The four years that I was in Army Cadets was very meaningful to me. I had so many unique experiences that I would not have otherwise had. Some of the most memorable include going on a backcountry hiking and mountaineering expedition to Cathedral Provincial Park, participating in competitions with my local corps marksmanship team, and learning full-bore marksmanship and subsequently going to England with the National Rifle Team. Aside from these adventures, the usual routines of weekly parades, learning drill, going on Field Training exercises (FTXs), marksmanship practices, sports nights, and Remembrance days were all experiences I cherish.
Through cadets, I also learned to push myself out of my comfort zone. This was valuable for me as I was on the shier side. Some examples were teaching lessons to other cadets, leading a platoon at weekly parade, or going to summer camp in a different province for 6 weeks. Throughout the years, I became more confident and comfortable taking on challenges.
The lessons I gained in cadets still stick with me to this day, such as the values of punctuality, diligence, and leadership. I remember when studying for my MCAT exam several years ago, my exam time was 6:15 am, and for the month prior I woke up at 5:00 am. I give credit to Army Cadets for teaching me how to stick to a rigid routine!
Lastly, I am thankful for the opportunities I had to engage with other youth and wonderful mentors, both locally and across the country. I met so many different people, formed memories, and made friends that I keep in touch with many years later!
After graduating high school, I attended Simon Fraser University and graduated with a degree in Health Sciences in 2021. I am currently finishing up my final year of medical school at the University of British Columbia. I will be starting my residency in Internal Medicine at UBC in summer of 2025.
