Meet Canadian alumna Sarika Bose

Sarika Bose (PhD Shakespeare Studies, 1999) lives in Vancouver and works as a lecturer at the University of British Columbia and is part of the Canadian alumni committee.

Why do you volunteer as a group leader?
To contribute to the development of the alumni community. Community-building allows for networking and support within alumni groups, which can lead to productive relationships with their University.

What do you enjoy the most about being on the committee?
I enjoy making new connections, and knowing I'm not the only person who has had a similar educational experience as me in my city. I do modest events with my university groups, so I enjoy hosting events, encouraging conversations between generations and continuing to build links. It was exciting to meet a couple who flew in to our event via helicopter!

What advice would you give to alumni considering joining the committee?
It's a great opportunity to keep the spirit of our alma mater going, to meet people from different parts of Canada as well as from one's own city, and to make connections between people from different generations and with different interests. If you like people, it is enjoyable to organise the socials.

What qualities or skills do you think are most important for being an effective committee member?
Reliability and availability, as well as the ability to put on an enjoyable/attractive, but low-pressure event. Being able to chat with people and put them at ease is also important.

Why did you study at Birmingham?
Specific scholars I wanted to study with attracted me to the University.

What's your favourite memory of campus life?
Being in a student band at Queen's College as well as the Birmingham University Choir helped me form a creative outlet and lifelong friendships.

What's the best piece of advice you've been given?
Perfectionism is the enemy of completion.

Do you have any advice for current students?
Balance your studies with time for reflection and exploration of ideas that fall outside your studies. Balance the time spent studying with time spent dreaming. Balance the time spent studying with time spent exercising, doing something creative and eating well.

What's the best thing about Vancouver?
Besides being surrounded by the beauties of nature, and having access to excellent global cuisine, it is a city where progressive ideas and actions - about inclusiveness, about climate change, for example - are the norm.