Laura’s story

From Langara to UBC's Vancouver campus, with an eye to law school next

Laura’s story
CategoryStudent
NameLaura Beaudry
FromMétis-Cree | Grouard, Alberta
ProgramAnthropology, with a minor in Gender, Race, Sexuality, and Social Justice

When Laura started out at Langara College, she already had her sights set on law school and a plan in mind to get there. Now a UBC Centennial Leaders Entrance Award winner and fourth year Anthropology student on the Vancouver campus, she looks back at her journey from Langara to UBC through the Indigenous Transfer Partnership.

 

What drew you to UBC?

I’ve always held UBC in high regard—it seems like the place where smart and successful people go. I chose UBC in part because I want to attend the Peter A. Allard School of Law. My father-in-law graduated from the School and had nothing but praise for the experience. While I’m there, I’d like to focus on Indigenous law, as well as human rights and environmental law. I’m particularly interested in Indigenous land claims in BC and revisiting treaties and Métis agreements in my home territory of northern Alberta.

 

How did you get involved with the UBC-Langara Indigenous Transfer Partnership?

I found out about the Indigenous Transfer Partnership during one of UBC’s regular visits to Langara—they come two or three times per year. Chloe Erlendson, Kristen Harvey, and Celia Reimer from UBC told me about the Centennial Scholars Entrance Award [Centennial Leaders Entrance Awards are given to particularly strong Centennial Scholars Entrance Award applicants] and encouraged me to apply.

 

Would you recommend the Partnership to other students?

Yes, absolutely. The criteria are easy to meet and it’s simple to sign up. If you join the Partnership, you are guaranteed admission to UBC when you meet the criteria, you’re automatically eligible for certain awards (I received a scholarship almost right away for academic achievement), and you have an opportunity to establish closer relationships with admissions staff. That last part helps make the application process less intimidating.

 

“Reading through the criteria on the IndigenousTransfer Partnership application, I couldn’t see a reason not to sign up.”

 

How did Langara prepare you for UBC?

The Gathering Space, a communal student lounge with staff offices, was a great place to meet Indigenous peers at Langara – I’m still friends with staff and students I met there to this day. Between that, my involvement with the VOLT Volunteer Program and the Langara Indigenous Education and Services, and the support I received from teachers and staff, I felt well-equipped to go on to UBC.

 

What was it like switching from Langara to UBC?

The biggest adjustment was trying to find that close-knit feeling of community I had in the Gathering Space. I’ve found solace in CiTR 101.9 and Discorder, UBC’s campus radio station and magazine, where I volunteer as the Indigenous Liaison. The experience has helped me crawl further out of my shell, but it’s still a work in progress!

Laura Beaudry at CiTR on UBC's Vancouver campus

As the Indigenous Liaison at CiTR, Laura connects the Indigenous community with CiTR, and CiTR with the Indigenous Collective (which hosts a one-hour radio show called Unceded Airwaves).

 

What else helped you transition to UBC life?

It was nice that I got to start at UBC in the summer, when it’s quieter on campus. That made it feel more comfortable, transferring from a smaller school to a bigger school. A lot of students like me come from really small towns and they’re not used to these “big-city-like” universities.

I’m so grateful for my academic advisor, Karlene Harvey, from the Aboriginal Student Affairs team. She’s guided me toward people, clubs, and events that have become important points of contact for me, including the Indigenous Leadership Collective and an LSAT study group she helped organize.

Her team just opened a new office and student lounge in Buchanan D, near Arts Advising, so I’m hoping that I’ll find the “Gathering Space feel” I miss from Langara there. Although I haven’t been able to attend them regularly, I know that the Tuesday lunches at the First Nations Longhouse are a great place to meet other Indigenous students too.

 

What are some of the highlights from your time at UBC so far?

I admire professors who are involved with Indigenous rights, land claims, environmental sustainability, and food sovereignty. All of my instructors have addressed Indigenous misconceptions in the mainstream and historical record and are working to dismantle settler colonial ideologies.

I’ve been taught by an Indigenous professor – Charles Menzies – and his academic work has inspired me. So far, I’ve had two classes with him: Introduction to Ecological Anthropology (ANTH 360) and Contemporary First Nations Issues (ANTH 329). Next term, I’m taking Gender, Race and Indigeneity in Canada (GRSJ 301) with Dory Nason, an Indigenous professor who I’ve heard amazing things about.

