Rebecca Mathew
Height: 5’6
Hometown: Burlington, ON
Languages: English
Occupation: Student (Architecture, University of Waterloo)
From being afraid to speak in public due to her speech impediment to becoming a passionate and powerful speaker. Rebecca inspires others to not let their circumstances define them and create their own life narrative. While growing up, Rebecca had a speech impediment and endured constant teasing from her classmates, which made her reluctant to speak in front of others. However, a turning point occurred when she discovered a series of TED talks and was captivated by the passionate speakers, igniting a flame within her. Rebecca decided she wanted to become a powerful speaker herself. She realized what was stopping her from achieving this goal was not her speech impediment but was her lack of self-love. She began to actively practice loving her authentic self, including her speech impediment, and started to speak with unwavering confidence. Although she eventually overcame her speech impediment, she holds this experience close to her heart, hoping to inspire people to not let others, or their circumstances limit them, but to embrace self-love which will lead to invincibility.
The 22-year-old grew up in the suburbs of Toronto and has accomplished many things at a young age. Rebecca attended Harvard University’s Pre-College Program where she studied a course called “Critical Thinking for College”, and connected with bright minds from across the world which broadened her perspectives. Rebecca also is a self-taught artist and has had her work featured in multiple art galleries including Nuit blanche. She also is a talented dancer and is the founder and dance teacher at the University of Waterloo, Cambridge dance club. Additionally, she is a dedicated taekwondo athlete, holding a black stripe and has won a bronze medal in a regional tournament during her studies abroad in England. These achievements are a result of Rebecca’s eager desire to continually challenge and improve herself.
Combining her love for art and humanities, Rebecca decided to pursue a career in architecture. She is enrolled in a highly competitive architecture program at the University of Waterloo. Rebecca pursues architecture with a social justice drive, advocating for equitable design and affordable housing. Rebecca volunteered for “Design 4 Others”, a non-profit architecture organization, where she worked on creating designs for disadvantaged communities, including an orphanage and school in Kenya, East Africa. Moreover, recognizing Canada’s need for affordable housing, Rebecca actively promotes affordable housing design, working on projects such as a social housing apartment in Medicine Hat, Canada during her internships. In the future, Rebecca aspires to establish her own architecture firm with aspirations to design a more just world which prioritizes the people who live in it.
List any special training you have had (music, art, drama, dance, etc.)
I have undergone training in martial arts since the young age of 5. My father who is a former black-belt karate champion, always stressed the importance of learning self-defence skills. Starting with karate, I achieved up to a green stripe before transitioning to taekwondo, where I currently hold a black stripe. Over my 17 years of martial arts training, I have vastly improved my self-confidence and my physical health. Taekwondo also taught me the 5 core principles: courtesy, integrity, perseverance, self-control, and indomitable spirit, which I abide by not only in taekwondo but also in my daily life.
In what sports, if any, have you participated?
I am a highly active individual involved in a variety of sports such as dance, taekwondo, running, swimming, lacrosse, and more. Among these, dance holds a special place in my heart. In 7th grade, I discovered hip-hop and K-pop videos, sparking my interest in dance. I taught myself dance by studying YouTube tutorials, using them as a guide to improve my skills. Dance became my outlet for self-expression, allowing me to break out of my reserved personality. I feel most confident and vibrant when I dance. In my university which has only architecture students, there was a lack of sports clubs thus I took the initiative to create a pop dance club. Teaching dance weekly not only brought me joy but also acted as a valuable stress-reliever for both me and my peers. Their positive feedback and gratitude inspired me to continue sharing my passion for dance and uplift others through it.
Name one person, other than your parents, who has had the most influence on your life. Why?
My older sister has had the most influence on my life. Throughout my life, my sister created a nurturing environment where she wholeheartedly supported my ambitions without judgment. Without her, I wouldn’t have achieved the milestones I have today. My sister is a pediatric doctor, which is fitting for her compassionate and kind demeanor. She exemplifies the importance of kindness through her empathetic care for the children at the hospital. She has taught me the power of spreading kindness to make a meaningful impact in others’ lives.
What is your proudest personal accomplishment (other than participating in this pageant)?
My proudest personal accomplishment, aside from participating in this pageant, was when I was 16 years old and got accepted into Harvard’s precollege program. I studied a course called “Critical Thinking for College” and was surrounded by various talented students from all around the world. Initially, I felt out of place and was struggling to keep up with the pace of the classes. However, I persevered, dedicating extra hours to understand the coursework. I reframed my mindset to be more empathetic towards my learning allowing myself to make mistakes. By the end of the term, my professor recognized my significant improvement in my performance, and I was among the top-performing students. This experience reinforced the importance of self-love and determination for achieving great accomplishments.
What is the most interesting or unique thing that has ever happened to you and/or what is the most interesting thing about you?
