Feb 3, 2025
Discover how Langara College helped international student Vansh Gupta find success through small class sizes, student engagement programs, and tutoring opportunities.
When Vansh Gupta landed in Vancouver in December 2022, he was embarking on a life-changing journey. Leaving behind everything familiar, he came to Canada to pursue his education at Langara College—without knowing anyone in the country.
Today, Vansh is a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) student at the Langara School of Management and a recognizable face on campus, thanks to his roles as a volunteer, tutor, and co-op student. Now also a co-op student with the Academic Success Centre (ASC), he shares some advice for students who are facing similar changes that he faced when he first started at Langara.
Why Vansh chose Langara College.
Before selecting Langara, Vansh considered other institutions such as UBC and SFU. Ultimately, it was Langara’s smaller class sizes and strong sense of community that won him over. Even after his diploma, he chose to continue his studies at Langara.
“My friends who went to bigger universities have classes with over 500 students, and they say it’s hard to even contact their instructors,” he says.
“At Langara, my classes have about 40 students, so I can just raise my hand and ask a question. It’s a much more engaging and practical learning experience.”
From the very beginning, Vansh felt at home on Langara’s open campus. The close-knit environment empowered him to find ways to get involved and explore different opportunities, leading to some of his most rewarding experiences.
Building connections and finding belonging.
Without knowing anyone in Vancouver, Vansh turned to Langara’s resources to help him settle in. His first step? Joining the open gym where students can meet to play various indoor and outdoor sports and build connections. “That’s how I made my first friend at Langara College,” says Vansh. “And that friend guided me to the Student Engagement Hub.”
Through the Student Engagement Hub, Vansh participated in networking events and began working in various student support roles as part of the Student Work Assistance Program (SWAP).
“Starting with one job in the gymnasium, I eventually worked in about five or six different roles on campus as a SWAP student,” he says. These experiences helped him develop a broad network while gaining valuable skills, grow his network, and turn Langara into a second home.
Giving back through tutoring and peer support.
Vansh’s passion for helping others soon led him to tutoring. Encouraged by an instructor who recognized his strong grasp of statistics, he began working at the Math and Statistics Activity Centre (MSAC) in the summer of 2023. Later, he also became a peer tutor for economics at the library.
Beyond requiring some academic support, Vansh noticed a common challenge among students adjusting to college life. Many of his peers struggled to navigate course structures, study strategies, and social connections. His role as a peer tutor allowed him to bridge that gap, offering both academic guidance and a sense of belonging.
“At first, I was unaware tutoring services existed,” he admits. “But by the end of my first semester, I learned that Langara provides free tutoring for a lot of subjects. And I used different tutoring services for myself, so I felt I should give back to the community.”
Making an impact at the Academic Success Centre.
Vansh’s dedication and initiative eventually led to his current co-op position at the Academic Success Centre, where he is using his business and marketing skills to enhance student support services.
“I had already been working with the department, and when they needed someone to help market their services, it was a perfect fit,” he says. “Now, I’ve worked on several posters, updated information on the website, and I’m developing a peer-to-peer marketing plan.”
Even in this role, Vansh’s commitment to helping others and his enthusiasm for learning shine through.
As Vansh continues his BBA degree, he’s keeping his career options open, exploring interests in banking and marketing.
“Right now, Langara is providing me with a set of skills that I can be prepared for an opportunity in the business field.”
Interested in a career in the business world? Visit the Langara School of Management to to find the right path for you.
Discover how Langara’s student services, such as peer tutoring and co-op programs, can help you succeed in college and beyond.