Growing up in Regina, Saskatchewan, Khushi Goyal developed a deep interest in neurodegenerative disorders like Parkinson’s disease. The reason was personal.
“My grandma suffered with Parkinson’s and she had a lot of tremors,” says Khushi. “That firsthand experience showed me that brain diseases can impact all areas of your life—your social, emotional, and physical health.
“It’s a disorder that really influences your motor movement. It not only impacted my grandma’s physical life, but also her emotional life. She stopped wanting to go to social dinners—and was afraid of eating with cutlery with shaky hands.
“Improving conversations around Parkinson’s—and reducing the stigma around individuals struggling with these disorders—is something I’m interested in studying,” says Khushi.
Now a third-year Integrated Science student in UBC’s Faculty of Science, Khushi’s journey to university was helped through donor-funded scholarships.
“I was awarded the Presidential Scholarship, which was the main factor that drove me to come to UBC,” Khushi says. “Donor support has definitely given me the confidence to move away from home, to overcome the challenges, while transitioning into university to pursue a competitive program.”
Receiving the award is a vivid memory, even three years later.
“I still remember the moment that I opened the award letter, and that excitement carries me through my days,” says Khushi. “I still feel it when I come to school.”
The scholarship has brought her closer to her twin sister, who is also at UBC. Education has always been a cornerstone of Khushi’s family. And, with her grandma as her inspiration, family will now also be central to Khushi’s education.
“One of my favourite quotes from my mom is: ‘People can take everything you have away from you, but they can’t take away your education.'”
Beyond her academic pursuits, Khushi is actively involved in various campus activities. She was a workshop coordinator and presenter for the UBC Mental Health Network in her first year.
“I’ve always been interested in mental health, and it allowed me to meet a lot of students who lent a lot of advice and were very supportive in my transition into university,” says Khushi.
She was also a mentee in the UBC Scholars community’s mentorship program, which inspired her to become a mentor herself. Khushi finds UBC ideal to make lasting connections with inspiring people.
“Honestly, I’ve always wanted to come to a big university with lots of different research and academic opportunities,” says Khushi. “The campus here is really beautiful, and I think I wanted to be surrounded by like-minded peers who are driven, supportive, hardworking, and just passionate people.”
For all this, Khushi reiterates her gratitude towards the donors who helped to make it all possible.
“The fact that someone I don’t even know believes in me is a very inspiring feeling—and it makes me want to pay it forward in the future as well,” says Khushi. “I want to make a positive impact on society.”