See what the UBCO Irving K. Barber Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences experience was like for our alumni — including some helpful advice for current students — and discover where they are now in their careers.
Name: Sarah El Kaissi
Program: Bachelor of Science, Honors in Economics
Graduated: May 2022
Hometown: Lebanon
Tell me about your life before coming to UBCO.
Originally from Lebanon, I grew up and was educated in Dubai. I wanted to follow in my brother’s footsteps, who went to UBCO to pursue a degree in International Relations. I was ready to take on the world and wanted to start something new away from home.
Why did you choose UBCO?
We had a UBC representative visit our high school, and it was very helpful to hear directly from a representative of what the environment would be like, what the process would look like to apply. I then toured a number of different Canadian universities to get a feel for them, and that was really helpful. I knew right away I didn’t want to be in a large city, so Kelowna was the perfect fit. The campus was gorgeous and the residences were also new and inviting, and the smaller class sizes were also very appealing.
Why did you choose your program and what do you like most about it?
Before coming to UBCO, I had a conversation with my high school business teacher, who also taught economics. I felt like something was calling me towards economics and my teacher encouraged me to explore that interest at university. In my first year, I took Economics 101 and Economics 102 as electives and that’s I when I met Dr. Noriko Ozawa. Dr. Ozawa made the learning environment really welcoming, it really felt like a family, everyone was supportive of each other. I loved it.
Do you have a favourite class, professor, or staff person? If so, who/what and why?
I have to three favourite professors. Dr. Ross Hickey taught the course that made me to do an honors degree, while Dr. Andrea Craig, who first worked with as a Teaching Assistant, really challenged the way I thought when taking Dr. Craig’s honors seminar. Dr. Ozawa was also had a major impact on my experience, giving me the opportunity to teach undergraduate students.
What are your future career and/or educational goals?
I have just started a new position as Underwriting Associate at Zurich Canada after working as a marketing and operations manager for a small business. What I like about economics is that it touches everything, and it’s part of everyone’s world in some capacity, and I feel that way of insurance as well. I feel like the two tie nicely into each other, and it’s an interesting application of my education.
How has your experience at UBCO changed you?
I’m definitely more of a people person after attending UBCO. All of those experiences, be it a Teaching Assistant or the resident advising work that I did, put me in situations where I had to develop team and leadership skills. From those experiences, I have developed a love for interacting with people.
If you had to convince another student like you to go to UBCO, what would you say?
People should know the incredible experience isn’t limited to the Economics program, it is universal. Like everyone who goes to UBCO, I have nothing but amazing things to say about the university. It felt like a second home, and I miss it a lot.