Four 2026 Langara College graduates in nursing, bioinformatics, business management, and health sciences share how hands-on, career-focused learning shaped them. Their reflections double as practical advice for anyone thinking about starting at Langara.
What would graduating students tell someone who's just starting college?
Ahead of snəw̓eyəɬ leləm̓ Langara College's 2026 convocation ceremonies, four graduates reflected on the experiences that shaped their education—from clinical placements and co-op opportunities to campus involvement and leadership experiences. Their stories offer a glimpse into what students can gain at Langara and the advice they wish they'd known when they first arrived.
Ashna Benny graduated with a Post-Degree Diploma in Nursing Practice in Canada (NPIC). She chose Langara because it offered the kind of career-focused, hands-on preparation she needed for the next step in her nursing career.
For Ashna, the biggest impact came from experience in real clinical settings. “My clinical placements had the biggest impact on me. They allowed me to apply what I learned in real healthcare settings, build confidence, and learn from experienced healthcare professionals.” Working with varied patient groups helped her grow beyond just technical skills: “Working with diverse patient populations helped me grow both professionally and personally.”
Ashna says, “The NPIC program prepared me well for transitioning into the Canadian healthcare system.” Through classroom learning, simulation labs, and clinical placements, she developed “knowledge, critical thinking, communication, and clinical skills” to work confidently as a registered nurse.
For incoming Langara students, her advice is clear: “Stay organized, be open to learning, and don’t be afraid to ask questions.” She adds, “Take advantage of clinical placements, seek support when needed, and trust the process.”
Sarah Bowker earned a Bachelor of Science in Bioinformatics. She says her experience at Langara has built real momentum toward the next step—especially through co-op.
“The combination of classroom learning and hands-on work experience helped me build confidence, develop professional skills, and gain valuable industry experience.”
Langara's co-op opportunities proved to be life-changing for Sarah. She shares, “I secured a position related to my field where I worked in data analytics.” That placement didn’t just help her apply what she learned—it led to immediate employment: “As a result, I was offered a full-time position as a systems analyst with the same company.”
Looking back, one of her most impactful experiences was working with the Applied Research Centre. She also values her fourth-year coursework and capstone “which challenged me to work on engaging projects and deepen my understanding of bioinformatics concepts.”
Sarah’s advice to incoming students is simple: “Take advantage of every opportunity available to you,” because the more you get involved, “the more you will gain from your time at Langara.”
Chelse Genovesa graduated with a Diploma in Business Management. She says her time at Langara helped set her up for a future in Canada: “Studying at Langara gave me valuable knowledge of Canadian business practices, which I can leverage alongside my international experience [in the Philippines] as I pursue opportunities and establish a career here in Canada.”
Reflecting on student life, Chelse’s biggest impact came from getting involved on campus. “Being accepted as one of the Social Media Ambassadors for Langara became an important creative outlet,” she explains. For her, the role helped her manage academic pressure while also “allowing me to give back to the College community.”
Chelse also credits Langara’s people—especially the teaching approach. “One of the things I appreciated most about Langara was how student-centred the instructors were,” she says, adding that they didn’t just learn students’ names, but “remembered them long after the term had ended.”
Her advice to incoming students is both ambitious and compassionate. “Stay curious, prioritize your well-being and happiness, and be patient and kind to yourself.”
Originally from Nigeria, Favour Muodebelu graduated with an Associate of Science in Health Sciences. Her Langara journey culminated at convocation, where she was both a Kente stole recipient and the student speaker at her ceremony. She calls the role “a surreal feeling,” adding, “I don’t think the version of me who moved to Canada three years ago would have ever imagined having an opportunity like this.”
Favour says her program helped her move forward in practical, personal ways. “I feel more equipped to manage my time effectively and to keep challenging myself,” she explains. One of her biggest lessons is that “the opportunities worth pursuing are often the ones that initially seem intimidating.” Taking chances “has helped me grow both personally and academically.”
When she looks back on her time at Langara, Favour highlights how each experience built her self-esteem. Her first speech at Fall 2024 New Student Orientation—when she also volunteered with the GO Team—“pushed me out of my comfort zone and helped build my confidence.” She also points to her first reading at Strangers on a Train as a doorway into a “diverse literary community.”
Her advice to incoming students? “Strive for community. Get involved, have fun, and put yourself out there.”
Whether you're looking to pursue nursing, bioinformatics, business management, health sciences, or any of Langara’s 150+ programs, these graduates prove that with the right support and community, anything is possible.
Congratulations to our 2026 graduates! We can’t wait to see where you go next.
