University Experience Panel

The University Experience Panel (UEP) is a grassroots initiative led by high school students and alumni in Richmond. Our vision is to make choosing post-secondary programs easier and our mission is to help high school students gain insight on different post-secondary programs. We hope to achieve this goal by providing high school students with an opportunity to connect with current post-secondary students who will share their experiences on being in a post-secondary student and aspects regarding their program.

We decided to focus on senior students because they face many difficult decisions in their final year of classes. Some examples include deciding what to do after graduation, applying to post-secondary institutions, researching school programs and finding work or volunteer opportunities that will benefit their future. In addition, this group has also been especially impacted by COVID-19 as avenues to find help with university applications have decreased, extracurricular activities have been removed or transitioned to being virtual, and graduation events have been modified. Therefore, it is imperative we assist high school seniors through this difficult period. Prior to the pandemic, activities that connected high school and university students were already limited. However, the pandemic has suspended the few present. Through these networking opportunities, we hope to instill confidence in students before they enter post-secondary.

Panelists

Hanul Seo

My university experience has been quite different than others. After 6 years, and 3 post-secondary institutions later, I am very happy to say that I was finally able to attain my degree. One thing I would like to mention for youth pertaining to this journey is that everyone is different, and has very different paths. Take pride in your experience, and enjoy every step of it.

Megan MacGregor

Megan is a fourth-year biology and Indigenous studies student at Simon Fraser University. In her time at SFU, she has been involved in numerous research projects, departmental student unions, and extracurricular activities. She enjoys sharing knowledge that she wishes she had when she started university, with incoming students. In her free time, she plays soccer and paints.

Tala El-Ajou

Tala is an Engineer-In-Training (EIT) with an Industrial Engineering degree. Tala is currently working full time at Barrington Consulting Grp and is working towards completing her Masters in Management of Artificial Intelligence (MMAI). Tala is a Palestinian born and raised in Saudi Arabia and graduated high school in grade 11. In her free time, Tala enjoys kick boxing, pilates, skiing and eating!

Lucas Kuhn

Lucas is a senior undergraduate student majoring in Astronomy at the University of British Columbia. His research primarily focuses on extragalactic astronomy (i.e. the study of our galaxy and beyond) and he has completed several such research projects as an intern at the Canadian Space Agency and as a visiting researcher at Western University.

Olivia How

Olivia is currently studying Cognitive Systems in the Faculty of Science at UBC. Alongside her academics, Olivia is deeply connected to her school’s community through various undergraduate societies and through experience as a “First Year” Residence Advisor. Olivia has loved exploring all aspects of university, and is excited to share what she’s learned with new students.

Ysabelle Santa Ana

Ysabelle Santa Ana is a 4th year UBC student majoring in Speech Sciences. She aspires to be a speech-language pathologist, specializing in helping children. “The whole process of applying to post-secondary was really nerve-wracking for me and I joined this event because I want to be the support that I wish I had back then.” In her free time, she enjoys singing, hiking, and ultimate frisbee. She goes by “ysa” on Spotify - check her out!