Food for Thought: The bittersweet past of Vietnamese coffee
By: Nancy La, Staff Writer
Every morning, I would wake up to my mom making Vietnamese coffee. Thick, fudgy condensed milk softening the descent of black coffee as it dripped down from the metal phin filter definitely made for a spectacular sight. A quick stir of a spoon and a rich caramel-coloured concoction appeared.
Just a small sip brings an explosion of sweetness, followed by a punch of bitterness. It is strong enough that, for a second or two, everything is right in the world.
Despite all the warm and fuzzy feelings this drink brings, cà phê sữa, or Vietnamese coffee, is a product of 19th century French colonization. The introduction of Robusta coffee trees led to an explosion in coffee exports in Vietnam. Robusta, with its higher caffeine content, has a stronger, more bitter flavour than the Arabica counterpart.
Because of how strong Robusta coffee was, it had to be consumed with milk. But fresh milk is perishable and was practically nonexistent in Vietnam in the 1800s. Condensed milk became a popular replacement for the French colonizers in Vietnam. Its high sugar content acted as a preservative and its low water content extended shelf life. Coincidentally, sweetened condensed milk paired really well with bitter and acidic Robusta coffee.
Flash forward to the aftermath of the Vietnam War, which left the country on its knees. Aggressive agricultural reforms, such as the privatization of farm lands, pulled the country out of hot water and turned Vietnam into one of the largest coffee exporters in the world. Along with the export of beans came the export of culture — and Vietnamese coffee, with its addictive sweetness and high caffeine content, made its name as the iconic drink of Vietnam.
Vietnamese coffee is quite popular in the Vancouver coffee scene. Several restaurants and coffee shops sell it in takeout bottles, such as Cà Phê and Obanhmi. But coffee culture is drastically different in Vietnam than it is here in Vancouver. There is no taking your coffee “to–go.” Instead, customers park themselves in coffeehouses for at least two hours. Coffee drinking in Vietnam is a way for the locals to relax and enjoy others’ company, unlike here in the West where people mostly consume caffeine for work purposes.
Growing up in Vietnam definitely shaped my enthusiasm for coffee as an adult, but for the longest time, I avoided drinking Vietnamese coffee. I’d been misled into thinking that adding any kind of milk or additives into coffee would make me an inferior coffee consumer, and only Westernized approaches to coffee brewing (such as pour-over and French press) were legitimate ways to brew coffee. It took years of re-education for me to get rid of that mindset, and it wasn’t until recently that I started to enjoy cà phê sữa again.
Seeing my mom making cà phê sữa every morning reminds me of my cultural roots. It also forces me to acknowledge the complicated history that comes along with it. As we enjoy Vietnamese coffee for all of its delicious glory, the history of the drink itself reminds us of the complexity of colonization, and a country’s resilience in embracing its scars and creating something beautiful out of it.
Recipe for cà phê sữa/Vietnamese coffee
2–3 tbsp condensed milk (depends on how sweet you take your coffee)
2 tbsp medium ground dark roasted coffee (Cafe du Monde or Trung Nguyen for authenticity, but any dark, strong coffee will do)
Hot water
Ice (optional)
Vietnamese phin filter*
- Pour your condensed milk into a heatproof glass or mug. You’ll be brewing directly into this cup, so make sure it can handle hot water.
- Take the inner press of the phin filter out of the cup, then place your ground coffee inside. Place the press back on top. Some presses are designed to screw back into the cup, while others are just meant to be placed on top of the grounds. Don’t press too hard on the coffee bed, otherwise the water can’t make it through the coffee. Place the whole phin (minus the lid) on top of the cup you’re using with the condensed milk.
- Now’s the fun part! Take your boiling water and pour (carefully!) into the phin until the water reaches halfway up the sides of the phin. Place the lid on and wait for 40 seconds to a minute. This is called “blooming,” where you are removing the excess carbon dioxide in the coffee grounds to help with extraction later on.
- After the blooming water is completely absorbed into the grounds, pour hot water all the way up to the top of the phin, and place the lid back on. This is the brewing process and will take around 1–2 minutes.
- If you prefer your coffee stronger, you can add more water to the phin as it brews to increase the coffee and condensed milk ratio.
- After you’re happy with how much coffee is in the cup, you can remove the phin and rest the filter on its own lid.
- Take a spoon and stir the coffee and condensed milk together. Your kitchen should smell like caffeinated heaven at this point.
