Tongan Treasures
“The World Around our Table”, depicts a Tonga kumete or kava bowl, which is used here to symbolise communal dining, sharing and multiculturalism at St. John’s College. The common Tongan practice of kava drinking or “faikava” is closely connected with “talanoa”, which can be referred to as a conversation, a talk, an exchange of ideas or thinking, whether formal or informal.
In Tonga, the gift of a tapa, or ngatu, is of great social and ceremonial importance. The cloth is painstakingly made from the bark of mulberry trees by local women, then lovingly designed and painted with images that are central to the cultural identity, social relations, politics, history and contemporary religion of the people.
St. John’s College has been honoured to accept the gift of three tapas from St. John’s College Alumnus, Stan Manu. This tapa was presented in 2014 and was specially designed by Stan’s mother, Kelela Lotiola, and personalized with symbols embodying the College, as well as traditional Tongan emblems.
The St. John’s College kicked off the start of the SJC Summer Academy with some exciting belly dancing classes by one of our residents, Yi Luo:
“Hi there, I’m Yi. I’ll be teaching belly dance (beginner) for the next few weeks for the summer academy.I’ve been practicing belly dance since 2018 – can’t exactly say I’m a pro, but I’m sure we can have some fun working out with some basic belly dance moves. I always enjoy dancing with friends and cultivating a positive space.”
Another class that was held by our resident Soheil Alavi is the popular social dance from the Dominican Republic, Bachata. The class was a great success and it left our residents asking for more! As a result, Soheil will be offering more classes over the next weeks of Summer.
We will be offering more classes over the summer as part of the Summer Academy, stay tuned to find out!
The St. John’s College community is very grateful to our outstanding volunteers who have served our community.
Thank you to…
Our SJC Buddies who welcomed each and every new arrival to the College and guided them through the arrival process and settling into their new community, our Meal Delivery volunteers who made sure our new and current residents who were required to self-isolate, and event volunteers show helped make sure things ran smoothly and safely.
We couldn’t do it without you!
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Needless to say, 2020 was a tough year for all of us. But for most, it also was a year of growth, and a year that strengthened our sense of community even more as we braced for Covid-19 together as SJC Residents in our “home away from home.” And what better way to reflect on our experiences of what we braced for together, than together. In this post, we share some stories of SJC residents, reflecting upon their individual experiences related to the pandemic. Some of these stories were created in a story writing event at our traditional Sunday Chai Party (with social distancing measures, of course), where we created cards to handwrite our stories while sharing our experiences together. Some were written by the residents separately. Some of us chose to show their experience in terms of art, in the drawings they made on the cards, and some chose to write a letter to their future self. Some chose to keep their stories, to maybe show to their grandkids some day, explaining how these times were. Many of us also wanted to share our experience with our fellow Johanneans in this Alumni Newsletter. Below you will find the drawings and stories our residents wanted to share with SJC Alumni. We hope you keep safe, and thank you for sharing this experience with us.
– Demet Kirmizibayrak, SJC Workstudy Student Project Coordinator
Hello,
I’d like to share my story…
I used to live off-campus the first time I came to Vancouver. However, I had always wanted to live on-campus. Last March, I was able to finally move-in St. John’s and how glad I am to have made the decision, especially when soon after, Canada announced a lock-down.
Being new to Canada, the lock down has limited our chances to meet new people, but being in St John’s, I was able to make many new friends and experienced many new things, which made my first experience in Canada so much more meaningful.
Being in St John’s made me feel like I have a second family away from home. During this pandemic, having company to go through it together helps me stay motivated in school. I am grateful to be part of this wonderful community of St John’s. I couldn’t imagine having to go through this pandemic by myself, away from my family back home without the community support of St John’s.
– Primi
Oct 2020
The year of COVID-19 |
Looking back to the first surprise, the first scares, and the beginning ‘chaos’ of things starting March 2020, the first thought that comes to my mind is how much this experience has changed me, and surprisingly, much more for the better. Of course, there is the new habits of constant handwashing and the mask-wearing and the Zoom expertise we all so fastly had to gain. But to me, the biggest change was in my perception of people, communities and social connections.
