Q&A with Yasna Dini

That sense of balance between personal growth and academics is what ultimately drew me to Western!

Yasna Dini

Second Year Electrical Engineering and Concurrent Degree in Astrophysics 

 

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

Why Western Engineering?

I chose Western Engineering because ever since I visited during an open house, it was clear that Western Eng extended beyond academics, with students being encouraged to not only focus on academics, but also support each other along the way. I was also drawn to the strong spirit and culture within Engineering. Although the program can be challenging, there is a sense that everyone is in it together. That sense of balance between personal growth and academics is what ultimately drew me to Western!

What do you do in your spare time?

In my free time, I enjoy being outdoors, whether it’s hiking, camping, or travelling! I love seeing new places with friends, and taking photos and videos along the way. I also grew up playing volleyball, which is something I still enjoy, both indoors and beach.

Can you talk about your extracurricular activities at Western (clubs, teams, volunteer work, outreach activities, athletics, etc.)? Why would you encourage students to get involved in extracurricular activities at Western Engineering?

At Western, I’m a part of the Rocketry Team, in which we design and build a rocket, and compete with it over the summer! I’m also a member of WAIS (Western Association of Iranian Students). It’s been really nice to be part of a club with people who share a similar background, and meet friends whom I would not have met otherwise! I also like to stay active by participating in intramural volleyball throughout the semester. I would encourage everyone to join clubs and teams, because it’s a great opportunity to meet people who share your interests. Also, when schoolwork becomes overwhelming, having at least one thing that you enjoy just for the fun of it can help you reset and gain motivation.

Why did you choose your specific stream of engineering?

Coming out of high school, I didn’t really know which engineering discipline was right for me. Originally, I thought I wanted to go into Mechanical Engineering, however during Western’s general first year, I realized that I was naturally gravitating toward the topics that best aligned with Electrical Engineering. Having also had a passion for the theoretical side of physics, I decided to do a dual degree in Electrical Engineering and Astrophysics!

What is your favourite book, movie or TV show?

My favourite TV show has consistently been Avatar The Last Airbender for as long as I can remember! From the animation and colours to the characters and stories, I seriously think I could rewatch it thousands of times and still notice or learn something new. The show being so timeless makes it just as meaningful to watch no matter your life stage

Who do you look up to/admire and why?

The people I look up to the most are my parents. They sacrificed so much to move across the world in order to give me opportunities they did not have, doing so with so much courage and perseverance. Their hard work inspires me to truly appreciate the opportunities I have been given and push myself to use those opportunities to make an impact.