Beyond Borders: UBC Inspires New Lifers to Aim Global
The Senior High School (SHS) students of MGC New Life Christian Academy (MGCNLCA) were given an inside look into the University of British Columbia (UBC) during a virtual talk last September 5 from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. via Zoom.
Originally planned as an in-person event, the talk shifted online due to the suspension of classes that week because of the effects of Typhoon Enteng. This session followed a previous UBC talk held last March, which featured a testimonial from MGCNLCA alumnus Justin Caleb Cheng, a student at UBC.
UBC admissions officer and recruiter Jeff Kiyooka introduced UBC’s core values, academic programs, and distinct campuses to the 142 attendees. He emphasized the university’s commitment to active learning, research, and career development, which has made it a top choice for students globally.
UBC currently has two campuses: the larger Vancouver campus, located in Canada’s third-largest city, with over 48,000 students; and the smaller Okanagan campus in Kelowna, home to around 10,000 students.
Kiyooka outlined UBC’s excellent work experience program, where 90% of co-op students secure job offers within a month of graduation. Many of these UBC graduates are able to work with prestigious institutions, including the Terry Fox Foundation, Samsung, the World Health Organization (WHO), and Tesla.
Beyond academics, UBC boasts over 400 student clubs and a top-tier athletic program, with 36 varsity teams and 71 Olympic medals won by the UBC’s athletes, the Thunderbirds.
During the talk, Kiyooka stressed the importance of being an active and engaged student. “Professors don’t necessarily want to work with the best students,” he said. “They prefer working with those who are enthusiastic, proactive, and fun.”
Kiyooka then reminded the students of the admission requirements, emphasizing the significance of constructing a unique and compelling personal profile. He provided a medium for New Lifers to meet up virtually for campus tours and connect with current UBC students. He also answered questions from students and parents about additional concerns relating to tuition fees, housing, and the application process.
Zion student Maegan Sih shared, “I’m grateful for the talk because I believe it opened new doors for me to pursue other opportunities outside [of] my comfort zone. It was interesting to find out what foreign universities have to offer and how they differ from those in the Philippines.”
Guidance and Testing Center Head Daphne Trina Uang expressed, “Our dream is for them [New Lifers] to carry the light of Christ to every corner of the world. We hope to see God’s name be glorified through their lives and create ripples of transformational change in the lives they come across.”
Ranked among the top 40 universities globally and third in Canada, UBC is known for its high academic standards and international reach, providing world-class education for aspiring global leaders. It holds the title of the “Most International University in North America,” with 19,413 international students from over 140 countries.
