What brought you to UPEI? Why did you choose to study here?

I was born in my home country Egypt, raised in Saudi Arabia, and later moved to Canada. Living across these different places gave me a wide intercultural perspective. I’ve seen different systems, different mindsets, and I’ve learned how to adapt quickly. That major change in environment forces you into interpersonal growth, and I feel like I’ve developed a stronger sense of perspective and independence because of it.

Coming to UPEI was honestly a happy accident. I originally planned to study in the U.S. at the University of South Dakota, but my older brother started at UPEI, so it automatically became a serious option. When I compared universities in Canada and the U.S., what stood out was how personal the learning environment is. Smaller classes make it easier to actually know your professors, participate, and not feel like just another number. That same “small but connected” vibe exists off campus too, since the community itself is tight-knit. And on top of that, the value for money is hard to ignore. You get strong education, support, and opportunities.

What do you find unique and interesting about the Business and Economics programs?

The Finance and Economics combination is what makes my program exciting; it connects directly to how the real world works. Finance is the language of any business. No matter how inspiring a mission is, a business can’t survive without financial sustainability. Finance teaches you how to measure the business “heartbeat” through profit, cash flow, expenses, margins, and risk, and how to make well-informed decisions based on them. Economics completes the picture by explaining the human side: how customers behave, what drives demand, how incentives shape choices, and why some ideas succeed in one market but fail in another. Together, they train you to think both logically and broadly, and that’s been especially useful for me in entrepreneurship.

What kinds of support have you received during your time here from UPEI students, staff, and UPEI faculty members?

I’m not usually someone who asks for support, but what I noticed is that support is very visible and easy to access. Staff and faculty don’t just tell you support exists. They actually guide you to it, make time for you, and point you to the right person quickly. It feels like the system is designed to help you win if you choose to use it.

"UPEI feels personal. People remember you, and your effort gets noticed. The Island has a similar rhythm. It’s calm, welcoming, and deeply connected. If you’re intentional, it’s easy to get involved, build a reputation, and grow a network that actually supports your next steps."

What opportunities have you experienced because you’re studying at UPEI, or because of the Island location?

PEI gives you access in a way that bigger places often don’t. People are more connected, and the people at the top aren’t as isolated. During an entrepreneurship course, we met several of the Island’s most influential business leaders in their businesses and personal offices and heard their stories firsthand. That was one of my most valuable highlights of the last couple of years.

What’s unique about UPEI and Prince Edward Island, in your experience?

UPEI feels personal. People remember you, and your effort gets noticed. The Island has a similar rhythm. It’s calm, welcoming, and deeply connected. If you’re intentional, it’s easy to get involved, build a reputation, and grow a network that actually supports your next steps.

What would you tell a student considering UPEI, the Bachelor of Business Administration, and Economics programs?

UPEI and PEI can provide access and connections that are harder to reach in bigger cities, and you can use that to fuel your growth. 

How do you feel UPEI has prepared you for your future?

UPEI has given me my most valuable lesson: opportunities do not magically appear. They are already around us. The difference is whether we move toward them. I consistently attended my classes, stayed engaged, and made the most of the learning experience, and I think that’s been a big part of what’s made my time here so positive. A Henry Ford quote captures it well for me: “Prosperity and happiness come only through honest effort.”