- If you want to take it hot, drink the coffee as is. If you want to make an iced version, pour the coffee you have into a glass with ice.
- Enjoy!
*The phin filter comes in four parts: the round plate at the bottom, a cup, a press inside of the cup, and a lid. Made out of metal, it is reusable and gets very hot during the brewing process, so be careful. Phin filters can be found online, or in a Vietnamese supermarket.
The history of pride in Vancouver
Written by: Karissa Ketter, News Writer
Content warning: mentions of homophobia
Vancouver’s earliest pride protest was on August 1, 1973, when the Gay Alliance Toward Equality (GATE) held a picnic and art exhibit. Vancouver’s first pride parade took place in 1978.
Vancouver refused to grant GATE a permit to host a pride event for years until Mike Harcourt, the 30th premiere of BC, was elected into office. He was elected after promises to the LGBTQIA2S+ community — including making a proclamation for the LGBTQIA2S+ community and granting their parade permit.
After his election, a new municipal government was formed in Vancouver and GATE received a permit to hold their first official pride parade. He declared the week of August 1–7 Gay Unity Week. Vancouver then held Canada’s first lesbian pride march on May 16, 1981.
“Pride did begin from protest,” said SFU professor of gender, sexuality, and women’s studies, Jen Marchbank, in an interview with The Peak. She recalled her time living in the UK, when she went to London to “march in the pride parade, and it was very much a demand for equal rights.” In the following few years, “all of a sudden, there was a party atmosphere,” she explained.
“In my lifetime [ . . . ] it has evolved from a parade into a spectacle and into a celebration.” During this time, Marchbank said she has seen laws change as rights for the LGBTQIA2S+ community progress in Canada.
The legalization of same-sex marriage was first introduced in Canada in 2003 when Ontario and BC became the first provinces to legalize it. These were the only places in the world where same-sex couples who were not residents could still marry.
On June 28, 2005, Bill C-38 gave same-sex couples the legal right to marry throughout Canada. The Bill became law in July 2005 when it received royal assent.
Canada was the fourth country to make these advancements, following the Netherlands in 2000, Belgium in 2003, and Spain earlier in 2005.
The Canadian Encyclopedia estimates that public support for same-sex marriage went from 41% in 1997 to 74% in 2017.
“There still is a need for pride — not just to celebrate their existence, but to build community, to convey to those who are not part of the LGBTQ community that we’re here, we’re not just to be tolerated, we are a part of everyone’s lives.”
In 1985, the Equality for All report was released by the Canadian Parliamentary Committee on Equality Rights. Their report found high levels of discrimination against those in the LGBTQIA2S+ community. The recommendation was for Canada to make discrimination based on sexual orientation illegal. This recommendation wasn’t accepted for another 10 years.
Marchbank cautioned some pieces of history are misrepresented. Bill C-150 was the federal bill that decriminalized some sexual acts such as sodomy — oral or anal sex between gay men. Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau “very famously said ‘the state has no place in the nation’s bedrooms,’” Marchbank explained. She explained this Bill is often cited as one that decriminalized homosexuality, but “it did not [ . . . ] All Bill C-150 did was decriminalize certain acts between consenting adults over 21 — given that the age of consent for heterosexual relations was about 14.”
She also highlighted the importance of understanding intergenerational effects of Canada’s institutional discrimination — such as the Cold War purge of LGBTQIA2S+ individuals. The purge consisted of government institutions spying on their workers to fire those who identified as part of the LGBTQIA2S+ community during a time when communism and homosexuality were seen as “character weakness.”
There is lasting discrimination, stigma, and “intergenerational effects of the purge. Maybe someone in their 40s wasn’t purged themselves, but maybe their uncle was,” said Marchbank. “You might not be able to discriminate against people [directly] in Canada, but we have people living who have memories of discrimination.”
She said she personally felt these effects at the age 23, when she chose not to pursue a career in diplomatic services because a “statement that was made said ‘homosexuality either declared or otherwise is barrier to employment.’
“It’s our responsibility in our current pride — not just festivals, but in our community — to remember whose shoulders we are standing on,” said Marchbank.
Tim Robinson’s “I Think You Should Leave” is an inventive take on traditional sketches
By: Sara Brinkac, Peak Associate
To rank a sketch show among the comedy greats, it must challenge format norms (Mr. Show) and create sketches that are so unique and original, the jaded viewer is consistently surprised (Portlandia).
