Reflecting on my time at UBC, I’m struck by the incredible connections I’ve made throughout my five-year degree in Engineering. From the early days in APSC 101 groups to the challenging yet rewarding experiences in my New Venture Design capstone project. Moreover, during my co-op at Verathon Medical as well as the BioMEMs lab, I’ve had the privilege of working alongside some truly talented and intelligent people. My journey in Integrated Engineering introduced me to a diverse and passionate community, and I’m grateful for the friendships and professional relationships I’ve built across all of these UBC Engineering circles.
As I prepare to embark on a new adventure—pursuing my PhD in Biomedical Engineering in Toronto this Fall—I’m reminded of the vibrant network I’ve been a part of here in Vancouver. Moving across the country is bittersweet, but the APSC Alumni Fund provided the perfect opportunity to bring together those I’ve connected with over the years for one last celebration - a goodbye beach bash!
The gathering was a beautiful way to close this chapter. We had APSC alumni from various disciplines—Integrated Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Engineering Physics, Chemical Engineering, and Computer Engineering—coming together to celebrate our shared experiences and the friendships that have shaped our undergraduate journey. It was heart-warming to see my friends form new connections with each other, especially those who hadn’t met before. We spent time reminiscing about our time at UBC, discussing future plans, and reflecting on what it means to be UBC alumni. It was super fun to munch on many snacks including an assortment of croissants, brownies, chips, fruits and more. Some of us were able to play spike ball and others were able to indulge in several rounds of board games (my personal favourite being Codenames).
And as the sun went down, we were able to say our goodbyes and give each other well wishes for the future! I feel so honoured and lucky to have met all of these wonderful people through UBC and I can’t wait to hear about all the amazing things they do next. What made this event truly special was the shared sense of accomplishment and the excitement for what lies ahead. We’ve all come a long way since our first days in engineering, and as we each move on to new challenges and opportunities, it was meaningful to take a moment to celebrate how far we’ve come. The bonds we’ve formed at UBC will undoubtedly carry forward into our futures, no matter where we go.
Submitted by Sajida Chowdhury, BASc '24
