Since the dawn of time, the human mind has been an intricate topic of study. Although it is hard to predict its behavior, there are influences and patterns that seem to be recurring. For instance, many individuals have the innate desire to follow in the footsteps of their older siblings. In the case of Tamara Kwan, a current HBA1 student, her older sister played a significant role in influencing her pursuit to Ivey.
Tamara’s decision to embark on the dual-degree pathway of health sciences plus business was not made spontaneously. Rather, it stemmed from deep contemplation and a place of passion. From a young age, Tamara set her sights on making an impact regardless of the career she chose. For many, the term “creating an impact” is synonymous with pursuing a degree in medicine, yet Tamara knew there were other ways to achieve her dream that were waiting to be explored.
Irrespective of the human nature to emulate those we admire, Tamara stayed true to paving her own path. In high school, she was aware of her interests and disinterests; despite liking biology, she despised physics, chemistry, and math. Hence, making health science the perfect choice. Additionally, since she’s always known that she was fascinated with the world of business, Ivey’s 2+2 program was logically the most perfect fit.
It is no secret that to maintain the AEO status, extracurriculars are just as important as academics. In first year, Tamara joined Western Marketing Association (WMA) and the Chinese Student Association (CSA). To her, these clubs were the perfect balance between career and interests. CSA was a social club that helped her foster and cultivate friendships, whilst WMA allowed her to stay connected to her business interests before beginning HBA. Tamara continuously emphasized the fact that finding clubs you are passionate about can make all the difference in your university experience. So, don’t succumb to the notion of joining clubs for the sake of a fancy title. Instead, remind yourself that these are our final years of schooling. It is a special time as we transition from teenagers to adults, so indulge in as many activities as possible. After all, as Tamara says, “Everyone here is a student, we are here to study, but what sets us apart and shapes into who we are is the manner in which we choose to spend our time.”
Nonetheless, the journey to HBA was not without its challenges. It was definitely an adjustment to adapt to the independent environment of university, especially considering the stark difference in sizing in comparison with the familiarity of one’s narrow high school halls. For Tamara, she faced her greatest challenges in AEO2 as she committed herself to more demanding extracurriculars, failing to realize that her health science courses also significantly increased in difficulty. She found it harder to balance her studies, extracurriculars, and a social life. However, there is no doubt that this is a challenge we all face at some point in our student journey; the only way to overcome these hurdles is to focus on finding your priorities in order to not fall too behind. It is the work ethic and healthy habits that Tamara slowly built up during this time that helped ease her transition into HBA.
In May of 2023, Tamara’s HBA1 acceptance email was received, finally allowing her to embark on her business pathway. She was now one step closer to reaching her goal of pursuing a job with a “customer-facing role” that allows her to have a direct impact on others. Admittedly, Tamara discussed the significance Ivey’s O-week played in alleviating her initial anxiety of starting HBA. The week’s structure made her and all incoming students feel welcomed. Surprisingly, Tamara also found the 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM schedule of one’s section to be comforting, rather than daunting; it ensured she stayed on top of her academics whilst maintaining a social life. As a health science dual-degree major, Tamara did have her moments of self-doubt due to her limited knowledge of business in comparison to her BMOS or Economics major peers. However, she emphasized that this isn't a point of concern as everybody is taught starting from the basics of business, ensuring fair grounds to all.
As Tamara is nearing the end of her first year of HBA, she advises incoming AEO applicants to take risks. Take the risk to put yourself out there and interact with people who don’t share the same career goals as you. Take the risk to be bold enough to stray away from the traditional route of AEO + BMOS and capitalize on the opportunity to explore all avenues of interest before beginning your business journey. Ivey is designed to be a two-year program on purpose; you'll be taught everything you need to know in that time frame.
Finally, to the current AEOs, please understand that university is not a solitary journey, but rather a collective one. Don’t get caught up in the competitive environment and prioritize creating long-lasting friendships. At the end of the day, “once we graduate, you will remember the memories, the feelings, and the people, not your grades or the notes you’ve taken in the lectures. So, enjoy the experience to the fullest.” - Tamara Kwan