People of Georgian: College gives student ‘second chance in life’

What’s your story?

The Georgian community is full of unique, inspiring perspectives —and we’re sharing them as part of an ongoing series.

People of Georgian: Meet Andrea Tapia Tapia

This will sound cheesy, but this second opportunity to go to college feels like a second chance in life.

I wanted to always do more in life. I knew that I wanted to study in Canada and earn a degree, but I was a little scared to put myself out there.

A selfie of a smiling person with long, black hair and a black tank top.

When I went to postsecondary in Chile, I was young, so student life was more about parties and stuff like that.

This time, it would be different.

When I came to Canada, I wanted to learn English but also explore Canadian culture.

A selfie of a person outside in snowy weather with mountains in the distance behind them.

I wanted to meet a lot of people from everywhere, and I liked to introduce myself. Even though people didn’t understand me very well at the beginning, I always pushed myself to go and talk to them.

By doing that, I improved my English.

Then, the hotel I worked at in Blue Mountain gave me opportunities to grow professionally – from housekeeping to front desk.

I moved to Alberta for a sales co-ordinator job but it was a different vibe from Ontario.

A person smiles while standing outside in front of trees and a waterfall.

A person stands outside on a rock cliff overlooking a mountain range and bright blue lake.

‘You have to go to Georgian’

Then, the COVID-19 pandemic happened and I decided to move back to Ontario.

I’ve always wanted to open my own business, but I didn’t know where to start. I realized I needed Canadian connections and people to teach me how to do business in Canada.

A friend of mine went to Georgian and she told me, “You have to go to Georgian College. Go to the Open House and talk to people.”

And that’s how I ended up at Georgian.

I soon joined the Enactus Georgian College club, which aims to help students use business to be catalysts of social, economic and environmental change.

I met a lot of people and went to the 2023 Enactus Canada National Exposition in Montreal.

A group of people pose for a photo with their arms outstretched. A sign reads: Enactus Canada National Exposition

Through the club, I learned how to effectively communicate with people and how to introduce myself. I realized my struggle with this was not because my English was bad or because I’m not prepared – it’s something everyone struggles with.

I also took Georgian’s Further Faster program, a seven-week business training program for entrepreneurs.

A group of people stand inside an office and each hold up a certificate reading Further Faster.

‘No regrets about going back to school’

Georgian is helping me open my mind and not be so hard on myself.

I feel like there are so many opportunities for growth and to explore and not to be judged.

I’m very grateful, and after I graduate I know I will miss the Georgian community and all the people I have met.

Education is so important – not just for the curriculum, but also for the experience. It’s almost the same as traveling – you get to learn about other people’s realities from around the world.

I have had a great experience at Georgian, I’m very grateful, and I have no regrets about going back to school.

Andrea Tapia Tapia, a student in Georgian’s Business – Marketing program.

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