As a commuter student, I found it difficult to get involved and find a sense of belonging at UBC’s huge campus. When I learned about the UBC Collegia Program in my second year (which was when it was first launched), I was so jealous! Why wasn’t there something like this in my first year?

For a person like myself, it would have been beneficial to have advisors that provide support, and facilitate conversations among myself and other first year commuters. I am currently one of  two Senior Collegia Advisors in the program.  I work with a group of over 150 first year commuter students, and a staff team of 6 Collegia Advisors. Together, we build a sense of belonging, a “home away from home” for these commuter students.

Similar to student residences, the Collegia Program allows commuter students to have a space, which facilitates community building, without having to live in the space.

I challenge all students, especially commuter students, to not allow the distance or time it takes to get to and from campus from preventing them in getting involved. The best learning that I’ve received at UBC hasn’t always been in the classroom – it has often been learning from my colleagues, supervisors, and students in the various involvements that I have had.