Student Spotlight: Stella Wu

Stella smiling

Stella Wu

Program

First-year student transitioning to the Faculty of Social Science (economics)

Home Country

China

Involvement with Western International

International Student

Why I chose Western

I chose Western because I received an Advanced Entry Opportunity (AEO) offer to the Ivey Business School, and Ivey had been my dream school since Grade 10. I also heard from other former students from my high school who attended Western that it’s a very welcoming and diverse community.

Activities I took part in as a new student

I participated in both Western’s OWeek and International Student Orientation. The campus felt very large and overwhelming at first - every building looked the same to me! But the orientation activities helped me get familiar with the campus, meet new people from different countries, and start feeling more at home.

Some highlights from my first year

This year, I joined many networking events through business clubs and the Ivey community because I’m passionate about business. I also participated in Global Café. I also took courses in areas I had never studied before, like Anthropology, Computer Science, and Policy Studies. Learning in English was challenging at times, but it also made the experience exciting and rewarding.

An accomplishment I’m proud of

I'm proud that I successfully completed my first year abroad, especially after facing challenges preparing to study internationally in such a short time. Transitioning from China’s traditional academic system to the Advanced Placement system, taking the SATs, and applying to Canadian universities—all while finishing my final year of high school—was a challenge. But I’m proud that I made it without having to take a gap year.

What is a fun fact about you?

Between Grade 11 and Grade 12, I participated in 12 different business competitions across China, travelling to cities like Chengdu, Shanghai, Hong Kong, and Beijing. These competitions were in English, and I often had to form new teams with students from all over the world, which helped me build leadership, teamwork, and communication skills. Another fun fact: I love music! I play drums, guitar, and a little bit of bass.

My plans for the future

In the next five years, I hope to work in a dynamic international business environment – whether that’s in marketing, consulting, or even running my own venture. But beyond the office, I also want to collect stories from around the world. One of my biggest dreams is to travel to 50 countries within five years. I want to sip coffee in Copenhagen, dance in Rio, and get lost in a souk in Marrakech.

My advice for new students

  • Get involved more. Explore opportunities beyond your program—join events across different faculties and departments to broaden your perspective and network.
  • Dive deeper into your goals. Don’t just set surface-level goals—take time to explore what truly drives you and align your university journey with those deeper ambitions.
  • Take advantage of the resources Western offers before you arrive, especially information about documents, study permits, and phone plans. It will make your transition much smoother.
  • Be brave! It’s normal to feel unsure at first, but every conversation and experience helps you grow.