We recently caught up with 2019 Semester in Residence alumna Claire de Souza, who is currently earning her Masters in Urban Planning at McGill University. She explained how her CityLAB experience has directly influenced both her admission into this program, and has impacted her approach to many of her classes.
Tell us about your studies at McMaster and how you were involved with CityLAB?
I studied Geography and Environmental studies and earned my Bachelor of Arts. I had a keen interest in urban planning throughout my studies and was introduced to CityLAB through a sustainability course. I participated in CityLAB SIR in Fall of 2019 - my fourth year at McMaster. I specifically worked on the project “Climate Ready Hamilton”.
The goal of the project was to strengthen Hamilton’s resilience to extreme weather caused by climate change (including heat, cold, flooding, drought, etc.). We worked with Environment Hamilton and different community groups in Hamilton during this project.
In addition to the project work within CityLAB, I met some of my life long friends in the program.
What are you up to now?
I am currently doing a Masters in Urban Planning at McGill University. Several of my courses are based around the idea of community engagement in the planning process, and my experience at CityLAB often comes back to me during these classes. I am reminded of how critical community dialogue and participation is within a democratic planning process.
My program application actually required 1-3 years of experience in the field, but I applied right out of my undergrad having no experience with planning. I utilized my CityLAB experience on my CV to show that I did small scale planning within the semester. The experience that CityLAB gave me was unlike anything I had ever done in undergrad. I actually gained “real world” experience in project management, making presentations, public speaking, leadership, interdisciplinary collaboration, and the list goes on.
I used my experience at CityLAB as a tool to apply to my program, and honestly I don’t think I would have gotten in if I didn’t have that experience.
Do you have any long term goals that have been positively impacted by your time in SIR?
I think the biggest impact SIR had on me was the idea of community work. Before CityLAB I had never acknowledged the importance of community engagement including advocacy work and grass roots movements. CityLAB showed me how impactful local communities can be in their activism and in the fight for change.
After my masters, I hope to work for non-profits centered around urban issues - affordable housing, climate resilience, homelessness, and similar issues. The instructors and students at CityLAB instilled the ideas around empathy, equity, and inclusivity in me - I am better off because of it. I know I will take those lessons with me into whatever profession I decide to pursue.
Any words of advice for students thinking about applying for SIR?
Just go for it!
Even if you don’t think it is related to your program, or you’re afraid you won’t know anyone, all of those fears will be eliminated within the first week of the semester.
It is the best thing I did in my undergrad. I think university is a great thing, but I also think it is quite easy to get trapped within your program and inside your comfort zone
Personally, I found I wasn’t being challenged in my regular classroom setting as I’d hoped - assignments and coursework were beginning to get repetitive, I worked with the same people, had the same professors, and felt that I was not using my skill set to the best of my ability.
CityLAB challenged me more than any course I had ever taken. School became less about this repetitive, structured, rubric-following entity, and more about passion, creativity, leadership, and innovation. We were challenged with things you can only really be challenged with when you enter the workforce. It was a much needed experience.
Thank you, Claire!
