BRANDON — This year’s winning “Destination BU” videos showcase two very different journeys, but both shine a light on the determination, resilience, and hope that define the international student experience at Brandon University.
The annual challenge invites incoming international students to create short social‑media videos documenting their path from home to BU. The project offers a window into the emotional and practical realities of studying abroad — from family farewells and long travel days to first impressions of Canada and campus life. It also gives Westman audiences a chance to see the world through the eyes of new students arriving in the region.
One of this year’s winners, Angel Leslie Anowuru, travelled from Nigeria to Brandon on a multi‑stop journey marked by long airport waits, fatigue, and moments of reflection — including a humorous review of airline meals along the way. Her video captures the patience and endurance required for multi‑continent travel. During a lengthy stopover in Germany, she noted that “time wasn’t moving,” but her arrival at BU brought a joyful shift: her journey on campus has been “great so far.”
The second winning video, created by Ana Espinosa of Mexico, highlights a different kind of perseverance. A cellist who blends Baroque music with traditional Mexican styles, she was accepted to BU in 2023 but faced two consecutive study‑permit refusals before finally making it to Canada this year. Her video reflects both relief and excitement, summed up in her line about being welcomed by “the warmest people and the coldest winter I have ever had in my life.”
