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West Kildonan CollegiateWKC Internship with U of M and Red River College“Now I know why you need Physics and Pre-Cal”.This was a common theme from the eleven studentswho participated in a joint venture between ourWest Kildonan Collegiate and the U of M and RedRiver College for the final week of school beforespring break. This was a pilot project which was initiatedfor the first time ever between a Manitoba highschool and these two post-secondary institutions. Itinvolved totally immersing our students into thecourses and life at the post-secondary level.Our students who went to the U of M were Margil P.and Sindhu C. in Medicine, Taylor B. in ComputerScience, Brooke M. in Arts/Psychology, and Ray A. inArchitecture. They all took general University 1courses such as Psychology, Philosophy, and TheWorld Since 1945, as well as their individual specialtycourses like Criminology and Anthropology (Brooke),Intro Environmental Design and History of Culture,Ideas and Environment (Ray), a Chem lab, Physiologyof the Human Body and General Physics (Margil andSindhu), and Intro Electrical & Computer Engineeringand Intro Computer Science (Taylor).The Red River students were Emil Norberg in ElectricalEngineering (AC Circuits, Calculus, TechnicalCommunications, Intro to Microcontrollers, etc.),Mark Johnston in Heavy Duty Mechanics(transmissions, gas engines, etc.), Omar deMesa inCivil Engineering (Algebra & Trigonometry, Chemistry,Statics and Strength of Materials, etc.), LauraHnatiuk in Nursing (Anatomy & Physiology, Biology,Growth & Development, Nursing Skills, etc.), MagdaKusil in Creative Communications (Creative Writing,TV-Radio Broadcast Production, Public Relations,etc.) , and Kaylan Seiler in Hospitality and Tourism(Meetings & Conventions, Bartending, Human Behaviour,etc.).All students got a first hand view of what postsecondarylife is like, as well as a sense of the freedomthat you are afforded and the responsibility andtime management skills necessary to be successful.There is no one bugging you to get assignments in,get to class, or telling you where to park. You are onyour own, although there are many resources availableat both schools to advise on course selection,bursary and scholarship opportunities, housing, studyskills, and so on. We got the sense that all the students,despite the intimidating size of the schools,quickly were able to find their way around and getto the appropriate class on time.The real value was that some students realized thatthe faculty they thought they were going to pursueisn’t really for them, while for others it was a reassurancethat that faculty is exactly what they want todo in the future, as well as finding the literally dozensof options that are available at both the U of M andRed River that they didn’t even know existed.And the courses that you are taking inside the wallsof West K are actually relevant when you leave andgo on to further studies. You learn how to learn,and it’s never ending.Mr. Gary HansonWhat the kids have to say…“The most surprising thing about my experience was that I didnot expect to be with the same people for the whole day. Ithought there would be different people in each class, but everyonemoved form class to class together.” by Omar DeMesa“If I had the chance to do it again, I would have organized parkingbetter and would have tried to participate a little more in theclasses that were assigned to me.” by Kaylan Seiler“This experience taught me what the nursing program is allabout. I got opinions from other people on the program and itopened up my eyes to what college might be like.” laura Hnatiuk“The thing I enjoyed the most is the “city-like” feel when you’reat U of M. It didn’t feel like you were in school because of all thedifferent buildings. Inside the university centre, especially, theyhad various stores where you could get food, and an area withcouches and TVs where you could spend our time eating, studyingor sleeping.” by Margil Prado“The advice that I would give to the next group of students inthe program is not to have too high of expectations, because thereality is, ou are a visitor and there is only so much you can beinvolved with in the classes. Regardless, don’t forget t enjoy yourtime at the college or university and however enjoyable or demandingthe week may be, be sure to take advantage of the programand what it has to offer.” by Magda KusalPage 4