UBC Reports asked four first-year students a few questions about their choice of university, their interests and their use of technology.
Chloe Erlendson
From Guelph, Ontario
Entering the Faculty of Arts, Vancouver
Why did you choose UBC?
At age 10 or so, I decided that I wanted to go to UBC so that I could live with my favourite aunt and uncle who live in Richmond. I stuck to this my whole life and when I got older, I discovered that UBC is actually a great school, and once I visited the campus, I was positive this was the school for me.
What do you do for fun?
I love to snowboard, read, cook, and hang out with my friends.
What is your favourite book or music?
I am obsessed with the Harry Potter series! I’ve read it more times than I’d like to admit. As for music, I like a lot of indy bands like Angus and Julia Stone, Mumford and Sons, and Coconut Records. I am also a huge fan of Drake, Kid Cudi, John Mayer and many others. My iPod is kind of all over the place.
What is your favourite technology gadget?
Although I love my laptop and iPod, I’d have to say that my Blackberry, hands down, is my favourite.
What social networking sites do you use?
I really only use Facebook.
Who do you consider a role model?
I have an extremely tight-knit family and, although it is huge, and everyone is spread all over Canada, we all make time to see each other and catch up. So I definitely look up to my cousins, aunts and uncles, grandparents and parents for always making sure we’re close and everyone stays in touch.
Will Stevely
From Whitehorse, Yukon
Entering Faculty of Management, Okanagan
Why did you choose UBC?
I was looking for a smaller school in British Columbia, and eventually my choice came down to UBC’s Okanagan campus or Simon Fraser in Vancouver. Both schools offered my course and are well known for providing a quality education, however it was the location that was the deciding factor. The Okanagan is a beautiful area that far outshines living in downtown Vancouver.
What do you do for fun?
If it’s outside and physical activity – or even one of the two – then I will most likely call it fun. Specifically, I spend a lot of time working out, golfing and working on/washing, waxing and otherwise cleaning/driving my car. I may also be found watching the latest (or not so latest) episode of Top Gear. I enjoy all sorts of food from all sorts of cultures and definitely have an interest in cooking. And finally, while I cannot say I have been very far yet, I do hope to be able to travel and experience more than just a sheltered North American lifestyle.
What is your favourite book or music?
My favorite book is Illusions by Richard Bach, although I enjoy anything that provokes a little thought or puts a new perspective on things. As for music, I’m not too picky, my iPod has everything from Drake to Lifehouse to Journey.
What is your favourite technology gadget?
It’s not much of a gadget, but my car is definitely my favourite piece of technology. On a slightly smaller scale I use my iPod a lot and my Blackberry every once in a while.
What social networking sites do you use?
I’m not much of a social networking site guy. I do have a Facebook account but I can’t remember the last time I used it. As convenient as sites like that may be, they really cannot replace physically connecting and spending time with other people.
Who do you consider a role model?
I can’t say I’ve ever had a specific role model. I guess when I played a lot of sports there were always professionals that I would look at and think, wow, I would love to be that good, but no one whom I really looked up to or was inspired by. I have certainly met and heard of people who have traits or characteristics that I wish I saw in myself, however I don’t feel as though I could truly call any of them my role model.
Tony Cecchetti
From Berkeley, CA, USA
Entering Faculty of Arts, Vancouver
Why did you choose UBC?
I chose to attend UBC because of its international appeal, its welcoming community, abundance of opportunity, beautiful location and ecologically friendly environment—as well as the fact that I will be attending college in a different country and will experience a unique culture that revolves around diversity and creativity.
What do you do for fun?
For fun I play music, fish, go on hikes and runs, write poetry, play as many sports as I can, spend time with friends and family, and most of all, TRAVEL. I love to travel the world and witness and experience the differences in ways of life from place to place.
What is your favourite book or music?
My favourite music is alternative, folk and old school Rock N’ Roll. I am a huge fan of Bob Dylan. The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Iron and Wine and The Wallflowers.
What is your favourite technology gadget?
My favorite technology outlet is my iPod. I love music. It motivates me and inspires me.
What social networking sites do you use?
I use Facebook, but to be honest I am not very technologically savvy. I enjoy the subtleties of living that don’t include online networking sites. I would much rather have a civilized conversation face to face.
Who do you consider a role model?
My role model is Gandhi. I believe that we as human beings share a profound connection. I believe that we all, through our morality and ethical principles, will one day find common ground and end the turmoil in our world. We must act upon our morals to achieve this. As Gandhi said, “As human beings, out greatness lies not so much in being able to remake the world as in being able to remake ourselves.”
Omar Mwangari
From Kenya
Entering Irving K. Barber School of Arts and Sciences, Okanagan
Why did you choose UBC?
UBC is a place of academic strength. Its scenic beauty inspires the mind and the pool of students from diverse cultural background makes you feel part and parcel of something big—something global.
What do you do for fun?
Hang out with friends. Whatever unfolds from there, I usually am cool with it—well after scrutinizing its pros and cons.
What is your favourite book or music?
Come to think about it, I do not have a specific favourite book. I am into African Literature with my best authors being the prominent and proficient Chinua Achebe (Things fall apart, Arrow of God), Francis Imbuga (Betrayal in the City) as well as Said Ahmed Mohammed (Amezidi). Their works address everyday experiences of man and in different spheres ranging from socio-economic to political, things that I can relate to. Music wise, I am a hip hop guy and a little bit of RnB.
What is your favourite technology gadget?
I am into computers, but one gadget that comes through for me every time is my phone. It acts as my computer, my back-up device, my modem etc. It always comes in handy.
What social networking sites do you use?
I have a couple of social networking sites including MSN, twitter, Skype, etc. But nothing tops Facebook. You will most definitely find me on Facebook during the better part of my day.
Who do you consider a role model?
I have no particular role model. I believe that anyone and everyone can be a role model for there is always something that one can learn from them. Man is incomplete, and for me to put all my aspirations and endeavours in the hands of one man will be an act of selfishness. I will be limiting myself from reaching my potential, something I would have attained if I diversified my role models.
