Meet Gigi, Gillian, and Cassandra – 3 nursing students from the University of Hong Kong. Read about their experiences studying and exploring Vancouver through the UBC School of Nursing Vancouver Summer Program! From cultural insights to caring for seniors, making friends, and discovering new adventures in Vancouver, this trio shares what made their VSP experience unforgettable.
Cassandra, Gigi, Gillian and Friends hiking at Lynn Canyon!
What was your favourite part about this program?
Gillian:
“The biggest benefit of VSP Nursing was learning how senior care differs between Hong Kong and Canada. I visited long-term care homes in Vancouver and compared that to my experience back home. In Canada, seniors have more freedom and they’re encouraged to be independent, join social activities, and live life fully.”
Gigi:
“My favourite part was definitely the outings like going to Granville Island and trying so many different foods, and the trip to Lynn Canyon was such a highlight! Being outdoors and in nature made the experience feel balanced and exciting.”
Cassandra:
“For me, the VSP student cultural ambassadors Gaia and Heather were the highlight of the program and they made the experience so much better!”
Why should anyone join the UBC School of Nursing VSP?
Gillian:
“This program lets you meet international students from everywhere. Everyone here is developing their nursing career, so you learn about different cultures and perspectives along the way.”
Gigi:
“It’s a really unique experience because you meet so many new people, especially those from outside your home country. You also learn a lot from experienced nurses in the field.”
Cassandra:
“Through this experience, we saw many things we never see back home. And beyond the learning, there’s so much that Vancouver has to offer.”
What was your biggest takeaway from attending UBC Nursing VSP?
Gillian:
“Visiting senior care sites taught me that caring for seniors isn’t just about physical health or providing them with medicine, their mental well-being matters just as much.”
Gigi:
“My biggest takeaway is to try new things and not be scared of them! I also realized it’s so important to spend quality time with your grandparents while you still can and really appreciate them.”
Cassandra:
“I came here to learn about the differences between Canada and Hong Kong. I realised the environment here supports seniors in ways I hadn’t seen before, and I’m excited to bring that knowledge home.”
Gigi, Cassandra Gillian and peers in class (Package A)
What’s a funny memory you’ll cherish?
Gillian:
“One of my favourite memories was whale watching in Victoria, but everyone fell asleep! We still saw the whales, but mostly just their tails. We all joked that we saw the entire whale in our dreams!”
Gigi:
“Singing together during music night was super meaningful and so much fun. Seeing everyone together made it unforgettable!”
Cassandra:
“Zip-lining with my friends was definitely a memory I will cherish. Everyone was screaming the whole time, it was such a highlight.”
Was the experience anything like you expected?
Gillian:
“Yes, and it was even better than I expected. At first, I was nervous to come alone, but everyone was so kind. We talked a lot about senior care, and I learned so much.”
Gigi:
“It was more than what I expected. I was scared of feeling homesick, and missing out since all my friends were back in Hong Kong, but I met so many new friends and had so many new experiences. It was beyond what I imagined.”
Cassandra:
“Before coming here I only knew Gigi, but I ended up making friends with so many others. I didn’t expect that and it made the experience even more special.”
How will this experience help you in your nursing career?
Gillian:
“VSP Nursing gave me opportunities to visit senior care sites and talk with seniors. I learned different ways to connect and communicate with them, which will help in my future career.”
Gigi:
“This program encouraged me to explore senior care more deeply. I learned not to overlook caregivers as they play an important role and deserve much more recognition and support.”
Cassandra:
“Because I chose the senior health package, I’m now even more interested in geriatric nursing and want to explore this path further in my education.”
Gigi and Cassandra at Nursing Homes playing games with elders