I remember the first day of UBC cancelling classes. I’m not sure if it’s due to my past experience, but my initial expectation was so different from reality. I hadn’t considered how much people would be willing to help, and apart from all the bad and the uncertain, I had never expected to feel the “we are in this together” so much. A big part of this was connected to SJC community. I remember people giving each other toilet paper, when the shortages started. We made ‘community kitchens’ with residents sharing their excess food. We had Zoom dinners when dining hall was closed. We found a way to be there for each other, to feel together, and it helped me grow my perspective. COVID made me realize that what I expect is almost always not how things turn out. And I will need to keep adapting, learning everyday. But I will have people with me, like me, adapting, changing, being there for each other. Be it the volleyball games that we changed due to restrictions, and came up with a new plan to play safely. [SJC] Volleyball became my source of social life for a long time, and raised my spirits. And it makes me think, at the times I thought would be the hardest, the scariest, the darkest, were also the times where I was able to get my first overhand serve over the net, or the time we laughed until we had tears because of a funny volleyball moment. SJC and COVID helped me realize that also, in times when I expect the worst, there is also good. And I greatly appreciate the realization.
It of course still has been hard. I struggle having to be in crowds, and our social lives are all greatly restricted. But I am glad that, at least now, we have our dinners together after a day of Zoom-socializing exhaustion. I think with COVID, and time, I am maturing. And I am glad to be maturing with connections and mutual support from people.
– Demet, October 2020 |
The year of 2020, COVID-19 has been an important milestone in my life. My life has drastically changed in 2020, therefore, for me 2020 is the year of TRANSFORMATION, not a year of change. Because TRANSFORMATION means transcendence, i.e. nothing of the old remains.
First of all I enjoyed the holiday that It gave us. Full time staying at home, all the time you have only for yourself if the best gift one can get.
I used this opportunity to know who I am. Purposefully I kept away TVs, movies, video games, Netflix, reading, dancing, and what not. I just stayed with that I have and spent time with myself. Because all these things are to distract one from their chattering mind. It’s like a lullaby. When I continuously kept it aside, I wanted to spend time with my monkey mind and listen to him, what he has to say.
So last 6 months, bestowed me with stillness. And I realize if there is no stillness, then there is illness. IF YOU ARE NOT STILL, YOU ARE ILL.
This is my biggest life lesson, and I am happy to see what’s coming next.
– Ashish |
When I was a kid, I was obsessed with aliens and monsters. Probably thanks to all the sci-fi movies I was watching. I always expected aliens to enslave all humanity and for giant monsters to end humanity as we know it. Don’t get me wrong, that might still happen, but 2020 has prepared me well. It taught me to expect the unexpected. Even in my wildest day dreams as a kid, I never expected a microscopic invisible virus could end up changing humanity as we know it.
Anger, frustration and just deep uncertainty is how I describe March when it seems the world decided to lock down. Global leaders lined up to declare a state of lockdown in their countries. I thought this was crazy but boy was I wrong. The entire summer went by dealing with the ramification of Covid coupled with the rallies of BLM protest. A rally in the middle of a pandemic sounds weird but there was nothing more important than to stand up, be heard & protest & support the BLM movement.
With easing restriction and “Winter finally here” (love saying that?) there is a second wave of Covid cases and if 2020 has taught me anything it is to be extremely careful & try & be prepared for everything.
But the summer wasn’t all bad. An insane amount of time I suddenly had I decided to spend on learning new stuff. Of course, worrying seemed to be my favorite past time but I am glad I picked p photography & guitar during this time. They were not only my hobby but also my escape. For anyone reading this, remember to expect the unexpected, value humans & all forms of life like you value yourself and make the best of what you have been given.
– Ronit |
Although I moved out of SJC in April, my summer was spent literally being there everyday. Playing volleyball with fellow Honeybadgers, composing on piano and studying late nights in the social lounge was an everyday hustle and became a part of me.
I have lived in all possible residences at UBC, but I never found or developed such a close community as I did in SJC.
So many friends made, grown as a person, I can call SJC my second home. It was an experience of a lifetime!
“Do you still live here?!”
– Pranjal |
Hello Me!
Hope the COVID hasn’t got ya! Hope you can hug your friends now! Are you still wearing a mask? Is Trump still president? We’re looking forward to the day when we don’t have to worry about Covid anymore and we can go back to classes and meetings and spending time together and traveling. One thing Covid has taught me is that I shouldn’t take things for granted. For example, I won’t take granted the freedom to leave my room/house and go wherever I please. Or going to the gym/swimming any time I want and that I don’t have to sign up at exactly 12:00 pm two days before gong. Something else I learned is just how important face to face interaction is, and that virtual communication can never replace that. I am fortunate enough to live in a community of awesome people that care for me and I care for them and therefore I have had amazing interaction during Covid time. No matter how lonely or isolated I felt during the day, I could always look forward to spending time and connecting with my friends at dinner, be that outside in the courtyard or in the dining hall. There are so many questions that I wish I could ask you but I guess we are living in the “time of uncertainty” and that’s the “new normal”. That’s ok, though, because Covid has taught you that you are strong, resilient and never alone.
