Orientation Fall 2022

The Department of Applied Psychology & Human Development welcomed over 400+ new students this September! Meet some of them below and get an inside look to what led them to OISE for grad school!
Amina Yousaf (DPE PhD)
What led you to OISE?
OISE is known for its programs in teaching and learning and has always been in the back of my mind whenever I thought about graduate studies. Once I was set on pursuing both my masters and PhD, I knew it was an obvious choice of choosing OISE. I also completed my Masters at OISE, and had a wonderful experience. I thought it would be best to pursue my PhD within the same area/school.
What are you most looking forward to?
I am most looking forward to working with the amazing faculty members at the school. There is so much important work that is being done, especially as it pertains to EDI and mental health – all of which I am excited to partake in.
Where do you see yourself after you complete your degree?
I would say there are still so many options, or rather pathways that can be taken after completing my PhD. I would either see myself continuing to work within the post-secondary field (faculty member/researcher), or even working with an NGO.

Denise Nickerson (CSE EdD)
What led you to OISE?
I did my BEd, and MEd with OISE, and always found the program inclusive and met my personal and professional goals and needs. I have also been facilitating an ABQ with the OISE CPL program and feel a tremendous amount of loyalty to supporting other educators in their academic pursuits.
What are you most looking forward to?
I enjoy meeting new people and collaborating with educators outside of my professional circle. I am excited to dig deeper into my own practice to uncover and reflect on a problem of practice that I can research and share with other colleagues.
Where do you see yourself after you complete your degree?
I am coming to the end of my career (4 years from retirement!) and would love to find a new position facilitating at a College or University program to support new teachers and educators.

Dan Gheorghiu (SCCP MA)
What led you to OISE?
OISE's reputation for research-focused and informed approach to clinical cases, as well as the clinical training opportunities.
What are you most looking forward to?
Working directly with youth in a clinical context, along with producing high-quality research.
Where do you see yourself after you complete your degree?Continuing in clinical research, with a biopsychosocial approach to psychopathology and addressing issues early in childhood.

Jocelyn Law (DPE MEd)
What led you to OISE?
I believe OISE, as one of the world’s best schools of education, is a great place for me to acquire professional knowledge as well as to build up connections and relationships with professionals and fellows who share similar interests with me. I hope my studies here could equip me as a better educator, and that’s why I am here.
What are you most looking forward to in this program?
I am most looking forward to the courses related to special education. I got chances to have close contact with students with various special needs before, for instance, autism and learning disabilities. I realize they actually have no difference from normal kids apart from having some sort of difficulties like socializing difficulties, or in need of a longer time or special ways to acquire knowledge respectively. I hope I could have a more in-depth understanding of the difficulties they face, and could help them to cater their needs, as well as integrate into our society.
Where do you see yourself after you complete your degree?
I hope I could apply my professional knowledge to the field by being an educator, focusing on young children with special needs perhaps. As a performing arts lover, I am also interested in digging into art therapy after the degree, as I believe art is a great channel for kids with learning disabilities or mental health problems (adults too I believe) to express themselves.

Maude Thomas (CSE MA)
What led you to OISE?
OISE being #4 in the world for the best Institution for graduate studies
What are you most looking forward to in this program?
Everything that a MA program has to offer
Where do you see yourself after you complete your degree?
An educator at a school board

Axl Xu (DPE MEd)
What led you to OISE?
Originally, I got to know about OISE because I wanted to pursue a clinical psychology degree in Canada and OISE is a great option that I thought would be relatively easier to apply than the clinical program in UBC which was where I got my undergraduate degree. In addition, I wanted to get out of my comfort zone in Vancouver and explore the life on the east side. Unfortunately, I didn't get admission for the clinical psychology program. I had this back up program selection in OISE which led me to accepting a MEd in developmental psychology and education. It might be too honest of me for indicating the truth, but I would like to use this program as my second opportunity to gain more knowledge and experiences that would help me to reapply to my dream program in the future. I know there are probably lots of educators choosing this program and the program is probably extremely related to education, it might be silly for a non-educator to take this program. But all decisions in life comes with benefits and risks, I would never know the potential benefits of the program if I don't go to the program.
What are you most looking forward to in this program?
I look forward to meeting more people and building relationships and networks with supervisors and potential mentors as well as gaining potential research opportunities such as research practicum course or graduate assistant that would help me in the long run.
Where do you see yourself after you complete your degree?
Right now, I am not too sure what exactly this program can provide for me. But I plan to find a work related to psychology after completing this degree and at the same time reapply to clinical psychology program and hopefully by that time, I would manage to fulfill the requirements. Although, I would never know what the future holds. But a step is a step.

Jenny Hui (CCP PhD)
What led you to OISE?
I did my undergrad at U of T and had friends who were in grad programs at OISE—they put OISE on my radar.
What are you most looking forward to in this program?
I'm most excited about getting to connect with new people and communities on campus, as well as delving deeper via coursework and internships into the practical side of counselling and clinical psychology.
Where do you see yourself after you complete your degree?
After I graduate, I wish to provide therapy to BIPOC and LGBTQ+ youth and adults at community organizations.

Constanza Corzo Bianchi (DPE MEd)
What led you to OISE?
Knowing that is one of the best places in Education to do my masters degree. Also, the MEd I'm going to do fits exactly with what I always wanted to do that is combine psychology and education.
What are you most looking forward to in this program?
I want to learn from experiences, theory and people.
Where do you see yourself after you complete your degree?
I want to be able to create opportunities related with the education field.

Zhang Jia Xi (CP EdD)
What led you to OISE?
Great reputation in Education and Psychology, lot of masters in psychotherapy.
What are you most looking forward to in this program?
Deepen my understanding of psychotherapy and improve my practice skills.
Where do you see yourself after you complete your degree?
I want to be a qualified psychotherapist.
