Talented twins: How brothers made it to their dream university in Canada

Alumni of Apeejay School, Pitampura, Bhavyam Nagpal and Divyam Nagpal are ‘the dashing duo.’ Their sweet smiles only add to their charisma because their skills vary from academics, sports and co-curriculars. At present, the two seem to be living their ‘best life’ in Canada, enrolled at the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg. Read on, edited excerpts from the interview:

Please tell us about your educational journey.

Divyam: We finished schooling from Apeejay in 2019. After that, we moved to Winnipeg, Canada. Currently, we are students at the Asper School of Business and I am majoring in Finance and Supply Chain Management.

Bhavyam: We were the Commerce stream toppers of our school. At Asper, I am majoring in Accounting.

How has your life changed while moving from India to Canada?

Divyam: In Canada, the culture is to pay for your own tuition and higher education course. And so, being employed along with college was a big change for me. I am happy about attaining this financial independence. My initial struggles included some language barriers while interacting with people and to become accustomed to the food. I love this country and the winter season here.

Bhavyam: Universities abroad allow students to make a calendar for themselves and sit for classes according to their schedules. This was very interesting for me! We take afternoon classes and have the constant support of our faculty. Also, the university is very active in providing mental health counselling to students. They are sensitive to diverse people and cultures.

Did you plan your study abroad journey?

Bhavyam: Yes. After we finished school, our family moved to Canada. So, the plan was in the works for a long time. In 2018, we started working towards our Statement of Purpose (SOP) and Letter of Recommendation from the school. Apeejay was very supportive throughout the process and their recommendation helped us put forward a strong candidature. During our Pre-boards, we appeared for the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) examinations and our teachers encouraged us too. We scored well and overall, our study abroad journey was smooth.

What is the formula to enter into a good university outside India?

Divyam: If someone is planning to sit for Scholastic Assessment Tests (SATs), I suggest they must enroll in coaching. We did not have to take SATs for our admissions. For IELTS, I would say that one has to be fluent in English, both spoken and written. If you are involved in co-curricular activities in the school, it would be very helpful to add to your profile.

Bhavyam: I was associated with Special Olympics Bharat, an organisation that works towards improving the quality of life of the differently-abled via sports. This experience helped me a lot while applying. So, my advice to students is to take out time from your academic routine to participate in different co-curricular activities and sports.

Any special memories from your school?

Divyam: I held many leadership positions in the school as the class representative, house prefect and school prefect. I equipped myself on how to lead a team and these experiences are helping me in the university as well. We received the Principal’s Special Award in grade 12 and that was my most special memory.

Bhavyam: We are ace Badminton players and won many accolades for the school at the Zonal-level. Apart from that, we were members of the school’s orchestra. I used to play the Violin and Divyam played Tabla. Interestingly, many Delhi-based schools have tech events in which students can compete with each other in gaming. I too won a few of those. Our school supports an array of talents and interests. So, our school experience was very enriching. My biggest learning has been that teachers are your well-wishers.

What is your career aspiration?

Divyam: At present, I am working in the Supply Chain vertical at PepsiCo headquarters in Canada. I would like to continue to work with the organisation. Further, I might pursue a course for Chartered Financial Analyst or go for a degree in Management (Finance).

Bhavyam: In our college, the programme allows us to seek employment at the same time as the course. For this, our teachers mentor us. And so, my goal has been to find that one company where I could make my mark. At present, I am at Richardson International Limited, a privately held Canadian agricultural and food industry firm. I am very satisfied with my stint and looking forward to joining them in a new role in the Corporate Finance team.

Your future plans?

Divyam: Winnipeg is located at the centre of North America. In Supply Chain Management, there is a lot of scope. In the next five years, opportunities will flourish as more and more companies are looking to boost their logistics from here.

Bhavyam: In Canada, instead of a Chartered Accountant, companies have a Certified Public Accountant role. That’s my aim. By 2024, I will complete my degree and work towards attaining other certifications. Accounting is moving towards automation now and many companies are adopting it. I am excited about this change. Going beyond excel sheets and numbers, I would like to contribute towards developing a financial plan for the company I work in.