This article is part of a series focusing on fall grads of the 马会论坛 Class of 2022.听Read all our profiles聽丑别谤别听as they are published, and visit the聽Convocation website聽for more information and to access the聽live webcast.听
Rony Joseph聽openly admits he struggled to complete his degree in the Bachelor of Management program but also believes his Dal experience prepared him for the bigger world.
鈥淒al was an eye-opening experience for me,鈥� says Rony, who transferred here from the University of Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates, where he studied accounting. 鈥淚t can be overwhelming to come here as a transfer student,鈥� he continues, adding he wishes he鈥檇 known more about resources available for students dealing with the challenges of coming from another country and taking on the academic pressure of the program.
鈥淚 never grasped the academics,鈥� says Rony. The large class sizes made it difficult for him to pay attention and personal issues made it hard to study. He was nervous about approaching professors when he didn鈥檛 understand a concept. And he found it difficult to interact with people in his group. 鈥淟ots of times I鈥檇 miss projects or have to do them by myself,鈥� he says.
Rony describes his fellow students as great people and he was motivated by being around them, but even their enthusiasm and success could dampen his spirits at times. 鈥淲hen you鈥檙e not doing well, and you see these other people who are happy with what they鈥檙e doing, it can bring you down.鈥�
A positive force
Fortunately, Rony did find the support he needed to successfully complete his program thanks to his advisor, Katie Haigh. 鈥淪he always had kind words for me especially during the difficult鈥痶imes,鈥� says Rony. 鈥淒uring our appointments, she would ensure I was able to be at ease and speak freely. She always sent positive words my way. The only reason I graduated is because she was so helpful.鈥�
He also now sees his Dal experience in a positive light. 鈥淢y time at Dal was a mix of emotions 鈥� some good, some bad 鈥� but the whole thing gave me a mirror and said 鈥榯his is what you need to be to go out in the world.鈥欌��
Rony feels the most important lessons he learned didn鈥檛 come from the classroom. 鈥淭he Dal experience prepared me for how the outside world treats you,鈥� he says. 鈥淚鈥檓 much more confident now, and I know what I鈥檓 capable of. I鈥檓 able to be more assertive and negotiate better. I also have a thirst for knowledge; even with my academic issues, I鈥檓 still eager to learn, eager to be better.鈥�
Post-graduation, Rony is considering furthering his education by studying accounting, and maybe getting his MBA. But for right now, he鈥檚 just looking for a full-time job so he can settle for a bit and 鈥減ay off some bills.鈥�
Even though the pressure he felt as a student at times hindered his ability to perform and he鈥檚 not happy with his grades, Rony says he鈥檚 definitely happy he came to Dal.
鈥淚t was a rollercoaster ride, but I fought through it and I鈥檓 here.鈥