This story is part of a series of articles from our University Counsellors highlighting the stories of alumni and the paths they have taken after graduating from SMUS. You can find links to other stories in this series at the bottom of this post.
Alikhan Seisembekov ’21 made a smooth transition from Kazakhstan to SMUS in 2019. He spent what he described as two "gloriously memorable" years at SMUS before going on to study engineering at the University of Waterloo. And in a competitive world where it is an achievement just to land a spot at Waterloo, Alikhan distinguished himself by earning an entrance scholarship – a distinction that will surprise no one at SMUS who knew him.
Alikhan is the kind of student who smiles with joy when challenged by a new idea or puzzle. Jen Graham, his academic advisor, recalls their lengthy and animated office conversations about life’s mysteries. “He’s a sponge, genuinely curious about all subjects. He’s the kid who was learning something like six languages. He wants to solve the world’s problems one piece of knowledge at a time,” she recalls.
A generalist with a love of learning, he admits that while at SMUS he “didn’t exactly know” what he wanted to do. Interested in both medicine and technology, he dreamed of a future building “brain-machine interfaces” driven by AI. He knew he wanted to study engineering at Waterloo, but struggled with which program was right for him.
He chose to specialize in nanotechnology – literally the study of tiny tech – seeing it as a way to make his dreams a reality. And while it may sound narrow, Alikhan insists that his chosen field is “very interdisciplinary,” combining aspects of the sciences and engineering, and offering a practical application for his love of theory. “This major is at the cutting edge of innovation,” he explains. “Nanotechnology is a great way to build small things that will make a large impact.”
What’s it like to study at Waterloo?
“Waterloo allows me to push my limits and explore opportunities!”
Now in his second year, he feels at home at Waterloo, but still finds university a challenge. He attends office hours and tutorials “just to keep up.” He says Waterloo expects even greater independence regarding time management and self-studying, and he adds that the collaborative environment in his AP Physics C class at SMUS inspired him to form a study group at Waterloo. He calls it “one of the best ways to survive at university.”
Alikhan appreciates the chance to discuss any content he doesn’t understand with other students and believes that working with others has helped him develop better academic habits. And he seeks out “good advice” from the older students he calls friends. For fun, he has joined Waterloo’s Rocketry design team.
Life at Waterloo
“Waterloo is a small city, very similar to Victoria ... minus the weather!” he says with a smile. “It’s definitely a little colder here.”
Alikhan enjoys the “social experience” of his residence in the heart of Waterloo. Located just a 10-minute walk from the university, it gives him a taste of what awaits after graduation, while still keeping him on the path to getting there.
He likes the university’s modern architecture and is inspired by the Faculty of Architecture’s student project gallery. The convenient Waterloo Ion (LRT) makes getting around easy. And he appreciates the big-city attractions of Toronto, which is just an hour and a half away.
Why Waterloo?
The University of Waterloo is no ivory tower. In fact, it’s the perfect place for students who want to roll up their sleeves and learn by doing. With multiple university offers, Alikhan chose Waterloo because of its famous co-op program, ranked No. 1 in the world for offering unique hands-on learning experiences and fostering employer-student connections. He believes that co-op work will allow him to explore his wide and eclectic interests, enhancing essential soft skills, such as independence and responsibility.
Co-ops are like a “staircase,” he explains. “After you’ve done one, it’s easier to get another one. Each position is better than the last.”
Alikhan will have completed six co-ops by the time he graduates, making it “much easier to get a job or do a Master’s degree.” His engineering degree will take five years, and will include four work stints of four months each and another two stretching eight months each. Last summer, he embarked on his first co-op, working for the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) on cyber-security, an area of interest.
Is there a downside to co-ops? “There’s no vacation! Work is my vacation from studying!” The silver lining? He says that accomplishing his work duties makes him “feel like a superhero!” Plus, all those paid internships will allow him to partially offset the considerable cost of his international tuition fees – $30,000 per semester, plus housing.
Reflections on SMUS
“I definitely miss SMUS! … SMUS helped me to be more confident and more in control of myself; SMUS made me aware of what I still need to work on – my weaknesses. I know what I’m capable of and I can start working on the things I need to work on. I have a more realistic outlook.”
Alikhan says he particularly remembers his Harvey House advisors and brothers. He’s still in touch with Natcha Fongsrisin ’21, also at Waterloo, and loves chatting virtually with many other amazing students he met at SMUS. He says their accomplishments help motivate him to continue trying hard.
Advice for current students
He has a few tips for current Senior School students as they begin to consider their next steps: “Think of university applications as a process and really invest in it. Definitely enjoy the flow. The earlier you start preparing, the better. If you keep thinking about it, after a while an interesting thought will appear and you can jot it down. Know what you’re most interested in. Be as honest as possible but also show your best side.”
What does the future hold for Alikhan? “I’m leaning towards research,” he says. “I want to build something impactful to help people.” We know he will!
Other stories in this series
Maggie Helmke '18: Food for Thought
Ariel Khoo '21: SMUS Connections, Lessons Continue to Run Deep
Paul Mueller '21: From the BC Rainforest to Germany's Black Forest
