Realizing my dreams in a new country through education

A whirlwind life in which circumstance seems to determine one’s fate, will not affect the fate of the determined. Saman Waseem’s resolve to succeed in her goals despite the hurdles life left in her path, speaks to the strength and perseverance the human spirit can offer when aspirations outweigh situation.

Married at a very young age while still at home in her East Asian birthplace, Waseem moved away with her new husband to the landlocked country of Zambia in Southern Africa. Here, in a country where educational opportunities are limited beyond secondary school, she lived for 14 years.

“During my time in Zambia I was a fulltime mom to my three kids and had no opportunities to complete my education,” Waseem said reflecting upon life prior to her 1999 emigration to Canada.

Opportunity did not abound for Waseem as she followed her husband, a Chemical Engineer, to the small rural town of Castlegar, BC where once again, there was no University presence.

Determined to kick start her education, Waseem completed a three-year co-op Diploma in Computer Information Systems (CIS) from the local community college Selkirk College.

“My doors for further education closed at that point as I could not leave my three kids and move to another city for further university education,” Waseem said. It was at this point that she discovered Open Learning.

“I researched programs on the website and was able to transfer two years of my CIS Diploma towards a BBA (Bachelor of Business Administration) Degree at TRU-OL,” she said. “It was a great opportunity for me as I was able to continue my education in a very practical manner that allowed me to keep a life/family/education balance.” Waseem, who completed her BBA (CIS) with the commendable GPA of 4.2, found the online medium of Open education “excellent in every way.” Moreover, her experience was heightened by the Open Learning Faculty members she described as “more like mentors.”

“Everyone is really proud of me to have completed my degree while raising three kids and fulfilling my other family obligations. Well, I tell them that my secret is TRU-OL.” The secret ends there, as Waseem happily divulged her future plan to achieve a Masters of Business Administration degree.