• Home
• Your Eng Experience
• Student Ambassadors
• Q&A with Anthony De Rango

Q&A with Anthony De Rango

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

Why Western Engineering?

I chose Western Engineering for the variety of academic options it offers to students. Choosing a program with a common first year gave me the freedom of experiencing all of the different streams of engineering before committing myself to a certain path. Additionally, as a student who had once thought that I needed to choose between studying engineering and business in post-secondary, the Ivey-Engineering Dual Degree program was an ideal way to combine my passions!

What do you do in your spare time?

In my spare time I enjoy hanging out with friends. I played a lot of hockey growing up so I’ve kept up with the sport by playing on an intramural team throughout my time at Western. I have joined other intramural leagues with friends to stay active including softball and inner tube water polo which has been really fun! I like playing strategy board games and have been into a lot of chess recently. University can be busy but it is important to have time for doing things outside of your studies!

What is a fun fact about yourself?

I am a concrete canoe enthusiast and have been a part of Western Engineering’s team since my first year. Our team designs and builds a canoe made out of concrete to bring to national competition. This past May, we travelled to Sherbrooke, QC to race against 11 other Canadian universities. It was cool to see our work over the course of the entire school year put to the test! The club has been a great way to connect with new people, apply my studies and have a break from my coursework.

Can you talk about your experiential learning experiences (co-op, internship, ELI, PEME, Global and Intercultural Engagement Honour etc.)?

I recently completed my final rotation in the Transportation Career Development Program. This co-op program is an amazing opportunity offered every spring to three first year Western Engineering students interested in civil engineering. As a part of this program, I spent three summers at three different companies in the transportation engineering industry: a contractor, a consulting company and the Ontario Ministry of Transportation. Overall, the program was an exciting and valuable experience!

Study tips for current/future students?

My study tip is to not be afraid to ask for help. The engineering course load may seem intimidating, but there are plenty of people willing to support your studies. Many say that engineering is a team sport, and I found that to be true after coming to Western. From my experience, students are very willing to work cooperatively to help each other with questions about their studies. Professors, TAs, Undergraduate Services and the First Year Super Tutor program are great resources as well.

Can you talk about your residence experience?

I lived in Ontario Hall in my first year and it was an amazing year! The transition to university can be stressful for many, as was the case for me, but moving in with a building of students who were all in a similar situation helped me ease into my life at Western. I met many friends, I still live with some now off-campus. I also appreciated the residence style options. Western’s traditional and suite style residences are great choices, but “O-Hall’s” hybrid style fit my preferences best.