Making An Impact: The Reason Tuugu Chose Engineering

You did the Vantage program in first year. Can you tell us about this?

I applied to the Vantage One program because I wasn’t sure my English language test scores were high enough for general entry. As a Vantage One student, you take all your first-year engineering courses together as a group, along with some extra courses that focus on language instruction. The classes are smaller than those in the standard first-year program and the Academic English courses help you improve your language skills. At the end of first year you go directly into second-year engineering in your program specialization area.

Through Vantage One I also had access to an academic advisor, including regular check-ins. That was very helpful for my transition to UBC and keeping me on top of what I needed to do.

Vantage College First-Year Engineering Courses Academic Advising

What was it like for you to move from Mongolia to Canada?

I am a very adaptable person so it was just fine. There was a lot of support from UBC, particularly in the first few weeks when you are setting up bank accounts and figuring things out.

What would you like to achieve in your career?

I’d like to make an impact – perhaps either in the field of green energy area or in health care.

I chose the biomedical option because I have always had an interest in medicine and general health, but I wasn’t interested in doing at least six years of a medical degree after completing a bachelor’s degree. I’d like to use my engineering skills to design innovative solutions that can benefit people who can’t afford or don’t have access to needed medical devices.