Graduate Spotlight: Kobby Paintsil

Why I chose Western

Coming out of the pandemic, staying close to home felt like the right decision for me, and I was lucky that Western is such a strong university right here in London. It gave me the opportunity to stay connected to family while still having an amazing university experience.

My global learning experience

I participated in a summer exchange program in Hong Kong, and it was one of the most meaningful experiences I had during university. It was my first time travelling alone, so it really helped me mature and become more independent. I loved the courses, the people I met and the opportunity to experience a completely different environment and culture.

I would absolutely encourage other students to study abroad if they can. It’s such an invaluable experience, and going through a university program gives you access to opportunities and excursions that you might not otherwise have.

Looking back, I think I’ve changed a lot since first year. I was much more introverted and shy when I arrived at Western, but through volunteering, Global Café and meeting people from different backgrounds, I became much more comfortable putting myself out there.

Favourite memories of my time at Western

Some of my favourite memories are honestly just the smaller moments with friends, especially weekly board game nights during first year. Every Friday, my friends and I would meet up to play games together, and those are some of the memories I look back on most fondly.

I also really valued the friendships and connections I built through Western International, Global Café and volunteering. Meeting people from so many different cultures really changed my perspective and helped me learn a lot from other people’s experiences.

An accomplishment I'm especially proud of

I’m really proud of how much I grew socially and personally during my time at Western. I came into university very introverted and shy, but over time I learned how to branch out, put myself out there and become more comfortable with myself and with social interactions.

My plans for the future

Right now, my plan is to take a bit of a break after exams before continuing my education. I’ve applied to several master’s programs and hope to continue studying in areas connected to public health and environmental health.

In five years, I hope I’ll be working in a field related to public health and environmental health while also having opportunities to travel. I’d love to find a career that allows me to explore different parts of the world and continue learning from different cultures and communities.

A fun fact about me

I’m bilingual! I attended a French Catholic school for most of my life.

My advice for new students

Do your research, take opportunities when they come up and don’t be afraid to put yourself out there. A lot of growth comes from trying new things, meeting new people and stepping outside your comfort zone. Even when I doubted myself, things still worked out, and I learned a lot just by trusting the process.