Current Students

Natasha Marshall Gallic from c̓išaaʔatḥ, Tseshaht First Nation, wants to create connections and support her community members, whether they live at home or away from the community. Traditional foods are an important part of that connection, which is why she created miʔaat Community Supported Fisheries.

At the start of her university journey, Bachelor of Education student Sherry Wessel was very shy. So shy, she shook when she had to talk in front of the class. As her program progressed, she became more confident in herself and as a teacher. Fast forward to today and she’s representing the Class of 2023 as a valedictorian at convocation. Sherry shares more about her VIU journey and some advice for students following the same path. 

This will be the last regular edition of the Student Pulse of the Summer Semester. Included is info on Pride Month events. Stay tuned to our social channels for info about Indigenous History Month resources and National Indigenous Peoples Day events. We hope you have a good summer and look for this newsletter in your inbox leading up to the first day of classes this fall!
 
In this issue:

As a first-generation university student, Teagan Howden felt lost when she first started in VIU’s Digital Media Studies program in 2018. Fast forward to today and she is gearing up for the next step on her journey towards becoming a corporate lawyer – a master’s degree. She shares highlights of her time at VIU and her best advice for current students.

For the past four years, Ashley Sandhu has been a familiar face around campus. As a student wellness promoter, many students will remember her from different events aimed at encouraging social connections and awareness about the importance of taking care of your mental health. The Bachelor of Science in Nursing graduate will never forget the stunning views from the Nanaimo campus.

Everyone deserves equal access to education, yet barriers remain for some learners.

Amber Thomas ran into challenges when she wanted to take a computer science course at her university in Alberta. The accessibility tools available there would not work for her computer science course because it needed specialized tools. Amber is blind and uses a screen reader to complete her courses. 

Are you ready to take the next step in your academic career? The statement of purpose (also called a letter of introduction or letter of intent, amongst other names) is a crucial part of the graduate school application process. This blog shares tips to help you write a focused and compelling statement that showcases your unique qualities and increases your chances of securing a spot at the grad school of your choice.

Are you enjoying this warm weather? Our Cultural Connections teams is leading some road trips and hikes you might want to take advantage of. Also in this issue of the Student Pulse:

Jane Dean has been passionate about working with children and youth for as long as she can remember. When she started the Child and Youth Care program at VIU, her goal was to create a positive impact in the lives of others.

She is now seeing her goal come to fruition. She’s been helping to organize a large outdoor event at Georgia Avenue Community School  school in Nanaimo’s Harewood community.

Fernando Jesus Medina Moreno’s university experience was so much more than what he learned in the classroom. The Bachelor of Business Administration student from Mexico City got involved in many different aspects of university life. Throughout these experiences, he picked up many important soft skills as well as the knowledge he gained from his courses. He graduates this June and hopes to work for a marketing agency on Vancouver Island.