Growing up in Regina, it was important for me to find a balance: close enough to stay connected to family, but far away to experience life on my own. I chose UCalgary because it hit that sweet spot, put me right near the Rocky Mountains and offered incredible academic opportunities.

Now that I am here, I couldn’t be happier with my path. As an HSoc student, I focus heavily on how health is influenced by more than just genes and germs. But figuring out how and what to focus on was not exactly easy or straightforward. By default, HSoc students are required to declare a social science concentration by the beginning of second year. Nailing down just one direction left me wondering what to choose out of the 250+ programs. I like exploring how politics, institutions and even culture shape the quality of one’s health and everyday lives. This program bridges the gap between science and society, and I am a firm believer that community and population health, especially when it comes to supporting marginalized groups, deserve a much bigger spotlight.

A Few Things I Wish I Knew In First Year
If I could pass down a bit of advice to my younger self it would be to lean into campus resources and don’t be afraid to ask for help!

• Go to office hours!
  • When you don’t understand a concept, show up for your professors and ask them! That's what they are there for. Your professors want to share their knowledge and help you succeed.
• Build connections
  • Connect with your profs after class even if it’s just a quick "Thank you, I really enjoyed that lecture." These are the exact people who write letters of recommendation or open doors to research opportunities
• Put yourself out there
  • One of my biggest regrets is that I didn’t do this enough. There are so many like-minded students and professors here at UCalgary. Join one of the 400+ student clubs, say hello, or just give a smile - the community will meet you halfway.

In my first year, I took a plethora of classes to dip my toes into different disciplines. One class that completely changed my perspective was Introduction to Social and Cultural Anthropology (ANTH203) with Dr. Dahl. With Spring semesters being condensed, three hour lectures were the norm, but Dr Dahl made it an extraordinary experience. I learned about how cultural perspectives influence quite literally everything: your perception of medicine and health to the way you view gender and how health is socialized. As a second-generation immigrant who has roots in Pakistan, this class opened my eyes. It helped me understand that the differences in worldview between my parents and I are not just quirks but are rather shaped by years of history, institutions, and (shoutout Introduction to Sociology (SOCI 201)) social structures. In particular, exploring the impact of British colonization on Pakistan's healthcare model and how historical policies shape present-day health frameworks got me hooked. That is why I ultimately chose to concentrate in Anthropology with a deep interest in medical anthropology, how different cultures view healthcare and how we can move forward.

Zaara’s Secret UCalgary Study Spots:
(This includes most of my spots, but not all - I can’t have my favourite spots getting too busy!)

1. Health Sciences Library in Foothills Campus: Hands down, my number one. It almost always has rooms available to book - even for single-person study sessions complete with whiteboards and bright lighting. It features quiet cubicles, open spaces, and big meeting rooms.
2. 5th Floor of the Taylor Family Digital Library (TFDL): You’ll often see the 4th and 6th floors sitting at 95%+ occupancy, while the 5th floor hangs out around a chill 30%. Just make sure to check the TFDL occupancy site before you head over!
3. The Social Staircase in the Engineering Complex: My go-to spot if I'm just checking emails or doing lighter tasks. It gets a little noisy with the ping-pong games nearby, but the energy and vibes are unmatched.
4. Second Floor of MacEwan Hall (Brown Couches): Super comfy and usually not too busy. Bonus points if you can score a couch right next to an outlet.
5. The Administration Building Atrium: It has built-in white noise, plants for ambiance, and best of all, if you are someone who is always cold like me, the temperature is actually regulated and stays warm!

I hope you have enjoyed reading a little piece of my UCalgary journey. This university has opened so many doors for me and I would love to see you on campus as a future Dino!