Mech Ambassadors – The inside scoop on the life of a UBC Mech student

The Scenic Route: My Coop Journey through Research Labs, Fusion, and EV chargers

If you’ve ever felt like your degree is taking a bit longer than planned—welcome to the club! It will take me six years to wrap up my degree (two more than the usual), but I wouldn’t trade those extra years for anything. Why? Because they gave me a chance to dive deeper into the industry through a series of coop placements that shaped my career path in ways I never imagined.

My journey kicked off with a six-month internship in a research lab, part of the CREATE U program. The project? Working on mechanical assemblies for bellows. While the task was hands-on and technical, it was the people around me who really expanded my horizons. I spent my days learning from grad students who introduced me to the world of controllers and embedded C programming. Soon enough, I was helping them optimize scripts and—surprise, surprise—my interest in software engineering was born. This experience planted the seed for my eventual specialization in mechatronics.

Next, I found myself at General Fusion, a company aiming to achieve commercial nuclear fusion. For 20 months, I worked as a Diagnostics and Controls Engineer. I started off working on mechanical diagnostics, but the more I interacted with the machine, the more curious I became about the data pipelines and control systems behind it. Slowly but surely, I began taking on software side projects, which eventually led to a full transition into software and controls engineering and honing my DevOps Skills.

Photo By Meet Nandu, Bellow Installation and Control Design for Laser Additive Manufacturing Machine

Photo By Meet Nandu, General Fusion Plasma Injector

The best part about working at General Fusion wasn’t just the complex, scalable systems I helped design and maintain—it was the friends I made along the way. From bike weeks to Christmas parties, the sense of community at General Fusion was unbeatable. Plus, who can say no to running the Sun Run with your coworkers?

Photo By General Fusion, the team

For the last 8 months of my coop adventure, I worked as a Software Automation Test Engineer at Delta Q Technologies, a company focused on electric vehicle chargers. By this point, my transition from mechanical engineering to software was complete. I spent my time developing test system infrastructures, testing and implementing firmware and diving deeper into product development on the commercial side of the industry. It was here that I really honed my industry skills and learned how products move from concept to market.

The work was great, but I have to say, Delta Q’s company culture was a highlight. Even though I worked remotely most days, I had the chance to join engineering team-building activities, Soccer Fridays, Basketball Wednesdays, and a second round of the Sun Run. Oh, and did I mention Delta Q has a pet-friendly policy? I used to be a little scared of dogs but I ended up making a dog bestie at the office— a character development arc for me haha!

Photo By Delta Q technologies, Easter Bunny Chocolate Decor on IC650 Charger

Photo By Meet Nandu, with a dog (Oliverrrrr!!)

All in all, my coop experiences were invaluable. They not only shaped my technical skills but also gave me memories and friendships that will last a lifetime. It’s incredibly important to explore and understand what works best for you before entering the real world. Maybe, like me, your interests lie in controls or software rather than pure mechanical design. Or maybe you want to dive deeper into dynamics, simulations, and CFD. Some of you might even be wondering, “Am I in the right degree?”

Here’s the thing: Mechanical engineering is broad, and your skillset can take you into just about any industry. You don’t have to be a computer science major to get into software, just like you don’t need to stick to traditional mechanical roles. Whether it’s materials, structures, electronics, or biomechanics, they all interact with mechanics in some way, and with a mechanical degree, you can pursue almost anything. So, if you’re feeling a little lost right now, don’t worry—there’s always a way to figure out what you really want to do.

Currently in my last year of school, I’m working as a Web Development Assistant. Beyond part-time bug fixing I love this role of a full time guide for you all, a voice for UBC Mechs! If you’re reading this, I hope you get the chance to dive into similar experiences, and if you’ve already had some, I’d love to hear your stories! You can reach me at studentassistant@mech.ubc.ca.

Here’s to the scenic route—it might take longer, but the views are unbeatable!

MECH Options: Flex

An EEG device similar to one used in MECH 465, used to record brain waves. Photo by Mindfield Biosystems on Unsplash.

You might have heard about the various options that MECH offers for students to specialize for their 3rd and 4th year. These are the options:

Flex – maintain a broad focus of MECH, with more freedom for choosing courses
Aerospace – anything to do with flight, such as aircraft and spaceflight
Biomechanics and Medial Devices – motion within the human body and designing devices to improve human health
Energy & Environment – energy, sustainability, transportation
Mechatronics – combining MECH with computer, electrical, and controls engineering
Naval Architecture & Marine Engineering – marine transportation to offshore wind farms

For more information about the MECH options and selection process, visit the UBC MECH website.

