was really hard for me because my dad used to pick me up from school. I remember my roommates’ parents frequently visiting them on weekends and dropping off some delicious home-cooked food and fresh laundry for them – my mom used to cook for me and my drawers used to always have fresh, clean, ironed clothes all the time. It's the little daily things that I missed the most. It was very hard at the beginning, but I adapted and learned how to become independent.
But you know, it’s not that hard when you meet some other international friends that are going through the same things. Quickly, my friends and I learned how to prepare some decent food for ourselves, manage our time so that we were cleaning, grocery shopping and still spending quality time with some new and old friends. In the end, we became stronger and we’re proud of our achievements.
What did you expect Canada and the university to be like?
When I hear Canada, I just think about people with blue eyes, blond hair and fair skin. However, in Canada, especially in Waterloo, it’s not! And it’s a good thing. There is so much diversity here. There are people from different parts of the world and you feel comfortable in this inclusive environment. I like it!
Was there anything that surprised you? How so?
The geese! They can be loud and annoying, but I keep my distance.
Were there any highlights during your first term at Waterloo?
Halloween was a highlight because we don’t celebrate this day in my country. I was in awe when I saw small kids all dressed up and ‘trick or treating’. I also had my first pumpkin carving at my Residence Don’s place and it was amazing! But most importantly, I made incredible friends that are like family now. We’re very tight friends and we can rely on each other. When someone’s sick, we all become so motherly and take care of each other.
Did you face any challenges in your first year? If so, how did you overcome them?
Oh yes! My English had a horrible accent (and it still does at times). I was pronouncing words differently and people would laugh. I was laughing at myself! It made the task of making new friends harder than usual. Yup, language barrier is a thing. But don’t you worry, it gets better with time.
I think my advice would be: You’re not alone here. If you’re a little scared to make new friends, it’s OK! Chances are the person next to you is also looking for new friends! Everyone is going through the same difficulties. Don’t be afraid to ask for help and put yourself out there.
