#communityservicelearning

[facesofcsl]

Yasaman Mashayekhi - 4th Year Bachelor of Science in Psychology

Yasaman Mashayekhi is a fourth-year psychology student in the Bachelor of Science program at the University of Alberta. She is in her final year of her degree and currently completing the CSL Certificate.

Can you trace your involvement with CSL?

I first got involved with CSL through a psychology course about aging last winter. At the time, I wasn’t familiar with CSL and didn’t realize the course included a community placement. My professor, Dr. Tiana Rust introduced us to the program and asked us to select placements. I chose to work with the Edmonton Mennonite Centre for Newcomers (EMCN), now known as Newcomer Centre, where I taught English to older adults who were newcomers to Canada. It was a meaningful experience that inspired me to pursue the CSL Certificate. After learning more about it through the CSL website, I decided to continue volunteering in an organized way while working toward the certificate.

Could you tell us more about Newcomer Centre and your experience there?

Newcomer Centre supports newcomers, and my work focused on teaching English to older adults. This aligned perfectly with the course content, which covered aging and older adults. I am fortunate to have been part of that experience, as it allowed me to apply what I was learning in class to a real-world setting.

Why did you decide to take your first CSL course?

It was a happy accident! I needed to take a course on aging, and there were two sections: one with a CSL placement and one without. I didn’t realize I had signed up for the CSL section until it began, but it turned out to be an incredible opportunity.

What other CSL courses and placements have you completed?

After the psychology course, I took two CSL courses with instructor Lisa Prins in the Spring and Fall. Those courses didn’t involve external placements, but they were highly reflective and engaging. I’ll be taking a sociology course in the winter, which I believe will include another placement.

Of the CSL experiences you’ve had so far, which has been your favorite?

My time at Newcomer Centre was unforgettable, but the CSL 370 course I took in the spring stands out for a different reason. Unlike typical university courses that rely on exams and grades, this course emphasized reflection, participation, and understanding. Initially, it was challenging to adjust, but by the end, I realized how valuable and unique the experience was.

How has CSL impacted you personally?

CSL has been transformative. When I moved to Canada five years ago, I had limited exposure to communities outside my academic and personal circles. CSL gave me the chance to engage with people outside of my community and see how other people lead their lives outside of the traditional academic setting.

This experience shifted my perspective on societal issues and helped me empathize with others in ways I hadn’t before. For example, I used to think homelessness was solely a result of poor choices. Through CSL, I’ve come to understand the complex circumstances that lead to such situations.

Has CSL influenced your academic or career goals?

Absolutely. My goal is to become a doctor, and I’ve always believed that understanding and empathizing with people is essential for good medical practice. CSL gave me the opportunity to connect with diverse communities and develop that understanding. It also added value to my academic journey by allowing me to apply classroom knowledge in real-world settings. CSL gave me the opportunity to see other people and hear their stories. I know the skills and experiences I’ve gained will strengthen my med school application and, ultimately, my career.

What does receiving the Student Equity Award mean to you?

Receiving the CEWIL Student Equity Award is significant to me because it acknowledges the importance of creating inclusive opportunities for all students, regardless of their backgrounds. As someone who has navigated challenges of belonging and adaptation, this recognition reinforces my commitment to fostering equity and compassion in every project I undertake. It is a reminder that small efforts to build bridges in diverse communities can have a lasting impact and that striving for inclusivity is not just an ideal but a practice. This award inspires me to continue advocating for equitable experiences in education and beyond.

How would you summarize your experience with CSL in one sentence?

It’s been one of the most rewarding outcomes of my education at the University of Alberta.

With support from the Co-operative Education and Work-Integrated Learning Canada (CEWIL Canada) and the Canadian federal government, CSL awards scholarships to equity-deserving students for their successful participation in an official CSL course.

[facesofcsl]

Pauleanne Codilla - 5th Year Bachelor of Arts in Psychology

Pauleanne Codilla (she/her) is a fifth and final year psychology student in the Faculty of Arts at University of Alberta.

Can you share how you first got involved with CSL (Community Service Learning)?

I stumbled upon CSL accidentally while taking a Women and Gender Studies (WGS) 102 course. The class included a community service component, which immediately caught my interest because volunteering has always been a big part of my life. Helping people is a passion of mine, so I was excited to get involved. At the time, I didn’t even know what CSL was, but that experience marked the beginning of my journey with the program.

