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• Q&A with Mario Attalla

Q&A with Mario Attalla

 

Mario is a student ambassador here to answer your questions. Click here to contact Mario.

Why Western Engineering?

I chose Western Engineering because of the beautiful campus and the community. From day one of orientation week, I have always felt welcomed as part of the engineering family. This was shown throughout the year when upper years were happy to host review sessions and support the first years. Furthermore, the campus and facilities are state-of-the-art and demonstrate that the faculty cares for the well-being of students and is willing to invest in them.

What do you do in your spare time?

In my spare time, I enjoy staying active, going to the gym, and playing sports such as soccer. I also watch soccer, football, baseball, basketball, tennis, and Formula 1. I am also in my church youth group and teach Sunday school to younger children.

What is a fun fact about yourself?

I am partially colourblind! I have severe deutan colour-blindness, which affects my ability to distinguish between reds, greens, and some blues.

Can you talk about your experiential learning experiences (co-op, internship, ELI, PEME, Global and Intercultural Engagement Honour etc.)?

The biggest experiential learning experience for me was the second semester of ES1050, where we were tasked with a real-life project from London-based organizations. My group was tasked with designing and constructing a way for volunteers with physical disabilities to water plants in a garden. This project allowed me to gain hands-on experience with computer design, construction in the workshop, and discussing the project with clients, all of which are important aspects in future careers.

Study tips for current/future students?

One of the most significant study tips that helped me throughout first year was simply being prepared to handle work as it comes toward you. It’s no secret that first year throws a lot your way; keeping track of deadlines can help you handle the pressure. For me, this means keeping a to-do list on my phone of every new assignment and its due date. As well, doing work in between classes can really help with reducing the workload on weekends, where it is still important to balance time for hobbies.

Can you talk about your residence experience?

My residence experience was a big part of my transition to Western and it is where I made many of my current friends. From day one, engineering students in my residence were assigned to an upper-year soph who guided us throughout orientation and was able to answer any questions we had. Also, throughout the year, the residence was grand for me because of the tools in place to support students. Overall, it was a big reason I was able to leave first year on a positive note.