Across the globe
A recent graduate from the TWU Psychology program, Rebecca A. considers how far she’s come—geographically, academically, relationally, and spiritually. With all the ways that God has guided, encouraged, and strengthened her, Rebecca is grateful she took the first step of faith that led her to Trinity Western University.
Rebecca made a huge move to Canada, leaving her very close South Indian family in Dubai, where she was born and raised. She’d always had a desire to step out of the comfort of home and discover what life away from that safety, structure, and familiarity would be like, and university studies presented her with the perfect opportunity. “The doors opened so beautifully,” she says, describing how God’s providence orchestrated her coming to Canada, and her TWU journey began.
Following God’s lead
Academically, Rebecca’s psychology studies attuned her ear to listen to others as she felt others had listened so well to her. She speaks of the patience she experienced from her professors when she found herself struggling. With the additional stresses, differences, and emotions that came with being an international student, Rebecca found comfort and encouragement in her TWU professors and classmates. She explains, “The whole concept of being vulnerable in a context like counseling, if anything, has reminded me of how God wants me to come as I am—whether that's me broken; whether that's me living the best life I could.”
With this desire to hear, care, and help, Rebecca describes her goal of counselling as being “present for and with people in all humility.” She recognizes, “We're all broken in our own ways, but God's love through that has shown me who I am, and I want to be able to be present for other people with the same spirit of love.”
Unfounded fears
While at TWU, Rebecca’s desire to build community led her to participate in student leadership. Initially, this was not an easy step coming from a different country and culture, and it caused fears to develop. Rebecca worried about being seen as lacking confidence or that she wouldn’t fit in. But her concerns soon dissipated. No matter what new situation she faced, Rebecca found support, love, and acceptance among her peers. She discovered that “people were willing to be there at any point in the day.”
As a worship coordinator and keyboard player at chapel, spending time leading the TWU student body through music and praise deepened Rebecca’s understanding of how God is honoured in worship. “And it doesn’t just have to be sung worship,” she adds. Reflecting on her time in this role at TWU, Rebecca says, “Student leadership made me explore my faith by myself and how that looks with people around me.” And looking back, she realizes that the opposite of what she feared actually occurred. “I never felt like an outsider at Trinity Western because I always had my community,” she shares with confidence.
A closer walk
With all the growth that occurred in Rebecca’s life during her time in her studies and student life, she can envision how God can touch lives through her the way he touched her life through others. Having her sights on a counselling career, Rebecca expresses, “With God's light radiating in myself, not just practically, but also spiritually, emotionally, and relationally, I want to be able to maximize that with those around me and my surroundings and my community.”
Also see: HKIN grad Justin A. found a redefined purpose at TWU
About Trinity Western University
Founded in 1962, Trinity Western University is a global Christian liberal arts university. We are dedicated to equipping students to discover meaningful connections between career, life, and the needs of the world. Drawing upon the riches of the Christian tradition, seeking to unite faith and reason through teaching and scholarship, Trinity Western University is a degree-granting research institution offering liberal arts and sciences as well as professional schools in business, nursing, education, human kinetics, graduate studies, and arts, media, and culture. It has locations in Canada: Langley, Richmond-Lansdowne, Richmond-Minoru, and Ottawa. Learn more at www.twu.ca or follow us on Instagram @trinitywestern, Twitter @TrinityWestern, on Facebook and LinkedIn. For media inquiries, please contact: media@twu.ca.