Are you completing the CSL Certificate, and if so, why?

Yes, I am completing the CSL Certificate. After that initial WGS course, I learned more about the certificate and its benefits. My time as an intern for the Faculty of Arts further exposed me to CSL through various promotional activities like booths and webinars. Volunteering is something I already do a lot of, so pursuing the certificate felt like a natural extension of my academic and personal interests. It also provides official recognition for work I’m passionate about, which adds value to my academic journey.

I’m following a stream of the CSL Certificate where, instead of completing five courses, you can take four and fulfill the remaining requirement with a community service placement called a non-credit opportunity. For this non-credit opportunity, I’ve been volunteering with Rotary Clubs which is an international organization with about 1.4 million members worldwide that focuses on volunteering and youth empowerment. On campus, we have a Rotaract Club, which is a university-student version of Rotary. I’ve been a member since my first year, even serving as president.

Through Rotary, I’ve worked with one of the ten local clubs in Edmonton to organize free monthly dinners for students. The club reached out to support students as tuition and grocery prices continue to rise, offering these dinners as a way to make life a little easier—one less meal to worry about each month.

What CSL courses and placements have you completed so far?

I’ve completed one CSL placement during my WGS 102 course, and I have more lined up. Next semester, I’ll be doing Psych 329 (Adult and Aging) and CSL 100, and I’m planning to take a spring CSL course as well. My first placement was with Migrante Alberta, an organization that advocates for migrant workers, especially Filipino workers.

Can you describe your experience with Migrante Alberta?

For my WGS 102 placement, we were asked to rank our top three placement choices, and I was assigned to Migrante Alberta. I wasn’t familiar with the organization beforehand, but I quickly connected with their mission. Migrante Alberta focuses on advocating for the rights of migrant workers, particularly Filipinos, which resonated with me on a personal level—my mom is a migrant worker from the Philippines.

During the placement, I participated in projects like organizing an International Women’s Day March and helping with their events, including self-defense classes and fundraisers. The experience allowed me to form meaningful connections with the organization and learn about the challenges faced by migrant workers.

How has CSL influenced your academic and personal life?

CSL has deeply enriched my academic and personal life. Before CSL, my university experience felt repetitive—just going to class and trying my best. Experiential learning through CSL brought a new level of engagement and made school more exciting for me. Applying what I’ve learned in class to real-world situations has been transformative.

As an ambassador for the university, I often highlight experiential learning opportunities like co-op programs and study abroad, and I always mention the CSL Certificate. I firmly believe these programs help students make the most of their education.

Did CSL expose you to new knowledge or experiences?

CSL primarily exposed me to new experiences. It helped me apply and solidify my existing knowledge about community service and its importance. The hands-on learning aspect was incredibly rewarding and confirmed how much I enjoy learning outside the traditional classroom environment.

What’s the most important lesson you’ve learned through CSL?

The biggest lesson I’ve learned is to take advantage of opportunities, even if they only mildly interest you—you never know where they might lead. My involvement with Migrante Alberta, for example, opened doors I hadn’t anticipated. I’ve stayed connected with the organization and even facilitated collaborations between them and other Filipino-based groups on campus.

How has CSL influenced your career aspirations?

I’m still figuring out my long-term career goals, but CSL has made me more open to incorporating community service into my future work. While I’m not certain about pursuing a career in the non-profit sector, I plan to explore more through future CSL placements and opportunities like the Career Center’s non-profit internship program.

How would you summarize your CSL experience in one sentence?

CSL has been an amazing way for me to apply my skills in an academic setting outside the classroom.

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Taylor Pukanich - 3rd Year Bachelor of Arts, Criminology

Taylor Pukanich (she/her) is in her third year, studying criminology and working towards the Community Service-Learning certificate.

Why did you decide to take your first CSL course?

I started taking my first CSL course after a friend recommended it to me. I was in my first year and I was unsure of what classes I wanted to take. Throughout middle and high school, I was involved in the community and school, often connecting the two so I wondered what it would be like to take a community service class in an academic setting. That’s why I enrolled in CSL 100.

Why did you choose to pursue the CSL certificate?

After I found out about the certificate, I thought about the hands-on experience I would gain and also how this certificate would help me in my criminology studies.

