Baran Hosal is a fourth-year Mechanical Engineering student at UBC Okanagan with a strong interest in sustainable transportation and energy systems. He is a hands-on learner who enjoys applying theory through design, prototyping, and experimentation. Baran has completed engineering internships in industry and is currently involved in research on hydrogen fuel cell systems, alongside a large-scale personal car project focused on advanced manufacturing techniques.
Portrait of Baran Hosal
Tell us a bit about yourself:
I’m originally from Ankara, Turkey, and I’m very much a hands-on learner. I enjoy designing and building things, especially when it helps me better understand concepts from class. Outside of coursework, I spend a lot of time working on engineering projects, ranging from hydrogen fuel cell systems to 3D modelling and manufacturing.
What drew you to UBC Okanagan and the School of Engineering?
As an international student from Turkey, I had to think about my career path relatively early in high school. At one point, I considered going to car design school in Europe, as I’ve always been interested in automotive design. However, I decided I wanted to push my limits and gain a deeper understanding of the engineering behind design decisions. UBC Okanagan appealed to me because of its smaller campus and supportive environment, where I knew I’d have opportunities to work closely with professors and get involved in hands-on research.
What has been the best part about being a UBCO Engineering student so far?
The best part of being a UBCO Engineering student has been the opportunity to work closely with professors on real research projects. I started working as a research assistant on a hydrogen-powered model train project, where I was initially helping with coordination and meetings. Over time, my role evolved into more hands-on technical work, particularly in 3D modelling and design, as I gained more experience and responsibility.
The original project focused on retrofitting hydrogen fuel cells into a real train in Burnaby. As I learned more about the system, I realized that full-scale experimentation is expensive and involves high voltage and high pressure, which limits how freely you can test and iterate. I decided to build a small-scale model train to demonstrate the concept in a safer and more practical way. That was my own idea, and I was given the trust and freedom to take it on independently. Being able to explore, experiment, and teach myself new skills while receiving guidance from faculty has been incredibly motivating and has pushed me to grow both technically and professionally as an engineer.
“Being able to explore, experiment, and teach myself new skills while receiving guidance from faculty has been incredibly motivating”
On the flip side, what has been the most challenging aspect of university so far?
Balancing demanding coursework, social life, and engineering projects has been one of the most challenging parts of my degree. Engineering requires consistency and long-term effort, and I’ve had to learn how to manage my time more intentionally to avoid burnout while still staying engaged with my projects.
Baran’s 3D-printed small-scale hydrogen model train
What are your goals?
My goal is to work on innovative, sustainability-focused engineering solutions, particularly in transportation and energy systems. I’ve been researching and learning about energy systems since middle school, and over time I’ve become increasingly aware of how inefficient many existing designs are. Although sustainability can be expensive and there aren’t always clear examples to follow, I see that uncertainty as both a challenge and an opportunity to build better systems.
What is one thing most people don’t know about you?
One thing most people don’t know is that I’m currently building a large-scale model car in my own time. The project has grown into a serious engineering effort involving around 1,300 components and has pushed me to teach myself a wide range of technical skills, including 3D modelling, 3D printing, electrical systems, and manufacturing techniques.
What started as a personal hobby has turned into a serious engineering project that combines mechanical design, manufacturing, and problem-solving. It has played a big role in shaping my interest in engineering and car design.
Who or what inspires you? Have you had a mentor before, and if so, what did they help you learn about yourself?
I’m inspired by engineers and innovators who aren’t afraid to challenge established norms. I’ve been fortunate to have mentors through research and internships who taught me that asking good questions and being persistent often matters more than having all the answers. Working closely with professors and industry professionals has helped me grow both technically and personally.
A detailed 3D model of Baran’s custom-built car project.
How has engineering changed your view on the world?
Engineering has taught me to see the world as a system of interconnected problems and opportunities. It’s made me more analytical in how I approach challenges but also more optimistic about finding solutions. I find myself applying engineering problem-solving to everyday situations, not just technical ones.
“Engineering has taught me to see the world as a system of interconnected problems and opportunities“
In 5 words or less, how would you sum up the UBCO / School of Engineering experience?
Challenging, hands-on, supportive, FUN
What advice do you have for future/current engineering students?
My advice to current and future engineering students is to start working on projects as early as possible. Hands-on projects help connect theory to real-life applications and allow you to discover which areas of engineering you genuinely enjoy. Through my own projects, I learned how to teach myself new skills by researching independently, asking questions, and figuring things out even when there wasn’t a clear example to follow. Projects also showed me aspects of engineering that aren’t covered in class, especially how designs behave in real life and where they fail.
I also strongly recommend participating in the co-op program. Co-op provides essential industrial experience and shows you how engineering works beyond the classroom, from design communication to manufacturing and collaboration across teams. That exposure helps you understand how ideas move from concept to reality and develop both technical and professional skills.
Baran’s large-scale model car.
With six courses per semester, balancing the technical demands of your degree can be tough. How do you manage to maintain a healthy work-life balance and meet the demands of your personal life?
I’ve taken six courses every semester, and I won’t lie, it was definitely tough at first. In the beginning, I struggled to balance everything, but over time I found a rhythm that worked for me. I started doing meal prepping to save time during the week, which helped a lot with staying healthy and less stressed. I also made it a priority to go to the gym around four days a week. It was my way of taking a break, staying active, and clearing my mind. Maintaining a work-life balance in engineering isn’t easy, but I learned that small habits and routines make a big difference. Planning ahead, taking breaks, and making time for yourself, even just a little, helps you stay focused and avoid burnout.
Anything else you’d like to share about your UBCO Engineering student journey?
UBCO Engineering has pushed me outside my comfort zone in the best way possible. Through research, co-op, and personal projects, I’ve learned how important curiosity, initiative, and persistence are. The program has helped me grow not just as an engineer but also as a critical thinker, and I’m grateful for the opportunities that continue to shape my path.
“The program has helped me grow not just as an engineer but also as a critical thinker”