WELCOMING LEARNING EXPERIENCE - Winnipeg Free Press

10 WINNIPEG FREE PRESS - SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2019

BOOTH UNIVERSITY COLLEGE Josh Tampai moved to Winnipeg from the United Kingdom two years ago after enrolling
in the Bachelor of Business Administration program at Booth University College.
WELCOMING Booth UC photos
LEARNING
EXPERIENCE

By Geoff Kirbyson for the Free Press

Josh Tampai could be the At a recent reception for the Manitoba Council WHEN THE WORLD O P E N
poster child for the future of for International Education (MCIE), Tampai was CLOSES ITS EYES, T H E M.
Manitoba’s economy. presented with its Outstanding International
Student Award.
The 21-year-old moved to Winnipeg from the In making the presentation, Rhonda Friesen,
United Kingdom two years ago after enrolling in Booth UC’s dean of students, said Tampai pursues
the Bachelor of Business Administration program excellence in whatever he does, whether that’s in
at Booth University College. academics, as a member of the student council
Booth UC is a liberal arts post-secondary or through music. (He plays guitar, keyboards
institution affiliated with the Salvation Army, a and sings.)
Christian organization operating in more than 130 “Josh has demonstrated a confidence and sense
countries. In fact, both of Tampai’s parents are of engagement in this community that is rare for
pastors in the Salvation Army overseas, which is new international students. Josh’s articulate,
how he learned about Booth UC. thoughtful contributions have earned him
He chose it over the London School of Business tremendous respect among institutional leaders,
and Economics because of the chance to live in faculty, staff and fellow students,” she said.
another country — his family is originally from Tampai will graduate in the spring of 2021 and
Indonesia — to meet new people and to pursue while he doesn’t know exactly what he’s going to
new opportunities. do, he knows who his boss is going to be.
“At first, I didn’t know anybody in Winnipeg “I’m planning to start my own business in music,
and it was quite hard with my parents, brothers videography or photography,” he said.
and friends not being here. Then I met some In a province struggling to find enough skilled
international students sharing the same and educated workers, local employers can only
experience,” he said. hope he is blazing a trail for others to follow.
“ThepeopleatBoothUChavebeenverywelcoming. Sure, he has had to adapt to the culture, food and
It’s a smaller university so the professors know the weather here, but they’ve all grown on him.
you. It’s a more personal experience.” “Despite the cold, Winnipeg has some of the
Booth UC’s business program is a four-year warmest people on earth. Many people have helped
degree geared towards helping students enter the me feel at home here. The communities that I’ve
for-profit or not-for-profit world. Students graduate either joined or built — whether it’s church, school
with an expertise in one or more of the following or a soccer group — have truly made Manitoba feel
disciplines — accounting and finance; human like a second home,” he said.
resource management; marketing; organizational
behaviour; and production operations. For more information,

visit boothuc.ca. ❚

BOOTHUC.CA EDUCATION FOR A BETTER WORLD