It sounded like a great opportunity, especially since it's already embedded into my degree. I thoroughly enjoyed CSL 100 and since then, I haven't stopped taking CSL classes.

What CSL placements have you completed so far?

In CSL 100, I coordinated the Alberta Basketball Provincials, which allowed me to merge my love for basketball with community engagement. I also completed a placement in EDU 100, volunteering with an organization called Free Play. Free Play provides free after-school programming focused on physical activity and teaching sportsmanship to elementary school children. For my CSL certificate, I completed a non-credit placement with the Youth Restorative Action Project (YRAP), a restorative justice organization that directly relates to my criminology studies. Each of these placements offered hands-on experiences that enriched my understanding and helped me connect academics to real-world applications.

What was your experience with YRAP? How did it tie into your criminology studies?

I discovered YRAP while taking CSL 100 and reached out to them directly to volunteer. I worked with YRAP for about a year before realizing I could complete my placement hours there for a non-credit opportunity towards my CSL certificate. YRAP was an incredible experience—it’s a restorative justice organization focused on supporting youth and steering them away from the criminal justice system. Being part of such an initiative expanded my understanding of justice and community support, directly aligning with my criminology studies and giving me insight into practical applications of my degree.

Could you tell us more about the Alberta Basketball Provincials placement?

The Alberta Basketball Provincials placement was especially meaningful because it combined my passion for basketball with community service. Growing up, I played and coached basketball, so returning in a volunteer capacity felt like coming full circle. The role allowed me to contribute to a familiar community while also enjoying an activity I love. I didn’t anticipate that CSL placements would align so well with my interests outside of academics, so this experience pleasantly surprised me. It was immersive, fast-paced, and truly rewarding.

What was your favorite CSL placement and why?

My favorite CSL placement was with YRAP because of the hands-on experience it offered. I served on several of their weekly panels where I participated in decision-making processes regarding youth charges, which was an unexpected opportunity for someone still in school. It allowed me to step into a role that felt both impactful and directly tied to my career goals. The Alberta Basketball Provincials was another memorable experience, especially because I completed all my hours over three intense days, immersing myself completely in the event. Both placements, though different, offered unique insights and were incredibly fulfilling.

How has CSL influenced the way you think about things?

CSL has broadened my perspective and opened my eyes to different fields and approaches within community service. For example, when I took Education 100, I was the only student in the class not pursuing an education degree. This unique position allowed me to introduce first-year education students to CSL, which many didn’t realize was embedded into the course. It showed me how CSL connects people from diverse fields and backgrounds, fostering mutual learning. I’ve also learned about the range of placements available through CSL, which helped me appreciate the diversity of community service opportunities that universities can offer.

What important lesson have you learned from your CSL experiences?

One of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned is the importance of actively listening to community partners and students I work with. They often teach me things about myself and the world that I didn’t expect to learn. By fully engaging in each placement, I’ve realized that there’s so much more to gain from the experience than just completing hours or assignments. It’s about understanding the needs of others and how best to support them, which has been both a humbling and rewarding journey.

How has CSL helped you with your career or future endeavors?

CSL has allowed me to form meaningful relationships with fellow criminology and CSL students, as well as community partners. One of the biggest advantages of CSL is that it connects you with organizations that need support, which can often be challenging to find on your own. For example, I wouldn’t have discovered YRAP without CSL, and now I’ve been volunteering with them for nearly two years. These placements make it easier to apply what I learn in my classes to real-world situations, bridging academic theory and practice. CSL has given me a solid foundation to continue in community-focused work and deepened my commitment to my field.

How would you sum up your experience with CSL in one sentence?

CSL has allowed my passions to evolve into purpose, creating incredible hands-on learning experiences.

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Maria Vera - Bachelor of Arts, Modern Languages and Cultural Studies and Spanish

Maria Vera (she/they), is in her fourth and final year of her degree majoring in Modern Languages & Cultural Studies and Spanish. She is double-minoring in Women and Gender Studies and East Asian Studies. Maria is also pursuing the CSL certificate.

Can you trace your involvement with CSL?

It started when I was in the education program, which I plan to go back to in the future as an after-degree. My first CSL course was EDU 100, where the CSL component was a requirement. I thought this was pretty cool, I didn't know the U of A had this. I worked with a few other classmates who did their CSL placement with the Boys and Girls Club, and ever since then, I have loved CSL. I'm on my way to get the CSL Certificate and I already have more than enough credits for it. I like to collect a lot of certificates at the U of A, and CSL is one that I'm doing.

