Yangqian Qi
📍 Vancouver, Canada
📧 yangqian.qi@alumni.ubc.ca
🔗2+2/3+2 Transfer Program / Vancouver Summer Program / Go Global Exchange / Work-Learn Program
📝 Ecology / Natural Resources Conservation / Remote Sensing
Yangqian just graduated from our 2+2/3+2 Transfer Program in 2020, now he is back completing his MSC in the Integrated Remote Sensing Studio (IRSS) here at UBC’s Faculty of Forestry.
“I have had so many great memories during my undergraduate career.”
Before transferring to UBC in his third year, Yangqian spent his first two years of undergrad studying Ecology in China. There, even as an underclassman, he started working as a research assistant in several different labs. In 2017, Yangqian transferred to UBC to major in Natural Resources Conservation. But he is not settled. He again went on exchange in the summer of 2019, and this time, to the University of Cambridge.
“This Go Global experience has somehow unlocked a fantastic array of opportunities and friendships for me” — I am sure, Cambridge cutting-edge research, top-notch coursework, and the overall scholastic environment is every student’s dream. There at Cambridge, Yangqian again had the opportunity to work as a research assistant, this time studying vegetation photosynthesis using satellite imagery. Little did he know, his experience with satellite data processing would play a huge role in his later studies.
Yangqian returned to UBC in the fall of 2019 to finish his last year of undergrad. He had previously taken a course with Professor Nicholas Coops on Remote Sensing, and when spots on up to work for Professor Nicholas, he immediately jumped on board. And so Yangqian spent his final year working at UBC IRSS as a work learn student. Very quickly, he was amazed by the effectiveness of remote sensing technologies and its applicability in environmental management. “My Work Learn experience in IRSS inspired me to learn more about remote sensing and its application. I, therefore, decided to pursue an MSC with Dr. Nicholas Coops”.
What struck me about Yangqian’s journey, is how diverse his academic background is, and how only came across his area of interest in the last year of his undergrad. “I participated in the UBC Work Learn program at the tail-end of my undergraduate career. Yet, it has shaped the trajectory of my career planning and development”. I guess, the thread that weaves all these past diverse experiences into this vibrant academic journey of his, is his willingness to take risks and try new stuff.
“If you had the opportunity to do Go Global or Work Learn or other programs that you are passionate about, grab a hold of it!”
From China to Canada to the UK, Yangqian’s story reminds us to step out of our comfort zones, and to seize the opportunities that are in front of us. As I am writing this article in September 2020 (from home, of course), we are living in the midst of a pandemic. Our lives are turned upside down, universities have moved classes online, offices are closed, events pushed back, plans derailed… Yangqian also shares our frustration as this presented some challenges to his ongoing research. But still, Yangqian found the silver-lining through this all.
“I guess the positive side of working from home is that it gives me more time to practice cooking. My roommates and I would order a lot of groceries online, and we try to make dumplings and hotpot together!”
I admire how Yangqian continues to find new opportunities to develop his passions. Sure, the pandemic might have closed some doors, but it sure opens up new opportunities for us. Keep it up!
Edited by Tiffany Ma