This week HCUBC sat down with Cathy Zhu: aspiring nurse, cat enthusiast and the sweetest sweet potato I know. Read on to see Cathy’s thoughts on her time at UBC, her ideal future, and a surprising talent!
HCUBC: What year are you in, where are you from, what program are you in?
Cathy: I’m in first year, from Langley, and in the Food, Nutrition and Health program!
HCUBC: Why did you pick UBC?
Cathy: Honestly just to get away from Langley and explore the big city.
HCUBC: What is one way that UBC has surprised you?
Cathy: How community-based UBC is. Everyone here is so accepting, kind, and supportive of each other… I really can’t recall meeting anyone impolite or disrespectful! In real life anyway.
HCUBC: What are your plans for your degree?
Cathy: I’m actually hoping to switch into the faculty of Nursing in third year, so I’m not planning on staying in Food, Nutrition and Health. I am thinking about dietetics if I do decide to stay in LFS though.
HCUBC: What drew you to nursing?
Cathy: There was never a specific moment in my life where I was like, “yeah I’m DEFINITELY going to go into nursing.” I think there was a number of experiences which lead me towards nursing… but in short I realized that I liked working with people through three years of retail, and my interest in healthcare developed through my love for Biology (which will always be one of my favourite subjects), so it made sense to me to go into nursing.
HCUBC: So, in a world where anything is possible, what would be your dream career/future?
Cathy: I would legitimately love to be a nurse a few days of the week, open up my own bakery/coffeeshop and work there for a few days of the week, and then for the rest of the week it would be really nice to just spend the quality time to take care of as many neglected cats in the world as I can.
HCUBC: That sounds like the ideal career! Let’s veer off into the lighthearted, shall we… If you could be any vegetable, what vegetable would you be?
Cathy: THAT IS SUCH A HARD QUESTION because I love nearly all vegetables but I would 100% be a sweet potato because there’s no way you can mess up a sweet potato, it’ll always taste great.
HCUBC: So true! What is your biggest pet peeve about UBC?
Cathy: I don’t think theres anything that really truly gets on my nerves about UBC. But if I have to choose, it would be the occasional reckless drivers/bikers that seem like they don’t care if they run you over.
HCUBC: If you could have a magical power, what would it be?
Cathy: Dude I wish I could bend air like Aang from Avatar: the Last Airbender.
HCUBC: That sounds awesome! What is one silly thing that nobody knows about you?
Cathy: I’m the embodiment of silliness, I think anyone that knows me know that I’m weird. But I think a somewhat unknown fact is that I have ridiculous control over wiggling/moving my ears.
HCUBC: Whoa, I didn’t know that! Why did I not know this after living with you for 5 months?
Cathy: Haha I guess I never showcased my talent!
HCUBC: Haha, well let’s end off with you telling me your favourite joke.
Cathy: “After many years of studying at a university, I’ve finally become a PhD… or Pizza Hut Deliveryman as people call it.” This is pretty relatable.
Thanks Cathy for sharing with us this week, and here’s to hoping that last joke doesn’t come true!