Asha Young
Asha Young, originally from the lower mainland moved to the Okanagan in 2010 to start her Bachelor of Arts degree at UBCO. After taking a second year Cultural Studies focused on film, she met with the program coordinator and decided to major in Cultural Studies.
“At the time, I wasn’t sure what Cultural Studies even was—I assumed it was related to Indigenous Studies, but I soon discovered it offered something entirely different,” Young admits. “It combined history, media, and power dynamics, which resonated deeply with me. I loved it.”
Young noted that coming out of high school, she didn’t have a strong understanding of global perspectives or power structures, but the four years of education during her undergraduate degree opened her eyes. After graduating from UBCO, Young went on to pursue law school at UBC Vancouver.
Young always had her sights set on going to law school and says it was reassuring to realize that any Bachelor of Arts major could lead to law school.
“So why not choose something I genuinely enjoyed? I can say now that being in Cultural Studies helped shape the way I view the world and taught me to be a critical thinker—skills that have stayed with me through law school and into my career.”
For students considering law school, Young says that it’s worth knowing that a degree in Cultural Studies—or any humanities or social sciences program—can be just as valuable as more traditional paths. These programs teach critical thinking, creativity, and perspective—skills that transcend any single career.
Because of her undergraduate experience, she says that she is able to bring a perspective that many of her colleagues, who often come from business backgrounds, may not have. Her critical thinking skills and media literacy help her navigate corporate law while staying engaged with broader social issues.
She remembers that in one law school course on jurisprudence—the study of what law is—she wrote a paper analyzing the movie Black Panther. “I explored how the film perpetuates hegemonic ideas of Western law, even in fictional universes. It was a unique and rewarding experience, where I used my skills in media analysis with legal theory.”
Young also participates in pro bono initiatives, fundraising, and community campaigns, such as chairing a “Law Needs Feminism” photo campaign. “In this project, I photographed students and faculty, overlaying their handwritten thoughts on why law needs feminism onto their portraits. It was a meaningful blend of art, advocacy, and law.”
Young says that throughout her undergraduate degree, the program allowed her to explore her artistic interests while engaging in critical theories.
“I had always been interested in art, but I never imagined it as a career path. The program gave me opportunities to study television, movies, and video games while also tackling projects that blended creativity with academic inquiry.”
For one class, she created a zine about feminism in mainstream media, reimagining Disney movies by flipping traditional narratives on their heads. For example, she turned Belle into the Beast and swapped Ariel’s role with Prince Eric’s. The project involved photography, film development, and hand-designed layouts.
“It was a fun project that let me create something tangible while deeply engaging with class concepts, and I was very proud of the work,” she notes. “For me, projects like my Disney zine was not just an assignment—I created a tangible, lasting work that encapsulated who I was as a student and remains a highlight for me.”
Looking back, Young says her undergraduate experience in Cultural Studies helped to shape her worldview. “Whether it’s critically analyzing media, engaging with legal systems, or collaborating with diverse communities, the program taught me to think deeply and creatively.”