The STRUGGLE of Growing Up Between Two Cultures

Finding Community & Opportunity: Graciela’s Journey at UBC 🇨🇦✨
Moving to Vancouver for university is both exciting and overwhelming, especially when you’re stepping into a new city for the first time. In this episode of the Vancouver Student Network Podcast, we sit down with Graciela, a UBC student originally from Edmonton, who shares her journey of adapting to life in Vancouver, choosing the right academic path, and making meaningful connections on campus.
From joining student clubs to embracing her Filipino heritage, Graciela offers valuable insights on navigating university life, building friendships, and setting career goals.
🎓 Studying at UBC – How she transitioned from Arts to Global Resource Systems and found her passion for international development 🌍
💼 Career Aspirations – The challenges of finding job opportunities in her field and her plans for post-graduation 🔎
🎉 Making Friends in Vancouver – How UBC’s Jump Start program and residence life helped her build a strong social circle 🤝
💃 Dance Horizons Club – Leading one of UBC’s biggest student-run dance organizations and making dance more accessible 🕺
🍛 Filipino Community in Vancouver – Finding connections, cultural celebrations, and the best spots for Filipino food 🇵🇭
🚦 Culture Shocks & Adjustments – From Edmonton’s winters to Vancouver’s cost of living and diverse social scene ❄️➡️🌆
Throughout this conversation, Graciela shares personal experiences and advice for both new and current students looking to make the most of their time in Vancouver. Whether you're trying to find your community, balance academics with extracurriculars, or plan for your future career, this episode is packed with helpful takeaways.
Enjoyed this episode? Follow us for more student stories, tips, and experiences in Vancouver!
🎙️ The VANSTU STUDENT NETWORK Podcast – Where students connect, share, and grow.
🌐 Website: vanstu.net
📸 Instagram: @vanstu.network
▶️ YouTube: @vanstu.network