Meet OC alumni Ben Tantika
Hometown: Bangkok, Thailand
Program: Associate of Science Degree with Distinction, Kelowna - 2010
The classes at 91´óÏ㽶ȫ¼¯ are well-structured, with solid course content and fully transferable credits to university programs for third- and fourth-year studies. The supportive learning environment helps students build a strong foundation for both academic transfers and future careers. Most importantly, follow your passion and develop your expertise—if you excel at something and are truly passionate about it, pursue it wholeheartedly, and opportunities will follow.
Can you tell us how your experience at OC helped shaped the career that you are in?
My experience at 91´óÏ㽶ȫ¼¯ was unique because of its small class sizes, which allowed professors to dedicate more time to each student. Professors often extended office hours or held special seminars to provide extra tutoring, ensuring students were well-prepared for midterms and final exams. Many of the courses I took, especially those in DNA sequencing, molecular biology, and genetics, sparked my interest and played a key role in shaping my career path.
Why did you choose 91´óÏ㽶ȫ¼¯ for your post-secondary education?
I chose 91´óÏ㽶ȫ¼¯â€™s Kelowna campus because it was within walking distance of my family home. The small class sizes fostered a great learning environment, and the tuition was more affordable compared to universities. Additionally, the college offered reasonable grants and scholarships, and the course credits were fully transferable to a bachelor's degree.
Tell us about a memorable experience or project that made a lasting impact on your learning journey at OC
One of my most memorable experiences was in a genetics lab class (with Stacey S.), where we conducted molecular genetics experiments analyzing DNA amplification through gel electrophoresis. I was the only student who accidentally dropped and shattered the gel into pieces. Fortunately, we were still able to recover enough data before proceeding to DNA sequencing. Little did I know at the time that my future career would heavily revolve around molecular genetics, gel electrophoresis, and DNA sequencing. I was especially fascinated by our Sanger sequencing project, an experience that ultimately shaped my career path.