Kyrene Tey

About

Name	Kyrene Tey
Pronouns	She / Her
Degree	Bachelor of Science in Food, Nutrition and Health
Major	Nutritional Sciences
Year	4
Hometown	Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Transferred from:	Taylor’s University Lakeside Campus, Malaysia

Turning a Passion for Food into Purpose

Kyrene Tey is an undergraduate student in the Food, Nutrition and Health program at UBC. Her passion for food started with watching cooking videos online and was further shaped by her mom’s consistent encouragement of healthy eating at home. These early influences sparked her curiosity about the role of nutrition in everyday life and motivated her to study it more deeply in the Faculty of Land and Food Systems (LFS).

Kyrene shares that “learning about nutrition helps us make informed choices that support both individual health and community well-being.” She encourages students to stay open to new interests and pathways, as they often lead to unexpected and rewarding opportunities.

What are three adjectives that describe you?

Fun, spontaneous, open-minded

Why did you choose to transfer to LFS?  

While I was exploring options for universities in North America to pursue my studies in food and nutrition, I came across the Faculty of Land and Food Systems at UBC. As I did my further research on this Faculty, I discovered that this program at UBC has a huge focus on integrating learning on sustainability, health and the science behind what we eat as a whole to make positive impacts through improving our current food systems, which is something that continues to interest me up until today.

What is the greatest advantage of studying in a smaller Faculty at UBC? 

You’ll get to know a lot of your peers and staff, and you will also have the chance to build closer connections with professors here in LFS! These relationships/connections can give you valuable insights into different career paths or specific fields of study. They can also create a strong support network throughout your university life! It just feels great to know that you are not alone when it comes to navigating exams, assignments, and everything in between.

How did you first become interested in Nutritional Sciences?

I’ve always been passionate about food, and watching those cooking videos on YouTube has definitely spiked my interest in learning how nutrition comes into play in the food we eat in our daily life. On top of that, my mom has always encouraged healthy eating habits in our family, which definitely influenced my passion for learning more about food and nutrition. That’s what led me to pursue a deeper, more scientific understanding of it here at UBC.

What has been your favourite course and why? 

I have quite a few favourite courses and it’s really hard to pick just one! I think for now it would be FNH 342 Critical Perspectives on Consumer Food Practices! I enjoyed learning about the different perspectives affecting individual food choices, which includes perceptions on healthy eating, family structure, gender identity and more! This course has shown me that many factors shape one’s perception of healthy eating, and also that healthy eating can’t really be defined by just using one definition. It’s an interesting course that is less heavy on the nutritional composition of food but rather focuses on perspectives of food choices in life.

What strategies would you recommend for adapting to the new university setting? 

For me, it was definitely stepping out of my comfort zone to volunteer at events. I made most of my current LFS friends through volunteering, as an LFS Orientation Leader, with the LFS ACE Team, and through LFS|US. It was such a great way to put myself out there and start building my own community. The first step is always the hardest, but it really does get easier the more you do it! Also, don’t be afraid to reach out for support because you are never alone on this journey, and there are so many resources at UBC to help you make the most of your university experience. 

How has your experience in LFS shaped your vision for your future?

My experience in LFS has really helped me build the confidence to trust in myself, both in my future career and personal life. I came to UBC as a relatively quiet and shy person, but over time, I’ve grown into someone who feels more confident speaking in public and stepping into leadership roles. My journey here hasn’t always been smooth, but every challenge or setback became an opportunity for growth. Each ‘hiccup’ taught me that I’m capable of overcoming obstacles (and I did!). That’s what makes me feel excited and positive about what’s ahead in life for me!