Your ultimate guide to succeeding as an international BCom student

For Bernice Favis, a Bachelor of Commerce alum from the Philippines, the UBC Sauder School of Business was the launchpad for an exciting career in tech. From navigating the challenges of moving to a new country to establishing UBC’s first student-led marketing agency, Favis seized every opportunity to grow personally and professionally.

Her dedication and passion led to internships at multiple global companies, and just one year after graduation, she’s now a Brand Specialist at Amazon.

Here are Favis’s top tips for making the most of your time at UBC Sauder: 

Find your home away from home 

Moving from the Philippines to Canada was a big change, but the welcoming environment at UBC Sauder quickly made Favis feel at home. 

“I’d invested so much to be here—not just financially, but emotionally too,” she shares.  

“That’s why it meant so much to find a community that encouraged me to be ambitious while having fun—people who shared my interests, pushed me to try new things and supported me along the way,” she adds. “I was lucky to find that warm community at UBC Sauder that made all the difference.”

Seek out opportunities fearlessly 

UBC Sauder’s world-class academic program laid a strong foundation for Favis, and her experiences beyond the classroom were just as important in shaping her journey. 

“It’s those opportunities outside the four walls of lectures that really made my time worthwhile,” she reflects. 

She actively sought out these experiences, participating in JDC West—Western Canada’s largest business competition—and helping lead the return of the global Sauder Summit. As part of the first team to bring the international case competition back, she helped reconnect top undergraduate business students from around the world through a high-impact, week-long event.  

“Both experiences challenged me to think creatively, work across cultures and apply what I was learning in real-world settings,” she says. 

Along the way, Favis built meaningful relationships with peers, professors, alumni and industry professionals. “UBC Sauder taught me how to connect and work effectively with people at all levels,” she says, an ability she now draws on daily at Amazon.

Favis currently oversees vendor partnerships, enhance customer experiences on the platform and contribute to strategic planning that advances her team’s goals at Amazon Fashion.  

“Recently, I’ve also been tasked with leading key deal events for my broader team, such as Prime Day, Back-to-School and others,” she adds. “Managing these requires strong cross-functional coordination and clear communication skills I developed at UBC Sauder.” 
 

Act on your potential to make an impact 

UBC Sauder offers a wide range of resources for those ready to explore and take initiative. For Favis, that meant identifying a gap. 

“I noticed how many students, including myself, were struggling to get first-hand marketing experience, especially in a tough job market,” she says. 

To bridge that gap, she co-founded UBCMA Studios, UBC’s first student-led full-service marketing agency. 

“I wanted to create something that gave students a real platform to apply their skills, build their portfolios and feel confident going into the workforce.” 

Her journey began with the UBC Marketing Association, where she joined as a design director before becoming co-president.  

“UBC Sauder offers plenty of resources and support, but it’s up to each student to take initiative and create something meaningful,” she says. If you see a need, don’t underestimate your ability to take action and build solutions that have long-term impact.”
 

Stay grounded and remember your ‘Why’ 

For Favis, leaving home wasn’t easy.  

“I reminded myself of my support system back home,” she says. 

Staying connected to her roots motivated her to maximize her time at UBC Sauder. 

“I grew up in a family of entrepreneurs who inspired me to study business and leverage my creative side by going into marketing and strategy,” she adds. “I wanted to make them proud, and I wanted to give back to the Sauder community because so many people have supported me along the way.” 

Now living in Toronto, Favis finds the relationships she built at UBC Sauder have lasted well beyond graduation. 

“Some of my closest friends today are people I met through Sauder,” she says. “We supported each other through school, and those friendships have only grown stronger.” 

For students just starting out, her advice is simple:  

“Four or five years will go by faster than you think. Say yes, show up, and give yourself the chance to build something meaningful.”