Student Stories

Hello everyone! My name is Abolaji, and I’m an RA in Place Vanier. I’m currently in my fourth year in the Faculty of Science, majoring in Biology with a minor in Environmental Science. This is my third year as a Residence Advisor, and I still can’t believe how far I’ve come. When I first applied to be an RA, I was so nervous and unsure of what to expect, but here I am now, three years later, feeling confident, proud, and so grateful for everything this role has taught me.

My time as an RA has been transformative. It’s helped me build my confidence, strengthen my leadership skills, and grow in ways that have impacted almost every part of my life. It’s been incredibly rewarding to build meaningful and lasting connections with people, support residents, and create a welcoming environment where students feel seen and valued.

Outside of Residence Life, I enjoy spending time in nature, reading, drawing, and exploring new creative outlets. I’m so excited for another amazing year as an RA and I can’t wait to continue growing, learning, and supporting my residents along the way!

Hi there! My name is Anraj and I’m a Residence Advisor at Totem Park.

I still remember how my 17-year old self felt during my first few days at UBC; moving 3,000 km+ from Toronto to Vancouver was so daunting.

My RA went above and beyond to foster community among residents. From different events to multiple check-ins to floor-wide meals, I quickly felt at home in the UBC community.

Seeing the impact an RA has, I decided to apply! Since 2022, I’ve had the chance to serve as an RA across Orchard Commons and Totem Park. It truly has been an incredible experience. From supporting 90+ residents to meeting lifelong friends to hosting events, my RA journey has been full of so many good memories and growth!

Being an RA has also opened many doors for me in my professional career. The communication and leadership skills I developed help me land internships at companies I only dreamed of, like Tesla, Rocket Lab, and Arc Boats across cities like San Francisco, Toronto, and Los Angeles!

I owe a lot to my RA experience and encourage anyone interested to take the first leap and apply! You never know where it might take you! 🙂

Hey there! My name is Ayomiposi, and I’m a fourth-year Manufacturing Engineering student.

Throughout my time at UBC, I’ve explored a range of experiences, from being on an engineering design team to leading the Africa Awareness Initiative and participating in the co-op program. Each has taught me something unique, but my time in Residence Life has been the most remarkable.

As a Senior Residence Advisor, I’ve had the chance to build community, support residents through their university transitions, and create space for RAs to grow. Having experienced the position from both the RA and Senior RA perspectives, I’ve come to appreciate how deeply it develops people skills, professional growth, and confidence, which all prepare you for life beyond university and the industry. It teaches you to listen, adapt, and lead with empathy, while strengthening the problem-solving and interpersonal skills that make you a better teammate and leader. Whether it’s being an approachable first contact for residents and their families during move-in day traffic shifts or providing day-to-day support, I value the trust that comes with this role. The support from management also plays a big role, as they encourage reflection, independence, and the confidence to take on new opportunities for growth.

Hi everyone, I’m Joanna and I am a Resident Advisor in Totem Park. I’m in my third year of my BCOM degree studying Finance. This is my story from the beginning to now.

I first arrived at university in tears, not quite sure what to expect of first year. It wasn’t until I moved into my dorm did it start to feel real: the freedom, the responsibility, and the amazing people. The first to make me feel at home in this new environment were the community of RAs and floormates. I found a diverse selection of resources on campus that helped me smoothly transition, and attended many fun events.

Being an RA is the most rewarding job ever. I love working with my team of talented, passionate and hilarious superstars. They have taught me how to develop healthy communication skills, balance a life of work and play and be a leader. Additionally, I love building connections with residents. It is the most rewarding part of the job to see them grow into their own personalities over the year and make connections with each other.

Residence life does such an amazing job on providing students with opportunities to build robust, healthy communities. Being able to contribute to this mission has defined my experience at UBC.”

Hi! I’m Joey Dolayba, a Residence Advisor at Ritsumeikan-UBC House. I grew up on Vancouver Island, and I’m now in my fifth year at UBC, studying Political Science in the Faculty of Arts.

In my first year, I never expected how much my time at UBC would be shaped by the communities I joined. Beyond being an RA, I’ve been involved with Campus Tours, the Arts Undergraduate Society, and intramurals with UBC REC. Each group has taught me something new, but the RA community has been the most constant. Over the past three years in Ponderosa Commons, Orchard Commons, and now Ritsumeikan, I’ve felt supported, challenged, and inspired by other RAs and managers, and I’ve been lucky to work alongside residents who continue to motivate me every day.

I wanted to become an RA because of the impact my own first-year RA had on me. I still remember moving in and finding a personalized welcome letter taped to my door. It instantly made me feel at home. Now, as an RA, I get to offer that same sense of community to my residents. It’s a privilege to see them grow, step outside their comfort zones, and form meaningful connections.

Hello! I’m Thomas! I’m a fourth year student from Ontario and a Senior Residence Advisor at Place Vanier.

This is my third year working with Residence Life on Musqueam lands and it has been a rewarding and fulfilling journey. I am thankful for the opportunity to work with colleagues from all around the world, many of whom I am proud to call my friends. I have developed skills in leadership, communication, facilitation, support, and in many other areas. I am most proud of the diverse programs I have designed to foster healthy connections between first year students, whether that be to promote active living, provide resources for success in university and beyond, or even create a thrilling musical theatre performance!

Navigating the challenges of university life and living away from home has not been easy. However, my Residence Life colleagues, supervisors, and friends have supported me through every step. I am incredibly grateful for the connections I have developed and I am certain they will last a lifetime.

Outside of Residence Life, I enjoy running, skiing, singing with UBC Choirs, and performing research on weather forecasts. I hope to use the skills I have developed as a residence advisor to foster welcoming spaces at UBC and elsewhere!