Graduate Spotlight: Ariana Derakhshan

Why I chose Western

I always loved the idea of going to a big university with a beautiful campus and a strong student experience. When I visited Western, it immediately felt like the right place for me. I had also heard amazing things about the university and my program specifically, which made the decision even easier.

My global learning experience

I went on an exchange to France during the winter of 2025 and studied at a university in Tours, about an hour and a half outside of Paris. I took most of my classes in French, which really helped me improve my fluency and immerse myself in the culture.

Going on exchange had a huge impact on me personally. Living in another country helped me mature, become more independent and gain a broader global outlook. I learned how to navigate challenges on my own, experienced different cultures firsthand and met people from all over the world. I also had the chance to travel to 11 countries while I was abroad, which was incredible.

I would recommend exchange to anyone considering it. You’re only young once, and it’s such a unique opportunity to experience another part of the world while still studying at Western.

Favourite memories of my time at Western

Exchange was definitely the highlight of my university experience, but I also have so many great memories from being involved on campus. I’ve worked as a campus tour guide, been part of different clubs and initiatives, and met so many amazing people through those experiences. One fun memory is sledding down UC Hill in the winter. Overall, the friendships and connections I made at Western are what I’ll remember most.

An accomplishment I'm especially proud of

I’m really proud of becoming an International Learning Ambassador (ILA) after my exchange experience. I wanted to help other students feel more confident about going abroad and share what I learned with them. It’s been really rewarding to support students who are nervous about exchange and encourage them to take that leap.

A fun fact about me

I used to play five different sports competitively growing up, including skating, dance, soccer, basketball and swimming. I’ve also been scuba diving!

My plans for the future

Next year, I’ll be attending Humber College for a graduate program in Public Relations. The program includes an internship, and I’m hoping I might even be able to complete that internship abroad.

I’m still exploring different paths, but I’m interested in public relations, marketing, journalism, content creation and wellness-related work. I’m excited to see where things go and I’m open to different opportunities in the future.

My advice for new students

Don’t be afraid to take a leap of faith. Even if you’re nervous about trying something new — whether it’s going abroad, joining a club or starting something unfamiliar — it’s often those experiences that help you grow the most. I try to keep a “glass half full” mindset and see every challenge as an opportunity to learn something.