Why are you completing the CSL certificate?

It's something I really want to add to my resume because it shows how involved I am in CSL. I even won the CSL Equity Award a couple of years ago and I’m hoping to win it again.

What does receiving the CEWIL Student Equity Award mean to you?

For me, receiving the CSL Student Equity Award means being recognized by my community for the impact I made through my service in CSL.

What CSL placements have you completed?

I have done a lot, including a CSL non-credit opportunity which led me back to Peru where I was born. I volunteered with a volunteer tourism company for two weeks and I used those hours to meet the criteria for the CSL non-credit opportunity. I wrote a paper on volunteerism and its effects for the reflection component.

What other placements have you had with CSL?

In CSL 100, I was placed with ABC Head Start where we worked with multilingual kids to give them more access and support. In SPAN 400 we did translation and the placements revolved around translating Spanish to English and English to Spanish.

Of all of your placements, which was your favorite and why?

I would say my non-credit opportunity in Peru because I got to go back to Peru for the first time since I immigrated to Canada at age four. I was 24 years old when I went back to Peru and I got to act as a translator for the other volunteers who did not speak Spanish.

How would you say that your CSL placement in Spanish contributed to your experiences, particularly as a volunteer in Peru?

It made it easy to figure out because in the Spanish translation course, we had to translate documents for immigrants who might not have access to translating services and that's what I did in Peru, but orally. It's hard for people of two different cultures to communicate so I was that cultural translator, that bridge. I was able to practice my skills as a translator as well.

What was your personal experience with CSL? Where did it lead you?

My personal experience with CSL has been wonderful because I've been able to work with many different organizations. I have had lots of opportunities and it’s led me to have a greater appreciation for non-profit organizations. I am more skilled at working with other people and understanding people.

Did CSL change your ways about thinking about certain things and how?

It has made me rethink what a community really is and how you can be there for the community. What is helping, what isn't helping, how you can help correctly, and how you can finish a product and see its end goal. Most CSL projects have an end goal or a deadline to reach. For example, during my placement with ABC Head Start, I did the multilingual readers program. I had to find a group of people who spoke those languages professionally or natively who could look over the translation of books. They produced a book which included a push pen that accommodates children who speak multiple different languages.

What was the most important or memorable lesson that you learned through CSL?

I gained a sense of appreciation for what I have and what I can give back to others. How I can help and how I can not help.

Did CSL expose you to new experiences and knowledge? How and what?

It exposed me to organizations that I didn't know about and to discover what they have to offer and what they do.

How has CSL impacted your academic and or personal life?

It has led me to seek employment in fields like community outreach and the non-profit sector. I’m interested in trying them out, seeing what they're all about and how I can give back. I really encourage people to try a CSL class to see if they like it or not. It could be beneficial or maybe not, but it's up to the individual. I think CSL is something everyone should try at least once.

How would you sum up your experience with CSL in one sentence?

Inspiring.

With support from the Co-operative Education and Work-Integrated Learning Canada (CEWIL Canada) and the Canadian federal government, CSL awards scholarships to equity-deserving students for their successful participation in an official CSL course.

[facesofcsl]

Daniel D., Student (Psychology)

Read about Daniel’s experience as a student in CSL 100, and being the co-director of community engagement at the Collective of Community Oriented Students (CCOS). 

Trace your involvement with CSL

I heard about CSL from a previous CSL intern, Eunice. The year before I had taken a year off school, during that time I had been volunteering with the Cerebral Palsy Association of Alberta, Habitat Humanity and a couple of other places. When I was going back to school she told me I should take this CSL, and that it would be really awesome to broaden my mind and teach me more about what service work is, and what it means!

I started with CSL 100 with Jay Friesen, I was partnered up with the Learning Centre Literacy Association. It was absolutely wonderful. They are a literacy school for adults, and there are computer literacy, numeracy, and reading programs. In my role as a classroom assistant, I would go up there and teach people about grammar, talk about books and other things. In one of the courses, we read the Breadwinner and we had really cool discussions on politics and what the book meant. Another class was just grammar class and I would help people with what infinitives are, and stuff like that!  I actually did more hours than I needed to, I would go to the Association more than what was required. They are really far away from where I live, but if we were closer I would be super interested in going back again! 

