Meet the Mentors

Kaori
kaori.mentor@gmail.com
Year in program: 4th Year



Career Interests: I would like to work with children, youth and families.

Practicums: Oak Bay Lodge in 3rd year and Ministry of Child and Family Development Service (MCFD) in 4th year

Volunteer Activities: Right now I volunteer as an assistant for the after-school program at the Boys & Girls Club. Once a month I help with the Inner City Dinner (ICD). Each year I participate as a counsellor for Operation Trackshoes. When I was a student at Camosun College I was a mentor and counsellor for the Peer Connections Program.

Favourite things to do: I enjoy biking and playing tennis or basketball. I also like cooking (and eating), and of course sleeping.

Favourite hangouts: My friend’s house

Words of advice to BSW students: Welcome to the SW program! You may feel like you have a long journey ahead; however, you will get there if you don’t stop moving. You are not alone. Please look around. You have friends. Social work is all about relationships. If you know how to establish a good relationship with others such as friends, professors and practicum supervisors, it is no exaggeration to say that you will complete the BSW…however, you will still need to do lots of papers…

Experience in the program: After 2 years of staying in Japan, I came back to Canada in 2009. It was a very difficult process to get used to speaking and learning in English in the first 3 months. I did not completely understand the materials and class discussions, but I could not really ask questions because I was afraid of asking “stupid questions” that might annoy other classmates. I still take more time to read materials (for example, in-class handouts); however, my professors and classmates were kind and patient with me. They always tried to answer my questions and to ask me questions if they did not understand what I said. From my experience, I have learned that “inclusion” is also a key practice for social work. I like the letter for “people” in Japanese because it shows that people are supporting one another. If more people are able to think about others, the society would be a bit better.

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Angela
ange.bswmentor@gmail.com
Year in program: 4th Year

Career interests: I am currently employed within the mental health and addiction field, both in the private and public sector, but I have also worked in hospital settings and long term care facilities. My interests vary and I am passionate about working with others.

Practicums: My 3rd year practicum was at Cedars at Cobble Hill Addiction Treatment Centre. It is a private addiction treatment centre in Cobble Hill, BC

Volunteer Activities: I volunteer my time to groups and individuals in need of assistance from drug and alcohol addiction and I have also volunteered in many recreational therapy departments in hospitals and long term care facilities in both Ontario and BC.

Interests/ favourite things to do: I enjoy yoga, hiking, and spending time with loved ones. But I am most passionate about traveling the world. I have been to various countries for many different reasons, including work and study.

Favourite hangouts: Coffee houses all over Victoria

Words of advice to BSW students: Be Patient. Take your time completing your degree and enjoy the learning process.

Experience in the program: My experience in the BSW program has been both challenging and rewarding. I transferred from psychology into social work and I was amazed at how difficult the transition was. Social work has been a program that has opened me up to all my blind spots. I have tons of personal and professional experience but nothing quite prepared me for really diving in and learning about anti-oppressive practice. I challenge myself to live an anti-oppressive life-style and it has been uncomfortable at times but the pay off has been personal freedom.

The biggest challenge for me in the social work program has been maintaining balance between my paid work and my course work. I have managed to do it by reaching out for help. I have talked with professors, counsellors, mentors and peers. Self-care can be hard to do, especially with the amount of reading in the social work program but making this a priority has helped me push through.

 

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Laura
laura.bswmentor@gmail.com
Year in program: 4th Year

Career interests: My interests are varied, and have evolved since I began my degree. I would like to work with adults and older adults, and I am interested in the field of Disability Rights.

Practicums: I did practicums with CNIB (planning summer camps mostly) and one with the Active Living Alliance for Canadians with a Disability (ALACD).

Volunteer activities: CNIB, ALACD and the All Abilities Welcome program, Youth Exchanges Canada, Saanich Peninsula Hospital, Options Pregnancy Counselling and Resource Center (OPCRC), among others…

Interests/favourite things to do: I enjoy volunteering, making food for people and hosting big dinners, games, walking, spending time with people!

Favourite hangouts: home with people I love, local café’s

Words of advice to BSW students: Realize that you have accomplished much to make it to where you are now and YOUR story is valuable! If you have an idea, it could happen, so share it, network and see what happens! Do not be afraid to approach the faculty/staff, they really do care and want to help you succeed.

Experience in the program: I have experienced that the staff and faculty at this school actually want me to succeed! I work hard, yes, but it means a lot to know that they are behind me. Also, I’ve learned that it is valuable to make connections with my peers in the program – it is fantastic to have good support!

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Lin
lin.bswmentor@gmail.com
Year in program: 4th Year

Career Interests: International Social Work, Community Development

Practicums: 3rd year at YWCA Munroe House, second-stage transition housing for mothers fleeing from abusive relationships

Volunteer Activities: I have helped out with volunteer recruitment and management at Canadian Cancer Society, facilitated a variety of groups in the community, and served as a mentor to current students at UBC.

Favourite things to do: traveling, reading, journalling

Favourite hangouts: eclectic shops/cafes on Commercial Drive in Vancouver

Words of advice to BSW students: organization and prioritization of work and other commitments is key to excelling in courses and making the most out of your studies!

Experience in the program: Although I was a little hesitant at first about how I could engage with others in online coursework, I have found most professors to be very welcoming and accommodating in orienting and supporting students. This, as well as the diversity in contributions made by classmates from across Canada, has definitely made my studies to be very unique!

 

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