Katy Berglund

My name is Katy Berglund, and I’m currently a third-year student at the University of Victoria, in Victoria, B.C. I am a settler born on the traditional territories of the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Watuth First Nations — (colonially known as Vancouver). When I was 5, my family moved to Lekwungen and W̱SÁNEĆ territories (Victoria). I had the opportunity to go to the Seattle area a few times for different school related activities and what really impacted me was just how similar the American friends we made really were.

Throughout my time at the University of Victoria, and through my Political Science and Philosophy majors, I’ve really come to value community building. Politics as a field of study, can oftentimes be divisive and contentious — especially with US-Canada relations. I really think that through making genuine connection with people that have shared values, across a border, can really help to further understanding and break down the potential negative side of political relations. Not only that, but I’m excited and motivated to bring what I’ve learned from my fellow scholars back home, in making strides to continually better not only myself – but the communities I exist in.

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The Corbett British Columbia-Washington International Exchange Program Fund provides an opportunity for undergraduate students at the University of Washington to spend two semesters at the University of British Columbia or University of Victoria; and for students from the University of British Columbia and University of Victoria to spend three quarters at the University of Washington.