How did CSL change the way you think about things?

CSL was the shift from "helping people out" and moving towards social change. I care a lot about communities and how to help people and how to show up and all that kind of stuff--  but what was really imprinted on me was working toward social change in ways that serve the community. Rather than just serving specific ethics or moral ideas that you have about the world. I think you have to ask: “How am I helping the community in this way, or how am harming the community? How can I make sure that the path we are moving on forward now is beneficial, and is actually something that the community is in charge of?” 

The other thing that was reinforced through CSL, was the idea of taking people as they are. When you are helping people, and you are giving people services and resources you cannot really decide what they will do with those resources. So, you have to decide how to work with them in the ways they want. Before taking these classes, service work for me still asked the question of, "What does helping even mean?” When I would volunteer at other organizations before I took CSL, it was a lot of hanging out and making friends. This was really fun and I enjoyed it, but I did not think about it in terms of community. CSL helped me think of it as more than just hanging out, but as a way to participate in community. 

Did CSL introduce you to new experiences and knowledge, how and what?

Yes, it definitely did. Not just CSL, but all service experiences have been profoundly beautiful in how you meet so many wonderful people that you don't expect. Specifically, at the Learning Centre, there were so many wonderful brilliant people, who had knowledge, but the systems of marginalization were not allowing them to flourish. It made me very uncomfortable - seeing people not being able to flourish because of a disability, or because of their social-economic status. It was like: “Wow, these people are so brilliant, but they just don't have some skills yet.” Also, it wasn't even language literacy, like not knowing how to speak English. It was also about literacy on things like the computer or email.  In this day and age,  if you don't know how to use a computer you can't really do anything. If you cannot access your email or use devices employers use to communicate with employees, it’s likely very hard to find a job!

How has CSL impacted your academic or personal life?

I am currently a co-director for community engagement for Collective of Community Oriented Students (CCOS), which is a CSL affiliated group. So that has been a really cool step, which fits into my academic and personal life. I have learned that school - particularly University, can be very isolating, at times when you are just going to classes and you are seeing familiar faces who you know nothing about. You are learning but there is a lot of pressure, and there is no real opportunity to see who your community is, even though you are constantly seeing the same people over and over again. So, trying to bring the community back into people's lives is very important to me. For me, it is about being present and allowing other students space to be themselves and be a part of our community on campus. 

Has CSL impacted your future? 

CSL has complicated my career path, but in a good way. It has given me direction but also has opened my eyes to other options I had not thought about before. 

For some background, I am an artist, musician and poet. For a while, I was very interested in being a music therapist. Right now, with all of the community work I have been doing, I have been really focused and curious about community psychology. Despite the many flaws psychology may have, for some of its dismissal of societal or community values, there is a strong and unexplored sense of how communities work at a psychological level. 

Psychology is at an interesting point in its trajectory, where it has a lot of authority, and where it can help people. So, I have been thinking about a more academic path, where I can bring together my passion for art, music, poetry and community psychology. So CSL has impacted me in a very profound and complicated way! 

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Jimmy M., Community Partner (Operation Friendship Seniors Society)

“My role here as Community Relations Supervisor is to handle our volunteer program. One of the volunteer components is the CSL program. Having students come in, preparing food, serving meals, friendly visits with the seniors as well. CSL is considered a group within the volunteer program. That's my involvement, to book dates for CSL and other groups that we have come through our door.

CSL students and other students that are hoping to be in environments that may be related to the inner-city get a lot out of this placement. From learning about issues that are in place when it comes to homelessness, seniors living in poverty, just your community in general. I would actually like to see more students come through the doors. When students find jobs in 5-10 years, they’re going to be the people that are going to be making decisions in which organizations to support. Obviously, for us, we're a very small organization compared to other inner-city organizations in Edmonton. For us, the volunteers help us grow through word of mouth. When students leave here and they start a new job and they move up the ranks and they think about a charity, they'll think about Operation Friendship because that's where their experience is. They might also be parts of other groups like Rotary or church groups or other employee groups that are looking for projects. I really believe younger people hold the key for our organization to create more awareness that we're out there as well as the programming that we offer for our seniors.

