Today we shine our Student Spotlight on Andrea Millan Machado, our student from Colombia! Andrea, currently in her second year, is studying towards an Associate of Arts Degree with a concentration in International Business.
She is a very active student on campus, especially since she is the 2024 Alexander College Student Association (ACSA) President!
When we asked how she felt about living in Vancouver, Andrea had nothing but praises. Hailing from Colombia, where the weather is warm year round, the mild winters in Vancouver is the perfect place to experience colder weather.
Vancouver’s TransLink system allows Andrea to take full advantage of the Canadian weather and explore the city.
“I still like to wear layers because back in Colombia there is no winter at all.”
For someone who loves to learn from other cultures while sharing her own, Vancouver is the perfect place to study with its diverse population.
With the goal to eventually move abroad, Andrea admitted that she was looking at other English-speaking countries like Australia and England, but ultimately chose Canada because its easier to stay in the country upon graduation and eventually obtain PR status in Canada compared to other countries.
“Not all colleges have the content that Alexander College has.”
Another thing that drew Andrea to Canada was Alexander College. As the biggest educational institution YouTube channel in Canada, our content caught her eye. Along with offering courses that aligned with her interests, such as Small Business and Entrepreneurship, and scholarships for Latin American students, the choice was clear.
Since childhood, Andrea has always been active. As a child, she was a cheerleader and learned how to salsa dance in school.
“In my city it’s well known for salsa, so you need to learn to dance salsa if you want to go out and hang out with your friends!”
In Vancouver, when she’s taking a break from her studies, Andrea enjoys hiking in places such as Lindeman Lake!
As a second-year student, Andrea already has ideas for what she wants to do upon graduation. BCIT has a program called Airport Operations and that’s what she has her sights set on.
To those who are thinking of studying in Canada, Andrea recommends getting involved with school clubs and events as they are an excellent way to learn about different cultures!
If you’re a current student at AC, we would love to hear our story! Contact us at social@alexandercollege.ca and you may have a chance to be featured in a future blog and video.
Alexander College acknowledges that the land on which we usually gather is the traditional, ancestral and unceded territory of the Coast Salish peoples, including the territories of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. We are grateful to have the opportunity to work in this territory.
Alexander College acknowledges that the land on which we usually gather is the traditional, ancestral and unceded territory of the Coast Salish peoples, including the territories of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. We are grateful to have the opportunity to work in this territory.
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