Today I’ll be talking about my experience with the Flex option. I’ll describe why I chose this option and what it looks like in comparison to the others.

Why I chose the Flex Option

Although I knew I was interested in mechanical engineering, I wasn’t sure exactly what field interested me most. Since mechanical engineering is such a broad field, there are numerous industries that we can work in. The Flex Option includes 22 credits of technical electives that students can choose from. This opportunity to continue exploring different interests and customize my degree seemed like the right fit for me. Additionally, I think that a good engineer is one that is well-rounded. All options and MECH have an aspect of this, where we have a standard set of mandatory classes in things from heat transfer to controls. The Flex Option has the most support for this well-rounded approach, since students can choose so many of their electives. Mechanical engineering interfaces with multiple areas. When designing any system, being able to see it from multiple sides – from electronics, software, energy, thermodynamics, manufacturing, and more – that is what allows us to create successful designs.

Elective options

In this section I’ll discuss some of the electives I chose, and what others in Flex have also enjoyed. Some of my electives were taken abroad on my exchange at DTU (read more here), but I was still able to have a lot of choices at UBC.

I took:

MECH 380, Fluid Dynamics: Focuses on external and compressible flow for applications to planes, automobiles, pipelines, etc. I took this class to open doors if I decided to learn more about aerospace.
MECH 327 , Thermodynamics II: Air cycles, gas mixtures, and reacting systems, among other topics. It was interesting to learn more about how engines work – I felt that this was important knowledge to have as mechanical engineers.
MANU 465, AI and Machine Learning Applications in Manufacturing: AI and machine/deep learning in Python with applications to manufacturing processes. With all the new advancements in technology these days, I wanted to gain some basic knowledge to stay current! Our final project was to use an EEG device and interpret the data using machine learning principles. My group did ours on measuring the change in brain activity while listening to different genres of music.
MECH 496, Engineering Management: Organization and management structures, finance, project management, and other business topics. I was always interested in business before I chose engineering, and have thought about doing an MBA. This was a good overview of what that might look like. As engineers we usually either go into the technical side or management side of a company.
MECH 436, Fundamentals of Injury Biomechanics: anatomy, impact experiments, test devices. As someone who grew up playing sports, I’m excited to learn about how sports equipment is developed and why injuries occur! I’m interested in getting some breadth, testing out if I’m interested in a more biomedical focused field.

If you’re like me and are unsure about what industry you want to work in, or want to keep your options open, or just want to try multiple things before graduating, the Flex Option might be a good choice for you!

Exploring MECH 423: A Hands-On Journey in Mechatronics

If you’re considering mechatronics in your mechanical engineering journey, MECH 423: Mechatronics Product Design offers a glimpse into the field’s exciting and interdisciplinary nature. It’s a lab-focused course where you apply concepts from various areas to build systems from the ground up. Here’s what to expect and how it shaped my learning experience.

MECH 423 is entirely project based, which makes it one of the most practical, hands-on experiences you can have in your mechatronics degree (alongside Capstone) where you will use your knowledge from controller design (MECH 467), sensors and actuators (MECH 420) and other software courses like (CPSC 259, CPEN 333) to develop a mechatronics product. The course is a marathon of problem-solving and design challenges that push you to learn by doing—and trust me, it’s as rewarding as it sounds.

The journey begins with foundational labs:

Lab 1: Understanding the software architecture of a mechatronic system. Here, you dive into C# programming and learn how to create user interfaces (UI). This forms the basis of how you’ll interact with mechatronic systems.
Lab 2: Embedded system design in embedded C. You’ll explore the intricacies of firmware development, bare-metal programming, and the embedded architecture that forms the backbone of modern mechatronic devices.
Lab 3: A culmination of the first two labs. You solder a PCB, integrate motor drivers, and program the logic for a two-axis gantry system. This involves blending hardware and software skills—everything from controlling motors with firmware to interfacing with a C#-based UI application.

And finally we work on a project of our choice that synthesizes everything. This is where creativity and technical knowledge collide, and you can create something truly interesting and meaningful in a short span of around 1 month.

Our Project: A Robotic Gripper

(You can also read about Janet’s MECH 423 project here.)

For my project, we built a robotic gripper that could adjust its grip force. The idea was simple but important—robots need to handle all kinds of objects light and heavy, long and narrow, short and bulky. The goal was to design a gripper capable of adjusting its grip force to interact safely with objects or even humans. Imagine a robotic arm picking up both a heavy box and a delicate sugar cube—it needs to know how much force to apply to avoid damaging the object.

Robotic Gripper End Effector

Load Calibration of the gripper.

