Reflective Essay
Looking back on my journey thus far, my research experience breathed a breath of new life into my academic career. When I began my time at Thompson Rivers University, I never imagined conducting research outside of the occasional class project. Coming here as an international student, like many others, my plan was to finish my studies as quick as possible then start working to repay my parents investment in my future. I only really thought of research through a limited business lens, as market research. Even regarding it as such, I saw it as just another step in the business planning process. I have since come to view research in a new light. As I delved deeper into my courses and interacted with professors, peers, and the diverse community at Thompson Rivers University, my perspective began to shift. I realized that education is not just about getting a degree—it’s about exploration, curiosity, and building a foundation for a meaningful career and life. I now see research as a gateway to continuous learning, that keeps us informed and helps us to understand the world around us.
In my time as an undergraduate researcher, I have worked under the supervision of Dr. Zubair Raja, and in collaboration with Dr. Afia Raja and Dr. Rylan Graham. I have also had the privilege to work in various student positions offered by the TRU Research Office. Working in these positions and together with these professors, I have gained vast amounts of experience and valuable skills. In going through the research process, I grew to understand the importance of planning and preparation, picking up grant writing and budgeting skills in the process. Working with the research office has taught me to effectively collaborate with my peers. In our ambassador roles, together we learnt and were involved in event organization and management, as well as operational planning for the Research Hub on campus. Throughout my research and in my student researcher positions, I have had many opportunities to work on my public speaking and communication. After many presentations and reaching out to people for interviews and surveys, I am now comfortable in front of any crowd and speaking to anyone. I am immensely thankful for the opportunities and experiences I have gained throughout my research. Each step of the journey has reinforced the value of perseverance and curiosity, transforming how I approach challenges. Research has taught me to explore problems from multiple perspectives, connect seemingly unrelated ideas, and engage with people across disciplines. These are skills that extend far beyond academia, shaping not just my career but also my personal growth.
Having conducted research for over a year, I have become one of the more knowledgeable individuals on the emerging market of micromobility. Initially, I only aimed to conduct research for my own business aspirations, but I am now in a position to help advance a growing industry in Canada and I aim to do so. As Canada continues to advance its sustainability efforts, I will be looking to contribute my research to the discussion on transportation.
Together with Dr. Zubair Raja, Dr. Afia Raja, and Dr. Rylan Graham, we are now working on a paper examining the potential of micromobility to transform urban environments. The aim is to identify the key drivers and barriers to micromobility adoption and explore how these insights can be used to integrate micromobility into smart city frameworks. We will be submitting this paper to an academic journal in the Fall of 2025.
The beauty of research lies in its power to connect people, ideas, and possibilities. It bridges disciplines, fosters innovation, and equips you with the tools to shape a better world. More than anything, it teaches you to see beyond limitations and dream bigger.