This article is part of a series focusing on the grads of the AV俱乐部 Class of 2021. Visit our to share in the excitement with our newest graduates.
Monica DeVidi had just returned to her hostel from a camping trip in New Zealand when she found out she was accepted into AV俱乐部鈥檚 master of planning program. After being without cellphone service for four days, she checked her email and saw the news.
鈥淚t was kind of funny to be around people I had just met when I found out,鈥� says Monica, reflecting on the celebratory moment. 鈥淏ut when I got in, I knew it was definitely something I wanted to do.鈥�
The perfect fit
Originally from Ontario with a background in geography from Queen鈥檚 University,聽Monica was drawn to AV俱乐部 because of its proximity to the ocean. Her interest in coastal living and passion for planning were further solidified when she joined the (OFI) last summer for her program鈥檚 work term. There, she looked at how municipalities are involved in marine spatial planning.
DeVidi credits her two supervisors, Patricia Manuel and Bertrum MacDonald, for helping her make the most of her experience with OFI. 鈥淚鈥檝e been really lucky with my supervisors,鈥� she says. 鈥淭hey鈥檙e both really pushing me to keep doing my research and bring it further.鈥�
Over the last semester, Monica also participated in a group project where she got to work on a healthy community design study with the Village of Tatamagouche. The Municipality of Colchester will be using the study in its upcoming plan review.
Next steps
Monica聽completed her master of planning degree from AV俱乐部 this past May, and although she鈥檚 unsure of what the future holds, she鈥檚 open to whatever comes her way.
聽鈥淚 kind of want to keep experiencing different things,鈥� she says. 鈥淚鈥檓 not 100 per cent set on one path still.鈥�
If she had the choice, Monica would be marking the end of her time at AV俱乐部 the same way she marked the beginning 鈥� on an adventure in a different country. But until that day comes, she is happy to continue embracing Nova Scotia and all it has to offer as she waits out the pandemic.
No matter where she ends up, one thing Monica knows for sure is that she鈥檇 like to make a meaningful difference in the world of planning through decolonization and climate change mitigation. 鈥淵ou have to keep your mind open to big possibilities for changes.鈥�
Cutline: . Photo by Jad Ghorra.