Program: Master of Occupational Therapy – Fraser
What attracted you to your field?
The most interesting thing about occupational therapy (OT) for me is the contexts in which we meet and perceive the people we work with. Instead of meeting only in a clinical space, OTs can meet clients in the spaces they most often occupy: their homes, their workplaces, their communities. Because of this, we often see the functional implications of our clients’ health within the greater contexts of their lives and, consequently, gain a profound insight into their humanity. I consider this an incredible privilege, and it’s part of what makes the work we do in this field so rewarding to me.
What is your favourite moment from your time at UBC?
When I first joined the Fraser cohort our building was still under construction, so my peers and I commuted to the Vancouver campus for classes for the first term of the program. At the time I found this commute challenging, but in retrospect, these carpooling trips made for great memories. Being at the Vancouver campus also let us get closer to other students in the Vancouver cohort, before we eventually settled into our home base in Surrey. As a result, I got to experience the best of what both larger and smaller student cohorts have to offer.
What is one piece of advice you have for students entering your program?
Throughout the program, we’re exposed to a wide breadth of information, so I would highly recommend trying to identify the areas you’re interested in and diving into those as deeply as possible. Do the work now that you feel will set you up for success as a future clinician and you’ll be golden.
What’s next for you?
I’m currently working as a community occupational therapist. In the next few years, I hope to learn as much as possible and really hone my skills as a clinician. I find that the better I get as a clinician, the more I enjoy the work that I do. Eventually, I would like to specialize in supporting the recovery of clients facing significant mental health challenges.
Tuum Est! Graduation 2025
This fall, students graduate from a wide range of Faculty of Medicine programs.