Here’s how we approached it:

Gripper Design: We designed a sturdy yet flexible mechanism for gripping objects securely without causing damage.
Force Control: We implemented a current-control system on firmware and calibrated it using a load cell to measure the force. A potentiometer let us manually adjust the grip for different objects.
Electrical Components: We worked with motor drivers and hall sensors to power the system and provide feedback.
User Interface: Using python, we built a simple application to monitor the force being applied.

The design day demo involved putting our finger in between the gripper and demonstrating how a low grip target set on the gripper makes it easy to pick objects like sugar cubes without crushing them and reduce pinch hazard during human – robot interaction and at the same time it can pick up weights as heavy as 20 kgs without hesitation.

Advanced robotics use computer vision, train on input data and finally categorize, detect and recognize objects and set a target force based on the object in front of the gripper. Given the timeframe and the scope of the project, we didn’t go that far but we still managed to build a reliable, functional system we were proud of.

The process wasn’t without its challenges. Debugging became our second nature—almost like a rite of passage. Spending 3–4 hours in the lab every evening (and occasionally battling headaches from stubborn bugs) was tough, but the satisfaction of seeing our system come to life made it all worthwhile.

MECH 423 shows you the practical side of mechatronics: building, testing, and refining systems until they work seamlessly. It’s not always easy, but it’s incredibly rewarding.

Yes, the challenges are real. Expect sleepless nights, endless debugging sessions, and moments of self-doubt. But with every solved bug, every lab success, and every project completed, you’ll find yourself becoming a more confident, capable engineer. This is when you start to think beyond grades and truly appreciate how seamlessly these products have incorporated into our lives and marvel the engineering going behind it.

If you thrive on challenges and crave the satisfaction of creating something from scratch, mechatronics is for you. The degree equips you with a unique skill set that blends mechanical, electrical, and software engineering—preparing you for a future in automation, robotics, IoT, and beyond.

So, prospective students: dive in. Embrace the bugs, the setbacks, and the late nights. Because at the end of it all, you’ll look back and realize it was worth every single moment. And who knows? Maybe one day, you’ll be designing systems that change the world.

My Exchange Experience in Denmark – Part 2

The iconic double-decker bus drives past the Palace of Westminster in London. Photo by Aron Van de Pol on Unsplash.

Welcome back to Part 2 of my exchange in Denmark! I’ll be continuing on with the next two topics to introduce you to what your international experience could look like:

travelling and exploring
my professional and personal growth from this experience

Travelling

Growing up in Canada, travel is somewhat inaccessible. With how large the country is, there are fewer options for easy travel to any place significantly different than home. When I came to Europe, I was shocked with how simple and cheap it was to visit such diverse places. I’ve always prioritized experiences over things – I believe that they provide the most meaning in my life! Additionally, I’d like to live and work outside of Canada post-grad, but I’m still unsure of where I want to go. I was hoping that through travel I would find some clarity in what I’m looking for in a future home. In this section, I’ll recommend some tips for travelling on a budget and also some of my favourite spots I visited on exchange!

Travel tips for the budget student:

Set a central home base – Denmark wasn’t the best choice for this due to its geography, but somewhere like France has many train and bus routes alongside air travel for more options.
Have flexible expectations – It’s good to know where you already want to go, but you might have the opportunity for somewhere you didn’t expect! I chose my destinations depending on price and timing, so I ended up going to unexpected places that happened to be cheap.
Understand your standards – Don’t get too cheap! Know what your boundaries are: for mine safety was number one. Oftentimes cheap prices align with sketchy areas – do your research!
Do your research – It saves money to be prepared! You might get deals on attractions or know the best local restaurants. Depending on the location, we would cook meals instead of going out to save money (the food is not always the main attraction).

Some Favourite Destinations

I learned through visiting multiple countries that there is a difference between wanting to live somewhere and enjoying travel there. These were my favourite cities that I visited in Europe:

To live (and work):

A group of people sit and lie under the sky, which is filled with views of the green and purple Northern Lights. The field they lie in is empty, and the trees lining the horizon can be barely made out in the darkness.

Northern lights in Copenhagen.

Another view of the Palace of Westminster on a typical London cloudy day. The streets are calm and winding.

Palace of Westminster, London.

Copenhagen, Denmark: The vibes and energy of the city, especially in the summer, were amazing. The only things are, it’s very expensive, and I wish there was more diversity in the food and people living there.

London, UK: I loved how lively the city was, a big change compared to living in Vancouver. It was very diverse, and the Chinatown was great. But the pound made things very expensive, and although I got lucky with the weather on my visit, I hear that it’s cold and wet almost all year.

