Holistic Learning: Meet BASE Student Brady Doucette
For students like Brady Doucette, who have an interest in both the sciences and the arts, choosing a program in University has often meant putting one interest over the other. Cape Breton University鈥檚 Bachelor of Arts and Sciences in Environment (BASE) Program is making that choice a thing of the past.
BASE is an interdisciplinary undergraduate degree which offers students the knowledge and training necessary to help lead our generation to a more sustainable future. Perspectives from both the arts and science disciplines come together to offer a holistic learning experience that is unlike anything else.
Brady, who is from Potlotek Mi鈥檏maq Nation, Cape Breton, says he previously struggled to find his place in the world of academics, often changing his major and feeling unsure. 鈥淲hen I heard about the BASE program I was very intrigued,鈥� says Brady. 鈥淚 would finally be able to express my enjoyment of both the sciences and the arts in one academic program.鈥�
Brady will become the first Mi鈥檏maq student to graduate from the BASE program and says it will be a great honour. 鈥淚 want this example to encourage other Mi鈥檏maq youth to apply for post-secondary education,鈥� says Brady. 鈥淭here are endless opportunities in our world and the only way to experience them is to put yourself out there.鈥�
Something else that drew Brady to the BASE program was the focus on Indigenous studies. 鈥淏ASE incorporates aspects of Two-Eyed Seeing, which is so important both inside the classroom and in our communities,鈥� says Brady. 鈥淐BU is on unceded Mi鈥檏maq territory and the stories of our ancestors have been passed down for many generations. This knowledge should be cherished.鈥�
Now entering his third year of the program, Brady says he loves the flexibility he is given within the BASE program to hone in on his individual interests. 鈥淧ersonally, I enjoy working with plants and writing, so some of my courses in the coming semester will be plant taxonomy and nature writing,鈥� he says.
For students who may be considering the BASE program, Brady says it鈥檚 a great way to keep your options open. 鈥淚f you decide down the road that one discipline or the other suits you more, you already have a strong foundation,鈥� he explains. 鈥淏ut BASE offers the best of both, while highlighting environmental conservation and Indigenous culture. If these things are of interest to you, give BASE a try.鈥�
Brady鈥檚 favourite class so far has been Principles of Ecology with Dr. Ken Oakes. 鈥淭he life Dr. Oakes brings to the classroom through his obvious passion for the material is contagious,鈥� says Brady. 鈥淗e鈥檚 also passionate about the long term success of his students, and the skills he has helped me to develop are things I can apply to my current job as well as in future opportunities.鈥�
Caring relationships such as this are one of the things Brady enjoys most about being a student at CBU. 鈥淚t鈥檚 so easy to get to know others because everyone is so friendly,鈥� says Brady. 鈥淭here are many people at CBU who I am very glad to call my life-long friends.鈥� Two of these people are Student Life and Community Engagement Coordinator, Jennifer Billard, and Residence Life Coordinator, Christine Harrietha. 鈥淛enn and Christine have been the best support system anyone could ask for,鈥� he shares.
Brady has a few more credits to go before he will graduate from the program, so for now, he鈥檚 making the most of his time at CBU. 鈥淚鈥檓 in no rush, I鈥檓 enjoying my time as a student while I can,鈥� says Brady. 鈥淵ou never know what鈥檚 around the river bend, I鈥檓 just enjoying the now.鈥�
To learn more about the BASE program at CBU, visit the Program Page.