Meet Brian Chan, Carson Tsoi, Mark Cheung and Raymond Choy, 2023 VSP Alumni. Read about how they became friends, their favourite activities they did together during VSP, tips on making friends during the program and what made VSP so special for them.
A picture of Carson Tsoi, Brian Chan, Raymond Choy and Mark Cheung exploring Vancouver together.
Why did you choose to do UBC’s Vancouver Summer Program?
Mark: I chose UBC’s Vancouver Summer Program not just for its academic excellence, but also for the vibrant cultural experiences and fantastic networking opportunities it provides. The program offers a one-month experience, making it perfect for exploring the beautiful city of Vancouver and enjoying its outdoor activities. Plus, it’s a wonderful chance for personal growth and building global connections with peers from all walks of life!
Raymond: There were three main reasons. Firstly, I heard Vancouver is beautiful and that the people there are nice and friendly. Secondly, UBC is a world-renowned university, and I wanted to experience studying and living there. Finally, I wanted to meet friends from different places, and I did. So, I am very grateful for this Vancouver Summer Program!
Carson: I had never been to Canada before and I may not have the opportunity to leave Hong Kong for a month without any hesitation after graduation again. In addition, UBC is one of the most famous universities in the world, and I wanted to experience its different cultural environment and meet new friends.
Brian: I wanted to experience UBC university life and meet new friends! I also wanted to have a nice time exploring the beautiful city!
How was it like meeting new friends during VSP?
Mark: Meeting new friends during VSP was such an exciting and rewarding adventure! With students from diverse backgrounds, it’s effortless to connect over shared interests and fun activities. Whether through group projects, social events, or exploring the city together, there were plenty of opportunities to bond. Many discovered that these friendships blossomed into lasting connections that truly enriched the overall experience.
Carson: It was great! I could meet lots of new friends from across the globe. Through joining different activities, we got know each other more. Some of us are still keeping in contact, and this is amazing.
Raymond: It was like we were meant to meet. When we first met and talked, I could tell we had the same energy, which was awesome!
Brian: I made some great friends during VSP, meeting people from all over the world. I still remember the day we all went to the Canadians baseball game. We witnessed a walk off home run together on that day! It was a unique experience for me.
Are you all still friends until today?
Carson: Yes!
Mark: Yes!
Raymond: Yes! We are still friends now! Sometimes we go to explore new places together. Sometimes we go cycling and running together! It is so much fun to be with them!
Brian: Of course! We still keep in touch with each other even though we are in different cities!
What’s your favourite memory together as a friend group during VSP?
Mark: One of my favorite memories as a friend group during the Vancouver Summer Program often involved a spontaneous road trip. Picture a scenic drive along the coast, stopping at breathtaking viewpoints, exploring charming towns, and sharing laughter in the car. The mix of adventure, music, and shared snacks created unforgettable moments, strengthening friendships and leaving everyone with stories to cherish.
Raymond: It may sound strange to say, but my favorite memories were our daily routines during VSP. Every day after class, we would go to “Save-On-Foods” to buy groceries and ingredients for dinner. After returning to the dormitory, we would choose an exercise, which might be going to the gym, swimming, or taking a fitness class to do together. It was indeed tiring after the exercises, but I really enjoyed doing everything with them!
Brian: We had an amazing road trip to Whistler at the end of VSP, exploring new places together. It became an unforgettable part of the journey.
Carson: We went to a road trip together, and that was actually my first time going on a road trip. Although it was tiring, we made unforgettable memories and saw beautiful sceneries together. We chitchatted while driving, which created lots of our happy memories.
2023 VSP Alumni Brian Chan, Carson Tsoi, Mark Cheung, Raymond Choy along with Anuj Sharma and Julia Couto pictured together at a scenic spot taken along their memorable road trip to Whistler.
What activities during VSP did you enjoy doing together the most?
Carson: I would say our favourite activities to do together during VSP was to explore the city/the country and enjoy the culture together! For example, we experienced the Italian Day at Grandview-Woodland, we enjoyed lots of food from Italy and had greater understanding about Italian culture afterwards, which I could not have experienced in Hong Kong.
Mark: During the Vancouver Summer Program, we enjoyed exploring Stanley Park, hiking Grouse Mountain, and visiting local museums. Group cooking nights allowed us to share culinary skills, while social events like welcome events fostered bonding. These activities created unforgettable memories and strengthened our friendships throughout the program.
Brian: After a long day of classes, we enjoyed spending time together by relaxing and playing outside the UBC Nest and at Wreck Beach, with some of my favourite activities to do together during VSP be playing spike ball and frisbee together.
Raymond: After the course, we went on a road trip together to explore various wonderful attractions in Vancouver! The natural scenery was breathtaking! I highly recommend you to go on a road trip together with your VSP friends!
What advice would you give future VSP students to make new friendships during VSP?
Raymond: Be honest and kind, people with similar energies will come to you, and you’ll make some lifelong friends!
Brian: Try joining more activities available in the Vancouver Summer Program. You can definitely make new friends from different programs, and even become friends with the local students there. Also, don’t just stay in your room!! Don’t waste your time in UBC and Vancouver!! No Regrets!!
Mark: To make new friendships during the Vancouver Summer Program, be open and approachable. Actively participate in group activities, share experiences, and invite others to join you. Engage in conversations and use social media to stay connected after the program. These steps can help foster meaningful and lasting connections.
Carson: Just take the first steps to meet new friends, you will never know who will become your real friends in the future.
How did being in the program help you grow?
Mark: Being in the Vancouver Summer Program fosters personal growth in several ways. It enhances cultural awareness through diverse interactions, builds independence through navigating a new environment, and boosts confidence through social and academic settings. The experience also develops adaptability and problem-solving skills, all of which contribute to overall personal development.
Brian: This program taught me how to strike a balance between work and life. Don’t just focus on projects, there are as much more to see and explore outside the books.
Carson: I stepped out of my own comfort zone as I needed to tackle lots of daily issues by myself, like preparing breakfast, cleaning and more. And, VSP widened my horizons. For example, meeting more new friends taught me valuable skills for getting along well with others and how to interact respectfully.
Raymond: It made me realize that there are so many kind people in this world, so I will continue to be kind to everyone and make this world a better place!