How to Make University About More Than Just Classes

International student Tanya Shah found confidence, career skills and community at UBC Okanagan outside the classroom.

Finding your place at university can feel a lot like standing in front of a giant buffet: plenty of options, but no idea where to start. For international undergraduate student Tanya Shah, taking that first step outside of her comfort zone and trying something new ultimately opened the door to a campus life far richer than she expected.

Originally from Tokyo, Japan, Shah—now an undergraduate student studying management—says she arrived at UBC Okanagan “really unaware of everything you could do over here.”

Opening the door to new opportunities

That changed when a friend encouraged her to join the Management Students' Association. There, she was able to lead major association events, travel to conferences across Canada, and discover skills she believes she never would have learned in lectures alone.

“My friend guided me and told me about the Co-op Program. Because of her and all the positive things she had to say about co-op, I decided to apply.”

Shah landed a co-op term in Human Resources at Troika Developments—her first corporate experience—where she managed job postings, initial phone screenings and interview scheduling. In addition, she developed and implemented an onboarding structure for new hires, ensuring their smooth transition into the company.

That position was followed by a second term as a Marketing and Career Development Assistant at UBC Okanagan, where she helped students with their resumes and cover letters, and developed various pieces of career development content for students.

“This position is a big reason why I have made so many meaningful and life-long connections here on campus,” Shah explains. “I never thought I'd be in touch with so many faculty and staff members. This just goes to show that people at UBC Okanagan are eager to help you excel. You just have to open the gate to opportunities and reach out.”

Shah is closing out her time at the university as an International Peer for the Faculty of Management, where she provides other international students with advice and mentorship.

Building confidence through experience

“I feel like I've learned the most in my university career by doing co-op. Having that hands-on experience made me much more confident, and it has helped me prepare for my career ahead.”

That renewed confidence and drive resulted in one of Shah's proudest accomplishments during her time at UBC Okanagan: hosting a national business student conference in Kelowna on behalf of the Management Students' Association. The event brought between 200 and 300 students from across Canada to the Okanagan.

“It was months of planning, but when it was done, it felt so rewarding. I don't think I've ever been so proud of myself.”

These experiences—all outside the classroom—helped Shah discover her passion for event coordination and strengthened her network. “I've built a really good network for myself; I now have contacts who reach out and say, ‘let's go for coffee whenever you're looking for a job.'”

Finding your place on campus

For new students unsure where to start, her advice is simple:

“All my experiences at UBCO have really shaped me to be the person I am today. I came here as a very shy and socially anxious 18-year-old. Once I put myself out there, opportunities just started flowing in.

“Find one or two things that really catch your eye, because once you start, everything connects. You meet people, you learn more, and new opportunities open up that you didn't even know existed.”