When students come in, I think they learn a lot when it comes to the clientele. Their story, why they use Operation Friendship, why they use the programs that they do. A lot of the time, our seniors just fall on a bad break. Our main value is non-judgmental. We're not here to judge the lifestyles that they've chosen. For CSL students to see the other side of the line, things that we may take for granted such as heat, shelter overhead, food, clothing, things that these guys fight for -- for CSL students, the big thing they learn in their placement is just the way these people have grown up as fighters and the programs that they use. And just more about their community. I think it sets a good standard when you start doing it when you're younger, to want to be a bigger impact in the community as you move forward in your life.

When you do the CSL program, the fact is that these students, they get to know the clients. I always tell volunteers to find something that you want to do, something you're passionate about. So if you come here, you do your hours and you feel like seniors aren't your way of helping. Maybe it's families, maybe it's kids. Some people take a long time to figure out how they want to make an impact. It's finding that niche and starting younger, you kind of know but that might even open up other doors. It encourages people to try new things. It leads to better giving of their time and their efforts.

Everyone will find their niche on how they want to give back to the community. I think that we need to give back to them. If we are able to help as individuals, we should be able to give back something. For me, being in charge of our volunteer program, I've learned the power of what students in general can make in the community. I've seen so many projects, I've been here almost 7 years and to see the things that younger people do in the community is really remarkable. The power of younger people! I believe when you're younger, you're a go-getter and you want to jump on that idea and go with it and you also have that energy and positivity to get things done. It's our hope that when CSL students leave here, they get a better understanding of sense of community and feel enriched with the opportunity too.

CSL is inspiring. It's inspiring to see what young people can do, especially making a difference in their community. They want to focus on their backyard, their place that they call home.”

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Ryan M., Student (Criminology)

Ryan Migadel, a former student athlete, recently graduated from the University of Alberta with a BA in Criminology. Currently, Ryan is in the application process with Edmonton Police Service, which keeps him on a dedicated workout schedule, much like football did.

“I had never heard of CSL until my Criminology program advisor suggested CSL to me as a way to fill my remaining requirements. I only had the opportunity to take CSL 100 in my final semester of university.

CSL had an unexpected and profound effect on my experience at the U of A. I came away with important knowledge on how I viewed community service as a tool to learning. Dr. Taylor presented the course materials and objectives in a way that made me question my preconceived ways of thinking, and ultimately [gave me] the ability to step back from a situation and evaluate all the different ideas and motivations of an initiative, and to question these ideas and motivations.

CSL presented me with the opportunity to volunteer at YRAP (Youth Restorative Action Project) - an organization that I hold in very high regard, and one which I continue to volunteer with.

YRAP is a youth justice committee that is run completely by youth under 25 to help those charged under the YCJA (Youth Criminal Justice Act) to deal with their charges outside of the traditional court process. It helps youth come up with conditions with a panel of YRAP members, and in most cases, upon completion of these conditions, a youth can avoid [obtaining]  a criminal record.

One of these conditions is the youth is paired with a mentor (me), where there is an opportunity [to form] a constructive relationship. It challenged me to get outside of my comfort zone and interact with youth from a vulnerable population, which will be very valuable in my future career choice.

[CSL has taught me about] re-evaluation and self-awareness. It is truly a valuable process to engage in and question your ideas, the motivations that lie behind them, and to ultimately build a better you with an informed opinion.  

If I had the opportunity to go back and complete [the CSL] certificate, I would. It would not only be extremely valuable to place on a resume but I believe it would have enriched my university experience greatly.

I would highly recommend CSL to anyone in the University, which gave me an experience unlike many others I’ve had over my student career. Stick with CSL because it will make you a better student and individual in the long run, just as my short time with CSL has done for me.”

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Randal N., Instructor (Augustana Campus)

CSL is a pretty safe, easy connecting point between the community and the university, which helps to create new, serendipitous opportunities. In some ways, it has opened opportunities for us to be a resource for the university and its students. CSL has helped to open the eyes of the university a little bit and recognize that there might be students who are struggling because they don’t have a place to stay, they are in poverty, or homelessness is an issue for them.

At the same time, it’s helped the students understand that they’re not much different than the youth in the community that may be struggling and vice versa – the youth can see that they are not that far away from being able to go to university or something similar, whereas before it may have seemed unrealistic.

I love that word, serendipitous. Make sure you use that.