nsaeed039
Dec 28, 2017
Undergraduate / UBC Application...Overcoming homelessness - what it taught me? [2]
Explain how you responded to a problem and/or an unfamiliar situation. What did you do, what was the outcome, and what did you learn from the experience? (maximum 200 words)
In December 2016, I entered the shelter system, a situation that changed my life forever. Upon entering the shelter system, I had two choices; either I could fall into the fish bowl of shelter life, or I could learn how to adapt to my new living situation. I went with the latter. Throughout my time in shelters, I learned how to use the resources I had around me to find and complete housing applications and access counselling/community supports. After doing thorough research and consulting with community housing workers, I decided that transitional housing was the most viable option for me. The low living expenses and supportive nature of transitional housing has allowed me to continue with school full time and learn invaluable life skills. One hurdle I faced throughout this process was obtaining Ontario Works because I was a minor. Through self-advocacy however, I was able to explain my situation to the government, and my application got approved. Although I learned many technical skills during my time in the shelter system, the most important thing I learned was how to stay calm and think rationally in unfamiliar and stressful situations, which I will carry throughout the rest of my life.
dealing with unfamiliar and stressful situations
Explain how you responded to a problem and/or an unfamiliar situation. What did you do, what was the outcome, and what did you learn from the experience? (maximum 200 words)
In December 2016, I entered the shelter system, a situation that changed my life forever. Upon entering the shelter system, I had two choices; either I could fall into the fish bowl of shelter life, or I could learn how to adapt to my new living situation. I went with the latter. Throughout my time in shelters, I learned how to use the resources I had around me to find and complete housing applications and access counselling/community supports. After doing thorough research and consulting with community housing workers, I decided that transitional housing was the most viable option for me. The low living expenses and supportive nature of transitional housing has allowed me to continue with school full time and learn invaluable life skills. One hurdle I faced throughout this process was obtaining Ontario Works because I was a minor. Through self-advocacy however, I was able to explain my situation to the government, and my application got approved. Although I learned many technical skills during my time in the shelter system, the most important thing I learned was how to stay calm and think rationally in unfamiliar and stressful situations, which I will carry throughout the rest of my life.