The Netflix sketch show I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson (ITYSL) fills both these requirements tenfold. From its debut season in 2019, ITYSL instantly caught the attention of comedy lovers everywhere. Created by Zach Kanin and Tim Robinson, former Saturday Night Live writers, and produced by The Lonely Island, ITYSL offers a refreshing take on the pitfalls of societal norms.
There is a tradition of comedians challenging the “invisible” customs of society. For example, Larry David’s embarrassingly awkward Curb Your Enthusiasm has been at the forefront of sitcoms for the last two decades. While on the other end of the spectrum, Eric Andre’s surreal style bases its comedy in the (extreme) absurdity of reality. What makes ITYSL so well made is its carefully calculated balancing act between “sitcom cringe” and “surreal comedy.”
Using the sketch show format, ITYSL has the ability to offer commentary on an array of different subjects over the course of 15 minutes. This allows the creators to jump from joke to joke and end them at the most opportune (or purposely inopportune) times. By juxtaposing TV commercials’ various formats against a host of absurd characters, or escalating a situation far past what anyone would deem socially acceptable, ITYSL pushes the seasoned viewer to ask, “Just what the hell am I watching?”
Season two welcomes Patti Harrison (ITYSL’s favourite office worker) onto the writing staff and champions an entertaining six-episode run. While many shows with a hit first season may be tempted to rehash old bits or radically change to avoid comparison, season two of ITYSL shows signs of a series maturing and building on its format.
The writers, along with director Alice Mathias, work together to challenge their sketches and stretch the boundaries of what they can achieve. Whether it was adding an oddly reflective tinge to the end of their first episode, or inventively playing upon film techniques in the “wife flashback” sketch, the crew clearly made an effort to boldly build not just their own vocabulary, but all of comedy’s vocabulary.
What remains the same between season one and two is how truly joyful it is to revisit. It is obvious the creators of the show are dedicated to carefully crafting and layering each episode, giving the viewer more to appreciate time and time again. Whether it be the hilariously unforgettable quirks Tim Robinson adds to each of his characters or that one line you “forgot was even in there,” a rewatch of ITSYL will have you laughing every time.
The seemingly endless viewings are only strengthened by the “backburner sketches.” You may begin an episode to watch one sketch and find that another you never liked is actually quite funny in its own way. ITYSL truly is the gift that keeps on giving.
I highly recommend watching (or re-watching) ITYSL, even if you are on the fence about it. The sketches have an odd way of nestling into your head and hilariously applying to everyday life.
As of July 22, 2021, both seasons of I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson are available to stream on Netflix.
Perfect Fit: Shabby chic decor for small living places
By: Lubaba Mahmud, Peak Associate
Last month, I moved into a studio. Since then, I’ve been carefully collecting a few pieces that will add a little sparkle without taking up too much space. I’m not sure what my style is called, but I think it’s a mix between shabby chic and modern. I know it is tough to decorate small Vancouver apartments on a student budget, so I hope the next few items will give you some inspiration.
Do it for the (mono)gram
I think accents with your initial(s) are a fun way to personalize your room. The one I have is a slim, wooden, L-shaped piece decorated with succulents from Michaels. I couldn’t find the exact same design on their site, but you can find another one with a similar look. I chose to display mine on a shelf, but I believe it can be hung on a wall too.
Put a ring on it
Wreaths aren’t just for Christmas! The great thing about Michaels is that their decorations are divided into themes, so you can choose a few items from one collection for a cohesive look. The wreath I picked looks like an arrangement of dried flowers. I used a Command hook to hang mine. It makes me smile every time I arrive at home after a tiring day.
Can-do spirit
I love pieces that combine functionality with beauty! I picked up a sleek watering can with a gold handle from IKEA to go with some plants I plan on buying soon. It’s lightweight and doesn’t take up too much space either.
Room to grow
There’s nothing like fresh flowers to brighten your room. Since I want the focus to be on my flowers, I bought a clear, cylindrical vase from Dollarama. Its design is simple and small, so it doesn’t take up much space on my dining table.
Word up
I cannot imagine my place without at least one cheesy quote. My favourite is a vintage-looking box that came from a small thrift store for less than $10. The Tolkien quote on it has given me some solace until I can actually travel again.
Senate Report: July 5, 2021
Written by: Karissa Ketter, News Writer
Elective grading system extension to Spring 2022
Senator Elizabeth Elle brought forth a motion to extend the pilot elective grading system pass/credit/no credit to the Spring 2022 term. It had previously been approved for the Spring 2021, Summer 2021, and Fall 2021 semesters.