To travel:

The Budapest parliament building lights up the night, seen from a boat riding down the Danube canal. The waters are calm and peaceful.

View from a boat ride down the canal in Budapest.

Colourful buildings rise in rows up a hillside in the town of Cinque Terre, Italy. Ocean waves crash against a dock at the bottom of a road lined with small boats.

Colourful town in Cinque Terre.

A hidden cove in Mallorca lined with bushes and trees. The water is clear and blue, and many people wade out in the shallow water.

One of the secluded coves in Mallorca.

Budapest, Hungary: Such a lively and youthful city, and the canals are beautiful especially at night. Everything was so affordable so it’s a great spot for budget travelers.
Cinque Terre, Italy: Going in the off-season, the weather was colder but the towns were so serene and quiet. The colourful buildings were beautiful and the food was amazing (especially tiramisu)!
Mallorca, Spain: The coves and beaches are gorgeous and feel so different than beaches in Vancouver. Every spot feels like a hidden gem, and the water was incredibly clear and blue.

Growth

Through my exchange experience, I definitely feel that I’ve grown as an engineer and also as a person. Meeting and learning more about so many people from all over the world broadened my perspectives on the world and helped me better understand different points of view – which I believe is vital for engineers designing solutions for others. I was also able to learn more about the industry in a another country, how they approach the working life, and discover what elements I look for in a future workplace or home country.

Personally, living in Denmark has taught me to truly live in the present and appreciate the beauty of where you are, wherever you are. Moving to another place and leaving so quickly reminded me how fleeting experiences are, and how we should treasure every moment. I’m beyond grateful to have been able to experience this and would recommend it to any student considering going on exchange or working abroad. If you are interested in exchange or CIE and looking to learn more, visit website here. We also have several other posts about CIE on the MECH Ambassadors site: this one would be a great start for learning about CIE!

MECH Project Courses

A 3D printer creating a new part. Photo by Osman Talha Dikyar on Unsplash.

One of my favourite parts of the MECH program is the design project courses we have every year. It feels like these are what all of the theoretical studying in lectures are meant for. They encourage critical thinking, creativity, and problem solving skills, and are very transferrable to what work might look like after graduating. This post is about each of the project courses and my experiences through each one.

MECH 220 – Technical Skills Practicum

Student-made magnetic levitation device that levitates a miniature version of the UBC Engineering Cairn. The circuit board and magnetic coil is visible.

Complete MagLev device

This course is the first thing you’ll take as a new MECH student! It’s structured as four one-week modules that cover machining, engineering drawings, computer aided design, and electronics. As a result, you will create a magnetic levitation (MagLev) that showcases your learning over the entire month. To this day, this is still one of my favourite courses in MECH. The machining module was my favourite, where we got to use the mill, lathe, press, and various hand tools. It felt like we were real engineers, not just students studying equations. I was also able to bond with my classmates during this time, as we would see each other every day, all day, working together.

MECH 223 – Mechanical Design

Race track meant for hovercrafts roped off and surrounded by MECH students.

Competition day.

Our creatively decorated hovercraft.

At the end of MECH 2, we form teams and design something together. Our task was to design a hovercraft for racing competitions against other teams. The hovercraft needed to travel quickly, stop accurately, and maintain specific speeds using an RC transmitter. Using our knowledge of fluid dynamics and material properties, we designed an air cushion for reducing sliding friction on the track. Our design uses two propellers connected to DC motors, a foam/cardboard base, plastic skirt, and 3D printed mounts. It was a great end of year project to recap all our learning in MECH 2.

MECH 328 – Mechanical Engineering Design Project

A large search and rescue boat sits by the dock in the marina. The boat has a soft hull and an observation area for crew.

SAR boat we toured during a site visit!

Inside the search and rescue boat observation area, the control dashboard is lit up with navigation and many controls.

Learning about the control interface.

For the third year project course, we were given an open ended problem and had freedom to choose what design to theoretically create. The prompt was to remove combustion engines from a product, and replace the energy source with something more sustainable. My group chose to electrify search and rescue (SAR) boats. Since this project has more of a focus on stakeholder consultation, we were able to meet with and tour a SAR boat thanks to Royal Canadian Marine SAR volunteers. It was interesting to explore something I didn’t know much about, but I wish that there was a build component to the project.

