Reflections on My Time at Hebrew University
By Jen (Chen) Bavli, Vancouver
Born and raised in Israel, I always wanted to attend Hebrew University – one of the best universities in the world – to gain the education that would lay the foundation for my career.
Its unique dual-major program of Business Management and Communication provided me ample opportunities for learning and collaborating with peers and leading experts in a diverse array of disciplines. I enjoyed the exciting challenge of interdisciplinary learning, meeting people from across the country and the world, and exploring the fascinating city of Jerusalem, which has served as a constant source of inspiration and creativity.
As a first-generation university grad, becoming an advocate for higher-education felt natural, even after I moved with my young family to Canada for my husband’s PhD studies.
For more than a decade, I’ve been promoting the importance of higher education while applying my strategic planning expertise to engage alumni and donors in support of higher education, in particular at the University of British Columbia. I was honoured to apply the exceptional skills and education I received at HU as a team member for the most ambitious fundraising and alumni engagement campaign in Canadian history. Between 2008 and 2015, UBC’s historic campaign raised more than $1.6 billion and actively engaged more than 130,000 alumni, exceeding both its targets.
The friendships I formed and the experiences I gained at Hebrew University continue to guide me daily through my work and life. I look forward to watching HU continue to impact and transform the lives of many more students for the next century and beyond – just like it did for me.
Jen (Chen) Bavli, BA 2010, is a fundraiser at the Faculty of Applied Science, at the University of British Columbia, in Vancouver