Name: Olivia Lam
Program: Environmental Science with Specialization in Biodiversity and Conservation
Year: 2015
Favorite Quote: We travel not to escape life, but for life not to escape us.
Song of the Summer: Move on up by Curtis Mayfield
HC: How many years have you been a 101 Week Guide?OL: I have technically been a guide for 3 years, one was as head guide and two years as an executive.
HC: Why did you want to become a 101 Week Guide? Why did you want to get involved?OL: During my 101 week I saw how much fun the guides were having throughout the whole week, directing the lost freshman and bonding with each other. I know how hard it is entering first year knowing so few people and I wanted to be a part of the welcoming crew. I really wanted to experience 101 week again on a more helpful level, meet some upper year students and learn more about the student politics life.
HC: What’s your best memory from 101 Week?OL: Hands down, cheer offs against other faculties. It would be so much fun to wander around campus with a crew from your faculty and call out others. Then you would shout at the top of your lungs to over-cheer the other faculty. In the end, we all just laughed it off.
HC: What your most embarrassing moment from 101 Week?OL: As a guide, there is never an embarrassing moment because you just embrace all the shenanigans. As a 101er the most embarrassing thing was definitely accidentally joining the wrong faculty for an event, it happens all the time.
HC: What will you take on from that experience as a student? OL: University was the best time of my education. You meet some amazing people being a guide, you make the best of friends and you form relationships for life. You learn so much about yourself and you can see yourself changing as each year passes by. It’s incredible how much you will morph during these years.
HC: What’s your advice for first year student?OL: Don’t copy off of your friends for assignments, it does you no good. Come exam time, you are a lost puppy.
HC: Why did you choose the University of Ottawa? Do you have any regrets?OL: I chose this school because it was convenient and in the end it was the best decision of my career. I regret not studying harder, who doesn’t?
HC: Who inspires you the most? Where do you see yourself in 10 years?OL: The Dalai Lama inspires me the most, he is so strong and wise. He is so calm and knowledgeable. In ten years, I see myself established and well-travelled, otherwise life is an open door and I am here to explore.