"Hi, my name is Nicole, and I recently graduated from a five-year Architectural Engineering program at the University of Waterloo, which included co-op placements.

I graduated from St. Elizabeth Catholic High School (Toronto), which offers a specialized arts program, and I was part of the visual arts stream. Throughout elementary and high school, I took Math and Science classes at Tutoring Club@EduXperience Canada.

​

Whenever I had classes, Olga (Math teacher) and Vlad (Science teacher) helped me with homework, assignments, and understanding complex concepts that were often confusing at school. They are both incredibly knowledgeable in their fields and genuinely care about their students’ success.

​

Their support helped me achieve a high 80s average in Grade 12, which allowed me to apply to university. I graduated high school in 2020, right at the peak of the pandemic. All of my university classes were online, and unfortunately, many professors struggled to effectively teach difficult concepts in that format. I was fortunate to have Olga’s support through Calculus I, II, III, Linear Algebra, and Differential Equations, while Vlad helped me with first-year chemistry and electrical circuits. University during the pandemic was extremely stressful and challenging, but I’m grateful to have had their guidance. They helped me not only do well academically but also truly understand the material.

​

I’m incredibly thankful for all the support Olga and Vlad have given me throughout my academic journey. They’ve watched me grow since I was little girl and often joked with my parents that they’re my “STEM grandparents”, a title they’ve truly earned with the care and love they had to help me succeed during my studies. 

​

Architectural Engineering at Waterloo is a unique program—it’s the first of its kind in Canada and blends Civil Engineering with Architecture. We took core civil engineering courses but also participated in dedicated design studios for Architectural Engineering students, working on group-based projects. Some of the projects I completed included a residential high-rise, community center, pavilion, library, and more. We were responsible for more than just architectural design; we also had to understand the building’s structure, envelope, and HVAC systems.

​

While the program was intense and often challenging, I learned so much and deeply appreciated the technical and design knowledge I’ve gained. I chose to study Architectural Engineering because I’ve always been passionate about architecture, but I also wanted to understand how buildings are constructed on a technical level. Many architecture programs focus primarily on aesthetics, but I was interested in realistic, buildable design, and this program offered that.

One of the highlights of my degree was the co-op component, which gave me the opportunity to gain real-world experience in the field. I completed internships at architecture firms in Miami (USA), Montreal (Canada), Amsterdam (Netherlands), and Paris (France). Living and working in these cities was one of my favorite parts of university.

Despite a busy academic schedule, I also took on independent architectural projects to build my portfolio. I wanted to show future employers that I could produce quality work on my own and further develop my architectural skills.

I recently completed my degree and will be graduating in June 2025. I’m currently refining my portfolio with the goal of applying to Master of Architecture programs next year. My long-term plan is to complete my master’s degree, gain professional experience, and eventually establish my own design firm to develop projects locally and Internationally."