MECH 45X – Capstone

A current solution – which we’d like to make higher tech! Photo by Stephanie LeBlanc on Unsplash

It’s currently my final year, and I’m just starting to ramp up my Capstone project. In this course, you are able to choose or rank what prompt you are interested in, and have more freedom with choosing your team members. The projects all interface with real clients, and typically you would build a working prototype by the end of the year. For my capstone, my team is working on designing a better wildlife hair snag to collect DNA samples for biological research! It’s still early on in the process, but I’m looking forward to building something that will be used in the real world.

If you like solving design problems and thinking of novel solutions, you will enjoy the project courses in MECH! From participating in these projects I feel better equipped and more confident about my knowledge and experiences going into the industry. I would encourage anyone to make the most of this time, where we can explore our interests and have design control over our work, which is not always the case post-grad.

Research or Industry: What is the right choice for me?

As graduation approaches, many of us face a big question: Should I pursue a career in research or dive into industry? Both paths offer rewarding experiences, but the right choice depends on your passions, goals, and desired work environment.

Why Choose Research?

If you’re deeply curious and passionate about diving into a specific area, research might be the perfect fit. Academic research allows you to explore uncharted territories, develop new knowledge, and contribute to solving global challenges. In Canada, research roles—especially in universities—are often well-supported through grants, encouraging innovation in various fields, including clean energy, materials science, or advanced robotics.

Advantages of Research:

Deeper Exploration: You can pursue a topic you’re truly passionate about, with the freedom to experiment and innovate.
Academic Environment: Surrounded by experts, you’ll have mentorship opportunities and the chance to collaborate with leading scholars.
Flexible Schedule: While research demands dedication, academic environments often offer more flexibility around work hours.

Challenges of Research:

Deadlines & Funding: Research timelines are tied to funding cycles and grant approvals, which can add pressure. But this also fosters project management and proposal-writing skills.
Long-Term Focus: Research outcomes may take time to materialize, so patience and persistence are key.

Why Choose Industry?

On the other hand, jumping into industry gives you hands-on experience in applying what you’ve learned. Industry roles bring a dynamic pace, where you’ll work on real-world projects and see immediate impact. Canada’s booming sectors—such as renewable energy, automation, and AI-driven technologies—offer diverse opportunities for mechanical engineers.

Advantages of Industry:

Immediate Impact: You’ll apply classroom concepts directly and quickly see the tangible results of your work.
Broader Skill Development: In industry, you’ll gain skills beyond engineering, like project management, teamwork, and communication. Industry also pushes you to solve complex, multi-disciplinary problems, broadening your expertise.
Structure and Deadlines: If you thrive in a fast-paced environment with clear deliverables and timelines, industry will keep you engaged and motivated.

Challenges of Industry:

Tight Deadlines: While exciting, industry roles come with structured deadlines and fast turnarounds. You’ll need to prioritize efficiency and adaptability.
Less Flexibility: The focus is on delivering results, which can mean less freedom to explore side interests compared to academia. But this can be a great way to master time management.

Ultimately, choosing between research and industry comes down to understanding what excites you. If you’re passionate about deep dives into specific topics and don’t mind delayed gratification, research will let you push the boundaries of knowledge (You can read more about undergraduate research opportunities undergraduate-research-in-mech. If you want to apply your skills immediately and see direct results, industry offers an exciting, fast-paced environment to grow in. Alternatively, you could pursue a role in Research and Development (R&D), where you get to experience the best of both worlds. Many companies are at the forefront of developing cutting-edge technologies, combining deep research with practical industry applications. During one of my co-op terms, I had the privilege of working at an R&D company focused on developing the world’s first nuclear fusion reactor (Can read more about my co-ops at my-coop-experience. It was an incredible environment where research directly translated into tangible industry results—a perfect balance of innovation and impact.

Both paths offer incredible opportunities, and the best part is, Canada’s engineering landscape supports both transitions. Ultimately, it’s all about what drives you—so think about what environment energizes you most and makes you happy :))

My Exchange Experience in Denmark – Part 1

Nyhavn, a popular canal street in Copenhagen. Photo by Max Böhme on Unsplash.

Last term, I was fortunate to have the opportunity to go on exchange through CIE (Coordinated International Experience), which is the APSC customized exchange program at UBC that connects students with partner universities. I spent one 5 month term abroad at the Technical University of Denmark, one of UBC CIE’s partner institutions. By going abroad through CIE, I was able to take advantage of premapped courses for transfer credits and use the term as a co-op work term.

This was something I had always wanted to do even prior to starting university, I was super excited to gain experience living away from home in a new place! This is Part 1 of 2 where I’ll be sharing what my life on exchange looked like, in this post I will be covering the first two points:

Danish culture
learning at DTU (Technical University of Denmark)
travelling and exploring
my professional and personal growth from this experience

I hope through this series you can learn more about international opportunities for study through UBC!

