University of British Columbia

“Once I complete my schooling, my aim is to work closely within the Indigenous population. My passion lies in patient-centered care and ensuring cultural safety, and I'm eager to make a meaningful impact in these areas.”

“Coming out of high school, I knew I absolutely loathed physics, wanted to avoid math at all costs, and loved solving complex problems with computer science. As such, finding out about the Computer Science major in the Bachelor of Arts at UBC was monumental for me because it meant that I could tailor my degree to prioritize my strengths and help me avoid my weaknesses.”

“The ability to be in a smaller tight-knit community while having access to the resources of a larger institution is a large reason as to why I chose the Okanagan campus. I love being a big fish in a small pond and getting to pursue different opportunities in a competitive yet supportive environment has allowed me to put myself out there, learn from my mistakes, and more importantly try again! I also love that I'm not just a number, my faculty and professors know me by name and we're able to have meaningful conversations about their research, shared interests, and their journey of getting to where they are today.”

“When I chose to study Kinesiology at UBC, I knew I wanted to find ways I could connect my degree with my Indigeneity. Throughout my degree I have been a member of multiple committees that promote equity and diversity for Indigenous peoples, taken courses directly related to Indigenous health & wellness, and have learned from numerous Indigenous professors and mentors in Kinesiology. All of these experiences have strengthened my desire to use my degree to connect with community and advocate for Indigenous representation in health and physical activity spaces.”

“When I originally came to UBC as a transfer student, I was unsure of what I wanted my academic and career futures to be. I had just spent a year studying musical theatre in the United States, and realized it wasn't the right path for me. After taking a campus tour of UBC Vancouver and speaking to the incredible student ambassadors, I knew transferring to UBC was a step onto the right path. Two years later, and it is the best decision I have ever made, though it was extremely scary and nerve-wracking at first.”

“The nature at UBC is unmatched! I am in constant awe that I go to such a beautiful campus. Walking down main mall, I am mesmerized by how green and stunning our campus is. It's incredible to have beaches on campus. Especially with the ocean being a huge factor in why I chose Vancouver, knowing that I don't have to leave campus to look out onto the ocean or go to the beach is amazing.”

“The biggest impact of [the International Scholars] awards is that they have made higher education possible for me, which wasn't something I ever visualized in my future as a first-generation and low-income student. If you had asked me while I was in my second year of university whether or not I would pursue graduate school, I would have said I don't think that is something someone like me could do, given the costs of attendance. Hence, these awards are so impactful in changing the realities of students who come from backgrounds in which higher education is not the traditional pathway to success.”

“UBC is filled with many different identities and cultures, and I find it very valuable to interact with people with different perspectives and experiences from my own. Being in such a diverse place has helped me inform my own perspective of the world and I am grateful for all the connections I have made with different types of people to increase my understanding of this ever-changing world.”