The briefing report stated this “will allow the Registrar’s Office to have sufficient data to inform a full analysis of the program.” They will use this data to determine if the elective grading system will become a permanent system at SFU.
Past registrar Kathryn Verkerk noted the data analysis will look for “how many students opted into the program,” which programs used the grading system most, and how this affected students’ academic performance, among other things.
When asked about whether the system could be expanded to core courses, Verkerk said it will be “available for departments to opt in for required courses.” This means the program plans to stay consistent with its pilot.
Elle noted they are looking to “hear the student voices” in their consideration of whether this remains beneficial. Senator Daniel Leznoff said the “cost of doing this is exceptionally low. I think the benefits are very high.”
This motion passed unanimously.
Delayed start of Spring 2022 and Summer 2022 semesters
Senator Stephen Spector, the chair of the Calendar Committee, proposed a motion to delay the beginning of the Spring 2022 and subsequent Summer 2022 classes. The motion suggests beginning the Spring 2022 semester on Monday January 10, 2022 instead of the original Wednesday January 5, 2022.
Spector explained this is needed to allow instructors and students more time to prepare after New Year’s Day because both Christmas and New Year’s Day fall on Saturdays. This includes grade processing.
Spector noted this would reduce instructional days from 63 to 61 and extend the exam period to April 26, 2022.
The motion also moved the Summer 2022 semester courses from May 9, 2022 to May 10. This reduces instructional days from 63 to 62.
The motion passed unanimously.
Senator Matt Martell questioned if the Senate should consider moving towards a 12-week schedule instead of 13 weeks. As an instructor, he finds he is left with 12 instructional days and is then forced to rearrange his teaching schedule to accommodate the shrinking semesters. He said switching to 12 week semesters would allow SFU to adjust the course hours accordingly.
“It may be time to revisit how we are delivering our 39 hours, as students don’t get their full money’s worth in terms of course hours,” said Martell.
President Joy Johnson said the Senate would not be discussing that matter at this time. Spector noted the Calendar Committee is aware of this concern and in the coming weeks would discuss the 2023 schedule.
Joy Johnson updated Senate on reconciliation efforts
Content warning: mention of residential schools
“We as a university have been working towards reconciliation across our three campuses,” announced Johnson to the Senate.
In light of news of the mass graves being recovered under residential schools, Johnson acknowledged the responsibility the university has to support Indigenous communities.
Her update to the Senate mentioned the SFU flags have remained lowered, the university is working with host nations to enter into a “memorandum of understanding,” and they are exploring ways to “continue our path and deepen our relationships with our local First Nations.”
The Senate proposed a working group to establish a new Indigenous leadership position. The working group is being co-chaired by Squamish counselor, spokesperson, and SFU alumn Chris Lewis and vice president, academic and provost Catherine Dauvergne.
Johnson also reported they are currently examining ways in which the university can financially support Indigenous students.
Ghana set to expand its chocolate-exporting industry
Written by: Harvin Bhathal, Peak Associate
Ghana is the world’s second-largest producer of cocoa. During a state visit to Switzerland, one of Ghana’s most important trading partners, Ghana informed Switzerland they would no longer export cocoa to them. Instead, Ghana plans on expanding its domestic chocolate-exporting industry to further industrialize the country.
“There can be no future prosperity for the Ghanain people in the short, medium, or long term if we continue to maintain economic structures that are dependent on the production and export of raw materials,” President Nana Akufo-Addo stated.
“We intend to process more and more of our cocoa in our country with the aim of producing more chocolate ourselves.”
In an interview with the BBC, Alan Kyeremeatan, Ghana’s Trade and Industry Minister said, “It only makes sense that the most important commodity in our country [ . . . ] should become the target for a major programme of industrialization.”
The global chocolate industry is worth nearly $140 billion US — yet many Ghanaian cocoa farmers make less than $1 a day. As stakeholders, cocoa farmers generally only have a share of less than 7% of the global supply chain for chocolate.
General Secretary of Ghana’s Agricultural Workers Union (GAWU) added, “The government of Ghana must transform [the] cultivation of cocoa, its harvesting, and processing to generate more revenue from cocoa production.”
Former Swiss president Simonetta Sommatuga said, “It is obvious that Ghana is increasingly striving to process raw materials in addition to extraction of them; that way, more added value remains in the country, which is a very understandable desire.”