Danish Culture

Other than considering the university, it’s important to think about the city where you will be living for the next couple months. Experiencing a different culture was a priority for me, and definitely helped me grow even more as a person.

The concept of hygge is at the core of the Danish soul. Hygge is described as “cozy, content, and warm” – but it’s a feeling that can’t be put in exact words. Hygge for me was hosting brunch in my dorm in the early morning, having a warm kanelsnegle (cinnamon bun) in a funky cafe, or laying in the sun when the weather is just warm enough. Walking around the city, I had never seen so many cute cafes, restaurants, and even just nooks and crannies in the streets.

The Danish essential.

Spring in Copenhagen.

Cute cafes are a must.

Both the city and community felt grounded. With the focus on organic and seasonal food, and biking or walking normalized, I felt like my healthiest self while living there. During my term, I got to witness the change of seasons, and with it the change in energy of the community. The winter was cold, windy, and dark. Days were spent bundled up drinking hot drinks and indoors, and the streets were quiet. When the weather shifted to even the slightest bit warmer and sunnier, it was like the city came to life. People were outside at all times, sitting on patios and on the grass lining the canals in the middle of the day. I was shocked, wondering where all these people came from! With most of the year being cold, you could tell that the people here appreciated the nice weather so much, reminding me of summers in Vancouver.

At the beginning of my term, I regretted coming to Copenhagen in the winter. But seeing both sides of the city was so valuable – I would recommend anyone to experience Danish hygge any time of the year.

Learning at DTU

During my four month term, I took 4 classes, with one being an online course:

At the top of the wind turbine!

Introduction to Wind Energy
Since Denmark is one of the world leaders in this technology, I was excited to take this course. It provides a base understanding of how wind turbines work, what calculations go into designing one, and its role in Danish energy supply and economy. This was my most involved course, where we went on field trips and built our own turbine blade. My favourite part was the opportunity to climb up a ~200m turbine, a worthwhile challenge for someone afraid of heights.

Robot Autonomy
This course teaches the analysis, design, and evaluation of robotic/automated systems using ROS2! It was definitely my mostly challenging course since it was at the Master’s level. As a general MECH student, I was happy to try something exploring the MECHA and software side of things.

Introduction to Programmable Logic Controllers
After learning about what PLCs were in my co-ops, I wanted to explore building and using these systems in this course. Although it was online, every assignment was a lab requiring coding and testing programs with industrial PLCs. In this course, I investigated different PLC programs and was able to create, test, and troubleshoot these automation tasks.

Economics for Engineers
This was a credit for MECH 431 and has very similar content. We analyzed financial accounts, developed business cases, and did a case study presentation for our final project. It was interesting to learn about economics at DTU since we were able to learn more about Danish/European companies and listen to guest speakers from these companies.

In general, the learning style at DTU was quite different compared to UBC. Each class is once a week for four hours, which makes it easy to plan travel and studying. The Danes also have a culture of flat hierarchy in the workplace, meaning that coworkers view each other as equals regardless of position or job title. This reflects to university as well, where students are encouraged to address their professors casually by first name and prioritize independence in learning. Since the way courses are taught have similar principles to how the workplace environment will be, I really enjoyed learning differently than at home, and working towards discovering what kind of workplace is ideal for me.

This is the end of Part 1 of my experience, please stick around for Part 2 where I discuss travelling and my learning through this experience!

5 Perfect Long Weekend Escapes in Vancouver: Unwind from Midterms and Recharge for School

As midterms loom on the horizon, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by the mountain of assignments, deadlines, and labs. But hey, before Vancouver turns back into “Raincouver” and we’re buried in our textbooks (or laptops), there’s no harm in hitting pause to soak in the last bits of sunshine! For those of us who aren’t from Vancouver (like I was, once upon a time), there’s so much to explore. Over the past five years, I’ve had the chance to experience the city like a Vancouverite. Here are my top 5 (sober!!) must-dos if you’re looking to unwind this long weekend!

1. Chill at One of Vancouver’s Stunning Beaches

I know, I know, it sounds basic, but how many cities can offer both mountain and ocean views at the same time? Vancouver’s beaches are a magical combination of golden sands, volleyball games, and that calming sea breeze. Whether you hit up Kitsilano Beach for a casual day out or paddleboard at Jericho, the beach is the place to unwind. If you’re lucky, you might even spot an orca playing in the distance. Not a bad way to hit pause before exams, right?

