Although the University of British Columbia lacked the specific academic curriculum focused on peace and conflict resolution on the Middle East, there were substantial alternative routes within the system that allowed me to access the knowledge and skills that I wanted from my degree. For example, the university offers multiple honours programmes (competitive admission), that allow you to develop your own research focus over a period of two years. The Arts Faculty, in particular, is very student-focused and facilitates faculty-student mentorships that allowed me to sophisticate my research endeavours, compounded by the availability of multiple research work opportunities with established professors. At the same time, there is a huge emphasis on fostering independence within students and critical thinking, especially in the honours history and international relations program that I undertook.

As a research focused university, UBC has both the staff and the learning values to equip you with the principles of independent pursuit to learn that which you want. If not available in a classroom context, you will find a plethora of student groups centred around diverse interests and contexts. These equip you with the self-starter skills to begin carving your own path and challenging your outlook to expand it in accordance with the diversity of opinions that flourish in a highly multicultural environment.