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Welcome Class of 2030!
Class of 2029
Congratulations on your acceptance to the University of Alberta Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry! You've got an exciting year ahead, and the class of 2029 can't wait to meet you!
As the Orientation Committee for 2026, our role is to make sure the Class of 2030 is received with the warmest welcome! We have an exciting week of events planned, designed to make you all feel at home at the University of Alberta, and give you endless opportunities to meet your classmates (and future colleagues)!
Contact info: msaorien@ualberta.ca
Meet Your O-Week 2025 Team!
Samira
Samira
Hometown: Ponoka, AB
Previous Degree: BScKin@ University of Alberta,
About Me: Hello! I’m Samira, and I’m really looking forward to meeting all of you in August. Outside of school, I love playing any sport that involves a racquet and enjoy all kinds of board games (currently diamond rank on the Crib app!).
Fun Fact: I’m a certified scuba diver and have even gone diving with sharks!
Advice for First Year: You've all worked incredibly hard to get here and you did it! One piece of advice I’d like to share is this: try not to compare yourself to others. Everyone comes into this with their own unique experiences, and so do you. It’s easy to fall into the comparison trap, but always remember you earned your place here through your own hard work. Also P = MD ;)
Excited to meet you all in August!
Lara
Lara
Hometown: Drayton Valley, AB / Izmir, Turkey
Previous Degree: HonBA Linguistics @ University of Alberta
About: Hi Friends! My name is Lara, and I am beyond excited to meet you all during Orientation Week! Outside of school, I really love learning languages (perpetually working on French, just starting Dutch), strength training/biking, playing games, and going for coffee (please don’t ask me how much money I spent on coffee during 1st year).
Fun Fact: I was recently asked if I was 14 years old (I promise I am not 14)
Advice for First Year: I think if you ask any of us, we might say the same thing, but then it must mean it’s true ;) DON’T STRESS (like we all say, P = MD), and like Samira said - don’t compare yourself to others. You DESERVE to be here, and you are going to crush it. Foster connections - I have truly made some of the best friends during 1st year. Med school is such a wild ride - enjoy the connections you make, while continuing to pursue your hobbies outside of the med world!
Sheena
Sheena
Hometown: Spirit River, AB
Previous Degree: BSc Molecular Biology + Psychology @MacEwan University
About: Hello 2029’s!! Sheena here, and I am so pumped to get to get to know you all this fall. I spend my spare time hanging with my dog Gunner, reading cheesy rom com books, and finding my next arts and crafts hyper fixation. I also often partake in coffee chats with Lara (the LOC really is funding our addiction) and have done an unhealthy amount of shopping this past year.
Fun Fact: I am super afraid of snakes.
Advice for First Year: Take time for yourself!! I promise you taking time for your hobbies and to fuel your soul will do you so much more good than the extra hour of studying. I’ll be honest, medical school is awesome and it's super easy to get wrapped up in the material and all the cool opportunities BUT… having a life outside of medicine is just as important. You will bond with the people around you like you have never before, so lean on them when things get hard (aka cardio block) and remember to call your family (ugh so cheesy I know). Also seconding what Lara and Samira said: You deserve to be here + P=MD.
Jeremies
Jeremies
Hometown: Drumheller, AB/ Lagos, Nigeria
Previous Degree: BSc in Pharmacology, MSc in Pharmacology. Both @ the University of Alberta
About: Congratulations 2029s! My name is Jeremies (yup like plural jeremy) and I’m looking forward to meeting you all during O-week! A bit about me: I enjoy spending my spare time searching for old anime, reading narrative history books, and refereeing basketball. Beyond that, you can find me ‘studying’ via watching House.
Fun Fact: I can bake a pretty good banana bread
Advice for First year: You’ve survived tougher things, you’ll survive this. I’ve got 3 pieces of advice. 1) Use a calendar to keep track of birthdays, milestones, major tests and stuff; it really helps. 2) “Good food is very often, even most often, simple food”, so do try to live deliciously. 3) Cities are fascinating places; take the time to explore Edmonton and you might be surprised by what you find… or whom.
Maks
Maks
Hometown: Edmonton, AB
Previous Degree: BSc in Psychology, MSc in Rehabilitation. Both at the University of Alberta
About:Congrats 2029s! Maks here and I am excited to meet all of you during O week! Just some fun facts about me, I love to play soccer(football), ride motorcycles and travel whenever I can. I also have two cats Cleo and Simba and I am looking to add a german shepherd puppy to the family. Congrats again and see you all in fall!
Fun Fact: I taught Jeremies how to make banana bread.
Advice for First Year: Getting to this point wasn’t easy, and now that you’re here, it’s important to enjoy these four years and find balance between school, your hobbies, and your personal life.
In medicine, you’ll constantly be surrounded by incredibly accomplished individuals. It’s natural to feel imposter syndrome at times—but remember: you deserve to be here. Your journey is unique, and focusing on your own growth—rather than the noise around you—will help you stay grounded.
Work on becoming the best version of yourself, and trust that everything will work out in the end.
C2029 Legacy Video
View the Survival Guide here!
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