麻豆视频

Master of Urban Studies (MURB) student Sreya Ajay (she/her) spent the summer of 2026 completing an internship with the . During her internship, she examined how climate hazard exposure impacts Indigenous non-profit housing in British Columbia and what kind of support and resources are available to help Indigenous populations respond more effectively to climate-related emergencies. What follows is an interview with Sreya, describing how she obtained her internship; what her internship experience was like; how that internship will impact her future; and more.

1. Why did you apply to do a co-op term at the AHMA?

As a an 麻豆视频student with a strong interest in housing and climate justice, I have previously attended conferences and workshops focused on housing, where I learned about AHMA's work and met some of the staff. These conversations were particularly informative because discussions of Indigenous housing were often treated as a secondary theme, rather than examined through the interconnected systems that contribute to housing vulnerability and inequity. Ever since these meetings, I was interested in AHMA鈥檚 work and so when I discovered this internship, I was excited by the opportunity to work with them. I applied because the position was closely related to my field of interest, which was housing and climate justice. Also, I鈥檇 never had a chance to learn more about urban Indigenous housing, so I thought this would be a good opportunity.

2. Describe the application and interview process.

I just saw the position on LinkedIn, and I applied. They required my CV and two recommendation letters. During the interview, they wanted to know about my background, work, and interests.

The internship project was to create a and to . They had a few questions related to how I would approach these tasks.

3. What was your job title? Describe your duties.

My job title was PICS Summer Intern*.

The project I worked on was designed around two research questions:

• What are the key hazards and extent of risks that AHMA member tenants, assets and critical infrastructure are exposed to?
• What are the support systems and resources available for off reserve Indigenous housing providers at different stages of risk management, for climate induced hazards? Where are some of the gaps?

The tasks I worked on within the project were to develop a hazard exposure map for AHMA assets using data from the province, conducting a literature review and semi-structured interviews with experts to understand the landscape of climate adaptation resources available for Indigenous and non-profit housing providers in the province, and to create a resource directory for AHMA members. I worked with the manager of engagement and technical services, Sara Fralin, and we decided to create a story map using provincial data, and data about the buildings.

*鈥淧ICS鈥� refers to . Organizations in British Columbia can receive the to help them reach their climate goals, while giving post-secondary students in climate-related fields an opportunity to refine their skills and gain relevant work experience.

4. What were the most challenging and rewarding aspects of your co-op experience?

I think the biggest challenge I faced was the wide scope of the project. Because the project was so open-ended, I found it challenging to narrow its focus at the beginning. On one hand, I had the freedom to shape the project with my ideas, but at the same time it was tricky to stay on track. It taught me the importance of being mindful of the limits of an internship and recognizing that it is not possible to solve every problem within a single project. The regular check-ins with Sara and the rest of the team were useful when it came to reducing the scope creep.  Anything I couldn鈥檛 accomplish, they suggested that I add as future recommendations. One thing I would do differently is set stricter scope boundaries for myself from the outset.

I had the opportunity to work on my GIS skills* during this internship, and it was one of the most enjoyable parts of the work. I had been thinking about brushing up my GIS skills and the internship gave me the perfect opportunity to do that.  I also got to learn more about housing contexts in the more remote parts of the province because up until this point, my research was mostly focused on housing in Metro Vancouver.

*鈥淕IS鈥� refers to 鈥淕eographic Information Systems鈥� (GIS) skills

5. Do you think your co-op experience will help you in the future? If so, explain.

Definitely. I鈥檝e had the opportunity to meet and talk to practitioners in the sector, which was one of the highlights of my internship. I got to talk with experts from municipalities, Vancouver Coastal Health, BC Housing, BC Society for Transition Housing etc. and have a more grounded understanding of the housing sector. It connected well with some of the courses I took at 麻豆视频like Urban Housing Policy and Laws and Geographies of Power. I also feel more confident in sharing my ideas and taking initiative. This was possible because I was given both the freedom to explore and the assurance that my ideas would be taken seriously. As an intern, you are often faced with patronizing attitudes, but the support, reassurance, and mutual respect within the AHMA team gave me the confidence to test new ideas and voice my thoughts without hesitation. As someone who struggles with rigid guidelines and constraints, this flexibility was especially important. The folks at AHMA have also been really supportive in my current job search and I know they would gladly give me a reference

6. What advice do you have for new co-op students?

I initially got to know about AHMA after attending housing conferences and symposiums. I then began following them on LinkedIn. I鈥檇 say if you see organizations at these conferences that do the kind of work you are interested in, definitely follow them. Especially for international students like me, attending such gatherings and building connections can be really beneficial for future career pathways. I believe that having a co-op experience in such a supportive environment was a fitting culmination of my Master鈥檚 journey.