
What happens when you love two paths equally? You pursue both! That is exactly what Jubelle Paa from the Cohort of 2019 is doing. With a strong interest in both Physics and Education, Jubelle is pursuing a dual degree through the faculty of Science at UBC, allowing her to earn a concurrent degree alongside a Bachelor of Science. Read more about Jubelle’s passions below.
What program will you be taking in post-secondary and why does it interest you?
I’m planning to earn a dual degree in Physics and Education at UBC. Science in general interests me because I’m constantly curious about how the world works the way it does. Plus, I’ve always wanted my own lab coat so there’s that. With physics specifically, I grew up loving math and physics is a science that brings meaning to it—so it was my favourite class in high school. I want to go into Education as well because I enjoy being able to share these passions with others. I had such great teachers that inspired me to want to learn more, so I’d love to be able to do that for future generations. If I can get a few kids to love physics as much as I do, the next five-ish years will have been worth it!
Tell us a little bit about your background (growing up, going to school, extra-curricular activities, etc.).
I was born in Vancouver, but both my parents immigrated from the Philippines in the 90’s to try to give me and my brother a better life. Growing up, I always wanted to please them, so I worked hard in school and did as many extra-curriculars as I could manage. At first, it felt like a burden because I didn’t exactly want to do it all, but today I’m actually glad they pushed me because I found a few of my greatest interests because of it. There were definitely some that I still highly dislike (you’d have to pay me to do high jump again) but joining things like science fair and book clubs introduced me to passions I pursue to this day. I also hated piano lessons as a kid, but now I run to a piano when I’m stressed! When it comes to school–as I got older, I gradually found myself truly interested in learning. It was a combination of great teachers, a good community, and feeling accomplished. Fifth grade me never would have believed me now, but I can genuinely say I ended up being one of those kids who really loved school.
Who inspires you, and why?
My dad is a huge inspiration to me. He was an artist, a student, an engineer, a musician, a mentor–a man of many talents. Whether or not he was good at something, if he cared about it, he would work at it until he was. When he was in pain, he never complained—only worked harder to get past it. He walked through life with an air of confidence, and did not believe in worrying. He was determined, strong, and self-assured, and I think those are wonderful qualities for a person to have.
What motivates you, and why?
Gratitude! The sacrifices my parents made immigrating to Canada to give me a good life pushes me to want to do well to honour them. The friends who believe in me give me courage to pursue my goals. The teachers who inspired me make me want to inspire others. I am motivated by the need to emulate positive impact in my own way. Many choices I make are just different ways of saying ‘thank you.’
What are your goals for the upcoming school year?
Balance. It’s a new environment, a different story. This year, I’m learning to adjust to university and I’m setting goals to take care of myself: physically, mentally, and emotionally. Whether it’s setting aside time for studying, family, work, friends—or most importantly, my dog—I’m taking steps towards having a healthy balance in my schedule.
What is one thing you learned in high school that you will take with you to post-secondary?
I was always a really shy kid. Because I wasn’t comfortable talking to people, I kept to myself and didn’t rely on anyone else. In my high school years I learned the importance of community and asking for help. Though to this day I still struggle with being a little shy sometimes, I know that pushing myself out of my comfort zone is worth forming valuable relationships.
What is one piece of advice you would give to future Luminaries?
I spent a lot of time chasing after success and happiness. There’s nothing necessarily wrong with that, unless it becomes your only goal. There is always something to be happy about, but there is also always something to be sad about. It’s okay to embrace that range of emotions. Your life doesn’t depend on fleeting feelings, but it does depend on the growth you achieve though facing them.
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