YouAlberta
Welcome YouAlberta’s “Have You Met” series in collaboration with @ualbertastudents! Every other week we’ll get to know a student from the University of Alberta.
What three words best describe your U of A experience?
Growth. Grateful. Rollercoaster
Why did you decide to study your major?
I’ve always enjoyed volunteering and helping out in my community so I knew I wanted to do something in health care. I also love doing detailed work with my hands, such as drawing and woodworking. Naturally, I put two of my passions together and decided on dentistry!
What advice would you give to your first year self?
Focus less on what others think, meet new people, and get involved! There are so many cool clubs at UofA to explore new passions and hobbies. In retrospect, I wish I’d learned a new language by joining one of the language exchange clubs.
You can invite anyone — alive or dead, real or fictional — to dinner. Who would it be?
Jean-Michel Basquiat - one of my favourite artists. His dedication and creativity to make it in the art industry as an African-American artist is truly inspiring.
What is your favourite way to unwind after a long day?
Great question! It depends on the weather; when it’s rainy or gloomy, I like to paint, play the drums/guitar, or crochet while listening to jazz. If it’s nice out, you can usually find me outdoors - biking, lounging at a park, playing basketball, or rowing on my stand up paddle board.
What do you miss most about campus/in-person classes?
Jeez, almost everything… Maybe it’d be easier to mention what I’m going to miss about online classes. I’ll definitely miss waking up a minute before class and listening to lectures while simultaneously doing house chores.
What are you most proud of?
I am proud to volunteer as a dental provider at Shine Dental Clinic (@shine_dentistry) which is a student-run dental clinic that offers free services to underserved and immigrant populations in Edmonton. I remember when my family couldn’t afford dental care as recent immigrants from South Korea. It feels like it’s come full circle and it’s been extremely rewarding to give back to underserved populations.
What’s one thing you can’t live without?
Music, since there is music for every mood/occasion. I’ve been listening to a lot of R&B, jazz, hip-hop, and 80’s rock.
What is your go-to study snack?
It’s a close tie between blue gummy sharks and chocolate covered almonds... just kidding, snacking increases the risk of cavities and you will never catch me snacking ;)
Who inspires you?
I am inspired by some of my closest friends who are all pursuing their passions. They keep me grounded, motivated, and it’s great vibes when I’m around them. I am grateful for them everyday.
About Daniel
Daniel is a third-year Dentistry student from Seoul, South Korea. He is a volunteer with Shine Dentistry, a student-run dental clinic established by the U of A’s Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry to provide free services to underserved and immigrant populations in Edmonton. He also runs Mosaics Clothing, a clothing brand aimed at shedding light on minority cultures by collaborating with local artists.