Yoon-Jin Kim
Major: Business
Studied at Columbia College for 2 years
Home Country: Korea
Recipient of: Outstanding Service Award 2006, Academic Scholarship, Honour Roll (Fall 2004 and Winter 2005), and two time Certificate of Recognition (Fall 2005 and Winter 2006).
Co-founder of the Student Association of Columbia College (SACC)
Fundraising leader for the Earthquake Relief Fund (Fall 2005)
Peer tutor (Fall 2005 and Winter 2006)
Valedictorian at graduation 2006
Has been accepted to UBC Bachelor of Commerce program

What I like best about Columbia College is that I can really feel like I am part of the school and if offered me a lot of opportunity to explore my potential. This was through inspiring lectures from great teachers and enormous support with extra curricular activities. During the school years, I could feel a deep sense of accomplishment and appreciation.

I chose to come to Columbia College first because I believed that a college can help me adjust to studying in a whole different environment because I would have “teaching” professors and the smaller size of the classes in college. Also, the tuition fee is less expensive than UBC while all the courses are fully transferable.

Teachers at Columbia College are good scholars, good instructors, and good people altogether. Many teachers in Columbia College have inspired me with their insight into topics we were going through. It was a great honour for me that I was interacting with such knowledgeable teachers. They also make sure and care whether all the necessary knowledge is being transferred. Furthermore, they make Columbia College a place of active learning; it is impressive to see that many teachers are involved with club activities with students and hold small forums where everyone can participate.

Elena Kostenko
2nd semester at Columbia College
Major: Science
Honours recipient Spring 2006

I like the friendly atmosphere and high level of teaching at Columbia College. I want to thank the teachers. They are all professionals in their areas. The academic standards are high. Therefore, students never feel bored or inattentive. Teachers pay attention to everybody, helping each student. We are able to improve communication skills and explore new cultures. The tutorial centre helps students to understand everything deeply and become more interested in subjects. The counselors have answers whenever you ask them something. They make a student’s life in college easier. The location is very comfortable and we can easily reach everything downtown. Our college creates everything that students need to study successfully.

Hyun Wook Andy Park
23 years old
Home country: Korea
5 semesters at Columbia College
Major: Science

Teachers at Columbia College helped me to understand English. They made me want to succeed and I enjoyed learning. I was able to take secondary courses at the College, so I chose Columbia College first. My teachers made me feel comfortable whenever I am in the class. They have great patience and knowledge about their subjects. My teachers challenged me.

I have a great time in this school. I met many friends from other countries. I joined the basketball team and dragon boat team. Also, I joined the camping trip with other students and teachers.

Sharon Tsang Ka Ying - Studying at Columbia College was an important part and a good beginning of my study in Canada. It was enjoyable, both studying and time outside classrooms. The teachers were patient and helpful, they encourage students to learn and to think critically. A high academic standard was set, it was competitive among the students and most of the students did well.

When I got into UBC, I felt more ready after spending a year in college. Columbia College provides many different courses that meet the university requirements of different programs, and all the course credits are transferable. For example, I took all the English, Mathematics and Science courses required for my degree in Columbia College.

Liu Yang (Bruce) - My enriching experience at the College was well balanced in and outside the classroom. I like the friendly and academic environment of the College. Having a reputation as one of Canada’s oldest and finest colleges, I enrolled in CC to build up the competency a top university required. At the same time, I preferred the smaller size of a college which allowed me to experience more closely the new culture and environment.

Teachers at Columbia College hold a Master or Doctorate degree. They set a high standard at the beginning of a semester, and then help us work hard to succeed. Using their awesome teaching skills, they made those materials interesting and prepared us well for exams. Lectures were well organized and instructors took their time to make sure all the questions were answered.

I appreciate the smaller class size. The great individual attention I had received in every class is another factor why I love the college. Usually by the second or third classes, instructors already remember every student enrolled.

Xiaofei Hugh Yu, from Shenzhen China, attended Columbia College, beginning in the ESL program in 1997, and continuing in the UT program in 1998 and 1999. After completing his B.A. (Honours) in Economics at Queen’s University at Kingston, Hugh enrolled at UBC in the Masters program in Economics. Currently, Hugh is at Stanford University doing his Ph.D. in Economics. Hugh’s impressive academic record includes many honours and awards, including Graduate Fellowships at both UBC and Stanford.

About Columbia College, Hugh says, “some of my fondest memories of Columbia College include its group of outstanding teaching faculty and staff who had the dedication and energy that made my stay at the college a pleasant and rewarding experience. I felt well integrated into the academic and social life of the College and made close and lasting friendships from my very first days at the College.