Sommaruga noted that “relations between Switzerland and Ghana have for decades been characterized by mutual respect.”
Ghana is a part of Switzerland’s State Secretariat for Economic Affairs economic development cooperation plans which aim to assist middle income countries and countries with transitioning economies.
Switzerland’s two main objectives for Ghana are: “building strong and accountable institutions that deliver effective public services,” and “improving the competitiveness and diversification of the economy.” These objectives have the goal of making Ghana more noteworthy in the global chocolate industry.
In 2019, Ghana said they would process 50% of their cocoa crop locally in partnership with China, who established a $60 million processing facility. This was to “boost the country’s exports, improve value addition, and cocoa consumption locally.”
Ghana processes roughly 30% of its cocoa crop and plans to expand its growing domestic chocolate industry. However, this does not come without its structural challenges — which Akufo-Addo pledged to address.
In an interview with the BBC, Nana Aduna II, a Ghanaian cocoa farmer said, “The equipment to make chocolate is very expensive.” This includes refrigeration systems as chocolate melts easily due to Ghana’s tropical climate.
“Plus, we don’t have a local sugar industry and we don’t have a local dairy industry,” so these resources must be imported from elsewhere, driving up the cost of production.
In addition, high interest rates on bank loans are another obstacle for non-commercial chocolate producers, as it hinders business growth.
However, there are factors positioning Ghana to expand its chocolate-exporting industry.
Akufo-Adda plans for Ghana’s chocolate-exporting industry to be kickstarted through his One District One Factory programme that aims to provide the necessary infrastructure for agribusiness, including processing plants in some of the country’s more prominent cocoa-growing regions.
Ekow Dontoh, a commodities expert said, “It has become easier for the private sector to invest in food processing, [which] is a welcome move.” In addition, big tax rebates are available for processing companies that will set up in Ghana’s free zones, “designated areas to encourage economic activity.”
Currently, there are several domestic chocolate-exporting companies in Ghana, including artisanal companies such as ‘57 Chocolate and Golden Tree, as well as larger exporting companies such as Fairafric.
“We are determined in Ghana to ensure the succeeding generations of Ghanains do not become victims or pawns of the international economic order, but her beneficiaries,” Akufo-Addo said. He envisions “a Ghana which has discarded a mindset of dependency, aid, charity, and hand-downs — and is charting down a path of self-reliance.”
Moon wobble may cause flooding in BC
Written by: Michelle Young, News Editor
A new NASA study stated “Upcoming changes in the moon’s orbit could lead to record flooding on Earth in the next decade.” They explained that, while the moon’s regular cycle causes high and low tides climate change may aggravate sea levels, which could lead to flooding in the 2030s.
The study focused on effects on the United States; however, UBC professor Jess McIver said the same issues apply to BC. CBC News reported BC cities have “begun preparing for rising sea levels, flooding and extreme tides, in addition to the other climate and weather extremes predicted by climate scientists.” However, “the addition of the lunar ‘wobble’ at almost exactly the same time could amplify the impact.”
Experts maintain the moon has “been wobbling in this way for millions and millions of years.”
Cities at high risk of floods have invested in infrastructure to prepare for flooding. Areas that are considered high-risk include those with “low-lying areas near sea level.” It is recommended that cities protect their infrastructure so “water treatment, electrical, communication and public transport systems are working.”
The Red Cross recommends putting “sealant around basement windows and the base of ground-level doors” and preparing an emergency family plan for general flood protection.
NASA said, “From a planning perspective, it’s important to know when we’ll see an increase [ . . . ] Understanding that all your events are clustered in a particular month, or you might have more severe flooding in the second half of a year than the first — that’s useful information.”
Council Meeting — July 14, 2021
Written by: Jaymee Salisi, News Writer
Student Union Building (SUB) opening plan
The SUB working group brought forward a motion proposing that Council set the opening date for the SUB as August 23, 2021.
Between this date and SFU’s campus reopening on September 8, the Simon Fraser Student Society (SFSS) aims to use the time to allow students to explore and identify potential areas of improvement before campus officially reopens.
“The building itself is substantially complete,” SUB building manager John Walsh said. He added the building will receive a full occupancy permit from the City of Burnaby once the building structure is officially approved by SUB consultants.
