Joris (Xuan) Jun
Vancouver, Canada
joris.jun@ubc.ca
2+2 Transfer Program
Forestry | Educational Programming | Teaching and Learning Support
“Most people think they can do good on what they are interested in. I think I’m the one who is interested in the things that I can do good”, says Joris.
This line pretty much sums up Joris’s attitude towards her education and work. From choosing a degree in forestry in the first place, to incorporating her passion for photography and machine learning into her work, Joris makes sure whatever she does would have a positive impact on people around her. To see just how her journey unfolds for Joris, read along!
In 2012, having already completed her first two years of undergrad back in China, Joris transferred to UBC under the 2+2 transfer program in her third year. Now looking back, it was a fun and exciting time for her. She was most excited about meeting new people from different cultures, exploring the beautiful scenery of Vancouver, engaging with new modes of learning – there’s just so much to learn! Time flew by, and in 2014, she successfully completed her Bachelor of Science in Forest Resources Management.
One year later, in 2015, Joris came back to UBC to pursue her master’s degree in Forestry. That same year, she started her work-learn position as the Transfer Program Coordinator at AFRC. Little did she know, this work-learn opportunity would play such a huge role in her later career.
In 2017, after having completed her MSc, Joris decided to continue her work with AFRC. As the Program Coordinator, she had the opportunity to provide mentorship for students, and to create a safe and supportive environment for new transfer students to thrive in. I could imagine how rewarding this must have been, to be on the other side of the 2+2/3+2 program now as an advisor. It’s astonishing how far Joris has come in just a couple of years!
During her time as a Transfer Program Coordinator, Joris had developed a passion for exploring new technologies. She quickly applied this newfound interest to her work, to developing new online courses for the 2+2+/3+2 program. In 2020, Joris has officially become the Educational Program Manager at AFRC. Aside from those online courses, Joris was also keen on applying her love for photography to editing videos for the AFRC website. Currently, she is enrolling herself in Machine Learning courses. This, says Joris, is done in hopes that “one day, I can make a product to support forest education”. From online courses to video editing, to Machine Learning courses, Joris makes it her priority to have a positive contribution to the broader community.
When asked why she decided to pursue a degree in forestry in the first place, Joris has this to say:
“Maybe it’s because climate change is a hot topic. I like watching hero movies. I’d like to be one of the heroes to save the world. However, since we as individuals only have limited capabilities, I would like to contribute to forestry education.”
That’s quirky. But whether we’d like to admit it or not, I think that most of us can at some point relate to this “hero complex”.
To me, hero movies are great at capturing that our desire to know that what we do, no matter how mundane things appear to be, actually matters. Hero movies often tell of a character of ordinary upbringings, but through a summon crosses the threshold and thus steps into the unknown. In the unfamiliar land, the hero has to complete certain tasks in face of trials and tribulations, whether it be from opposing enemies or unfortunate circumstances. Nevertheless, ultimately, the hero overcomes them all and obtains the reward. Through this all, the hero is able to bring positive changes to the community, and to the world. We see this hero pattern plays out in all sorts of hero stories – the classic Hercules and his ten labours, Alice and the wonderland, The Maze Runner, and many more.
This much is commonplace – yes we all want to know that what we do actually matters. But what Joris goes one step further, is her recognition that even if she’s not able to “save the world” herself, she is still willing to “contribute” in whatever ways possible. And that, she chooses forest education. From choosing a degree in forestry to incorporating her passion in photography and machine learning into her work, Joris’s relentless other-oriented mindset is evident. Her journal will sure make us all reflect on how we are to approach our own education and work and to do so with more intentions behind.
Authors/Editors: Tiffany Ma and Xinxin Zhu
Photos from: Joris Jun