Samiskha Mukerjee is a fourth-year student in the Natural Resources Conservation program – Global Perspectives major at UBC Forestry & Environmental Stewardship. Drawn by the program’s unique curriculum and global perspective, Samiskha shares her favourite experiences and what she has gained from choosing UBC Forestry & Environmental Stewardship as a student from the United States.
In this Q&A, Samiskha also offers advice to other American students considering studying in Canada.
Why UBC Forestry & Environmental Stewardship?
I was mainly drawn in by the uniqueness of the program of Conservation, especially with the majors it offered. I hadn’t really seen that anywhere else, and seeing the faculty’s rankings worldwide in the field was the major solidifying factor.
What was the process like for you as a student coming to UBC from the U.S.? Were there any unique challenges or surprises?
The process was fairly smooth, as I do have a U.S. citizenship, and then I acquired a study visa and SIN while here. Personally, what surprised me was the minute differences in social culture here. It’s quite similar to the U.S. in a lot of ways, but some little things just feel different about Vancouver.
Could you share some memorable experiences during your time at UBC Forestry & Environmental Stewardship?
I personally enjoyed being a part of FUS! It allowed me to keep up with all the events going throughout the department and branch out of my own degree’s comfort zone while building my interpersonal skills. I also really liked all the field trips I’ve taken throughout my classes that allowed me to explore some of the forests of BC and apply what I had learned in the classroom to real life.
Were there any specific courses, professors, or projects that significantly impacted your learning or career trajectory?
CONS 370 — Indigenous Forestry was an incredible course that helped me learn so much about the Indigenous peoples of not just Canada, but the whole world, and how vitally important it is to honor reconciliation efforts and acknowledge the impacts of colonialism in the forestry sector as we learn and carry out our future work. It showed me that environmentalism, too, can intersect with imperialism and take away from the marginalized voices of Indigenous people, who hold a deep understanding and knowledge of their traditional and ancestral lands.
How did the international environment at UBC shape your perspective on forestry and global environmental issues?
Being a first-generation immigrant myself, I had experienced diversity in the U.S. before, but coming to UBC and experiencing it in context of the subject I wanted to study opened my eyes to new viewpoints. Being in the NRC program meant that we learned about conservation issues worldwide, and it wasn’t uncommon to have TAs for classes that were from the regions we were studying who could provide lived experiences with not only the environment, but also the policies, economics, and infrastructure that all contribute to how the environment there was changing with the world’s constant development. These experiences allowed me to understand more holistically how the world truly works.
Did you participate in any research, internships, or extracurricular activities that added to your experience?
I did a GoGlobal Summer Seminar in Guatemala that was really transformative! I got to apply the research I was doing almost immediately into the papers I wrote, and I met so many incredible people working on inspiring grassroots projects and doing things I didn’t know existed before. I was also part of the Tri-mentoring Program for three years, and each year, I learned something new from my mentor and fellow mentee that eventually helped me shape what I wanted out of my future pursuits. I also joined Sustainability Ambassadors in my final year, which allowed me to work on community projects based around sustainability with like-minded people across different faculties.
What advice would you give to students in the U.S. who are considering studying forestry at UBC?
Do it! In my opinion, Canada’s a pretty safe option for going abroad, especially if it’s your first time leaving home. The social culture is fairly similar, the public transit is incredible, and the experience you get from the faculty as a student is unmatched. Of course, it’s also what you make of it! There are plenty of opportunities to go abroad (or back home!) again via GoGlobal, co-op, and more programs that UBC offers, so it’s completely up to you how to curate your experience here.
What should American students know about studying abroad, particularly in Canada?
The way university works may not be what you expected! Coming directly out of high school to another country can cause some culture shocks, especially academically. UBC’s grading scale works differently from most U.S. schools that I know of, so that’s definitely one major thing to be aware of. Also, buy a sturdy umbrella. It’s called Raincouver for a reason!