The building provides office space for groups including:
- CJSF radio station
- Disability and Neurodiversity Alliance (DNA)
- Embark
- First Nations Students Association (FNSA)
- Simon Fraser Public Interest Research Group (SFPIRG)
- Students of Caribbean and African Ancestry (SOCA)
Commercial tenants such as Blenz Coffee and a convenience store will also be found in the SUB.
By the opening date, the SUB will be open to access by the public during regular operating hours of 7 a.m.–7 p.m.
According to Walsh, CJSF, Embark, FNSA, and SFPIRG have moved their belongings into their respective building spaces and some will soon be sending in tenant requests to improve the accessibility of their rooms. After visiting their site recently, SOCA is deciding what renovations might need to be made. DNA has used the space but has requested some changes.
Walsh said the SFSS will cover the cost of any space changes for DNA, FNSA, and SOCA.
In addition, council members hope to create a prayer room, ablution room, a gaming lounge, and gender-inclusive washrooms.
The prayer room and gaming room are finished with minimal tenant improvement requests. With approval from Council, space will be made for the ablution room and washrooms.
The SFSS has a cleaning agreement with BEST, an association of unionized cleaners. There will be one “designated cleaner during core hours,” “daily cleaning in high-traffic spaces,” and “biweekly cleaning in office spaces.”
SFSS president Gabe Liosis said, “We have built a plan to [open] in a safe way — in a way that is open, accessible, and inclusive.”
Vice president (VP), equity and sustainability Marie Haddad added Black student activists helped to create a community space for marginalized students in their work fighting for space for Rotunda groups.
This motion for an August 23 SUB opening date was carried unanimously.
Outdoor in-person events
VP events and student affairs Jess Dela Cruz brought forward a motion to support outdoor in-person events leading up to August 23. After this date, “We will all have access to the SUB building, follow public health guidelines, and our own indoor event guidelines.”
The motion requested the SFSS allow limited outdoor events to take place prior to the SUB’s official opening date as COVID-19 restrictions loosen across the province.
Council members have been creating guidelines for clubs, student unions, and constituency groups to hold outdoor events.
The guidelines state event organizers must provide access to masks, hand sanitizer, appropriate cleaning supplies, and a contact tracing list. Masks, hand sanitizer, and cleaning supplies will be supplied by the SFSS.
Groups who wish to gather will be required to promote COVID-19 safety protocols on their event advertisements.
Before the SUB opens, Dela Cruz said, “We won’t have any in-person events in the SUB just yet.” However, this motion offers the opportunity to plan outdoor gatherings.
This motion was carried unanimously.
SFU to run medical translation interpretation certificate program
Written by: Karissa Ketter, News Writer
SFU is running a three-month, part-time medical translation interpretation certificate program. The bilingual Mandarin Chinese and English program gives students the experience, training, and qualifications needed in order to pass their credential exams held by the Society of Translators and Interpreters of British Columbia.
Rose Jen and Wendy from the Interpretation and Translation Program at SFU hosted an information session on July 16, 2021 to provide information on the programs.
The course centres around ethics training, medical terminology, and hard skills. The required courses will cover practice, interpreting skills in medical and health-care settings, protocols and field training for medical translators and interpreters, and foundational medical knowledge.
The information session held an ethics workshop to prepare incoming students.
Rose Jen highlighted the importance of “confidentiality, impartiality, accountability, accuracy [ . . . ] and transparency” when working in the medical field. She explained interpreters need to develop skills such as sight translation, shadowing, note-taking, and cultural competency.
Field training allows students to practice their skills with health-care professionals, “giving [them] that preparation before throwing you into the pool,” explained Rose Jen.
“We invite [ . . . ] real life health-care professionals from different fields and specialties [ . . . ] to share their experiences with interpreters,” said Rose Jen.
The certificate also contains courses on medical terminology, the human body systems, and field training.
The presentation noted the median income for working medical interpreters is $27/hour in Canada but often ranges from $19 to $33.23 in British Columbia.
Wendy said the overall labour market in BC is seeing a 52% replacement of retiring workers and 44.8% of new jobs due to economic growth. “This industry is looking for new blood,” reported Wendy.
The program takes place from September to December of 2021 and involves synchronous remote learning three days a week. Students work in class sizes of 20 students.
The tuition fee is the same for domestic and international students: $3,950. Students must have an undergraduate degree and proficiency in English and Mandarin Chinese to apply.
The program is recognized in Canada as well as countries such as China, Australia, and the United States.
