Tuan Hoang

About

Pronouns	He / Him
Program	Bachelor of Science in Food and Resource Economics
Major	Data Analytics
Hometown	Vancouver, BC, Canada

Redefining Success Through a Non-Linear Journey

Tuan is a sixth-year student in the Food and Resource Economics program. He started in the Food, Nutrition and Health program, but after his third year, he realized his passion lay in the economic and policy side of food systems. In his third year, he was also diagnosed with ADHD, which brought clarity to many of the academic challenges he had faced. With support from the Centre for Accessibility, he was able to access learning accommodations and develop strategies that work for his learning style. That experience taught him the importance of self-advocacy and helped him approach university with more confidence and self-compassion.

Beyond academics, Tuan served as Vice President of Finance and Wednesday Night Dinner (WND) Manager with the Land and Food Systems Undergraduate Society (LFS|US), which helped him build leadership, communication, and event planning skills. Through the Co-op Program, he now works as the LFS Student Recruitment Coordinator, where he engages with prospective students to raise awareness about the social and systemic challenges in both the Canadian and global food systems and promote the programs offered in LFS – connect with Tuan and the outreach team here.

What are three adjectives that describe you?

Thoughtful, Resourceful, Empathetic

What would you want a student applying to transfer to LFS to know about our Faculty? 

My biggest advice is to stay curious and take advantage of everything LFS has to offer, whether it’s talking to professors, joining student clubs, or trying out a new elective. You never know which moment or experience will lead you to something you’re truly passionate about. When I first came to UBC, I thought I had a clear idea of what I wanted to study. But thanks to the flexibility of the Food, Nutrition, and Health program, I was able to explore a wide range of electives, including those outside of LFS.

At the same time, LFS courses, such as LFS 250, LFS 252, and LFS 350 opened my eyes to the broader landscape of food systems, touching on policy, markets, and sustainability, three areas I hadn’t deeply considered before. I learned how food policy plays a crucial role in shaping access, equity, and public health outcomes; how markets influence everything from global trade to food pricing and farmer livelihoods; and how sustainability connects environmental challenges with food production and consumption. These topics helped me realize that there are economic and systemic tools we can use to create meaningful change in the food system

Through those experiences, I discovered the Food and Resource Economics Program, which ended up being the perfect fit for my interests and goals.

Who is your favourite instructor in LFS and what impact have they had on your LFS experience?

My favourite instructor in LFS is Michael Johnson. Taking LFS 252 with him early in my degree completely changed the direction of my academic journey. His passion for teaching and his ability to explain economic and statistics concepts through the lens of real-world food system issues inspired me to pursue Food and Resource Economics. The way he broke down complex ideas and tied them to issues I care about made the subject genuinely exciting. Because of that course and his influence, I found the perfect program for me.

How have your extracurricular experiences enhanced your learning or prepared you for life after graduation?

Being involved with the Land and Food Systems Undergraduate Society (LFS|US) has been one of the most impactful parts of my university experience. Through my roles as Vice President of Finance and Wednesday Night Dinner Manager, I gained hands-on experience in leadership, event planning, budgeting, and student engagement, all while being part of a team that genuinely cares about building community. It taught me how to advocate for student needs, communicate effectively across different groups, and balance multiple responsibilities. These are skills that are directly transferable to any workplace.

The skills I developed through LFS|US played a key role in helping me secure my current co-op position as the LFS Student Recruitment Coordinator in LFS Student Services. My background in event planning and student engagement gave me the practical skills to take on a role that involves outreach, public speaking, and collaboration with faculty and staff. More importantly, my time in LFS|US helped me build the confidence to step into a leadership position where I could represent the Faculty, share student perspectives, and contribute to initiatives that support future LFS students such as, Imagine Day, Taste of LFS, and LFS Welcomes You. This co-op is a natural continuation of the work I enjoyed in LFS|US, and a reminder of how meaningful student leadership can lead to professional opportunities.

What is one support service that has helped you during your time in LFS, and why should others be aware of it?

For a long time, I struggled with focus, time management, and keeping up with coursework, but didn’t understand why. It wasn’t until my third year at UBC that I was finally diagnosed with ADHD, which brought a huge sense of relief and clarity. After years of being undiagnosed, everything I had been struggling with started to make more sense.

Following my diagnosis, I connected with the Centre for Accessibility (CofA), which became an essential support system. They provided learning accommodations that helped me better navigate my coursework, including extra time on exams and access to a reduced distraction testing environment. More importantly, they connected me with tools and strategies to manage my ADHD in a way that works for me.

Through this experience, I learned how important it is to advocate for yourself and to seek out support when you need it. I also gained a deeper understanding of how I learn best, which has helped me approach university with more confidence and self-compassion.

Interested in studying in the Faculty of Land and Food Systems? Learn more here!