About
| Name | Tavaella Gozali |
| Pronouns | She / Her |
| Degree | Bachelor of Science in Food, Nutrition and Health |
| Major | Double Major Food & Nutritional Sciences |
| Year | 3 |
| Hometown | Jakarta, Indonesia |
| Transferred from: | UBC Faculty of Arts |
Tavaella Gozali is an undergraduate student in the Food, Nutrition and Health program. She transferred from the UBC Faculty of Arts to the UBC Faculty of Land and Food Systems (LFS) to pursue a career pathway where she feels she can make an impact on her community. Ella chose LFS because she believes that “food and nutrition are fundamental to human well-being, and no matter how advanced technology becomes, the need for proper nutrition will always be essential.”
She encourages students considering a change in their academic direction to embrace the uncertainty that often accompanies such decisions, as navigating these challenges can lead to a deeply rewarding experience.
What are three adjectives that describe you?
Authentic, Curious, Resilient
Why did you choose to transfer to LFS?
I wanted to do more of a practical degree where I could gain more hands-on experiences, which led me to the Double Major Food and Nutritional Sciences program in LFS.
I was worried about future job security but I believe jobs within the food and health sections will always be apparent. People will always need food to survive, and these industries require a human touch to keep innovating as they are fundamentally about people helping people.
What has been the best part of your university experience so far?
The best part of university has been the people I’ve met. As someone who considers themselves shy, I’ve found it exciting to connect with people who have vastly different personalities and backgrounds. They’ve introduced me to new cultures and activities that I hadn’t explored before. I believe that beyond education, university offers the chance to learn and experience things you would not normally encounter – it’s like discovering something new every day.
What advice would you give students who are thinking of transferring?
My advice is not to be afraid to explore. Switching to a new faculty or program and adjusting to a different social environment can be intimidating but remember that everyone else has been in the same position at some point.
It’s also important to take the initiative and make the first move– say hi to the person next to you in class or invite a friend out for coffee. These small steps can lead to meaningful, lifelong friendships.
What advice would you have given to yourself before transferring?
I would remind myself that transferring isn’t a setback but rather a redirection. I was most anxious about being behind my peers who were a year ahead, but it’s important to remember that taking your time is okay. This extra time can be valuable for exploring new interests and building experiences before graduating.
What were your experiences of life in Vancouver? How is Vancouver different from home?
Being in Vancouver is quite different from my home in Indonesia, where the population is more ethnically homogenous. There are so many different people here with different stories to tell. Adapting to their cultures and behaviors was challenging initially, but the support from friends and others helped me a lot with the transition. Additionally, my experiences here feel more personally rewarding. Being away from my family means that all my achievements are truly my own.
What is one resource that has helped you during your time in LFS?
My main challenge in transferring to a new faculty was the anxiety of completing my course load on time, especially since I was delayed by a year. However, the academic advisors in LFS were incredibly helpful. They assisted me in translating my previous courses from Arts to see which ones could be transferred and provided guidance on how to systematically build my schedule to ensure I could finish on time. My advice to students is to not hesitate to reach out to academic advisors as they are there to help, and no question is too “inconvenient” for them.
What strategies would you recommend for adapting to a new university setting?
Plan well in advance! Map out your course schedule ahead of time, and if necessary, discuss potential exemptions with professors. It’s beneficial to reach out to peers who have faced similar situations to gain insights on how they managed their hurdles. Effective planning can save you time and provide stability throughout your undergraduate journey.