My name is Kyla Flynn, and I am a first-year student at the University of British Columbia from Port Moody. Ever since I was little, my mother has encouraged a love of reading in me. This love of reading soon turned into a passion for writing which I have pursued every opportunity I’ve been afforded.
This love of writing has led me to where I am now—pursuing an Arts degree, prospectively majoring in English Literature.
I am in a writing-immersive first-year program at UBC, and am currently making my way through a long—yet very engaging—booklist. After I obtain my undergraduate degree, I hope to become a journalist, where I can combine my love of writing with my interest in social justice. As a Vietnamese-Canadian, I am incredibly conscious of a lack of asian representation in various forms of media, and hope to help remedy this in my future.
When I am not spending my nights studying at the library, I work part-time at a local bookstore, where I learn teamwork and interpersonal skills. I am also beginning to write for UBC’s newspaper, the Ubyssey, where I am learning about journalism and forming important connections with like-minded individuals. I hope to continue to write for UBC’s student paper, and continue obtaining valuable skills which will help me with my future. I have also joined a social club, where I am learning event-planning and organizational skills.
In my personal time, I love taking care of my plants (I have over 50 houseplants) and enjoy songwriting and playing the piano.
I am incredibly grateful to have received this scholarship. As a commuter student taking a full course load, and working over 20 hours a week in addition to my studies, this scholarship has provided me with a sense of relief, so that I may focus on my schooling, and spend more time with my family. My parents are very proud of me, and I am simply thankful that my efforts have been recognized in this manner. Thank you so very much! Scholarship programs like these are life-changing, and I am honoured to be able to experience its impacts.