Zidane Nguyen is a YELL Alumni from our 2023-2024 Surrey district YELL class. He was accepted into the SHAD program and was a recipient of a $1000 grant for YELL Canada students/alumni. Recently he sat down with the SHAD team to share about his experience in the Shad2024 program at University of Calgary.
Q: Tell us a bit about yourself.
My name is Zidane Nguyen, and I am a grade 12 student at Kwantlen Park Secondary School in Surrey, British Columbia. I attended the University of Calgary campus for Shad2024, and it was an experience that I will never forget. I tend to be a lighthearted, energetic person, and during my time at U of C, I found myself being even more energetic in a community of like-minded people from all across Canada.
Q: What was your biggest takeaway from your Shad experience?
My biggest takeaways from Shad are the connections I made along the way. At the start of Shad, I didn’t really socialize with anybody that much, but as the weeks flew by, I became very close with people who I never would have talked to if it weren’t for the great social environment that Shad created.
Q: At Shad we are leaders in social innovation, how do you plan to use #STEAM4Good?
I plan to use #STEAM4Good to inspire other innovators within my community, and to band people together towards the common goal of creating a brighter future.
Q: What lessons would you share with incoming Shads?
Something I would tell incoming Shads would be to cherish every moment. I never knew how much fun I was having until the last week, where I reminisced about all of the good times at Shad. From having my roommate burning ramen and having to sleep on the floor away from the smell to the long and grueling hike to the summit of a mountain, every experience I had at Shad was really such a joy to be a part of.
If you’re interested in applying for SHAD, make sure you hurry and get your application in as the deadline is December 1st, 2024 at 11;59PM EST. Current YELL students and alumni are also eligible for one of three SHAD scholarships valued at $1000! Head to www.shad.ca/apply for more information and to apply!
