Category: Student Life

Whether you live for the perfect Vancouver photo to highlight on your gorgeous Instagram feed or are a photographer looking for interesting spots in the area for amazing shoots, UBC (University of British Columbia) campus has something for everyone. There are countless hot spots to take perfect selfies, landscape shots and much more on its vast grounds. Without further ado, here are a few places one must abide by at UBC. 

1. Main Mall  

You will have to wait till the leaves change to red and yellow in the fall to produce a carpet along the bustling walks of Main Mall for a shot there. With a photograph of this important location, you can undoubtedly capture the soul of UBC. Even in the summer, the Main Mall is lovely, with luscious trees under the sun beaming brightly. Find a quiet spot to take it all in and get the whole experience of October in Vancouver. 

2. Wreck Beach  

From sunny picnic days to dramatic sunsets and bonfires, UBC students love this backyard beach. This location is especially magical for your Instagram account on days when the sun illuminates the heavens in every shade of pink and orange. Pose your models against the rocky shores or use the ocean as a backdrop as you explore deeper down the beach. Alternatively, take a quick landscape shot of the water and sky. 

3. Nitobe Gardens  

These lovely gardens are tranquil, calm, and picture-perfect. The lush greens of the mossy ground and the gently swaying trees make this a true hidden treasure on the UBC campus. Make sure to bring your camera along to capture the beauty of the Nitobe Gardens, whether you are going there to relax and breathe between sessions or take a walk through the verdant grounds.  

4. The Pharmacy Building  

This location is aesthetically attractive in an unexpected way. The design of the Pharmacy Building creates a fascinating backdrop, and the grey tone is ideal for adding bursts of color in the foreground. Use a broader angle to capture the entire structure in its astounding cubist proportions or take some basic yet eye-catching selfies. 

5. Irving K. Barber Library  

The façade of IKB is stunning, even though the chances of obtaining a fantastic image at a place we are wary of during the exam period are few. The stone edifice is similar to an antique church or something dark academia reminiscent. Sit on the stairs and take a picture with this incredible structure as your stunning backdrop or do some simple architectural photography. Either way, you cannot go wrong with a shot at this spot. 

6. The Rose Garden  

The Rose Garden is a beautiful place to visit. A famous location for lovely photographs, especially in the summer when the roses are in full bloom and come in a rainbow of colors. The Rose Garden is notably busy around graduate festivities and campus tours, but it is a small piece of heaven if you can find a peaceful moment throughout the week. Take a shot with the multicolored blossoms against a blue sky as your incredible backdrop. 

How we all eat is influenced by our cultures and food traditions. No matter what traditional practices we follow, whether eating from a bowl or right of a full plate or being curious about the cultural foods we consume, they all ultimately influence our nutritional needs. Hence, March being Nutrition Month is vital because it is a time to honour the countless foods and cultural dishes we eat and our hardworking dieticians. A healthier future requires various ingredients that dietitians explore during Nutrition Month. As well as components that can positively affect one’s health, there are significant changes like recommended eating schedules that can be implemented for the masses, not just now but also in the future. Dietitians also explore food sovereignty, food justice, food policy, and combating misinformation about our foods, eating habits, etc.
So with Nutrition Month in full force, we urge you to do something different with your diet. Embark on a new tasty journey and try some other culturally delicious dishes. Here is a list of some to enjoy:

1. Feijoada
BRAZIL
In addition to former Portuguese colonies such as Macau, Mozambique, and Angola, this dish originated in Portugal. The stew is made with beef, pork, garlic, onions, and bay leaves and is traditionally eaten on Saturdays. However, pace yourself as it is quite a heavy meal.

2. Borscht
UKRAINE
This soup is famous in Eastern and Central Europe and originated in Ukraine. The main ingredient in borscht is beetroot and stock and sauteed vegetables. It may be served hot or cold, so it’s perfect as low stress and quick meal.

3. Goi Cuon
VIETNAM
These delicious spring rolls include prawns, pork, rice noodles, and vegetables wrapped in rice paper. They are typically eaten by dipping them in a spicy chili sauce mixture.

4. Paneer Butter Masala
INDIA
Indian subcontinental cheese called paneer can be paired perfectly with butter masala, a tomato-based sauce rich in creaminess and spices. You can have either rice or flatbread as an aside with this dish.

5. Paella
SPAIN
It is a notable Spanish dish and is well known globally. It is cooked with chicken and seafood, but sometimes vegetarian renditions are available. Its title is inspired by the Latin word patella, roughly translating to the phrase “frying pan” in English.

6. Bacalhau
PORTUGAL
Bacalhau is Portuguese for cod. It consists of potatoes; however, garnishings such as parsley, hard-boiled eggs and olives are also included.

7. Bunny Chow
SOUTH AFRICA
Hollowed-out bread stuffed with curry forms the basis of this South African tasty dish. Migrant Indian workers discovered that bread was a convenient way to transport curries between sugar cane plantations and their homes. And thus, this meal was born.

8. Koshari
EGYPT
A tomato-vinegar sauce is mixed with rice, macaroni, and lentils and topped with fried onions and chickpeas. Vegetarians can enjoy this filling meal at roadside stalls and restaurants throughout Egypt. Garlic juice and hot sauce are sometimes added.

