Student Spotlight
Ethan Gottdank
For many students, choosing the right university can feel like a daunting decision. However, for Ethan Gottdank, a first-year Management student, the choice to attend Dalhousie University stemmed from a sense of adventure and curiosity. After exploring various business programs across Ontario with his guidance counsellor, he began to consider schools outside the province. Dalhousie immediately stood out, offering not only strong academic programs but also the opportunity to experience something entirely new. The idea of moving to Halifax felt like an adventure and a chance to step outside his comfort zone.
Ethan’s academic journey didn’t always point toward a business career. In high school, he had initially been interested in mechanical engineering, but found that the workload didn’t align with his interests. Transitioning into management has allowed him to explore new possibilities while balancing his curiosity for problem-solving and creativity. Now settled into his first semester, Ethan has already found several pleasant surprises in his coursework. With accounting as his unexpected favourite, as he has been enjoying the structure and logic behind organizing information and appreciates that every concept has a clear real-world purpose. While exploring the various paths within management, Ethan is keeping an open mind as he discovers where his interests lie, while wanting to learn more about accounting and entrepreneurship pathways.
Moving from Toronto to Halifax has been a significant life change, but one that has brought excitement and personal growth. Ethan’s trying new things every day, from swimming in the ocean to participating in campus events like the Tigers football homecoming game. For Ethan, Dalhousie offers both an active student life and a welcoming atmosphere. Based on his first few months here, Halifax already feels like a place he could see himself living long-term.
One of Ethans most enjoyable new experiences so far has been living on his own. He has always been independent and self-sufficient, so adapting to life away from home came naturally. He’s embraced the responsibility and freedom that come with it, by finding comfort in creating his own space and routines.
Ethan joined the Dalhousie Management Society with in his first month at school to help him get more involved in the Management program. He’s thankful he did as it has helped him meet great, like-minded people, have fun, and better understand his studies. Ethan says, DMS has enhanced his time at Dalhousie by providing a strong sense of community and connection. He encourages every first-year student, or any management student, of any age, to join the society, as it offers a valuable network of peers who can share advice and experiences that last throughout university and beyond.
The best part of the Dalhousie Management degree is that it’s fully customizable. Looking ahead, Ethan wants to customize his degree by studying abroad in Europe for a semester and continuing to search for opportunities that challenge and inspire him. For future students, his advice is straightforward: choose a school that aligns with your goals and sparks your enthusiasm. For Ethan, that sense of adventure is precisely what led him to Dalhousie, and it’s what continues to make his experience feel like home.