One of the most interesting experiences in my life was when I lived in Singapore by myself for a month at the young age of 20. Initially, I traveled there with plans to work for an architecture internship, but due to logistical challenges, I couldn’t pursue that path. Instead of letting this setback affect me, I focused on making most of the present moment. I made it my task to fully immerse myself in Singaporean culture. I made friends with the locals, studied the unique architecture, and enjoyed the variety of diverse foods. This experience taught me resilience and adaptability, emphasizing the importance of focusing on the present and making the most out of unexpected situations.
What is your career ambition and what are you doing or plan to do to accomplish that goal?
My career ambition is to become an architect and establish my own architecture practice with a focus on aiding disadvantaged communities and promoting affordable housing. Initially debating between pursuing a degree in architecture or humanitarian law, I decided to pursue architecture with a social justice drive. To achieve this goal, I am working towards obtaining my master’s degree in architecture to become a licensed architect and lay the foundation for my own firm. My goal is to engage directly with underprivileged communities, collaborating with them to devise solutions that enhance their living conditions and promote sustainable development.
What would be your “dream job” in life?
My dream job in life is to be an inspiring storyteller across various platforms. Whether it’s through Miss Canada, my career as an architect, or my artistic endeavours, I aim to share compelling narratives that inspire and uplift others. Through Miss Canada, I want to share my personal stories of self-love and resilience, showcasing how we can create the life we desire. As an architect, I aspire to create designs with meaningful narratives that serve the people and their respective context. As an artist, I want my artwork to provoke thought and connect with people on a deeper level. In every platform I engage with, my goal is to spread stories of hope, positivity, and empowerment.
Describe where you were raised and what your childhood was like.
I was born in Edmonton, Alberta, where my parents had immigrated to from Kerala, India. Shortly after, we moved throughout the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) due to my father’s work. I was raised in a loving environment that prioritized family values. During my childhood, I was one of the few people of color in my class, which exposed me to early experiences of racism and the presence of limiting and judgmental attitudes around me. However, my family instilled in me the belief that I could achieve great things. I dreamed big to break free from the limiting mindset of others and worked hard to accomplish everything I set my mind to. Today, I am surrounded by loving and open-minded individuals who support and encourage me.
List any interesting or unusual jobs you may have had.
From the age of 14 until my senior year in high school, I worked at a bakery in my local grocery store. This job was particularly valuable because I learned customer service skills and time management as I had to balance my school and work responsibilities simultaneously. It was also a perfect fit for me as I have a sweet tooth, and I was filled with excitement each time I would sample new treats. The experience was both fun and challenging, and contributed to shaping me into the hardworking and independent individual I am today.
List any volunteering you have done.
I have volunteered with a non-profit organization during one of my architecture internships. The firm operates a volunteering initiative called design4others, focusing on designing for disadvantaged communities. Through this imitative, I contributed to projects such as designing an orphanage in Kenya and a school. Additionally, I was part of a volunteer group in my church, where we organized a Christmas event distributing blankets and food gift bags to homeless individuals in downtown Toronto.
What is your most unusual talent?
My most unusual talent is my newly acquired talent in chess. Despite being a relatively new chess player, I am quickly advancing in skill. I enjoy playing chess in my spare time because it challenges the mind and encourages strategic thinking. I see parallels between the game of chess and the decisions we make in life. In chess every move you make has a consequence- whether that be positive or negative. This encourages us to make wise choices and use our actions for positive outcomes.
Where is the most interesting place you have been to?
One of the most interesting places I’ve visited is Italy. I had the opportunity to travel there during my undergraduate studies at the Waterloo School of Architecture, where all the fourth-year students study in Italy for a semester. Italy left a lasting impression on me due to its emphasis on enjoying life. Our campus was located next to a bustling public piazza, where people gathered 24/7 to socialize and relax. I often observed people enjoying leisurely coffee breaks during the day and socializing at pubs in the evenings. This experience taught me the value of taking a moment to slow down from the demands of life and appreciate the beauty of the present moment.
What do you hope to be doing in ten years?
In ten years, I aspire to own a global architecture firm, designing humanitarian-focused architecture projects worldwide. Additionally, I aim to propel my public speaking skills to new heights, speaking at prominent conferences like TED to inspire others to pursue their dreams and shape their desired lives. Furthermore, I intend to remain a lifelong learner, expanding my knowledge through continuous reading and sharing the insights I gain with others.
Is there anything you would like to add that we haven’t asked?
When I was younger, I had a poem on my wall with the words “dare to dream”. It emphasized that only those who dare to dream will achieve their goals. This poem has been a guiding light for me, as I believe that all my accomplishments stem from my willingness to dream. Dreams hold immense importance, and through Miss Universe Canada, I want to plant the seeds of dreams in the hearts of others, empowering them to soar to great heights.