We would love to hear what you think about these dishes? If you have tried them or would like to try. We would love to feature you on our social media channels. Upload your favourite dish and tag us #ubcgssfoodies on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

Some students have expressed that listening to their favorite tunes while working helps with their focus and general ability to complete tasks. Songs (especially specific melodies, playlists, or genres) can be used as cues to trigger habits. According to James Clear, a habit loop includes:  

Cue, Craving, Response, Reward.  

And it all boils down to a concept called classical conditioning. Ivan Pavlov, in his study, realized that the dogs serving as his subjects drooled when they were served meat during his study of digestion. In the case of Pavlov’s dogs, the mere sound of a bell was enough to make them drool in anticipation of food (in a similar way, we can train ourselves with music as a cue). Just like waking up to a dinging sound from your phone or lying down in bed makes you sleepy, listening to a song or playlist can encourage you to perform better and boost your productivity.  

According to an Accountemps survey, 71% of professionals report feeling more productive at work when music is playing, and Spotify’s survey showed that music is the leading productivity booster for their workforce. So, if some songs work for you, you should probably go on playing them. However, finding or curating the perfect music playlist isn’t always easy. With endless music streaming services and songs out there, it gets a bit difficult to narrow down the right one.  

So, GSS has started an unofficial Spotify playlist for our vibrant community to add all our favorite tunes to. Please share your favorite songs that get you pumped up and ready for productivity by contributing to our playlist; we’d love to hear them.  

Disclaimer: The GSS do not endorse any of the songs or artists on this track.

Campus career fairs are some of the best places for graduate students to broaden their careers. You could be there for whatever reason; curiosity about various companies, looking for jobs, looking for valuable networking opportunities, and so on. No matter your aim, they cater to most needs and degrees because employers are always on the lookout for passionate and highly educated individuals such as graduate students.  

These days, more and more career fairs are being held online as a basic precaution during the pandemic. However, this does not have to hinder your experience and the benefits you derive from going. Graduate students can attend from their homes, offices or even while grabbing lunch at a favorite restaurant. Strong connections with recruiters from companies that you are interested in can still be made online, especially without some notable inconveniences traditional career fairs present (e.g. waiting lines). Not only that, but scheduling chats with recruiters is much easier online and the process is much quicker.  

However, while all that is settled, the most daunting thing about career fairs is not knowing what to ask. What are the right questions graduate students can ask to secure a network and possibly, a dream job? 

Without further ado, here are some great questions to ask employers and really make a long-lasting impression. 

A Specific Open Position 

Don’t ask for an open role outright. Employers will easily tell that you didn’t do your homework. Plus you have no excuse because during virtual fairs, you have the luxury of being able to search online any available roles even as the fair is going on. Instead, do research beforehand or at the very least, discreetly check if there are any existing ones before asking the recruiter a more suitable question at the fair like:

“What specific traits they require from an ideal candidate of (a specific role)”. 

The Hiring Process 

It’s a simple question but most often don’t utilize it. Not only does this allow you to get valuable input directly from someone reliable so you can utilize it while job hunting, but it shows the recruiter that you are serious about being thoroughly prepared; you clearly are passionate about catering your application to their needs and not just using online search to find vague requirements. And ultimately, you never know—they could be so impressed they reach out to you a few months down the line to offer an open job to you first. Try questions like:

“What does the hiring process for (open role) look like?”

“Can you tell me more about each stage in the hiring process for (open role)?” 

The Recruiter’s Experience at the Company 

In order to join a company, you have to ensure if it is a good fit for you. After all, you don’t want to waste your time as well as a recruiter or company’s time. Hence, it will be beneficial to learn about its work culture and its proudest achievements through a reliable source such as a recruiter. Besides, the more personal you get, the more unforgettable you seem to them. Say something like:

“What do you personally think is the best quality about working at (company)?”

“What are some of the challenges you’ve faced at (company)?”

Growth and Evolution 

Something as simple as these example questions goes a long way in showing the recruiter you will be a dedicated and long lasting employee; you’re already thinking about your future working with them.

“What does development look like in (open role)”

“I believe that the workforce is always evolving. How does (company) upskill its employees to evolve with it?”

You can also take advantage of virtual fair formats by suggesting that the recruiter could share some links to where you can discover more personal testimonials from workers. Furthermore, this can send the message that you know your worth and you also care about how fellow professionals are being treated.

Services and Recent News 

While doing research on open positions to ask about, also take the time to read about their recent accomplishments and familiarize yourself with their services. For instance, they may have released a new product so it is a great opportunity to ask:

“I recently heard (news) and I am thrilled about it. How has it impacted employees and the company?” 

You can mention you did some readings of your own but you want to take advantage of virtual fair formats by asking the recruiter to share any links to news they’re most excited about.

Saying Goodbyes and Staying in Touch 

Wrap up your productive chat by collecting contacts (e.g. LinkedIn, email, etc.) so you can reach out afterward and ensure a long-lasting relationship. Say something like:

“What would be a great next step to take after meeting you here?”  

Also, after the fair, you could send a simple email thanking the recruiter for their time. It’s a good way to leave a positive impact as well as discreetly remind them that you’d like to stay connected and have further discussions because you find them interesting.  

Good luck and stay positive!