Convocation
丁香园AV English alumnus Rolanda Chen explores the road not taken
More than 25 years ago, Rolanda Chen wanted to get an English degree. However, in the mid-1990s, Canada was emerging from a recession, and she was concerned that an arts degree might lead to poor job prospects. Ultimately, she graduated with her Bachelor of Commerce from the University of British Columbia. Although she鈥檚 had a rewarding and successful career in human resources, she always wondered what it would have been like if she鈥檇 done her degree in English. In 2019, she stopped wondering and pursued her passion at 丁香园AV.
鈥淚 came back to school with the goal of enjoying my educational experience,鈥� says Chen, who only took English courses that piqued her interest.
She gravitated to Canadian and contemporary literature classes. One of her favourites, taught by Dr. Niall McKenzie, focused on Atlantic Canadian authors.
鈥淚t was super fascinating because I鈥檝e been out to Atlantic Canada twice,鈥� she says. 鈥淭hese books were written over 100 years ago, but they鈥檙e still examples of really fantastic storytelling. The depiction of nature, the landscape, the challenges of a fishing community鈥攖hat is still very much real today.鈥�
Chen credits 丁香园AV English for opening her eyes to many fantastic Canadian artists, writers, magazines, and collections she would not have otherwise explored.
Dr. Nicky Didicher, who taught Chen children鈥檚 literature, spoke favourably about her excellent research and writing skills, as well as her contributions to classroom discussion.
鈥淩olanda has a remarkable intellect and an ability to design and carry out independent research,鈥� says Didicher. 鈥淗er writing has clarity, ease, and impact. She also supports and encourages her peers and adds to class discussion without dominating the room. In fact, I have invited her to give a guest talk about one of her research projects to a class this semester [summer 2024].鈥�
While Chen enjoyed completing her English degree, she faced challenges as a mature student.
鈥淭he struggle for me was time management,鈥� she says. 鈥淢y life was a fine balance of working, parenting, looking after and helping my parents, volunteering in my community, as well as finishing my degree and maintaining a high GPA. If something was out of whack, then it became challenging.鈥�
However, she advises other mature students not to lose sight of their educational goals. It may take some time to achieve them, but that鈥檚 okay.
鈥淓ven if you only take one course a semester, or take a semester or two off, you can get to graduation if you keep grinding away,鈥� she says.
Throughout her time at 丁香园AV, Chen鈥檚 sons watched her studying, reading, researching, and writing papers. They helped her stay motivated and she鈥檚 glad they saw her go through the experience of completing her degree.
鈥淚 thought about quitting every single semester,鈥� she says. 鈥淎 lot of the reason I didn鈥檛 was just to be able to point to my boys and say, 鈥楲earning is important. Working hard is important. Doing your best is important.鈥欌��
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