Congratulations to Parveen Virdi! She has been admitted to the Master of Speech and Language Pathology (MSLP) program at the University of Canterbury in Christchurch, New Zealand. Parveen graduated with Distinction in October 2025, having completed a Linguistics Major with an Early Learning Minor and Certificate in the Linguistics of Speech Science (CLSS). 

Please tell us about the Canterbury application process and what inspired you to apply. 

I’ve worked with the neurodivergent community for many years as a Behavioral Interventionist. After learning about the wide range of roles that Speech-Language Pathologists (SLP) play, I became really interested in the field. I collaborate closely with SLPs in my current job and have seen firsthand how rewarding it is to help someone gain independence. I believe that the secret to living is giving, and that’s what inspired me to pursue this path. 

I actually stumbled upon an info session about the Canterbury MSLP program, hoping it might give me some insight into what universities are really looking for in applicants. What stood out to me about Canterbury was how much they value people from diverse backgrounds. It felt very different from Canadian universities, which often seem to be looking for one specific “type” of applicant, like a cookie cutter mold. 

The entire application process was really smooth with Canterbury. One thing I truly appreciated was that they took the time to interview applicants via Zoom, making a genuine effort to get to know each person beyond their paper application. Scheduling calls and chatting with the admin team was simple as everyone was approachable, helpful, and quick to respond. It was refreshing compared to Canadian universities, where it often takes at least a week just to get a reply. Overall, Canterbury made the whole experience easy and welcoming. Just be prepared to pay the full two-year tuition fee upfront in order to apply for your student visa. 

Please tell us about your academic journey at SFU.

Returning to university as a mature student after over a decade, I found SFU to be a more accessible and welcoming option. Reaching out to advisors was quite beneficial, as I was given helpful insights even when selecting certain courses. What really stood out was the support I received from Rita Parmar, the Linguistics Advisor. She was incredible at answering all my questions and made me feel truly heard and supported, which gave me a lot of confidence in choosing SFU. Rita — you rock!

One of the biggest challenges has been adapting to different professors’ teaching styles and sometimes having to advocate for clearer explanations when the class was confused. It’s not always easy to speak up, but it felt important. On the flip side, I’ve really enjoyed learning about the neuroscience side of linguistics — it’s pretty cool! I especially appreciated classes with Dr. Henny Yeung, who breaks down complex ideas in a way that’s easy to understand and focuses on helping us communicate those ideas clearly to everyday people. That skill will be valuable in my future career as an SLP.

In terms of my overall academic program, pursuing the Certificate in the Linguistics of Speech Science (CLSS) made sense, as many of the required courses overlapped with those for my Linguistics Major. I was also advised to add a Minor in Education to strengthen my graduate school application, so I chose Early Learning. This worked well, as I needed a few upper-division electives anyway. 

Another challenge I faced was that most Education courses were online and mainly self-directed. I would have benefited from more direct instruction and opportunities to engage with professors. That said, it’s a valuable minor that complements a Linguistics Major, especially the lessons on speech and sound disorders and relevance to working with the neurodivergent community. 

I tried to join research labs but found it challenging since many professors prefer to continue to work with students they already have. While I understand their perspective, it can be tough for new students to get those opportunities. I would recommend that Linguistics students start building connections early in their journey and don't be afraid to approach professors more than once. 

On the bright side, I joined the Speech and Hearing Club (SHLUB) as an Executive member, which has been a fantastic way to connect with resources, organize events, and facilitate Q&A sessions with professionals in the field. 

What drives you as a person and what motivates you in life? 

What keeps me motivated is knowing that my purpose in this lifetime is to help other people. I’m also committed to always learning and growing — both personally and professionally. 

One of my greatest sources of inspiration has been the stories my immigrant father shared about his struggles to survive and thrive. It’s all about perspective. His journey taught me to be determined — if you set your mind to something, you go out there and make it happen. Failure is inevitable, but it’s about what you learn throughout the struggle. 

I encourage everyone to face their fears and embrace uncertainty — this is where true discovery and growth happen. Ask yourself: How can I be just 2% better than yesterday?