Gabriel Koch is an undergraduate student in the Faculty of Land and Food Systems (LFS) majoring in Nutritional Sciences. He transferred from Corpus Christi College to UBC Science then drawn to UBC LFS by his curiosity about the human body and how it processes food. Taking FNH 250 was a turning point for Gabe as he became fascinated by the gastrointestinal system and the way macronutrients and micronutrients fuel our daily lives.
He encourages transfer students to take advantage of LFS resources especially the supportive academic advisors and to get involved in faculty events. His biggest advice is to put yourself out there but remember to pace yourself because university is about learning both academically and personally.
What are three adjectives that describe you?
Curious, Kind, Reflective
Why did you choose to transfer to LFS?
I chose to transfer to LFS because I love learning about the human body and was drawn to the courses I would be taking in my second term. This is a field I want to continue exploring and studying. When I took FNH 250, I became fascinated by the gastrointestinal tract and how our bodies process different macronutrients and micronutrients. That course really sparked my interest, and I knew I wanted to learn more.
What has been the best part of your university experience so far?
One of the best parts of my university experience has been my involvement with Agora, where I get to meet new people while helping make food more accessible to students. I love being part of a group that works together to give back to the community and I find it really comforting to know that I have helped someone enjoy a meal. Another highlight is training for my first triathlon in March. I have never done one before, so I am looking forward to it. I train three times a week for each discipline, and it has been an exciting challenge.
What would you want a student applying to transfer to LFS to know about our Faculty?
My biggest piece of advice for students thinking of transferring is to take advantage of LFS Advising. The advisors are incredibly kind, helpful, and supportive. They really helped me sort out my academic and application concerns during my transfer, and I had such a positive experience with them.
When I switched from the UBC Faculty of Science to LFS, I wasn’t sure what direction I wanted to take, but LFS gave me a strong foundation to explore my interests. I also wish I had gone to more social events because they are a great way to meet people. I’d recommend volunteering at Agora and learning about all the opportunities LFS has to offer. LFS is such a welcoming community, and getting involved really helps you feel at home.
What strategies would you recommend for adapting to the new university setting?
I think it is important to get involved, but I also believe students should be mindful not to take on too much at once. Your well-being comes first because if you aren’t okay, it is hard to support others. Many students come into university wanting to try everything, but they end up overwhelming themselves. It’s okay not to have everything figured out in terms of what you like and what you don’t like.
Instead of stressing over having a clear plan, I recommend doing things that interest you and using this time as an opportunity to learn more about yourself. The situations we put ourselves in help us grow, and I really believe in the saying, “Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift—that is why it is called the present.”
My advice is to do the best you can today and trust that tomorrow will take care of itself.
Can you share a challenge you faced at UBC, how you overcame it, and what resources or support helped you?
One of my biggest challenges was transferring into the Nutritional Sciences program, especially dealing with logistics and academic requirements. LFS Advising was a huge help throughout the process, guiding me through my transfer and making everything as smooth as possible. The advisors were very accommodating and always provided quick and straightforward responses, which made a big difference for me.
I also found the UBC Academic Calendar to be a useful resource for answering my questions.
How has your experience in LFS shaped your vision for your future?
LFS has broadened my perspective and helped me see more of the world. I love that LFS courses tend to be very practical, which allows me to connect what I’m learning to real-world settings. This has helped me think about how my studies can be applied outside of the classroom and how I can use what I learn in a meaningful way.
