WELCOME BACK, BCIT!

Welcome back, or if you are new to BCIT, welcome! Over the last two years very few of us have been able to fully enjoy BCIT’s dynamic campus and the possibilities it holds. In that time, we have lived through an experience most of us could never have imagined. Inspired by the pressures of the pandemic, we have identified different ways of living, working, studying, and caring for our communities.

In the BCIT community, some of you stepped away from campus for the year and studied online, some commenced new studies in the middle of a pandemic, some delayed their studies, and others are just entering BCIT for the first time. Whatever your story, we at Link want to acknowledge your resilience and spirit. We are excited to meet you, and we will continue to support and connect our BCIT community through the joy of writing.

While it felt like the theme of the last two years was “Limits”—limits on where you can go, who you can see, and what you can do—now that the pandemic has eased, we want to invite you to step forward past those limits and grow! There are so many opportunities here at BCIT. While some may have been knocked down by the last two years, you are embracing a challenge and growing through education, and we are here to support you.

At BCIT, there are many opportunities to develop your skills as a leader. Many of the activities that are at the centre of the student experience will be returning to campus this fall, including student clubs. Not all clubs could happen online last year, so many of these programs are going to need to be rebuilt, which means you have an opportunity to be an early leader. Find your passion and dive into it. Use the skills you are learning in class and make them an asset to our community. This is your chance to not only learn but share and lead others.

There are many outlets for your creativity and passion here at BCIT, too! For me, and I hope for many of you, opportunities to lead can be found here at Link. Link has been advocating for students since 1965. We have not always been perfect, but we continue to evolve as a reflection of our student population. If you are in love with a topic, if you have an opinion to express, if you want to talk about what is going on at the BCIT Student Association Council, or if you simply want to write to me about something you read in the magazine, then Link provides the space for you to do that. Our team of editors is here to support you in exploring your writing ideas whether in print or digital form. As the organizer of our student magazine podcast, MicroLink, I am always seeking new ideas to feature there, as well! Reach out with your inspiration and together we will figure out a way to get you on air. There are bonuses too, as you will make a little money and have something unique to add to your resume.

Plans are afoot for the campus to come back to life in a couple of weeks. I was fortunate to be one of the few living on campus last year. It was great to be able to access my programs and walk through the neighbourhood, but as much as I enjoyed the quiet and solitude, I am looking forward to the connections and community building we will be able to return to. Maybe you are coming from a thousand miles away to explore a new city and experience new perspectives, or maybe you are like me and home is only a short ferry trip away. Either way, the chance to have classes in-person and engage with your classmates face to face will be something to savour. As you come to campus, look for opportunities to volunteer in the community, support your fellow students, save money on student services, and participate in community workshops. We might have some bambi legs on us and feel a bit fragile as we establish new routines, but we have all learned we are resilient! You don’t have to do it all alone, either; there are many ways to make connections on campus. Check out the new menu at the student pub, make some new friends in clubs, share some of your skills and interests through Link, and explore other student resources.

In our September issue, you will find lots of ideas to help you get connected with our community. We have an article on how to save money using your student fees, a few reviews on some great shows, an alumni spotlight feature on Tyler Pronyk, and other opportunities and so much more. Yes, hard work lies ahead (sorry, it won’t all be fun and games), but Link is committed to keeping you informed about campus events and opportunities to make your BCIT experience the best it can be.

We look forward to meeting you and again, welcome!

—Jonah van Driesum, Senior Editor