 

“Being taught by an Indigenous professor brought along a new sense of understanding with it. It’s hard to put into words how important it is for Indigenous students to be taught Indigenous topics by Indigenous professors.”

 

I’m grateful to have found so many Indigenous allies at UBC. In spring 2018, Karlene and the Aboriginal Student Affairs team, First Nations and Indigenous Studies, CiTR, and I organized a viewing of Colonization Road at the grunt gallery. We’re hoping to organize more screenings of films by Indigenous directors and writers together in the coming year. If you’re interested in learning more about CiTR, send me an email at: indigenousliaison@citr.ca.


Thinking about the UBC-Langara Indigenous Transfer Partnership? Contact us at indigenous.recruitment@ubc.ca for more information.

 

Latest Stories

Previous

Space to Grow

BA degree offers International Scholar Hammad a place to belong and find community.
alumni

Space to Grow

"I enjoyed the idea of taking courses from various disciplines while working towards my degree requirements. That has given me unique access to knowledge, skills, and experiences that have been invaluable for my growth and development." - Hammad J., Bachelor of Arts
Axel playing soccer, about to kick the ball

Commerce alum and soccer player Axel on the support he received at UBC as an international student athlete

alumni

Commerce alum and soccer player Axel on the support he received at UBC as an international student athlete

“From playing soccer at a national level, to having fun at the best ski-resort in the world, to traveling through Canada and working in Germany, all while studying at one of the best business schools in the world, I really could not have asked for more during my Bachelor’s degree.” - Axel L., Commerce
Richelle smiling on the stairs at UBC Okangan

Arts student Richelle on studying Indigenous Literature at UBC Okanagan

student

Arts student Richelle on studying Indigenous Literature at UBC Okanagan

"UBC has given me countless amounts of opportunities and support throughout my academic journey. Specifically, within the Indigenous Program Services Department where I was able to create community and connect with other Indigenous students." - Richelle A-B., Bachelor of Arts
Rahman sitting on stairs at UBC Okanagan

Manufacturing Engineering student Rahman on how his passions helped shape his university experience

student

Manufacturing Engineering student Rahman on how his passions helped shape his university experience

"The close-knit community of the campus fosters a very supportive learning environment. I find it very easy to get to know people here and have personalized interactions with both my profs and peers which have been very instrumental in my success so far. The natural beauty of the Okanagan has encouraged me to integrate more outdoor activities into my life, which I find helps my mental and physical health. Overall, the Okanagan campus has not only been a place of academic growth but also a source of personal development. The connections I've made and the skills I've developed here are invaluable and something I will be carrying with me for a long time in life." - Rahman G., Manufacturing Engineering

Global Resource Systems alum Julia on the benefits of a smaller faculty

alumni

Global Resource Systems alum Julia on the benefits of a smaller faculty

"My program, Global Resource Systems, was the perfect fit for me, as I got to apply my passion for sustainable food systems with environmental science, all while focusing on real-world action through an interdisciplinary lens. I was encouraged to take my learning outside of the classroom and apply my learning in other settings, and with so many options, it meant that I could create the exact right combination of experiences to fuel my aspirations and unearth new goals along the way." - Julia T.
Elleda standing in front of a concrete wall

Political Science student Elleda on why transferring to UBC was the best decision she ever made

student

Political Science student Elleda on why transferring to UBC was the best decision she ever made

"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." - Elleda S., Political Science
Noah reading a book in the Indigenous Centre

Supporting Indigenous students in higher education

Inspiring educator Noah on pursuing his passions to help Indigenous communities
alumni

Supporting Indigenous students in higher education

"My passion to support Indigenous educational methodologies allowed me to work with my local Syilx community building more connections between community and education for Indigenous youth. This passion drove me to build relationships across both campuses and use UBC’s vast web of connections across the globe to earn credits, work experience, and conduct research to shape my own unique educational experience." - Noah C., Bachelor of Arts
Peter I standing on stairs at UBC Okanagan

Transitioning from Nigeria to the Okanagan

A Computer Science student in the Faculty of Arts, Peter gets to pursue what he loves at UBC Okanagan
student

Transitioning from Nigeria to the Okanagan

"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." - Peter I., Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science
next