Driven by curiosity and by a desire to open herself up to new learning experiences, Elena Frie is on an exhilarating journey of discovery as a McGill student – and as a resident of Montreal.
“One of the best things about my McGill experience is that it has allowed me to reassess and adjust my original intentions in wonderful and surprising ways,” says Frie, a Faculty of Science undergraduate and recipient of a Best in the West Scholarship in Earth and Planetary Sciences.
Drawn to McGill by its wide range of course offerings in the physical sciences, Frie has found her niche in the Earth System Science program, an interdisciplinary field that is housed in the departments of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Geography and Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences.
“I am fascinated by so many aspects of the world around me, and I really enjoy how this program examines the challenges facing our Earth from different perspectives. The broad scope of courses allows me to explore fields that I am interested in,” says Frie.
Her curiosity has led her to investigate other subjects – among them anthropology. “It is a recent addition to my learning and an area that I am extremely excited about.”
Being awarded a Best in the West scholarship was a thrilling surprise for Frie, who received the news while she was in Northern BC doing a summer research job that involved studying the ability of mine tailings to sequester carbon dioxide for long term storage.
“It was wonderful to be recognized in this way – especially at a time in my life when I was still uncertain of my academic trajectory. Learning that I had received a scholarship was a huge boost to my confidence and encouragement that I was pursuing something meaningful to me,” she says.
For Frie the scholarship has also had an incredible financial impact. “It has provided me space to get involved in outreach activities for my department and to take on interesting research projects to test my realms of thought.” Perhaps most meaningful, the funding Frie receives from the scholarship has allowed her to participate in field study semesters, including an upcoming one in Kenya.
When it comes to participating in extracurricular activities, Frie has shown the same willingness to trade in the familiar for something new. Having played competitive soccer during high school, she decided to join the cross country and track and field team when she arrived at McGill. “I have discovered that I really love running track,” she says.
Another exciting discovery for Frie has been Montreal. “It has been very interesting living in a bilingual city and the experience has given me a new perspective of Canada.”
The COVID pandemic allowed her to forge a deeper attachment to her adopted city. “I spent a lot of time walking around the city and came to appreciate it in a more intimate way. I have come to feel like a citizen of Montreal, not just a student at McGill,” she says.
Frie is immensely grateful to those who funded her Best in the West scholarship. “Thank you for investing in my learning. Your generosity has had a disproportionately high impact on me and others who have received these awards. It is very touching to think that those who benefitted from their time at McGill are now helping others like me to do the same.”
Since its inception in 2008, the Best in the West awards program has given more than 330 students like Elena Frie from Canada’s four western provinces an opportunity to study at McGill. You can lend your support to this important initiative today through your next gift to McGill, using the giving link below.