There aren't many opportunities during high school that allow you to meet students from all over the world, take university-level courses in a field that you are interested in, and visit Vancouver’s attractions in the span of two weeks!
Student, UBC Future Global Leaders
Christy participated in UBC Future Global Leaders in 2018 where she took Medical Sociology: The Intersection of Health and Society. This experience ignited her interest in public health and planted the seeds for a career in medicine. After earning her Bachelor of Science with Honours in Physiology, she is now a first-year medical student at the University of Alberta.
What motivated you to take part in UBC Future Global Leaders?
I heard about the program from my high school counselor and wanted to get a preview of university student life! When I did more research about Future Global Leaders, I was thrilled to find out that the courses were taught by experts in their respective fields, and that there was an option to stay on residence and receive a full experience on campus. I am so glad that I made this choice, and the program was definitely a highlight of summer 2018 for me!
Why did you choose Medical Sociology: The Intersection of Health and Society?
I chose the medical sociology course as public health concepts were not covered often in the high school curriculum. I wanted to switch gears and learn more about populational and community health. The focus on preventative medicine also strongly appealed to me.
How did your instructor impact your experience in UBC Future Global Leaders?
My instructor was Dr. Andrea Polonijo, and she was a highly caring and engaging instructor! She actively adjusted the material according to how well our class was understanding concepts and stimulated lively discussion amongst students. We were so interested and invested in the content that she even introduced some papers and topics covered in her 400-level public health lectures! She definitely made the experience enjoyable, enriching and educational.
What did you enjoy the most from your course and the program?
Besides the course content, I enjoyed forming connections with participants from all over the world! Students from every continent (except Antarctica) were represented in my cohort, and it was extremely rewarding to meet them and learn about their cultures and perspectives. During class hours, we collaborated on a project to promote healthy physical activity in adolescents, and after hours, we had fun at Jericho Beach together! I continue to stay in touch with some of my classmates to this day, and these sorts of friendships often become lifelong.
How did the UBC Future Global Leaders prepare you for university and beyond?
After participating in the Future Global Leaders program, I sought out more opportunities to learn more about public health and preventive medicine. In fall 2018, I partook in the Mini Medical School program offered by the BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute, where the theme happened to be global health. I also pursued a summer research project after high school graduation, which allowed me to apply what I learned from a classroom setting to real life. This curiosity really took me far into undergraduate and professional studies!
What would you say to someone thinking about attending UBC Future Global Leaders?
There aren’t many opportunities during high school that allow you to meet students from all over the world, take university-level courses in a field that you are interested in, and visit Vancouver’s attractions in the span of two weeks! I highly encourage you all to participate, as it will be a summer to remember for sure.
Read more Future Global Leaders profiles.
Get news and updates
Subscribe to UBC Future Global Leaders and other pre-university program emails to stay up-to-date on our courses and programs, information sessions and important dates.