2. Hike the Sea-to-Sky Highway

If you’re a nature lover (or even just someone looking to disconnect from all things tech), there’s no better cure for midterm stress than a hike along the Sea-to-Sky Highway. The drive alone is breathtaking, but the real gems are the trails that wind up into the mountains. Garibaldi Lake, Stawamus Chief, and Joffre Lakes are just a few iconic hikes that will reward you with turquoise-blue lakes, towering waterfalls, and views that feel straight out of a screensaver. Bonus: Being out of Wi-Fi range gives you the perfect excuse to ditch your phone and just breathe.

3. Gastown: Where History Meets Hipster Vibes

Gastown has that old-European charm, with cobblestone streets and architecture that takes you back in time. My personal favorite? The iconic steam clock that whistles every 15 minutes—no matter how many times I see it, it never gets old. And hey, while you’re wandering, grab a coffee at one of the quaint cafes. Just remember, stay away from East Hastings if you’re not looking for any “surprises” (trust me on this one).

4. Feel the Need for Speed: Go Karting

Okay, this one might seem random, but there’s nothing like the thrill of racing around a track at high speeds to clear your head. Whether you’re a speed demon or just someone looking to blow off some steam (pun intended), go-karting is the perfect adrenaline rush. Plus, it’s a solid way to take your mind off the fact that you haven’t started studying for that midterm yet…

5. Explore Nature at Bloedel Conservatory and Stanley Park

If fast cars aren’t your thing, maybe a more tranquil escape is calling your name. Stanley Park and the Bloedel Conservatory offer lush green spaces where you can walk, bike, or just sit and people-watch. Wander through the tropical rainforest under the Bloedel dome or bike along the seawall for a full nature detox. Don’t forget to check out the Aquarium, where you’ll find mesmerizing sea creatures and get a break from reality.

Honorable Mention: Sleep (My Personal Favorite)

If you’re more of a homebody, a long weekend is also the perfect time to catch up on sleep. Waking up without an alarm for even just one day is pure bliss. Throw in a TV binge session (you earned it!) and maybe some snacks, and you’ve got yourself the perfect recharge. Forget your stress, calorie count, assignments, and your upcoming deadlines—just for a little while—and you’ll be ready to tackle the next round of school madness with fresh energy.

So, there you have it—five solid ways to unwind and make the most of a long weekend in Vancouver. Whether you’re an adventurer, a beach lover, or someone who enjoys a quiet day in, there’s always something to help you reset before the academic grind kicks in again. Enjoy it, because before you know it, we’ll be in Raincouver mode! ⛈️

Prioritizing Mental Health During Exam Season

Exam season—two words that instantly bring stress to every student’s mind. For us in mechanical engineering, balancing difficult courses, projects, and the pressure to perform well can be overwhelming. But while studying and acing exams is important, taking care of your mental health during this high-stress period is even more crucial.

Image Credit: r/sciencememes

For me, de-stressing is key to staying focused and relaxed. Going for a run, playing soccer, or doing a quick workout really helps me clear my mind. Physical activity works wonders when you’re stuck in study mode for hours, and it doesn’t have to be complicated—just get moving. Whether it’s hitting the gym or taking a 15-minute walk around campus, you’ll feel the difference. It gives your brain a break, helps with focus, and resets your energy.

Sleep—Easier Said Than Done, Right?

Getting 8-9 hours of sleep before an exam is what I aim for, but I know that’s not everyone’s reality—especially for those who like pulling all-nighters. I’ve found that sleep is one of the biggest contributors to my performance. Sure, it’s easier said than done, but if you can manage even a few nights of proper rest leading up to exams, you’ll feel a lot more prepared. When I head into an exam, I go with a relaxed mindset, hoping for the best but knowing that a well-rested brain will work more efficiently than one running on caffeine and no sleep.

Study Habits: Different for Everyone

Everyone studies in their own way. Some people create meticulous notes, formula sheets, PowerPoints, or flashcards. For me, I’m all about pen and paper. I like solving problems on blank sheets, getting my thoughts out of my head and onto the page. Now, I’m not the most organized—I tend to overwrite on the same paper with different course material or random thoughts. It may not look pretty, but it works for me.

If you’re like me and sometimes your thoughts are racing in all directions, here’s a trick: Treat your mind like a program running multiple threads. When I get overwhelmed, I use a mental “task queue”—I prioritize the most important task, focus on it, and “dequeue” it by writing it down if I get stuck. I switch to the next task, and return to the first one once I have more clarity. This stops the mental race conditions (yeah, that’s the programmer in me talking!) and helps me stay focused.

