In 2011, a group of us embarked on a shared journey, enrolling in UBC Engineering Physics with either faith or a naïve yet ambitious drive. Little did we know that this decision would lay the foundation for something truly special. As we navigated the challenges together, enduring countless late-night study sessions and lab hours, our simple friendships evolved into unbreakable bonds of steel. Even after graduation, the camaraderie persisted, expanding to include spouses and new friends who share our love for the great outdoors and engaging in occasional intellectual debates on scientific discoveries and world events. We even established a monthly book club, delving into titles ranging from "Dark Matter" and "Project Hail Mary" to "Come as You Are." The culmination of our shared passions led to the birth of an annual tradition: the book club camping trip. For two years, we had to put it on hold due to COVID-19. Finally, the third edition of this cherished event arrived, and it was more memorable than ever. Eighteen of us, including six APSC alumni and a total of twelve UBC alumni, came together for a blissful retreat at the enchanting Chilliwack Thurston Meadow group campground in our beautiful British Columbia. The third annual book club camping trip served as a poignant reminder of the enduring power of true friendship and the joy that comes from shared interests and experiences. Our hearts were filled with gratitude for the connections we had fostered and the memories we had created. As we bid farewell to the tranquil meadows, we knew that these cherished friendships would continue to flourish, bringing us back together time and time again, forever bound by our shared love for knowledge, nature, and each other.
Submitted by Jordan Karyanto, BASc '16
