Monday, November 09, 2026
For Rachel Barker and Athena Garedakis, Langara College was the starting point for their academic and career goals. After three years in the Kinesiology program, both successfully transferred to the University of British Columbia (UBC) in 2023.
Today, Rachel is pursuing a Master of Occupational Therapy at UBC, while Athena is working as a student kinesiologist and group exercise instructor while applying to graduate programs, including medicine and occupational therapy.
The transfer itself was smooth. Rachel had a UBC admission offer two days after sending her Langara transcript. Athena didn’t need to retake a single course. And they’re not outliers.
Applied Science department chair Ryan Cawsey estimates that about 25 per cent of Langara Kinesiology diploma graduates continue at UBC, mostly in kinesiology, alongside students who transfer before finishing the diploma. Small classes, practical learning, and access to instructors are a big part of why.
Hands-on learning from the start
For Cawsey, a key strength of Langara’s program is that students see kinesiology in action early in their education.
“We have a sophisticated exercise physiology lab with modern equipment for assessments such as VO₂max or lactate threshold,” he says. Students can volunteer with fitness assessments, gaining exposure to equipment, testing procedures, and professional settings while connecting classroom learning to real-world practice.
Cawsey sees small classes as part of what makes that possible. “Students get to know their instructors, faculty know their students, and it's possible for an interested student to become genuinely involved in what is happening in the department.”
That close-knit setting made a difference for Rachel, who learned from an instructor who also works in industry. “It is such a unique experience to have an instructor who is a current professional in the rehabilitation field,” she says.
For Athena, case studies, professional equipment, and group work stuck with her the most. “The small classroom setting encouraged a collaborative learning environment through group-based activities, making learning more attainable,” she says. Those hands-on experiences gave her the skills she now uses in her volunteer work and push toward graduate school.
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Building a confident transfer to UBC
Transfer takes planning but Langara students don’t have to do it alone.
Rachel checked course requirements and used the BC Transfer Guide to confirm her elective credits. Once her UBC offer arrived, a Langara academic advisor gave her a detailed list of transfer credits, so she could register alongside other third-year students.
Athena also consulted a Langara academic advisor during her final term to review her application, transcript, and credit transfer. “All of my courses at Langara transferred over smoothly, so I didn't need to retake any courses at UBC,” she says. She also received guidance on financial resources, course registration, and tracking her remaining degree requirements.
At UBC, the confidence built in smaller classes paid off. Rachel was comfortable answering questions and asking for help. “This allowed me to engage more in classes and ask questions when I’m confused!”
Athena adds, “Langara’s discussion-based learning helped me collaborate and take on leadership roles.”
A foundation for what comes next
University transfer is a major pathway for Langara Kinesiology students. “Langara Kinesiology students bring a strong academic foundation, hands-on experience, and confidence applying what they’ve learned,” says Cawsey. “Those qualities can help them stand out and make a smooth transition into upper-year study at UBC.”
Still, he says Langara can be a first choice, not just a stepping stone. Its mix of academic preparation and real exposure to kinesiology in practice helps students get ready for further study and figure out where the field might take them.
Rachel’s next step is occupational therapy; Athena is aiming for graduate school while working with older adults who are stroke survivors or living with neurodegenerative conditions. Their journeys show how a Langara Kinesiology education can support a successful transfer to UBC and open doors to meaningful work beyond classrooms.
Ready to see how a strong start at Langara can help launch your academic and professional careers?
Learn more about the Kinesiology diploma program and how you can follow in the footsteps of Rachel and Athena.