HAKUNA MATATA
- Parham & Brianne |
Our office hours are changing to 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm, however staff are available during regular office hours. See our Meet the Staff page for contact details.
November 27, 2019
This November our campus celebrated 10 years of Thrive at UBC with a month of events and initiatives focused on building mental health. The Thrive 5 plan focuses on these five easy-to-implement ways:
- Thriving by Moving More
- Thriving by Sleeping Soundly
- Thriving by Eating Well
- Thriving by Giving Back
- Thriving by Saying Hi
Our resident-led wellness committee at the College did an amazing job hosting two weeks full of activities. Check out their calendar of activities and these resident testimonies.
For resources on mental health that you can access throughout the year, click here.
We had an amazing Thrive week at St. John’s College this year! As we all know, graduate school can be extremely busy and stressful, and it is a constant struggle to find the time to do the things we need to do to maintain our mental health. Thrive week was an excellent opportunity to get together with other residents and find the time to do some fun, relaxing, and nourishing activities. Most importantly, we had great opportunities to engage in dialogue about stress and mental health issues that we face, and to work together to find healthy ways to deal with these problems. Many of us would normally find ourselves too busy or tired to participate in these types of events normally, but the convenience of having the activities and workshops within our own building made it so convenient and accessible for everyone, and really encouraged people who might not normally attend to come. Overall I thought it was a very positive and educational experience, and I’m looking forwards to Thrive week next year!
– Rehan Higgins
Thrive month at St. John’s College was a great opportunity to reflect on how to improve your wellbeing during graduate school. A number of residents organised a variety of events for the College, including an animal therapy session and stress management workshops. Some of the workshops provided valuable insight about leading a healthy lifestyle, whereas other activities simply demonstrated the importance of taking a break. This mix of activities meant that there was something for everyone and it was a real pleasure to have been involved.
– Daniel Di Benedetto
As a member of St John’s College’s Wellness Committee, participating in Thrive week was a rewarding, introspective, and engaging experience. On a personal level, I saw Thrive as a great opportunity to break down stigmas surrounding mental health. I was greatly pleased to see the resident’s positive response to our activities, the open discussions we had about mental health, and the role it plays in all our lives. I enjoyed the time spent with my fellow residents during the activities and developed a greater appreciation for the strong support network of friends and colleagues at the College.
– Conan Omori
October 21, 2019
I am writing to share some updates with you about our SJC staff team. Please join me in welcoming Yuki Kaneki as well as saying a fond farewell to Sarah Ling. Yuki has joined us as our Membership & Guest Room Coordinator starting today!
Sarah’s contract with the College is ending at the end of November and she will certainly be missed, her contributions to the College have been very much appreciated and we wish her well as she moves on to other projects and opportunities.
Yuki Kaneki, Membership & Guest Room Coordinator
Yuki is a familiar face to many of us, as he comes from the Vancouver Summer Program team across the hallway from the SJC Office. He moved from Japan to Vancouver ten years ago with the intent to sightsee and study English for only one year. However, as fate would have it, Yuki fell in love with this multicultural city and decided to deepen his knowledge of English – so he enrolled in the Linguistics program at SFU and successfully graduated with his BA a couple of years ago. Yuki credits his success to the help he received from university and school staff, and he looks forward to supporting St. John’s College students in his role as the new Membership & Guest Room Coordinator.
Please feel free to say hello to Yuki when you are next in the Office!
Sarah Ling, Community Engagement Manager
Over the past year, Sarah’s contributions as our Community Engagement Manager included leading the development of our new website, refining and strengthening of our communications channels, and supporting College programming and general operations. Off campus, Sarah was placed in the UBC Chinatown House office to nurture community partnerships and research initiatives, which included working with teams from the City of Vancouver, Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Garden, and Museum of Vancouver. The year prior, Sarah also served at the College (and half-time at Student Housing and Hospitality Services) as a Project Manager – Indigenous Focus, and coordinated successful projects including the publication of “Journeys of Hope: Challenging Discrimination and Building on Vancouver Chinatown’s Legacies” authored by Principal Henry Yu and translated and designed by Szu Shen. Sarah will continue to stay active in community-based work in her future endeavours.
Thank you,
Stacy
Office Manager, St. John’s College
