Education

10 WINNIPEG FREE PRESS - SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2019 Josh Tampai could be the poster child for the future of Manitoba's economy. The 21-year-old moved to Winnipeg from the United Kingdom two years ago after enrolling in the Bachelor of Business Administration program at Booth University College. Booth UC is a liberal arts post-secondary institution affiliated with the Salvation Army, a Christian organization operating in more than 130 countries. In fact, both of Tampai's parents are pastors in the Salvation Army overseas, which is how he learned about Booth UC. He chose it over the London School of Business and Economics because of the chance to live in another country — his family is originally from Indonesia — to meet new people and to pursue new opportunities. "At first, I didn't know anybody in Winnipeg and it was quite hard with my parents, brothers and friends not being here. Then I met some international students sharing the same experience," he said. "The people at Booth UC have been very welcoming. It's a smaller university so the professors know you. It's a more personal experience." Booth UC's business program is a four-year degree geared towards helping students enter the for-profit or not-for-profit world. Students graduate with an expertise in one or more of the following disciplines — accounting and finance; human resource management; marketing; organizational behaviour; and production operations. At a recent reception for the Manitoba Council for International Education (MCIE), Tampai was presented with its Outstanding International Student Award. In making the presentation, Rhonda Friesen, Booth UC's dean of students, said Tampai pursues excellence in whatever he does, whether that's in academics, as a member of the student council or through music. (He plays guitar, keyboards and sings.) "Josh has demonstrated a confidence and sense of engagement in this community that is rare for new international students. Josh's articulate, thoughtful contributions have earned him tremendous respect among institutional leaders, faculty, staff and fellow students," she said. Tampai will graduate in the spring of 2021 and while he doesn't know exactly what he's going to do, he knows who his boss is going to be. "I'm planning to start my own business in music, videography or photography," he said. In a province struggling to find enough skilled and educated workers, local employers can only hope he is blazing a trail for others to follow. Sure, he has had to adapt to the culture, food and the weather here, but they've all grown on him. "Despite the cold, Winnipeg has some of the warmest people on earth. Many people have helped me feel at home here. The communities that I've either joined or built — whether it's church, school or a soccer group — have truly made Manitoba feel like a second home," he said. For more information, visit boothuc.ca. ❚ BOOTH UNIVERSITY COLLEGE WELCOMING LEARNING EXPERIENCE By Geoff Kirbyson for the Free Press 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. Booth UC photos E D U C A T I O N F O R A B E T T E R W O R L D BOOTHUC.CA WHEN THE WORLD CLOSES ITS EYES, O P E N T H E M.

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