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. 

Meet Jonah Ferguson, VIU’s Employer and Student Engagement Coordinator! His job is to connect students with employers and organizations relevant to their area of study. Are you a student looking to connect with employers, or an employer looking to connect with students? Read to the bottom!

May is Asian Heritage Month in Canada. Asian Heritage Month is an opportunity to learn more about the many achievements and contributions Canadians of Asian heritage have made to the growth and prosperity of Canada, as well as the challenges they have experienced.

This is the first student newsletter of the Summer Semester. Our favourite parts about VIU in summer: 

• Studying in the quad on a sunny day
• The view of the ocean from the library
• Smaller lineups in Starbucks

Also in this issue:

Ottis Crabbe still clearly recalls the “electric” atmosphere of competing on the global culinary stage last year.