Student Spotlight: Haoyao Mai
Haoyao Mai
Program & degree
BA’25 (Major in Psychology, Major in Spanish)
Home country
Canada
Involvement with Western International
Student Photographer and English Conversation Program Facilitator
Highlights of my Western experience
A highlight of my Western experience has been volunteering with the Western Peer Leader Program. As a facilitator in the English Conversation Program, I had the opportunity to develop my skills in creating spaces for learning. The process of planning sessions and building connections with participants has helped me become more culturally competent and confident in a leadership role. In my other involvement as a student photographer, I was able to explore my creative preferences while I captured photos at a variety of events on campus. I was also exposed to new experiences such as setting up for video filmings and being on camera for some of those videos.
Favourite memories of my time at Western
Some of my favourite memories come from my international learning experiences last year. In February, I went to Cuba for a Community Engaged Learning portion of my Spanish course where I got to participate as a volunteer in a senior care home and elementary schools. In May, I was part of a Faculty-Led Program that took me to Mexico to learn about the culture and history of San Luis Potosí directly from locals. In July, I took a summer course in South Korea where I was really able to experience living abroad on my own for the first time. These opportunities had made my third year at Western particularly exciting.
My advice for new students
Don’t be afraid to use all the resources available to you and reach out for support whenever you need it! Even if it’s a minor, lingering worry, talking to someone about it can prevent your daily concerns from building up into major problems. If you’re ever struggling to make friends, sometimes all you need to do is consistently show up to events and activities (or even just going to class), and opportunities will bloom naturally. Stay open to potential changes to career paths and aspirations, it’s completely normal to develop new goals as you learn more about yourself and your subject areas.
My plans for the future
I have to admit that I still don’t have a clear idea of what I want to do going forward. For now, I have accepted an opportunity in Spain to work as a teaching assistant in English classes. While I’m there, I hope to further explore my interest in teaching, work on my photography skills, and discover other passions. In the future, I also see the possibility of pursuing a degree in nursing or becoming a travel filmmaker.
