2014 Interns

“I can say without a doubt that my experience working as a research intern for the CRUW program at UBC Farm was, for many reasons, a life-changing experience. …this experience highlighted that youth are sensitive and insightful; they are in tune with their surroundings and the ways that society influences their lives. Listening to the youth participants describing their visits to the farm as calming and reflective moments where they felt safe to explore their emotions, and to develop their understandings of their relationship with the earth, was a profoundly inspiring experience.” [Read more]   –Erica Gibbons, CRUW research intern

“This summer I found myself appreciating the concept of food as medicine. I have always understood it in my head, but it is pretty recent that I have started to understand it in my body. Growing up, I hardly ever ate organic, or local. Now that I am eating foods that I have a hand in growing, I feel better and more connected to my mind, body and spirit than ever. The plants take good care of us when we take good care of them, and this way of life is something I won’t ever give up.” [Read more] – Danette Jubinville, Indigenous Health Research and Education Garden Intern

“In addition to participating in the day-to-day activities with CRUW, I was able to learn about the complexities of doing research, especially with youth and within an Indigenous context. I really valued the moments of research where I was able to have one-on-one conversations with the youth about their experience with CRUW. I always felt honoured to listen to and witness their stories and was constantly humbled and inspired by the youth, by the depth of their insights, by the different connections they were forming with the land, and by the level of their awareness and self-reflection—even at ages as young as 12 years old.” [Read more]  – Molly Billows, CRUW research intern

“For anyone interested in taking part in a community garden or a community kitchen program, I can attest to the incredible benefits these programs have to offer. The therapeutic nature of gardening, the connections you make in the community, the friends you meet, the food you learn to cook, and the food you get to enjoy and eat are all positive outcomes I have experienced dealing with community gardens and kitchens. I am truly thankful for the opportunity I have been given with this internship and I look forward to applying the knowledge I have learned to other aspects of my life.” [Read more] – Paulina Naylor, Feast Bowl Intern.

“As my internship with the Garden came to a close, I could see the transformation that happened to me. I could walk around the garden and describe plants to volunteers and community members, letting them know what the plants are good for and how we use them in our initiatives… All of these lessons came while we were working in the garden together, which became a generous classroom for all of us. Because of this internship, I now feel more connecting to the environment around me and I feel less like something is missing in my life.” [Read more]  – Erica Baker, Indigenous Health Research and Education Garden Intern