Back to School 2018: Meet our students

August 24, 2018

Meet some of our students at the Northern Medical Program who have started their courses for the 2018-19 school year.


Fei Ge

Hometown: Prince George, BC
Program Year: One (Class of 2022)

What inspired you to pursue your program?
Growing up, I was always interested in the human body and health sciences. When I was in high school, I got to do a lot of volunteering and I quickly learned that I enjoyed the kind of work where my hands-on effort translated into a benefit for a person or a group of people. Eventually healthcare just seemed like the path that combined all my interests and allowed me to do the work I found the most rewarding.

What are you looking forward to most this upcoming year?
I’m looking forward to being in a learning environment full of like-minded people. I can’t wait to meet future friends, colleagues, mentors, and maybe even employers!

Best piece of advice
Make time for self care. If you are pursuing a career in health sciences or medicine sometimes the path can get overwhelming. I think it’s really important to prioritize your own mental health. In the end it will help you be a better caregiver.

First job
My first job was at Kumon! I was paid to basically watch kids do math and English homework and occasionally mark their work.

What's next on your BC bucket list?
I’d love to take another crack at winter camping. The last time I went I was severely underprepared and spent the weekend feeling like an icicle. I have since acquired a better sleeping bag.

What is your favourite thing to do in your site region? 
I grew up in Northern BC and my favorite thing to do is skiing! I used to cross country ski with my family and I have recently overcome my fear of downhill skiing. I’m looking forward to some quality winter sports after spending my undergrad on the island.


Sonja Poole

Hometown: Nelson, BC
Program Year: Two (Class of 2021)

What inspired you to pursue your program?
Growing up, I was really into sports and my whole family was very active, so naturally there was almost always someone in the household with an injury and I always wanted to fix it. My interest in the human body and my keenness to fix people has only grown over the years, and between that and being a small town girl at heart, I landed in Prince George in the Northern Medical Program.

What are you looking forward to most this upcoming year?
More hands-on patient experiences! I learn way better in the clinic and wards than in the lecture hall.

Best piece of advice
Two things: be present, and self-care is #1 priority. Hard to take care of a patient if you’re not taking care of yourself first!

First job
Aside from the usual gigs of babysitting/soccer refereeing/paper route/mowing lawns for neighbours, I spent 3 years in high school working as a custodian/odd jobs girl for 4-5 hours a week at the Wildlife Genetics International lab in Nelson, a job my older brother also did when he was in high school. 

What’s next on your BC bucket list?
Exploring the beautiful backyard of the Pacific Northwest and all the parks, mountains, lakes, and coast it has to offer. Top of the list is hiking around Smithers, exploring the Valemount area, the coast surrounding Prince Rupert, and hopefully someday soon Haida Gwaii.

What is your favourite thing to do in your site region?
Cross-country skiing at the Otway trails, just an 18-minute drive from my door, with my friends. Here’s hoping for a great winter! 


Kristjan Mytting

Hometown: Prince George, BC
Program Year: Three (Class of 2020)

What inspired you to pursue your program?
I was originally inspired to go into medicine when my grandpa and uncle both died of lung cancer. I wanted to cure cancer (a laudable and perhaps ignorant goal), but at this stage I realize it will take men and women much smarter and more dedicated than myself to accomplish that goal. I suppose that the reason I have continued to pursue medicine, even after being rejected multiple times while applying, is that I want to help improve the quality of life for people struggling with illness and disease. It is something so simple in words, but it is truly the single thing at the heart of being a great clinician, at least in my mind.

What are you looking forward to most this upcoming year?
I am looking forward to taking the knowledge we have gained in the lecture setting and learning how to actually apply it to treat patients in both inpatient and outpatient settings. I am also excited to interact with patients and families as I believe that the learning opportunities that they offer are much more meaningful and impactful as they come from those coping with disease, illness or injury directly.

Best piece of advice
I suppose that would depend on who I am giving advice to. 
For those who are pursuing getting into medicine, I would say diversify yourself. The most important thing isn't having a single experience that you think will showcase your commitment to medicine but rather to be a well-rounded and unique person. Being an athlete, a hard worker, a team player, travelling, writing and really anything you can think of are all things that are valid and useful when it comes to applying for medical school. In the end, the important thing is to be who you are at your core while pushing yourself a bit to use your unique strengths to their maximum potential and, if you have time between all the classes and studying, to try to build new strengths wherever possible. Believe in yourself and don't give up when the going gets hard. 
For those people starting out in medical school or who are already on their journey through medical school, enjoy what you can, study hard but don't stress too much. It's a journey not a race, we all get to the finish line eventually.

First job
My first job was delivering newspapers when I was about 10 or 11 years old. My family didn't really have much money while I was growing up so I wanted to be able to buy some things for myself. I remember every time that I thought about my mom buying stuff for us, I would feel guilty because I didn't know whether we could really afford it. So I saved up my money and bought myself a hoodie that I really wanted. My mom asked me if I really wanted to use my money to buy clothes for myself, offering to buy it for me. I knew she would, but being able to make her spend less money on me made me happy that I could make a difference in our household. Sometimes working from the bottom gives you a great perspective on what other people go through and how life isn't all about money. I've also done years of construction, warehouse work and serving. I think I've used all of these experiences to really build an understanding of people from a variety of backgrounds and that helps me relate to the people that I see in the hospital.

What’s next on your BC bucket list?
Vancouver Island. I have only been to Victoria and I would love to explore more of the island. I have heard that Tofino and the area around it are incredibly beautiful. I would also like to work on my shoddy surfing skills while I'm there. I practiced a bit in Cape Town, but I only went in on the Atlantic side and not the Indian side, without a wet suit mind you, so I was so focused on how cold I was that I didn't get a chance to actually enjoy surfing. 

What is your favourite thing to do in your site region?
Prince George is my hometown so the thing I like to do most is spend time with my family, whether that is at the lake or just in town enjoying some lunch or dinner. There is also so much hiking and camping in the Prince George area to enjoy.


Harjas Grewal

Hometown: Prince George, BC
Program Year: Four (Class of 2019)

What inspired you to pursue your program?
My passion for medicine comes from wanting to help others. I cannot imagine a better way to spend the majority of your day than helping others who deeply need it. I do not find anything more gratifying than helping someone, especially when someone is in a difficult situation. Even as a student, the best part of my day is always whenever any patient simply says "thank you".

What are you looking forward to most this upcoming year?
I am excited for all of my electives as they are exactly what I want to be spending my time doing and I am also going to be travelling to 4 other provinces so there is a bit of an adventure mixed into my education this year. 

Best piece of advice
Sit down and define what success means to YOU. Everybody has a different definition of success but make sure you take time to figure out what that is for you and then go out and try to achieve that; do not let others define what success is for you since we all have different things which ultimately make us happy. 

First Job
Soccer referee

What's next on your BC bucket list?
Helicopter ride for a birds-eye-view of some region of BC (BC is too beautiful, I cannot decide on a specific part yet)

What is your favourite thing to do in your site region?
Play hockey outdoors! It may be -20 but nothing beats putting on your skates on an outdoor rink and playing hockey with your friends.


Learn more about students in UBC's Faculty of Medicine, which includes those in the Northern Medical Program at UNBC... check out Back to School 2018!