Words from BEST’s Fall Co-op Student, Rei

Written by: Rei Kitagawa | January 21, 2026

Rei Kitawaga joined us for his fall co-op term and supported all of BEST’s programs as a Project Assistant. He took some time to reflect and share his experience in the piece below:

As a Master of Urban Studies student at SFU with a strong academic and professional interest in sustainable mobility, one of my goals entering the program was to gain hands-on experience in this area. So when I saw the Project Assistant position at BEST, which offered the chance to work on meaningful community projects in sustainable transportation while applying what I had learned in my studies, I knew I had to apply.

During my time with BEST, I gained a lot of skills, including in community engagement, data analysis, and report/grant writing. One of my key responsibilities was helping deliver excursions—guided outings where participants learn to take transit—which strengthened my leadership skills and taught me to think quickly on my feet. I also gained a better understanding of how small non-profits operate, and of the real-world impact that a small team can make on the community. Overall, my three months with BEST was a great learning experience, exposing me to areas of work I had not anticipated and allowing me to grow in unexpected ways.

One of the things I really appreciate about BEST is that as the team learned of my strength and interest in data analysis, they incorporated more of it into my workflow, allowing me to hone my skills. I also like that working within a small team exposed me to the various parts of the organization, providing a wide range of tasks to complete while making my contributions feel more meaningful.  

Additionally, attending workshops and events let me hear directly from a diverse range of community members, including seniors who are often underrepresented in planning conversations. Hearing about the barriers they face when navigating transit made it clear how meaningful this work is, especially when the right support can increase confidence and independence.

One highlight was helping facilitate a Walktober walk in Stanley Park. We explored some of the oldest trees still standing in the Lower Mainland and had gathered a large turnout of nearly 50 participants. This gave me a chance to chat with the attendees, including one with a newcomer to Vancouver, where they shared their experiences with active transportation in Downtown.