Education and Perspective Abroad
Not so long ago, I was home in Wilton and someone asked me, “Why say you’re abroad? You’re practically still in the US?” Canada may be in close physical proximity, but it is a different country and I am an immigrant here. In moving to Canada, the point wasn’t really about immersing myself in a radically different culture – I came for an education. But as I reflect back on my four years here, I realize that there is a point to being abroad beyond my B.A. – gaining perspective on the familiar.
I’ll admit that there was a novelty about moving to Canada for university. Like most high school seniors, I was excited to embark on a new chapter of my life and it was amplified by the fact that it would be happening in a different country. I had only visited Vancouver once before I decided to attend the University of British Columbia. As you might have seen in the recent Olympic broadcasts, it is an enchanting landscape of buildings and nature. My decision was also swayed by the fact that the day I visited was one of the handful of sunny days in Vancouver. Regardless, I feel extremely lucky to live in such an incredible place and to be able to attend a university that is ranked among the top 35 in the world.
When I initially moved here, culture shock and transitioning to university life were indistinguishable and very exciting. Having spent most of my life in Wilton, the most overwhelming part was living in such a big city. There are endless bus routes and ferries, sidewalks and any kind of ethnic food you can imagine. The university itself is like a small city, with over 40,000 students buzzing around the streets, rushing in and out of buildings. But if I had to describe my initial impressions of “Canadian-ness” in Vancouver, I would say it’s like living in a place where a yoga studio has taken over. People wear black, stretchy pants and brightly colored hoodies all day and for any occasion. Instead of carrying backpacks and purses, women carry extremely oversized yoga bags. Even those who don’t actually practice yoga practice this lifestyle. The only alternative is to wear flannel shirts and listen to Indie music. The dichotomy of Vancouver sub-culture puzzles me. Where is the individuality, the quintessential West Coast independence? If this is it, I’m disappointed.
Towards the end of my first year, I realized that this experience was about more than getting an academic education or even adapting to a new place. Oddly enough, I suffered culture shock upon moving back to the US for the summer – this was truly the most unexpected experience of them all! It was the transition back that gave me insight to the cultural forces that shaped me, and having that awareness is the greatest tool I have ever been given. In understanding how you have arrived at the person you’ve become, you get to know yourself better. Being immersed in any environment for some length of time makes it very easy to mindlessly go about your day and not think twice about what you do or what you observe. By not questioning or being critical of life, we surrender a certain amount of independence. Although my observations about conformity on the streets in Vancouver are interesting, their real use value lies in thinking about the ways I conform to American culture. Moreover, considering why many of the attributes resonated with me even after I left. In four years, I still have not been able to locate precisely what ‘it’ is that gave rise to my new perspective and even now I still have difficultly articulating the idea. That is because it is an experience. It leaves you with a feeling of empowerment and a sense of self that cannot be described. Taking a risk and venturing outside of your comfort zone can be an unnerving thought, but it does not have to be a big movement. It can be a series of little things over many years, or taking a step back to gaze on the bigger picture. In either instance we first face something uncertain, but upon moving back we can truly know what home is like.
Written by Vanessa Chase
Acadmic Planning 101
It can be overwhelming when you look through the course lists on the Student Service Center. How do you begin to choose courses for first year? The best place for advice is your faculty’s academic advising office. There are International Student Advisors in each faculty who are there to help you plan for success.
Arts – Not all students begin University with a clear sense of what they want to major in. Part of your education is discovering your interests, and naturally that can take some time. In the faculty of Arts, there are certain requirements that all students must fulfill, no matter which major you are pursuing. Take a look at them here.
Science – The Faculty of Science has a wealth of information on their website to help you navigate your degree, starting with a comprehensive overview of items to think about during each year of your degree. This can help keep you on track.
The website also features a step by step guide to selecting your first year courses.
Applied Science – Engineering students have a standard set of courses they will complete that helps them prepare for their future specialization. Read all about it here.
Sauder – The Faculty of Commerce has a great run down of degree requirements for Sauder students. And, there’s room for choice! Up to 12 credits of non-Commerce electives will allow you to explore your other interests.
Forestry – L earn all about your degree options here.
Land and Food Systems – With a variety of great degree paths including nutritionand agroecology, Land and Food Systems has complied guides for each one.
UBC also offers a degree planning chart that you may want to check out.
What courses will you be taking this fall?
Student Perspective – UBC Jump Start 2009
Today we are pleased to bring you a piece by Adeeb Tawseef, a UBC Jump Start 2009 Alum, about his experience in the program.
