Almost There: an Interview with a Prospective Member-at-Large

Photos

Winnie Chung

see larger image

uploaded by jancastro

During the hustle and bustle of the SFSS 2009 elections, I had the opportunity to sit down and ask a few questions with a first year running for the Member-at-Large representative position. Her name Winnie Chung.

In hindsight, would you change any way you campaigned?

“Yes I would, I would be more decisive. In how I campaigned, there was days I deciding to go to Surrey in the morning and Burnaby, but this never happened because I kept changing my mind... Indecisive at times”

Did you feel that campaigning affected your school work?

“Yes, because of the campaign. For a first year who doesn’t really know too much, isn’t accustom university life. I threw myself into a whirlwind and its very very intense, campaigning debating and prep. You’re physically, emotionally, and mentally exhausted and demoralized so much that I lost a month of sleep and behind at least two weeks of school.”

As a first year student attending SFU, did you feel you were at a disadvantage against older opposition?

“Yes, no experience, and people like to take advantage of my inexperience. Personally, I don’t find it a disadvantage but I can see how people would bully first years. But there are a lot of disadvantages.”

So two hours before the results are you excited?

“I’m nervous for my fellow mentor Ada Nadison, because this is her last chance for running in the elections and I have many more years ahead of me. Either or it was a very valuable experience and I’ve grown from it.”

After my few questions, Winnie had to leave me and join fellow running mates to wait for the results. In her voice I noticed what can be distinguished as anxiety and excitement. The results of the election will be announced at midnight tonight.

At this point crossed fingers won’t change anything. But what has changed is the personality and experience of a highly ambitious first year student, Winnie Chung.