Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies Graduate School

Why did other students choose UBC?

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Nicole (Nikki) Kaechele

"First and foremost, because Terre Satterfield was at UBC and I wanted to learn with her. I knew that studying at UBC would offer a truly multidisciplinary experience, and that the Institute for Resources, Environment and Sustainability (IRES) would support the…"

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Xiaocong Guo

"UBC is a top-tier university in Canada and across the world. I can leverage the exemplary training environment and its culture of equity, diversity, and inclusion. Choosing to study at UBC was easily the best decision I could have made for graduate school."

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Amin Adibi

"Before starting my program, I had the privilege of working, living, and studying as an uninvited guest on the ancestral unceded territory of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) Nation at UBC for a few years. And what can I say, it is the most beautiful place! UBC is also…"

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Rinni Mamman

"UBC is renowned for its exceptional programs and the opportunities to collaborate with experts in various fields. As a person who has lived in several countries, I wanted to explore the Canadian way of life and education, and decided to pursue a master’s in…"

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Laen Hershler

"I chose to continue my studies at UBC due to my positive experiences during my B.Ed and Master's programs. The close relationships I formed with my supervisor and the relevant work being done here were significant motivators. My journey at UBC has shown me that…"

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Sarinn Blawatt

"Research is a touch point that influences the kinds of care people who use substances will receive, but it often stands alone without meaningful engagement, appropriate contextual framing or accessible representation. This is why I chose to come to the School of…"

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Karen Lok Yi Wong

"UBC School of Social Work has a reputation for integrating research, practice, policy, and teaching, which is what I believe in social work as a practitioner/clinician, researcher, policy advocate, and educator in social work. My supervisor, Prof. Deborah O’Connor…"

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Erin Tattersall

"I chose to study at UBC for the opportunity to work with academics at the forefront of innovative and interdisciplinary research focused on wildlife and land stewardship. UBC is actively working towards embracing diverse ways of knowing and learning in academic…"

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Bulgan Batdorj

"I am honored and grateful to be a part of the UBC community. The Institute of Resources, Environment and Sustainability has provided an ideal setting to explore critical issues in resource governance. I am thankful for my supervisor, Dr. Nadja Kunz, and for many…"

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Judith Valerie Engel

"Wanting to pursue a DMA, I decided to come to UBC, as the program is already more established here than it is in some European countries. I also appreciate the infrastructure and pathways available at this university - including, for instance, being able to take a…"

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Meghna Mohandas

"Once I decided to pursue my PhD in urban planning, UBC was an obvious choice. The School of Community and Regional Planning (SCARP) is a world-renowned department in the discipline. My supervisors Dr. Leonora Angeles and Dr. Julia Harten have immense research…"

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Alexa Norton

"I did my undergraduate degree at UBC and am happy to be back as a doctoral student. I've lived and worked in Vancouver since 2010, and studying at UBC enables me to stay connected and accountable to my community. There are brilliant minds studying and working in…"

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Gopal Khanal

"The University of British Columbia (UBC) stood out to me as the ideal place to pursue my graduate studies for several reasons. UBC’s strong commitment to sustainability and its global reputation for excellence in conservation science were crucial factors in my…"

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Kai Jacobsen

"UBC is a top research university with many resources available to support community-engaged research and impactful knowledge translation. I am keen to join UBC initiatives related to community-based research and knowledge translation, such as the Public Scholars…"

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Pardis Semnani

"When I was admitted to the department of mathematics by my advisor and learned about her area of research, algebraic statistics, I found it intriguing that her problems of interest build a bridge between pure and applied mathematics. That is why I decided to work…"

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Jorden Hendry

"My experience with the Centre for Excellence in Indigenous Health solidified my decision to choose UBC for my graduate studies, as it offers a unique environment that values Indigenous perspectives and fosters meaningful research and leadership opportunities."

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Xue Qi (Amy) Wang

"The University of British Columbia (UBC) is an ideal institution for my PhD studies for several reasons. UBC is renowned for its cutting-edge research facilities, such as the Biomedical Research Centre, which offers state-of-the-art laboratories and resources…"

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Hebah Hussaina

"I completed both my Bachelor's and Master's degrees at UBC, and throughout those experiences, I became embedded within the community here. It was an easy choice to continue studying at UBC because of the love that I have for my community. Through my research, I…"

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Tetiana Poliakova

"I was recruited to UBC by my supervisor, Dr. Cheryl Wellington, shortly after I evacuated the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russia and was unable to continue my training back home. Cheryl recruited me via the Science For Ukraine NGO, run by volunteer…"

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Jamie Kwon

"The opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration at UBC were a key deciding factor. I was fortunate to work with a team of experts from a variety of seemingly disconnected fields such as engineering, pathology, and radiation oncology. Being part of a robust…"

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Genevieve Bonnor

"I completed my undergraduate degree at UBC and love the open research culture here, so I decided to pursue my graduate degree here as well. The faculty here are some of the best in the country and are always open to help with questions or ready to participate in…"

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Michael Sekatchev

"I was born in Vancouver, but I spent eight years living in southern France. I attended an international school there until 2018, when I returned to Vancouver to complete my final year of high school. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to grow up in…"

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Raha AtashPa

"I chose to study at the University of British Columbia (UBC) for its exceptional commitment to fostering interdisciplinary research and its globally recognized support for innovative art-based scholarship. UBC stands out as a leading institution that not only…"

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Betty Shea

"My experience as a non-degree student was really positive. I loved the way lectures, tutorials, labs, assignments and projects all complemented each other. I found the lectures stimulating and the professors and TAs encouraging. I also loved just being on the UBC…"

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Heather Baker

"A big part of what brought me to UBC was the research. Professor Thibault Mayor’s research interests in proteostasis, aging, and using proteomics tools to explore these topics were what drew me to the idea of a PhD at UBC. The Department of Biochemistry and…"

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Rane Simpson

"UBC is a fantastic institution in an amazing country. Add to this that it is home to the nations premier environment for nuclear physics experiments, and you will have a picture that describes why UBC was my number one destination for graduate studies."

