From Vantage to CHBE

Heqian (Grace) Bei Image

Heqian (Grace) Bei

How did you become interested in engineering? 

In high school, chemistry and biology were my favourite courses. I got even more interested in this area after doing a summer camp on gene editing, where I saw what gene editing actually looks like in a lab and how to do simulations on a computer. That experience helped me realize that I didn’t want to study something that was only theoretical. 

I wanted to apply my knowledge to solve problems in the real world – and engineering is a great way to do that.  

You were part of the Vantage One program. Can you tell us about your experience? 

When I got my offer from Vantage One Engineering, the first thing that came to mind was “really? Why Vantage?” I am originally from China and moved to Canada for Grade 11. The people in my high school were native English speakers and no one really knew about this program.  

Although I had offers from other universities, I chose Vantage with the encouragement of my high school advisor who told me it would be a better chance to meet people from different cultures, practise my English and have a smoother transition into engineering. 

That turned out to be true. It was a very good experience for me. I met a lot of new friends, and because Vantage is a smaller program, students take all their classes together and you get to know everyone very well. We also had to take writing and communication courses that helped us improve our English and taught us how to write reports, articles and written responses in engineering exams. 

The professors and TAs were very supportive and always available to help out. I also joined the mentoring program, which was helpful. My mentor is a practising civil engineer who has provided advice about conferences, networking and planning my time at UBC.  

Another advantage of Vantage is that it spreads the first-year curriculum over three semesters rather than two. 

Even though this makes for a longer journey, it was worth it. I think I did better academically because I had more time, and I also had more time to make friends and meet different people. 

Vantage One Engineering

How was your transition from Vantage to Chemical and Biological Engineering? 

It was difficult at first to move from smaller to larger classes. Second-year courses are also a lot harder and I didn’t initially know any one in my classes. But Vantage gave me a strong foundation and greater confidence speaking in English. Group projects helped me meet people and one of my former Vantage professors also teaches in CHBE, which was really nice.  

Any highlights from your time at UBC? 

Vantage students spend their third semester at UBC Okanagan campus. 

Over two months in the summer our team designed and built an electric bicycle car entirely on our own – from coding and creating models to developing Gantt charts and engineering plans. 

It wasn’t always easy – we had conflicts in our team and had to learn how to communicate and solve problems. I worked primarily on documentation, but also helped all the sub-teams in specific technical areas. At the end we won first place at the final competition, which was very exciting!  

Has being an engineering student changed the way you approach problems? 

Yes. Before I used to brainstorm a lot but had trouble choosing a solution. 

After two years in engineering, when confronted with a problem – either in a course or in my life – I know how to evaluate options, ask the right questions and pick the best method.  

What’s next for you? 

I have applied for co-op starting in September. At first I wasn’t sure about co-op because it means it takes longer to complete your degree and I was worried I might forget things. But I now see it as an opportunity to practise and apply what I’ve learned in my courses and to gain experience with different companies and in different environments. I think this will help me figure out what areas of chemical and biological engineering I am most interested in. 

Learn more about co-op

What is the community at UBC like? 

There are always things happening! It’s very friendly. The Engineering Undergraduate Society organizes fun events, including E-week. Also, each engineering program hosts a lot of events like orientation activities, pizza nights or get-togethers with your professors. 

Engineering Undergraduate Society E-week

What are your goals in engineering? 

These are still early days for me, but I hope to work on research and engineering projects that could improve health care or biotechnology. 

Any advice for students who have been accepted into the Vantage program? 

Click “accept offer”! For many students, it can be upsetting to think that your English skills are not yet strong enough to be accepted into the main engineering program. But if you accept the challenge of Vantage, you will learn a lot, meet great people and get the support you need to succeed at UBC Engineering. 

Student in a lab holding a mini Erlenmeyer flask.

Chemical and Biological Engineering

Chemical and biological engineers will be equipped to excel in a number of fast-growing and highly paid fields, including biotechnology, food, environmental services, bioenergy, forestry, biopharmaceuticals, health care and biomedical engineering.

Chemical and Biological Engineering

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UBC is located on the traditional, ancestral and unceded territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm people (Musqueam; which means 'People of the River Grass') and Syilx Okanagan Nation. The land has always been a place of learning for the Musqueam and Syilx peoples, who for millennia have passed on their culture, history and traditions from one generation to the next.

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