UBC - a whole new world

For my program UBC is ranked in the top 10 in the world. Additionally for my course, it provides all the required courses that I need to study in order to be certified for my profession in Canada. According to the BCBA website (Board Certified Behaviour Analyst), UBC is one of the universities that is verified to provide the required courses in order to attempt the certificate exam. As an international student, my experience has been great. The students are friendly, the professors are amazing. The course is extremely student friendly and if we plan properly, it's not stressful throughout the semester, including the end term exams.

The course is exceptionally updated with the current research that is happening in my field. As my program is course based and not research based, I wasn't given any research experience. As the BCBA certification requires us to work 2000 hours under supervision before we give the certificate exam, the program is designed such that students can work with children in the morning and attend classes in the evening. Passing the graduate program has nothing to do with the completion of 2000 hours.

- Specific to my course - I needed to have experience working with children for 2 years. My scores: IELTS 8.0; minimum requirement is 6.5. The GRE was not mandatory so I didn't submit. No other test is required. - GD Goenka University, BA (Hons) Psychology, 9.21; Madras School of Social Work, MSc Counseling Psychology, 80% - CBSE - 9.6 (10th); CBSE - 93.4% (12th) - Requirements: 1. LOR: I had to submit details of 3 people who will provide the university directly with the LORD. The people had to have a work domain specific email address and not a commercial domain (e.g. gmail or Yahoo). 2. SoP: I had to submit an SoP of maximum 2 pages. I had to provide details of my work experience, why I wish to pursue this course and what are my future goals. I also provided information as to why I specifically chose UBC for the program. As an international student, I specified that after the program and gaining work experience in Canada I wish to come back to India to spread the knowledge. 3. CV: it is not a requirement. 4. Interview: A semi-formal interview took place where the professor checked my readiness to travel to a new country and what my future plans and goals were. It was more about getting to know me as an international student, how ready I was (financially and mentally) to move to a new country.

There is a demand for my profession, so students usually find a job in the same field while they are studying, such as me. Initially they work part time and once we graduate we can work full time. As a certified professional you can either be self employed or work for a center. Professors are extremely helpful in providing you with a list of people or centers that we can approach. As my course is unique, there is no specific placement process. The median salary depends on how many hours the student wishes to work. As a part time student I ask for $25 an hour and work for 14-16 hours a week only, as I also give priority to my education. Once students graduate the hourly rate increases to $30-45 per hour, depending on your skills and work experience. Once we receive our certificate the rate changes to $70-130 per hour.

My program doesn't have a co-op or a required internship. But the course is designed to go hand in hand with the requirements of the BCBA board certification. So students can work in the morning and attend classes in the evening. In my case my program advisor helped me find supervisors under whom I can work. I then sent the supervisors an email and depending on if they can take on additional students, then they responded accordingly. Some supervisors charge you for supervision but some don't.

Tuition Fee: $15,700 per year and this is for international students.

I received 2 scholarships for a total of $1500. It wasn't a special scholarship. I received an email from the University stating that they were offering me the International Tuition Award and it was up to me to accept or decline it. I did not have to write any essays or give any interviews to receive the scholarship.

For my year, the ratio is 1:9 students. For my seniors it was 1:16 students. We have about 4-5 professors who conduct the courses. They all have a PhD in their respective fields and are extremely well versed. They always teach the content based on our experience with children which makes it easier to grasp the concept. They are very much approachable by email and usually respond in 1 or 2 working days. Dr. Joseph, Dr. Pat and Dr. Richard are amazing professors who are knowledgeable and friendly in their communication.

UBC has so much to offer. Wifi is available to all, separate libraries for different departments, free access to all research papers which usually require the public to pay an amount, and recreational clubs are endless. As a graduate student I don't find time to be a part of the clubs but if one wishes to, they can. Lastly the campus is HUGE with so many gardens, greenery, beaches and cafes. It's like a whole new city in Vancouver.

I have chosen to live off campus. Cost of living in Vancouver is comparatively higher as compared to other cities in Canada. My monthly expenses including rent, phone bills, utilities and groceries are between $1400-1500. The cost varies if you choose to live far away from campus or closer. The farther you live the cheaper. If you want to have a private bedroom, it's more expensive. Cost of living becomes easier once a student finds a part time job.