“I love that TWU has given students opportunities to be leaders and serve this community. It has built my confidence and abilities in student leadership roles.”
— Yen-Ping (Kiki) Liao, fifth year Education major and Intercultural Program Assistant
The distances created by pandemic restrictions didn't stop members of Trinity Western's Intercultural Programs (ICP) from finding creative ways to build community.
"Even though we could not do a lot of events in person, we still had some in-person events that followed TWU health and safety guidelines and had Zoom meetings every two weeks," said Yen-Ping (Kiki) Liao.
Liao is entering her fifth year in TWU’s Education program. During the 2020-21 academic year, she was an Intercultural Program Assistant with TWU’s Bridge program (part of ICP).
“This program is to provide a space for local students and international students to build friendships,” Liao said.
Liao is originally from Taiwan and came to Canada for studies. She explains that the Bridge program is all about connection. “Bridge programmers usually prepare some fun activities for the group to know each other and have a fun time together."
“One highlight was, even though we could not do many activities (due to pandemic restrictions), Bridge programmers helped each other and bonded well as a team.”
When it comes to student leadership at TWU, Liao is a veteran. She began in her first year as a Community Facilitator Assistant, helping to organize campus events. As an Intercultural Bridge programmer in her second year, Liao provided opportunities for international students and local students to learn about different cultures and build friendships. In her third year, Liao was a Mandarin Discipleship leader, teaching a Bible study group in Mandarin.
Liao says that some of her favourite things about TWU are “programs, student leadership roles, and the Christian community.”
“Some of TWU’s programs are amazing,” she said, “such as the Education program.”
Liao highlighted the program’s practicums, “We have several practicums throughout our Bachelor's degree. It has helped me to use what I have learned from courses in real classrooms.”
She also appreciates the leadership training, “I love that TWU has given students opportunities to be leaders and serve this community. It has built my confidence and abilities in student leadership roles.”
“TWU also gives students a Christian community so that we can strengthen our faith and grow in Christ,” Liao added.
“I also have met many awesome people here and built some long-term friendships.”
About Trinity Western University
Founded in 1962, Trinity Western University is Canada’s premier Christian liberal arts university dedicated to equipping students to establish meaningful connections between career, life, and the needs of the world. It is a fully accredited research institution offering liberal arts and sciences, as well as professional schools in business, nursing, education, human kinetics, graduate studies, and arts, media, and culture. It has four campuses and locations: Langley, Richmond-Lansdowne, Richmond-Minoru, and Ottawa. TWU emphasizes academic excellence, research, and student engagement in a vital faith community committed to forming leaders to have a transformational impact on culture. Learn more at www.twu.ca or follow us on Twitter @TrinityWestern, on Facebook and LinkedIn.
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