Dual Degree Program 心得分享

112 級 Name : 李冠融

< Background Information >

Packing my life into a suitcase, boarding the flight with a one-way ticket, and heading to a country I had never visited before was one of the bravest decisions I've ever made, and I have no regrets. I embarked on the dual degree journey in August 2021, during the height of the pandemic. Due to a vaccine shortage in Taiwan, I was unable to get vaccinated before my departure. Upon arrival in Vancouver, I had to quarantine for two weeks before travelling to Victoria, where my adventure at the University of Victoria commenced.

Pic 1: Getting my student card on my first day at UVic

< Program Courses >

The core year of the program encompassed a diverse array of courses, including Introduction to Management Information Systems, Business & Sustainability, and Professional Skills Development. Some courses, such as Management Accounting and Operations Management, mirrored those offered at NSYSU, but it was fascinating to review the material through a different teaching style characterized by increased class discussions and group projects, providing a refreshing perspective. Group projects were a significant component, with meetings almost every week. The BCom office assigned group members to ensure diversity within each group. For instance, my group comprised me, an international student, and four local students, fostering a dynamic exchange of ideas.

I chose to specialize in Service Management and International Business. The Service Management specialization focuses on developing skills to lead service-oriented businesses, emphasizing building valuable relationships with customers, employees, and partner businesses. Concurrently, I worked part-time as a Customer Service Sales Agent at Gray Line Sightseeing Victoria. My responsibilities included selling sightseeing products tailored to tourists' needs, engaging in frontline customer communication, and ensuring smooth tour operations. This job greatly enhanced my sense of achievement in my studies, allowing me to integrate practical work experiences into classes like operations management and customer experience management.

The International Business specialization aimed to provide a global business perspective and foster an international mindset among students. A notable aspect of this specialization was the diverse composition of the class, which included exchange students from around the world, in contrast to other specializations where the majority of students were local. This diversity created an enriching experience, enabling us to connect with individuals from various backgrounds. For example, in cross-national management classes, we engaged in discussions with classmates from different countries to determine whether certain national traits were legitimate or merely stereotypes, as defined by Hofstede’s Cultural Dimensions Theory. Similarly, in international marketing classes, we examined appropriate marketing strategies by considering cultural and religious considerations in different countries.

Pic 2: Celebrating with my International Business cohort after our final class.

< First Co-op Experience >

During my tenure as a sales agent at Gray Line Sightseeing Victoria, I identified numerous learning opportunities. After discussing my interests and potential contributions with my manager, I transitioned to an Administrative Intern role focusing on marketing. My duties included customer communication, back-office data analysis, and executing a Christmas marketing project. This project involved designing promotional blurbs, collaborating with hotels and business partners, and managing social media interactions. This role enhanced my ability to manage business connections and execute marketing strategies effectively

Pic 3: One of the blurbs I designed for the Christmas project.

< Second Co-op Experience >

After spending several months in Victoria and becoming more familiar with the area, I decided to explore different places in Canada. I moved to Burnaby for my second co-op position as a Purchasing Co-op at Ballard Power Systems in the Lab Equipment Design and Supports department. My main responsibilities included requesting for quotations (RFQ) from suppliers, comparing lead times and costs, placing component orders per engineering requirement, and maintaining supplier connections. A highlight was participating in supplier and contractor meetings, which broadened my understanding of supplier dynamics and provided insight into the practical application of the components we handled. From supplier visits to on-site factory tours, these experiences deepened my comprehension of the manufacturing process and enhanced my supply chain knowledge.

Pic 4: A photo of me in the Ballard Power Systems lobby on the last day of my co-op term.

< Summary >

My time at the University of Victoria, spanning two years and four months, was a period of significant personal and professional growth. The dual degree program provided a comprehensive integration that greatly surpassed the benefits of a single-semester exchange. It offered a robust education and invaluable work experience in Canada, enabling me to apply academic concepts in real-world settings. Additionally, the program allowed me to immerse myself in a new culture, form lifelong friendships, and participate in Canadian traditions that I had never experienced before. This cultural immersion was instrumental in broadening my global perspective and enhancing my interpersonal skills. Lastly, the program's structure meets the criteria for a three-year Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), which is advantageous for those seeking further international experience or considering immigration to Canada. I highly recommend this dual degree program for its profound academic and personal development opportunities.

Pic 5: Picking pumpkins with friends at Galey Farms on Halloween.