"PEI has given me so much, I鈥檇 love to give something back."
What brought you to UPEI? Why did you choose to study here?
I'm originally from Northwest China, and I鈥檝e always been fascinated by islands鈥攖hey鈥檙e everywhere, each one different, surrounded by so many intriguing stories and myths. It鈥檚 not about seeing them as exotic or unusual, but just a pure, childlike curiosity. The Master of Arts in Island Studies program at UPEI is one of only three in the world, and what excites me most is its focus on International Relations and Public Policy. The tuition is also affordable, which is a big relief for an international student like me. Plus, PEI鈥檚 summers are beautiful, and that adds to the charm.
What do you find unique and interesting about the MAIS program?
What I find most unique about the program is its comprehensive approach, which includes three main areas: International Relations and Public Policy; Tourism; and Community Sustainability. These areas aren鈥檛 studied in isolation鈥攖hey鈥檙e all interconnected, which makes the program both broad and deeply engaging. For me, the most exciting part is the focus on International Relations and Public Policy. I鈥檝e always been curious about how islands manage their relationships with the wider world while dealing with their own policy challenges. The MAIS program allows me to explore these questions in depth and understand how island governance operates on both a local and global scale.
That said, I also find the focus on tourism and sustainability incredibly valuable. Tourism is such a central part of life for many islands, and sustainability is about ensuring these communities can thrive while protecting what makes them unique. Learning about these topics has broadened my perspective and helped me see how everything ties together.
This balance between exploring my main interests and gaining insights into other important areas is what makes the MAIS program so rewarding. It鈥檚 given me the tools to think critically about islands in a way I never could before.
"Living here is different from what I imagined, but in a good way. The slower pace and close-knit community have made it easier to focus on my studies and find a sense of balance in my life."
What kinds of support have you received during your time here from UPEI students, staff, and UPEI faculty members?
I鈥檝e been lucky to receive so much support at UPEI. The MAIS professors have helped me not only with academics but also with scholarships and adapting to life in Canada. The Faculty of Arts, the International Student Office, the library staff, and the residence office have all played a big role in helping me settle in鈥攚hether it鈥檚 learning about Canadian culture, navigating campus, or just making my living situation more comfortable. Everyone has been welcoming and ready to help, which has made a huge difference for me.
What opportunities have you experienced because you're studying at UPEI, or because of the Island location?
Studying at UPEI and living on this island has given me the chance to experience the beauty of the simple moments around me. The campus itself is peaceful, and I often find myself taking walks, reflecting on my studies or just appreciating the calm. There鈥檚 something about the quiet here that helps me focus and connect with both my academic work and personal life. The beauty of PEI is in the small details鈥攖he way the light filters through the trees in the morning or the soft pink hue of the sky at sunset. These moments remind me to slow down and take in what鈥檚 around me, offering a kind of peace that allows for reflection.
Being on this island has also made it easy to engage with the local community. The slower pace means I鈥檝e had more opportunities to meet people and form connections, whether it鈥檚 with classmates on campus or with locals around town. At UPEI, it鈥檚 not just about academics; it鈥檚 about learning to appreciate life at a different pace, finding balance, and connecting with the world in a meaningful way.
What's unique about UPEI, and Prince Edward Island, in your experience?
UPEI has a distinct atmosphere that鈥檚 both welcoming and familiar. It鈥檚 a smaller campus, so it鈥檚 easy to connect with people, whether it鈥檚 professors, classmates, or staff. That kind of environment makes it feel like a place where everyone knows you and your interests, making it easier to ask for support or advice when needed. As for PEI, its charm lies in its pace. It鈥檚 quiet, not as fast-paced as bigger cities, but it鈥檚 also not isolated. You get a real sense of community here. The natural beauty of the island鈥攖he quiet mornings, sunsets, and the fresh air鈥攈elp me find time to think, slow down, and reflect. It鈥檚 a place that encourages me to appreciate the present and the little things around me, whether I鈥檓 walking across campus or just enjoying the view from a quiet corner.
Living here is different from what I imagined, but in a good way. The slower pace and close-knit community have made it easier to focus on my studies and find a sense of balance in my life.
What would you tell a student considering UPEI and the MAIS program?
I鈥檇 tell them that if they鈥檙e looking for a unique academic experience, this is the place to be. The MAIS program isn鈥檛 just about islands鈥攊t鈥檚 about seeing the world through a different lens and connecting local issues to global challenges. In today鈥檚 world, almost everyone feels lonely at some point, like an isolated island. But trust me, studying islands teaches us that being an island and feeling lonely are not the same thing. This program might help you discover a new perspective on life (or islands), one that鈥檚 more connected and full of possibilities. On top of that, UPEI offers affordable tuition. It鈥檚 a chance to receive high-quality education without the financial strain that often comes with studying abroad. The professors are incredibly supportive, and the small campus size means you get more opportunities to interact with them. If you want a place where you can focus, grow, and enjoy the beauty of a small, welcoming community, UPEI is a good choice.
What are your general plans after graduation?
After I graduate, I hope to stay on PEI and find a job here. I鈥檇 like to create a small, cozy space for myself where I can enjoy life and maybe spend some time just watching the sky. More importantly, I want to contribute to the local community in meaningful ways, whether that鈥檚 through policy work, community projects, or cultural events. PEI has given me so much, and I鈥檇 love to give something back.
Big futures start here!
Read more about the UPEI students and amazing alumni featured in our 2026鈥�2027 Viewbook!
Interested in UPEI? Contact our student advisement team today at apply@upei.ca.
Meet Kate VanGerven, Director of Tour and International Visits for the Prime Minister of Canada and Bachelor of Arts in English graduate (Class of 2013).
Meet Brennan McDuffee, Bachelor of Arts in Applied Communication, Leadership, and Culture student (Class of 2025).
Meet Charlize Sahely, accountant with EY's Tax Division and Bachelor of Business Administration alumna (Class of 2024).
Meet Jenna Flowers, baccalaur茅at en 茅ducation鈥攆ran莽ais langue seconde graduate (Class of 2025).
Meet Kallie Drummond, Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and Indigenous Studies minor (Class of 2026).
Meet Dr. Aleisha Murnaghan, UPEI alumna (Class of 2002), emergency medicine physician at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, and director of medical program development with the UPEI Faculty of Medicine.
Meet Kate Doyle, Bachelor of Science in Nursing graduate (Class of 2025).
Samuel graduated in 2024 with a double-major in Mathematics (Honours) and Economics.
Meet Temiloluwa 鈥淩osetta鈥� Shokunbi, UPEI Sustainable Design Engineering student (Class of 2026).
Meet Tsukasa Iwamoto, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine student (Class of 2026).
