Kjeld

Kjeld is a 3rd year political science student with a concentration in business at UNB Saint John and VP External of the Student's Representative Council.  

What does #OnlyHere mean to you?

To me #OnlyHere highlights how our small campus allows you to make strong connections and that although we are small, there’s no ceiling to what you can do here.

Within the first few hours of being in the city I already felt at home

When I first came to New Brunswick, after learning about UNB from a recruiter who came to my country and doing my own research, I planned to visit both campuses to help me decide where to go. After visiting UNBSJ I knew I didn’t need to go anywhere else. I fell in love with the campus and the city. I wandered around uptown and everyone I met was so nice and eager to talk to me. Within the first few hours of being in the city I already felt at home, it just clicked.

Kjeld shares his love for Saint John in this video:

When I started at UNBSJ I got involved in SRC doing their orientation and I loved hearing people’s opinions and speaking with other international students. A common topic of discussion was the limited services available for international students. I’ve always been a guy for the underdogs and those conversations motivated me to move from student affairs to my current role at SRC as VP External where I deal with provincial and federal advocacy.

I have meetings with politicians to try to make a better life for not only international students but students in the LGBTQ community, students with mental health issues, and students with disabilities. It’s a surreal experience to know that at such a young age I’m making an impact and helping to make a better life for these students.

UNB wants their students to do great work in the community

I believe if I went to a bigger university my rate of progression may not have happened this fast. My faculty as a whole is very supportive of my passion for advocacy, all the way from the dean of arts to my professors. They are always willing to accommodate me and it's obvious that UNB wants their students to do great work in the community and do spectacular things.

There’s no ceiling to what you can do 

If I were trying to recruit students to UNB, I would really emphasize the smallness of the university and the community feeling that we have here. I would highlight how small universities allow you to make strong connections with professors and fellow students. Although UNB is a small school there’s no ceiling to what you can do. There are always more ways to get involved and make an impact.