Hai found the transition to university far less challenging than he’d expected, perhaps because he’d already taken a big leap in coming to Canada as an international student for his last 2 years of high school. However, in the beginning of his 3rd year, Hai’s 2-year relationship ended and he found himself spiraling downward, feeling lonely and overwhelmed. He began skipping classes – something he’d never done before – and he handed in two of his mid-term assignments late, without any explanation.

One of Hai’s professors notices a big change in Hai and sets up a meeting. At first Hai is reluctant to share personal information with a professor but realizes he needs help to get his life back on track. The professor recommends that Hai sees a medical doctor to ensure that he is physically okay. He also suggests a counsellor who helps Hai understand and process his grief and connects him with a peer support program.

One of the surprising things that Hai learns through this experience is the notion of self-advocacy. It had never crossed his mind to proactively reach out to an instructor to ask for an extension during times of crisis or emergency. The peer coach also helped Hai to make an integrated list of all of his remaining course activities and assignments. By scheduling everything in, Hai is able to keep moving forward with one project at a time. Gradually, he feels his life getting back on track and begins to feel less overwhelmed.