My Blog
From Engineering to Exploring! My journey, my stories!
Blog: My Engineering Journey – From University to the Iron Ring!
A deep dive into my journey as a software engineering student—exploring the challenges, achievements, and unforgettable moments along the way. Join me as I share insights into my engineering experience and what shaped me into the professional I am today!
Blog: My Japan Trip – A Dream Come True for an Anime Fan!
Two weeks, four cities, endless memories! From anime shopping in Akihabara to feeding deer in Nara, read all about my dream trip to Japan—filled with amazing food, culture, and once-in-a-lifetime experiences.
Blog: My Engineering Journey From University to the Iron Ring!
March 22nd, 2025
The path to obtaining my Software Engineering degree wasn’t just about studying formulas or writing code—it was a journey of growth, challenges, long-lasting friendships, and unforgettable experiences. At the beginning of university, I was extremely stressed about the next four years ahead. I had no idea what to expect. But looking back, there were so many moments and achievements to be proud of, whether academic or personal. That’s why the Iron Ring holds such deep meaning in my life. Let’s take a look back at my engineering journey at Toronto Metropolitan University.
To start off, I pursued a Bachelor of Engineering in Software Engineering at Toronto Metropolitan University. Throughout my studies, I worked on various projects, explored software development, and developed problem-solving skills that shaped me into the professional I am today. Some of the most memorable moments included:
– Learning to code and develop real-world applications
– Gaining strong insights about the industry and its opportunities
– Collaborating with peers on challenging projects
– Late-night study sessions fueled by caffeine and determination
– Developing the very important ability to be independent
Now that you know some highlights from my studies, you must be wondering what my life was actually like back then!
Firstly, lectures were very informative, but they really depended on the professor. Some were great, and some… not so much. I gained a lot of theoretical knowledge from attending these lectures, which was mostly tested in exams. Most courses had both theoretical and lab components, both of which were factored into the final grade.
My favourite course was definitely Software Project Management (CPS 714)! This course taught me a lot about the software development life cycle. In our lab sessions, I worked in a group of nine people to complete a website. Each member had a different role: scrum master, project manager, developers, frontend UI designers, backend developers, etc. This course was super important in my field and gave me a solid understanding of project management within software development.
Now, let’s talk about the stressful part of engineering: lab assignments! These labs were no joke. Almost every lab required a report that had to be submitted either as a group or individually. Each semester, I took around five to six courses, and most of them had lab sessions—which meant a huge chunk of my workload came from labs and writing reports.
As you can see from the pictures I included, lab work was definitely engaging and gave me hands-on experience rather than just theoretical knowledge. And hands-on experience is an important skill to have, no matter what.
Finally, it’s time to highlight the biggest project in engineering—my capstone project! My team and I developed an AI-based job recommender system similar to LinkedIn and Indeed. Users could create a profile, add their account information, and apply for or post jobs. It was a stressful project that required lots of sleepless nights and late-night stress sessions. I worked in a group of four and took charge of several stages of the project. It taught me leadership and technical skills, as well as soft skills like teamwork, communication, and time management. Although the project was intense, I really enjoyed the friendships I made with my team members and was grateful to work with them. At the end of the project, we presented our work at the open-house capstone fair, where all engineering capstone projects at my university were showcased to the public.
Behind The Scenes
A small glimpse of the code powering our AI-based job recommender system. Countless hours of debugging and problem-solving went into making this project a reality!
Showcasing Our Work
Our final capstone project poster, presented at the open-house capstone fair. This project was the culmination of months of hard work, teamwork, and late-night coding sessions!
For the capstone project, I worked in a group of four and took charge of several stages of the project. It taught me leadership and technical skills, as well as soft skills like teamwork, communication, and time management. Although the project was intense, I really enjoyed the friendships I made with my team members and was grateful to work with them. At the end of the project, we presented our work at the open-house capstone fair, where all engineering capstone projects at my university were showcased to the public.
One of the most significant milestones for Canadian engineers is receiving the Iron Ring, a symbol of ethical responsibility and dedication to the profession. It was a proud moment for me, representing years of hard work and commitment to engineering excellence.
While my journey as a student has ended, my journey as an engineer is just beginning! Whether it’s software, tech, or creative problem-solving, I’m excited about what’s next!
Blog: My Japan Trip
A Dream Come True for an Anime Fan!
March 22nd, 2025
This was the dream vacation. I had been waiting to visit Japan for so long, and let me tell you—it did not disappoint! Everything was exactly how I imagined it (and maybe even better). From the bustling city streets to the peaceful temples, from the mouthwatering food to the ultimate anime shopping experience, Japan was everything.
The people? Super nice and welcoming. The culture? Absolutely fascinating. The food? Unreal. The vibes? Immaculate.
The Food – Ramen Heaven! First things first—ramen. You know I had to try Japan’s most famous dish! And wow… the taste? Unmatched. Every bowl was rich, flavorful, and honestly life-changing. I don’t think I can ever eat instant ramen the same way again.
Tokyo – The City That Never Sleeps! Tokyo was lit—literally. The city never slowed down, no matter what time it was. The streets were packed, the neon signs were glowing, and there was always something happening. Whether it was Shibuya, Shinjuku, or Akihabara, every part of Tokyo had a completely different vibe.
Akihabara – Anime Paradise! If you love anime, Akihabara is the place to be. This was a huge reason I wanted to visit Japan in the first place. I spent hours shopping for anime merch and souvenirs—especially for One Piece and Naruto, my all-time favorites. I could’ve easily spent my entire trip (and my life savings) in Akihabara! 😂
Train Rides – Surprisingly Fun? Public transportation in Japan is on another level. The trains were super efficient, clean, and quiet. Even though the system was a bit tricky to figure out at first, I actually enjoyed commuting. Plus, the views from the train? Incredible. City skylines, mountains, rivers—it made every ride an experience on its own.
Universal Studios Osaka – THE One Piece Show! Hands down the best moment of my trip. The park had a live One Piece show, and at the end, the real-life Japanese voice actors for Sanji and Zoro—two of the main characters from the show—made a surprise appearance! It was such a huge surprise, and the crowd went absolutely wild. I still can’t believe I was there to witness it. Best. Surprise. Ever.
Nara – Cute (and Greedy) Deer! Nara was unreal. The deer there are so friendly—and by friendly, I mean they will surround you the second you pull out food. I bought some crackers to feed them, and within seconds, I was swarmed. It was both adorable and slightly terrifying, but 100% worth it.
Kyoto – Temples and History! Kyoto felt like stepping into another world. The temples, the history, the peaceful vibes—it was a nice break from the fast-paced city life. Every temple had something unique, and the scenic views were straight out of a painting.
All in all? Best. Trip. Ever. I’ve always dreamed of going to Japan, and now that I’ve been, I just want to go again. As an anime fan and a huge lover of Japanese culture, this was an absolute bucket-list experience.
So, when am I going back? As soon as my wallet recovers. 💸😂
Japan, you haven’t seen the last of me! 🇯🇵🔥