Hometown: Dawson Creek, B.C.
Program: Master of Occupational Therapy – North
Year in Program: 2
What inspired you to pursue your program?
Growing up around friends and family with diverse abilities, I was inspired by how they adapted their environments to support themselves. This sparked a deep interest in the idea that we shouldn’t expect people to change to fit their surroundings – instead, we should adapt the environment to fit the individual. This question led me to occupational therapy (OT), a field that empowers people to do the things they need, want and strive to do. Supporting others in meaningful ways has always driven me, and occupational therapy allows me to turn that passion into impactful, practical change in people’s daily lives.
Why did you choose UBC?
There are multiple reasons I chose UBC. Firstly, because I was able to stay up north with my family and friends while pursuing my education. It also meant learning in a way that felt more inclusive and relevant to what my future practice will be like. Another reason was because of the incredible international learning opportunities that UBC had. The possibility to learn in different countries was important to me to expand my learning in different ways. Finally, UBC has a well-recognized Master of Occupational Therapy program that I felt honoured to be a part of.
What are you most looking forward to this year?
I am so excited to start my last year of the program and get back out into the community! Learning alongside everyone in class again will be amazing. The way my colleagues have become an integral part of my daily life is something I truly appreciate. I am also looking forward to diving deeper into the material, gaining more hands-on experience and continuing to build the clinical reasoning skills that are essential in our field. Returning to school means more opportunities to learn from instructors, peers, and clients and to keep connecting theory with practice. As an OT student, each semester brings us closer to making a tangible difference in people’s lives – and that’s incredibly motivating.