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John Harvey O'Hara

"I decided to study here because the CENES department is a hub for queer German studies, and there are few places like it in the world. The mentorship and sense of community here have encouraged me greatly as I've developed my project further. I also selected UBC…"

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Ash Larnder

"Coming out of the pandemic, I wanted to stay closer to my family. And the mountains of course - it was too hard to leave them. UBC is a beautiful campus by the ocean. My program has a lot of great health scientists in the province, so it's a good opportunity to…"

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W. Austin Guild

"I had a very enjoyable time at the UBC Okanagan campus over the five years I was completing my undergraduate studies. I really wanted to continue my education at UBC, however, I also wanted to experience life in a new city; therefore, I chose to pursue continuing…"

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Kabir Bhalla

"I knew that pursuing a PhD would be an arduous and demanding journey, so when considering my options for graduate studies, finding a campus that felt like home was crucial to me. UBC stood out as the clear and natural choice. Having formed strong connections and…"

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Arash Mousemi

"The field of my interest is not studied in many labs around the world, and UBC is one of the few universities that offered conducting research on what I really like. Also, my supervisor is kind and supportive."

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Rocio Hollman

"Having done my undergrad at UBC I knew that not only were the labs stunning, but so is the campus! I wasn't ready to leave such a beautiful place just yet."

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Aysha Allard Brown

"UBC has consistently offered me an exceptional research environment with opportunities I could have never envisioned. Upon completing my Bachelor’s at UBC in Biology and Kinesiology, I knew that pursuing my graduate degree here would continue to promote my…"

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Bronwen Grocott

"I applied to UBC because I wanted to work with my present supervisor, Dr. Joelle LeMoult. I was especially interested in researching social stress and depression using a mixed-methods, experimental approach and working with Joelle has made this possible."

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Sharada Balaji

"My supervisors! Having done my undergraduate degree at UBC, I was looking for a change of scenery for my graduate work. Meeting with both of my (then potential) supervisors, seeing the work they did, and their enthusiasm and friendliness made me change my mind…"

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Rubaiya Rumman

"UBC is one of Canada's leading research-intensive universities, known for its high academic standards and reputation for producing top-notch research. UBC not only houses well-equipped laboratories, libraries, and research centers, but also consists of renowned…"

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Katelynn Kowalchuk

"UBC’s dedication to innovation and transforming ideas into action is what originally drew me to the university. Before deciding to attend my hometown university for my undergraduate degree, I was interested in applying to UBC’s architecture and urbanism program.…"

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Aaron Klymasz-Swartz

"My previous supervisor encouraged me to study at UBC under Dr. Colin Brauner as we both thought it would be a great fit for myself and my career aspirations."

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Juri Kim

"My decision to study at UBC was influenced by two compelling factors. Firstly, UBC's outstanding reputation for research excellence and world-class education, particularly in the field of Planning, drew me in as I sought a graduate program that could provide the…"

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Nicole Bison

"UBC is an awesome place to do ecological research! In addition to nearby mountain ranges that provide elevational temperature gradients, we have access to incredibly diverse plant collections at the UBC Botanical Garden only a short walk away from our laboratory.…"

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Xuyan Tang

"UBC boasts a prestigious reputation as a leading institution in academia and research, which aligns perfectly with my aspirations for a high-quality education. Additionally, the picturesque campus and well-equipped facilities provide an ideal environment for…"

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Stéphanie La France

"As one of the top universities in Canada, UBC offered depth and breadth of research explorations, as well as opportunities to connect with researchers at the cutting edge of the field of mathematics education and research methodologies in education."

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Talia Morstead

"My decision to study at UBC was driven in large part by my desire to work with Dr. Anita DeLongis, a foremost expert in the field of stress and coping. After coming across Dr. DeLongis’ work during my undergraduate studies and having the opportunity to volunteer…"

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Lorna Tu

"I attended UBC for my BSc and found the physics department to be very efficient and supportive. I had also recently returned from a long internship abroad and wanted to stay closer to home (and its mountains!) for a little bit longer."

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Bonnie Leung

"The UBC School of Nursing is Canada's top-ranked nursing program and is internationally renowned for their contributions to nursing and health research, nursing philosophy and health system leadership."

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Leah Alfred-Olmedo

"My choice to pursue my PhD at UBC was based on relationships, both within the university and without. I have a generative and supportive relationship with my supervisor, with other members of the English faculty, and with other graduate students at UBC. I feel…"

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Shalini Iyer

"I learned that UBC was one of the Canadian institutions at the forefront of neuroscience research with access to cutting-edge technology. UBC provides a collaborative, supportive environment, which is crucial for fostering scientific growth, networking…"

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Harris Wong

"I completed my B.A. in psychology at UBC and loved my time here. It is a world-renowned university for a reason and I was constantly in awe of the beauty and size of the campus. Furthermore, there were great resources for students and I felt well-supported…"

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Darren Blackburn

"I chose to study at UBC after an initial phone call with the program staff at the Interdisciplinary Studies Graduate Program (ISGP) office. I originally called with a long list of questions, expecting to be directed to the program website (an experience I had with…"

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Michael Yin

"I love Vancouver! It's the greatest city in the world. I love the integration of nature into the city; it has all of the mountains, forests, and oceans. In addition, the city is a melting pot of cultures, and that's definitely reflected at UBC. It feels like there…"

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