Charlie Chua
Physiotherapist
What did you appreciate the most about the MPT program and studying at UBC?
The friends I made in the program and my cohort gave me such a great experience. It has been almost two years since graduating, and these friends are some of my best friends who have been a huge influence on me to stay here and build roots in Vancouver.
In terms of my practice, we regularly ask questions in our group chats about case studies we were working on, especially when we need help with coming up with treatment approaches or what to focus our assessments on. We also regularly share the latest evidence and protocols and take continuing courses together.
What drew you to the Physical Therapy profession and what was your journey like to get here?
I was a Varsity rugby athlete in Singapore and experienced many injuries throughout my playing days. I saw many great physios and also many bad ones, and the good ones really changed my outlook on the sport and gave me such a positive experience that it piqued my interest in the profession.
What did you study for your undergrad degree? Do you feel it prepared you well for the prepared for the program?
I did my kinesiology degree at UBC and worked hard to get into the UBC MPT program. I felt really prepared for the program, but I think that was because I took really hard upper-level kin courses in anatomy, neuroanatomy, and neurosciences.
What tools did you find helpful to make sure you had the right documents for admission?
UBC International advising was a great resource and had a lot of detailed guides. As an international student, I could book an advising session where they went through all the steps needed to apply for a working permit. They also have full step-by-step guides on their website on how to navigate the forms and the IRCC website.
What is a piece of advice you would give to people entering UBC as international students?
To prepare in advance when it comes to getting the right documents, transcripts, and information when applying for immigration and for the program.
There are not a lot of programs in Canada offering places to international students, so options are limited. Make sure to study hard and prep well for the Multiple Mini Interviews (MMI) so that you get into the limited amount of spots for international students.
What other areas of practice are you interested in exploring?
I am interested in working in sports physiotherapy and continuing to expand my knowledge in working with stroke and neuro clients.