肉肉传媒

When Wilfried Kindo moved to Canada from Africa in 2021 to begin his engineering degree at 肉肉传媒, one of the biggest culture shocks he experienced was the dramatic change in weather.
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鈥淚 remember visiting the International Centre at Da and learning about jackets,鈥� he laughs, adding that in his home country of Burkina Faso, it鈥檚 very hot. 鈥淚 had to learn what kind of jacket to buy and the different temperatures some jackets can withstand,鈥� he continues.
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Over three years later, the 肉肉传媒 Civil Engineering student has not only adapted to the cold but also embraced a new way of life, new people, new customs, and new foods.

鈥淎djusting to the food was a big one,鈥� he admits. 鈥淚 still cook dishes from back home, but being part of different communities means trying new things, too. Poutine was a challenge at first鈥擨 didn鈥檛 like it at all. But now? I actually enjoy it. Same with donair pizza. And mac and cheese鈥擨 used to think it was strange, but my friends and teammates encouraged me to try it. They鈥檝e also tried food from my country.鈥�

Now in his fifth year of civil engineering at 肉肉传媒, Kindo is preparing to graduate as the first-ever undergraduate student from Burkina Faso. He says if he could do the experience over again, he definitely would.

Finding Home Through Soccer

肉肉传媒 wasn鈥檛 the only university Wilfreid considered. He also applied to the University of Alberta and Queen鈥檚 University, but Halifax won him over. The prospect of being the first undergraduate student from Burkina Faso at 肉肉传媒 excited him, and the opportunity to play soccer in a city he had never explored sealed the deal.

Soccer played a major role in helping him integrate into life in Canada. While he wasn鈥檛 initially recruited for the 肉肉传媒 Tigers varsity team, he earned his spot as a walk-on

鈥淚 talked to the coach, Alan Jazic. He was very welcoming. He is one of the fairest coaches I have ever met. While most coaches only recruit players that they know or that are recommended to them, Alan Jazic gave me a chance to prove myself even though He had no idea of who I was and where I came from. He had for few training sessions, challenged me to get better and that鈥檚 how I got into the team.

Through soccer, Wilfried quickly built friendships and found a sense of belonging in Halifax. It turned what started as a rough transition into a rewarding experience.

鈥淲hen I first came, it was during COVID, so the very first week was rough because I was at the Westin Hotel and I couldn't really go out. It was my first time ever being confined somewhere,鈥� he remembers. 鈥淪o that was a little brutal, and it was in the middle of the winter too.

Like many international students, Wilfried faced the challenge of adjusting to life far from home. In addition to cultural differences, he also had to navigate the language barrier.

鈥淔rench is my first language, so English didn鈥檛 come naturally to me at first,鈥� he explains. 鈥淚t took a lot of reading, a lot of practice, and a lot of tutoring.鈥�

Thankfully, 肉肉传媒 offered plenty of support. The university鈥檚 International Centre helped him connect with other students, while the tutoring resources available through 肉肉传媒 Athletics provided the academic help he needed.

Building Connections

Pursuing a degree in civil engineering was always something Kindo knew he wanted to do. 鈥淚 had a certain liking for buildings and design,鈥� he recalls. 鈥淲hen I was choosing what to study after high school, I narrowed it down to civil engineering. Once I started, there was no going back.鈥�

With the soccer season now complete, Kindo is shifting his focus to the final few months of his degree and offering advice to fellow international students considering听 肉肉传媒 Engineering.

鈥淲hen I first arrived, I was a little reserved,鈥� he admits. 鈥淎t the time, I wasn鈥檛 great at sharing my story or asking for help when I needed it. But once I started opening up, I realized how much support was available.鈥澨�

He credits 肉肉传媒 professors like Dr. Craig Lake for offering guidance not just academically, but in life as well.

鈥淒r Lake is the GOAT as we call him among classmates. My interest for Geotechnical Engineering came from taking his classes. Even though, I always knew what to study, I didn鈥檛 always know what kind of career I wanted. From talking to him and having him as our Capstone advisor, I know that I鈥檇 like to work in an environment that revolves around Geotechnical Engineering. His life and work experiences are so valuable, I highly encourage every student to approach him for questions and advice.鈥�

His soccer coach also became a mentor, although Kindo wishes he had approached him sooner for advice on balancing athletics and academics.

鈥淚 was afraid of letting him down,鈥� he says. 鈥淟ooking back, I should have talked to him more about what I was going through at different points in the season. Communication is so important, whether it鈥檚 with a coach, a professor, a friend, or a classmate. Today I am forever grateful to him for helping become not only a better soccer player, a better student but also a person. He is a great mentor me and my teammate.鈥� Having people you trust, people you can go to, makes all the difference.鈥