Category: Wellness

MSP – Making Sam Poor

So you know that sore throat I mention in my last entry? It was the flu, and I found this out ONE DAY after my iMed insurance expired. I also mentioned in an earlier post how I had JUST sent in my forms for MSP…well I am now uninsured for an unclear period of time.

Let’s deal with the immediate situation first, as I had to last Friday when I made my appointment with the student health centre and found out that my visit would be costing me 60 bucks. I called my mom and she said that the cost didn’t matter, that I should just pay the money and get better. Well, those 60 dollars confirmed that it was the flu. I went out, bought some medicine, and spent most of the weekend asleep.

Now, for the bigger problem. I, currently, do not have health insurance. I was lead to believe that the “3 month waiting period for MSP” started from my arrival in BC, meaning I would be eligible for coverage now (I arrived in August). Well, the woman I spoke to on the phone from MSP as well as the receptionist at the Student Health Centre told me that the “3 month waiting period” is for processing my application. Meaning, I won’t be insured until February. This is terrifying! I was not aware that that simple little form was so pressing, and as I shared my news with other international students, they didn’t seem to know, either! I now have two American friends who still haven’t sent in their MSP forms, who are freaking out about getting anywhere near anyone who is sick, while I am wondering how much this is going to wind up costing me in the long run.

UBC needs to do something to show the gravity of the MSP form to International Students. I went to GALA, and it* did cover MSP, but I didn’t know it was so important. And what about all the international students who couldn’t make it to GALA? I wonder how many people are in the same boat as I am right now.

Well here’s your warning, international students. APPLY FOR MSP IF YOU HAVE NOT ALREADY! It’s a simple process, and extremely worth it.

To UBC, make it a requirement to apply for MSP. I am not completely sure how to do this, but it is a big deal, one that international students should not have to face as flu season rolls in. Someone needs to recognize this issue and make it known.

* The fire alarm in my res went off at this point in writing this entry. Oh, to live in residence.

The Benefits of Residence

Totem has a caf!

I am sure you have heard about the unfortunate situation Totem has found itself in the past couple months. That’s right, our tent. For the first couple months of my residency I had the choice between Totem Tent food (which was lower priced, but had little selection) or taking 15 minutes to walk to Vanier to eat at their caf. Most commonly I did the latter, or ate in my room. Well now all that is over…Totem has a caf!

And the thing is, it’s already pretty damn cool. Here’s why:

1. The decor is very modern and sleek. It reminds me of Star Trek, in an awesome way.
2. We have these big screen TVs hanging over each section of the caf…they have yet to be turned on, but that right there is pretty cool.
3. Our store also opened, which means that from 5:30pm to 11:30pm we have access to our own little store…very much like Vanier, EXCEPT our grill is attached to the store, so we can get hot Cheeseburgers, Chicken Strips, Grilled Cheese, ect. any time up to 11:15pm

Granted, our commonsblock is not yet finished, but I can hear the construction workers now working to get it done for us.

Totem gets ragged on a lot for being sub-par. To be honest, when I found out I was assigned to Totem (even though it was my first choice) I was a bit concerned. I want to make myself very clear when I say this, Totem Park is, in no way, sub-par to Vanier. They are both about equal in flaws and high points. Totem is further away than Vanier from most buildings, but I honestly don’t mind a 15 minute walk to class, and my figure doesn’t seem to be minding, either! Yes, we are known for our parties, and they do exist, but I never have a hard time saying no and hanging out in my room. Totem has the option for a larger single room, which I took, and I am grateful for the space. We are under construction now, but that is all set to be finished, hopefully, by 2008. Then our commonsblock will be just as nice as Vanier’s. Totem just seems to be a bit more laid-back than Vanier, and both have their high points. My point is, when choosing between residences, keep in mind that you create your own experiences.

And a note on res itself, I was actually rather terrified of living in res. For anybody coming in, trying to make that choice, or just thinking about it for later, I am SO HAPPY I chose to live on campus. You make friends so easily, you don’t have to worry about commuting to get to class, UBC becomes not only the place you study, but your home. I can not even begin to explain how rewarding this is. You get used to wearing flip-flops in the showers, to sticking to the quiet hours, and to the occasional fire alarm. Overall, in these past few months, living on campus has changed my perception of University life for the better, and I could not be happier.

…on a personal note, I have a midterm in an hour and woke up with a sore throat. I think the sick season is upon us.

Academic AMS International Personal ResidenceLife Wellness

Appreciating Adulthood.

So, it’s official. Sam is now an adult.

Yes, my 18th birthday was 134 days ago, so technically I was an official adult then, but I never really felt like one until this past week. Why? A few reasons…

First off, Max and I went down to Orange County this last weekend, and I was in charge of the travel plans. I made sure we caught our buses and planes so we got in on time. I’ve been flying alone for nearly 13 years now, but never once have I been in charge of getting myself to the bus stop, to the station, across the border, to the plane. Really, it came natural, I didn’t realize the gravity of my independence until we were on the plane, flying to Sacramento to make our connection to LAX. I looked to my left and saw Max, absorbed in an episode of South Park we were watching on my lap top, and I realized that I was 18, I was in University, and I was taking my university boyfriend to meet some of the most important people in my life. Everything felt so real, all of a sudden.

Second of all, yesterday was my rather productive day. I finally mailed in my form for MSP. (If you are an international student and you haven’t already DO IT NOW!) It’s extremely important, especially with flu season coming up. I also paid my (overdue!) phone bills at the bank, and deposited a check that had been burning a hole in my wallet for awhile now. Max and I went to dinner at Suga Sushi (we eat there so often that we are now becoming regulars) and I felt so happy and in charge that I realized…I am now an adult.

When I first got to UBC everything was to new and exciting, I was making so many friends and doing so many things that the most important things (like MSP and studying) almost fell at the wayside. Now that I have finally gotten into the groove of my week, all those important things are fitting into the fun things. I am studying harder, cleaning more often, but still taking time to watch movies with friends.

Take this afternoon. As soon as I finish this entry I am going to meet up with Max and a friend and we are going to go to the SUB to mail some things to our parents, then we are going to go comic book shopping, have dinner, and head to the Improv show. (GO SEE UBC IMPROV!) I am working on mixing in the responsibility with the fun, and I think I almost have the balance down.

So yes, Sam is now officially an adult, and I am rather enjoying it! :D

(oh and things in Orange County, with Max meeting my Mom and best friends, went smashingly :) )