Fueling Your Brain: Hydration and Good Food

Don’t forget the basics—hydration and good food. I always keep water with me and try to eat well during exam season. It’s easy to neglect proper meals when you’re cramming, but you’ll perform better if your body has the right fuel. Trust me, energy drinks and chips won’t cut it long term.

A Final Thought: Exams Don’t Define You

Here’s the most important thing I can tell you: a piece of paper does not determine who you are or what you will become. There will be easy exams and difficult ones—that’s inevitable. But your mental health and well-being should always come first. The stress you feel now is just a small piece of your journey, and if you consistently put in effort over time, that hard work will pay off. Looking back, you’ll see that one difficult exam was just a bump in the road of your personal growth.

To everyone reading this: You’ve made it this far in mechanical engineering or you’re planning to, which means you’re already incredibly smart and capable. Be proud of yourself. Give yourself a pat on the back, take care of your mind and body, and get ready to give your best shot to the exams ahead.

Good luck—you’ve got this! (╯▽╰ )

Undergraduate Research in Mech

If you’re a Mech student, you probably love solving problems and asking questions. That’s what research is all about—except, this time, you get to ask the questions and figure out the problems. Unlike your typical assignments where you’re given all the instructions upfront, research is the deep end of open-ended problem solving. You’ve had a taste of it with the MECH 2 design challenge or your Capstone project. But what if you’re eager for more?

If you’ve ever thought about research or grad school, you might have felt like it’s just out of reach. I’ve been there, too. Balancing the intense workload of Mech with thoughts of future research or grad studies can seem daunting. But after a few paid and voluntary research terms, I’ve learned that research isn’t as out of reach as it seems. Thanks to the guidance of some amazing faculty and staff, I realized it’s very possible—and now, I want to help you see the same. Below are a few tips to help integrate research and grad school into your undergrad life, even with a hectic schedule.

1. Ask Your Professors About Their Research

This is the golden rule of getting started in research: talk to your professors. After-class chats with profs are criminally underrated. Profs are not just there to teach but are often involved in exciting research projects. Many of them are on the lookout for curious and motivated undergrads who want to get involved.

A great way to start is by visiting the Mech department website and looking up your professors’ research areas. Find something that piques your interest? Stay after class or shoot them an email asking about their work. Not only will this give you insight into their research, but it also opens the door to potential opportunities for you to join their lab.

2. Present Your Work at the Multidisciplinary Undergraduate Research Conference (MURC)

Every March, UBC hosts the Multidisciplinary Undergraduate Research Conference (MURC), where undergrads present their research to their peers, family, and faculty. This event, run by students for students, is a celebration of undergraduate research with workshops, presentations, and keynote speakers.

If you’re working on any UBC-affiliated research, this is your chance to present it to the world—or, at least, the UBC community. It’s also a great place to volunteer or just attend to network with fellow students and researchers. Either way, MURC is a fantastic way to get inspired and find out what kinds of research are happening around campus.

3. Check Out CREATE-U

For Mech students specifically, the CREATE-U program is a perfect introduction to research. This summer program allows you to earn six credits while getting paid to work in a Mech lab. It also counts as a co-op work term, so you can gain valuable experience without delaying your graduation.

The program includes two courses: one on academic research methods (MECH 497) and the other on academic writing (MECH 498). These courses are designed to support your summer research project, which takes place under the guidance of a graduate mentor and a faculty supervisor. The research you do can even count toward a Master’s or PhD at UBC, giving you a head start on grad studies if that’s the direction you want to go.

4. Enroll in MECH 493 or MECH 410C/F

When you reach your final year, consider signing up for MECH 493 or MECH 410C/F. These are research-based courses where you’ll spend the term working on a project instead of attending regular lectures and exams. Every year, professors post research projects that undergrads can apply to join. You’ll need to contact the professor directly to gain approval, but once you’re in, you’ll spend your semester tackling real-world research problems.

MECH 493 is a two-term, 3-credit course, while MECH 410C/F is split into two one-term, 3-credit courses. The kind of research you’ll do will depend on the lab you join, so it’s a good idea to ask professors what to expect before signing up.

5. Keep an Open Mind

The most important thing you can do is stay curious and open to new possibilities. Research is all about discovery, and sometimes that means finding excitement in unexpected places. You never know what might spark your passion until you dive in. By exploring research as an undergrad, you’ll not only gain invaluable experience but also potentially secure reference letters for grad school and build connections with faculty members.

So, if you’re thinking about research or grad school but feel overwhelmed by the idea, know that it’s more accessible than you think. With a bit of curiosity and a willingness to ask questions, you can find research opportunities that fit into your busy schedule and give you a whole new perspective on problem-solving.