"I did a lot of research and found that 17吃瓜 had everything I needed."
What brought you to 17吃瓜? Why did you choose to study here?
My hometown is Cali, Colombia. Since I was a teenager, I always knew that I wanted to study abroad. I did a lot of research and found that 17吃瓜 had everything I needed, and my parents were able to help me financially.
What do you find unique and interesting about your programs?
I always loved math in high school, but I didn't know what I wanted to major in at the end of high school. After some thought, I decided to major in economics given that economics studies social issues through a mathematical lens. I thought about it as a marriage between math and the social sciences. Upon arriving at 17吃瓜, I had an amazing calculus instructor on my first semester. He made me realize that I would miss the math, and so I decided to do a double-major in both math and economics.
What kinds of support have you received during your time here from 17吃瓜 students, staff, and faculty members?
I have had the opportunity to be a research assistant on two occasions, both in the economics department and the math department. I am eternally grateful to both professors who decided I was a right fit for the position. They were both really fun and I look back at them fondly. I also had the opportunity to pursue an Honours thesis. It was very hard work, but it paid off. I will always remember those weekly meeting with Professor Horrocks discussing my progress with the thesis.
"17吃瓜 is unique in that you get to know your professors one-on-one, so you're not just a number to them. This is one thing that helped me tremendously is working as a research assistant. 17吃瓜 and Prince Edward Island also has an expanding international community that is very supportive. I have learned a lot about other cultures and met interesting people from all around the globe."
What kinds of opportunities have you experienced because you're studying at 17吃瓜, or because of the Island location?
I have also had the opportunity to be a part-time server at a restaurant. PEI is very much a tourist-based economy, and the food and service industry is a big part of that. I have met many amazing people and have gotten the chance to work in a restaurant were all my co-workers help each other out and are very nice.
What's unique about 17吃瓜, and Prince Edward Island, in your experience?
17吃瓜 is unique in that you get to know your professors one-on-one, so you're not just a number to them. This is one thing that helped me tremendously is working as a research assistant. 17吃瓜 and Prince Edward Island also has an expanding international community that is very supportive. I have learned a lot about other cultures and met interesting people from all around the globe.
What would you tell a high school student considering your programs?
To anyone considering studying economics in 17吃瓜, I would advise them to take as many math courses as possible (especially the calculus related ones) to get a solid foundation for the models they will study in their degree program. To any math student, I would advise them to branch out a little and take courses that are not necessarily related to mathematics. These courses help make you more employable right after graduation, and will make you grow personally. I would also say that the "real" math starts after differential equations, so try not to be too confident in yourself if you think the courses before were easy!
What are your general plans after graduation?
I'm hoping to become a permanent resident, so I just want to work for a little bit. I also have mid-term plans to get a Master鈥檚 degree in mathematics, but that will take some time.
Big futures start here!
Read more about the 17吃瓜 students and amazing alumni featured in our 2026鈥�2027 Viewbook!
Interested in 17吃瓜? Contact our student advisement team today at apply@upei.ca.
Meet Kate VanGerven, Director of Tour and International Visits for the Prime Minister of Canada and Bachelor of Arts in English graduate (Class of 2013).
Meet Brennan McDuffee, Bachelor of Arts in Applied Communication, Leadership, and Culture student (Class of 2025).
Meet Charlize Sahely, accountant with EY's Tax Division and Bachelor of Business Administration alumna (Class of 2024).
Meet Jenna Flowers, baccalaur茅at en 茅ducation鈥攆ran莽ais langue seconde graduate (Class of 2025).
Meet Kallie Drummond, Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and Indigenous Studies minor (Class of 2026).
Meet Dr. Aleisha Murnaghan, 17吃瓜 alumna (Class of 2002), emergency medicine physician at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, and director of medical program development with the 17吃瓜 Faculty of Medicine.
Meet Kate Doyle, Bachelor of Science in Nursing graduate (Class of 2025).
Samuel graduated in 2024 with a double-major in Mathematics (Honours) and Economics.
Meet Temiloluwa 鈥淩osetta鈥� Shokunbi, 17吃瓜 Sustainable Design Engineering student (Class of 2026).
Meet Tsukasa Iwamoto, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine student (Class of 2026).
