Let’s Talk?: Can I say no?Understanding the concept of consent should not be that difficult. Anything other than an uninfluenced, unpressured, clearly vocalized “yes” means “no.” So why did it just take multiple minutes of me staring at my computer screen, taking an opinion poll of my friends, and looking up a dictionary definition for me to define “consent”? While […] Continue Reading |
Unpacking the Bags: The inside journey of the international studentMoving to another country can transform all aspects of your life. When I was preparing to come to Victoria, I was ready to face the language barrier, the change in social relationships, and even a new way of studying. The only aspect I was not prepared for was the changes that would happen to me […] Continue Reading |
Write to Rise: Go ahead, be the purple cowWhy did I write a column called Write to Rise? Because if you write and get published, not only will you stand out amongst your peers and get the promotion over someone who has not been published, you will also build your own self-esteem and self-worth. For years, I kept my writing a secret dream […] Continue Reading |
Getting There Together: Cycling should be a no-brainerGetting There Together is a new column exploring alternative modes of transportation. The car dominates most public space in North American cities. The rest is divvied between property owners. The lines between properties need to be efficient pathways to get between those properties. Streets and sidewalks are our public space—if it weren’t for getting between […] Continue Reading |
Communication Error: The importance of nonverbal communicationImagine a bird, or a plane. Now, everyone has a different image in their head of what a bird looks like (or maybe you’re just picturing Superman). Yet, everyone knows the definition of a bird, of a plane, and what they are. So, why would everyone have different representations of the “same” word? When we […] Continue Reading |
Communication Error: A few simple wordsHello, everyone. I’m excited to announce that this is my first of many editions of Communication Error, where I will shed light on the common ways we fail to communicate to each other properly and how taking a few extra steps can save us time and pain in the backside. We underestimate how crucial communication […] Continue Reading |
Write to Rise: Traditional publishing vs. self-publishingYou’ve inched your way into writing. First, you wrote for newspapers, magazines, and journals; now, you have a collection of short stories or even a poetry book (yes, someone did say poetry is making a comeback) ready to publish. But now what? Your expertise is growing and writing is getting easier for you. As mentioned […] Continue Reading |
Unpacking the Bags: Managing cultural timeManaging your time on a day-to-day basis is a difficult task in any culture. However, when we move to another country—with different realities—we go through a deep process of adaptation. This process involves finding new ways to do familiar activities. What happens is that some activities or situations that we’re used to now take a […] Continue Reading |
Let’s Talk?: Are we confusing you?It has been brought to my attention (by a cis white male) that it is a very confusing time for cis white males. They’re feeling vulnerable, unsure if their actions are going to land them in a situation they didn’t want. They’re scared that what they say or do will be twisted, painting them in […] Continue Reading |
Mind Matters: The next stepThe end of another school semester has passed; for many, this means their programs have come to an end, or, at the very least, ended for the summer. It can be a time full of promise and excitement, but it can also be a time of great stress as students and grads try to launch […] Continue Reading |
