Part I: Research Internship at the Life Sciences Institute, University of British Columbia

This summer I had the incredible opportunity to spend July and August in Canada. For the first part of my adventure I lived in Vancouver for two months, working on a research project in Prof. Carolyn Brown’s lab at the Life Sciences Institute at the University of British Columbia (UBC).

My first few days in Canada felt surreal. On my first evening I stumbled across a secluded beach (one that would soon become my favourite place on campus) and I remember looking out across the Pacific Ocean, not quite believing how far away from home I was. However, over the following weeks, I gradually settled into my new surroundings; learning to navigate without a map, finding my favourite spots on campus, and establishing a routine of work and exploration. Having lived in Cambridge all my life, I had never experienced moving to a new city in the same way that most of my peers had when starting university. Choosing the Natural Sciences course at Cambridge felt like the perfect fit for my academic aspirations, but meant remaining in a place I already knew well. Living in Vancouver therefore gave me the chance to step outside my comfort zone and experience this independence; I learnt to adjust to small but meaningful things from finding the cheapest supermarkets to making friends in a city where I initially knew no-one.

In the lab, the group’s primary focus was to investigate the mechanisms behind X-inactivation in mammals. Specifically, my project explored whether genes could also be silenced on the Y chromosome. Through this, I had the opportunity to become confident in new techniques such as RT-qPCR and tissue culture, building on the practical skills I had developed during my degree. At first I worked closely with my supervisor but after a few weeks I was given much more independence. I loved having the freedom to plan and structure my days, deciding which experiments to complete and problem solve when things inevitably went wrong. This was much appreciated after the rigidity of university practicals, and made me excited about the idea of a Part II research project next year and continuing with a career in research, something I had previously been unsure about.

Beyond my time actually at a lab bench, I also gained insight into other aspects of research life; from weekly lab meetings and restocking of supplies to discussions about publishing results. Hearing about the varied academic backgrounds of my colleagues and the differences in research cultures between the UK and North America was particularly interesting. These conversations broadened my perspective and challenged my assumption that I would remain in the UK after finishing my undergrad.

Outside of my 9am-5pm work I had the opportunity to explore the gorgeous city of Vancouver and the surrounding area. I quickly fell in love with Vancouver, and really hope to go back. I made close friends with other international students visiting the university, and they became my companions for exploring the city and hiking the mountains. In the evenings I aimed to see as much of the city as possible; I cycled along the Stanley Park seawall, visited the Granville Island markets, joined a local run club along Kitsilano beach, and more. A particular highlight was visiting the Museum of Anthropology on campus. This world-renowned museum was filled with exhibits on Indigenous cultures from the Pacific Northwest region, and it left a lasting impression of the ongoing importance of cultural preservation and representation of Indigenous communities.

At weekends I travelled further afield to hiking trails such as Garibaldi Lake, Bowen Island and Joffre Lakes, immersing myself in British Columbia’s beautiful natural landscapes. A highlight of my trip was unexpectedly catching sight of a black bear in the wild on two occasions. It feels like such an iconic piece of Canadian wildlife to witness!

Part II: Solo travel across Canada

After saying my goodbyes to all my new friends in Vancouver, I set off on the next stage of my adventure: solo travel across Canada. The first part of my journey began with a 12 hour coach trip across British Columbia to the town of Lake Louise in the Rocky Mountains.

I spent just under a week based in the Rockies and was constantly in awe of the stunning surroundings. No amount of turquoise lakes, towering mountains, or fields of wildflowers could fail to amaze me. Around every corner of the trail there would be a new view worth photographing, and I filled my camera roll with hundreds of photos! I hiked 30-40 kilometres per day (reaching 65,000 steps on my longest day!), so certainly a physical challenge but one that I thoroughly enjoyed. Being out of signal for the majority of the day felt very liberating; offering a reset from the online world, and allowing me to fully experience the gorgeous nature without distractions. With frequent warnings about bears and wildlife safety I could have been nervous about hiking alone, but my time hiking with others in Vancouver had built my confidence, so that I felt prepared and capable of navigating the outdoors and potential wildlife encounters safely.

After my time in the mountains, I travelled east to explore the cities of Montreal and Toronto. In my final week I walked the cobblestone streets of Old Montreal, climbed Mont Royal, cycled around the Toronto Islands and visited the iconic Niagara Falls. I loved discovering the differences in culture, language and history that makes each city unique.

I am incredibly grateful to the whole LEAP team for giving me the opportunity to have these experiences, it was so valuable and rewarding. Academically, it deepened my passion for scientific research and introduced me to the realities of this as a career. Personally, it expanded my sense of independence, improved my ability to adapt to new situations, and reinforced my appreciation for exploration and the natural world. I’m sure I will look back on this trip as a formative experience, and it will certainly be a highlight of my time at Pembroke. I now return to my final year with a clearer sense of direction for my future career path, the confidence to broaden my aspirations, as well as the skills to achieve them.