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The first month after Jump Start: September 2009. If I am not wrong it was the month of Ramadan (the Muslim holy month of fasting). Out of the 30 fasting days, the last 20 days were in the month of September, which was when classes had officially started and everyone was trying to make new friends and first year students (me) in general were out having a great time. For most us it was the first time we were away from home and had experienced a full-fledged version of freedom. But the funny thing was, I really didn’t feel like a typical first year student. Other first year students often told me that I was actually behaving like a second or third year, or at least knew as much about UBC like the seniors did. I soon realized that Jump Start had aged me and made me look like a second year to my peers. Later on, I realized that the truth was, Jump Start had already prepared me to face the first day of classes. Those two weeks in August had prepared me to face the various challenges typical first year students face in the first two weeks of September.
Being a Muslim I remember fasting during the months of August and most of September in Vancouver where the day was extremely long (due to day light saving) and having to find a suitable place to pray and break my fast. I was glad to have found all these facilities and support during Jump Start because when classes officially kicked off on 7th September, I was already very busy trying to sort my classes and meet with advisors. Time surely just flew by those first three weeks after Jump Start. I felt like when classes started I could focus and concentrate on the courses more than most first year students, especially international students who did not attend Jump Start. I knew what was expected of me and what I had to do to ensure I could have the best academic experience as a first year student. All because Jump Start had prepared me well.
I remember one event/activity, which I really enjoyed during Jump Start and thought prepared me very well to face the academic challenges. There were lecture series during the whole of Jump Start where every student had to take part or attend 50 minute long (a typical class at UBC) lectures delivered by the university’s best professors and teachers. Out of the many I attended the lecture presented by Professor Allan Sens stood out the most for me. Prof. Sens is thought to be one of the best lecturers at UBC. A political science professor, Dr. Sens is capable of holding onto your attention for the whole 50 minutes. He is great orator and keeps you interested all the time. It was because of his Jump Start lecture that I had the interest to attend all of his classes. I was very lucky to have him as my Political Science instructor in Term 1. On the first day of class I already knew his style and knew what to expect. I know this might be hard to believe, but attending a lecture of a course instructor in a non-academic context really makes a huge difference on the long run. You will realize that the first class (for many of you your first university course!) is less scary and actually lot more interesting, if you met or heard the same Professor in a non-academic context. I also enjoyed the informal social sessions with the Academic advisors and the Professors after each lecture where I had the chance to introduce myself. They really do remember your name, you will be surprised!
So when I look back, the first month at UBC was very relaxing in many ways. I was settling down at my own pace: no rush because things that required immediate attention was taken care during Jump Start! Classes were the way I expected and best of all I already knew in person most of my Professors and Advisors. That was my first month at UBC.
Written by Adbeeb Tawseef
And the answers are . . .
What year was UBC established? 1908 is when the Provincial Government agreed to build a university in British Columbia.
What is the UBC motto? Tuum Est
What year was International House opened? It was opened in 1959 by Eleanor Roosevelt
How many countries are represented at UBC? 143
What is the Great Trek? This happened in 1922. 1,200 students marched from downtown Vancouver to UBC’s current location in West Point Grey to petition for the building of the UBC campus they were promised. The group even travelled to the Provincial government in Victoria, BC to present the cabinet with 56,000 signatures they’d collected in support of the new campus.
What was the first year that students graduated from UBC? It was 1915.
You can read all about UBC’s rich history here.
A Little Trivia
With 11 weeks and 5 days to go before school starts, how are you preparing? It’s an exciting time and of course you will attend orientations, but there are many resources to help you get ready for UBC. Have you checked out the New to UBC website? Here you will find links to everything you’ll need.
But how much do you know about UBC itself? Get ready to test your knowledge!
What year was UBC established?
What is the UBC motto?
What year was International House opened?
How many countries are represented at UBC?
What is the Great Trek?
What was the first year that students graduated from UBC?
Stay tuned, answers will be posted tomorrow!
Welcome to the UBC Jump Start 2010 program!
Welcome to the UBC Jump Start 2010 blog! First of all, congratulations to all of you on your acceptance to UBC! You’re about to embark on an exciting new chapter of your lives and we are incredibly excited to be a part of it.
You may notice that our website is not fully updated yet. Stay tuned because it will be launched on July 1st, 2010. Some parts of this website have already undergone a revision, such as the Jump Start Team page. Check it out! There you will find introductions of the core planning team, which consists of 2 UBC staff members and 5 students, the facilitators – who will be your instructors during the program, and the resident assistants.
The UBC Jump Start blog will be updated two times per week throughout the summer – Monday and Thursday. You’ll be privy to a variety of posts about UBC, Vancouver, preparing for your move and updates from the team. You will be hearing lots of stories and soon you’ll have one to share. But why not start your story now? We welcome you to leave comments, ask questions and get to know each other.
Wishing you all the best for the summer!
