Looking Back

Almost a year ago, my husband and I moved to Canada, and I started the Human Resource Management Program at PACE. Wow! This year went by fast, but at the same time, so many things have happened.

At first, I was surprised because before school started, I was told that Canadians would rather be around themselves, and that was not what I experienced. Right from the Orientation Week, I was invited by my Canadian classmates to have lunch with them, and since then, we have developed great relationships.

I met new people and learned about their cultures, we hung out outside of school, went to a hockey game, had breakfast and brunch as we studied for exams. I was also a part of the Student Life Committee and worked in tons of group projects. Meanwhile, things happened in my personal life, and I am thankful for the PACE staff that helped me as I went through it.

Learning to Pivot

Then COVID-19 came and we, as a group, had to adapt to a whole new environment. No, it was not easy. I felt overwhelmed so many times, and I noticed that many of my classmates (if not all of them) felt the same way.

With the sudden pivot to online learning I had to improve my time management skills, to learn how to use different platforms to attend the online classes, and to exercise self-teaching.

All of a sudden I had to learn how to work in group projects only through Zoom, GotoMeetings, WhatsApp, and Google Docs and to exercise patience and to understand that people work at different paces, on different schedules, and have all kinds of struggles (just as I do!).

What is my conclusion about this year at PACE?

It was very challenging, with some struggles and surprises, but most of all, I not only learned about HR management, but I made new friends, joined study groups (and had lots of coffee!), and I had the privilege to help out people just as people helped me!

It was a learning experience in so many ways, and I know I can use all that as I start my life as an HR professional (hopefully soon!).

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Jessica Daneluz Mata moved to Winnipeg in September 2019 from Curitiba, Brazil to earn her Human Resource Management Diploma at UWinnipeg Professional, Applied and Continuing Education. Photos courtesy of Jessica Daneluz Mata.