"I've met so many people that made adjusting to life in a new country easy."
What brought you to UPEI? Why did you choose to study here?
I knew I wanted to study actuarial science, and my research found that UPEI is one of only 14 universities in Canada with an actuarial science program. I'm originally from Savanne, Mauritius and what made UPEI stand out for me was how calm and cozy it seemed. I also spoke with a few friends, and they told me how nice the place was, so I decided to go for it.
What do you find unique and interesting about your program?
Actuarial science is tailored to people that want to go for a career as an actuary. An actuary is someone who calculates the risks of an action, typically for insurance companies. The program at UPEI is very intricate; it teaches interesting concepts and applications of a combination of logic and numbers.
How did you get involved with the Student Union? What kinds of work do you do there?
I first got involved in the Student Union as part of The Cadre, our school student-run newspaper, as a managing editor. A year after I interviewed for the Vice-President, Finance and Administration (VPFA) position and was selected to be the VPFA. My work there involves overviewing the financials of the organization, handling all the UPEISU services, overseeing The Cadre and the yearbook and I am also the Human Resources representative for all of our student staff.
What kinds of support have you received during your time here from UPEI students, staff, and faculty members?
The people at UPEI have been very welcoming. I've met so many people that made adjusting to life in a new country easy. Freya Qi, a former international recruiter, was an amazing help to get me started at UPEI.
What kinds of opportunities have you experienced because you're studying at UPEI, or because of the Island location?
I have been given various opportunities through my time here. I have received a few scholarships for which I am quite grateful to the university.
"I knew I wanted to study actuarial science, and my research found that UPEI is one of only 14 universities in Canada with an actuarial science program."
What's unique about UPEI, and Prince Edward Island, in your experience?
The beaches in PEI are fairly unique and have their own unique charm. I have had the chance to explore a few gyms of different universities, and I think ours is better by a mile! The amount of equipment and staff that we have is amazing.
What would you tell a high school student considering your program?
That they are in for a ride, haha. Actuarial science is a specialty program for people that want to become an actuary, so I would recommend doing the degree if you are sure you want to become an actuary.
What are your general plans after graduation?
I am planning to proceed with my actuarial exams and hopefully go for a career as an actuary or data scientist.
Find your genius as a UPEI student!
Read more about our 2025–2026 Viewbook students' amazing achievements and their future plans!
Interested in UPEI? Contact our student advisement team today at apply@upei.ca.
Samuel graduated in 2024 with a double-major in Mathematics (Honours) and Economics.
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Meet Saugat, UPEI Psychology, Indigenous Studies, and Philosophy student.
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Meet Rayyan, UPEI actuarial science student and UPEI Student Union executive.
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