Where do I belong?
That mysterious substance guidance counsellors call 'fit' is not so mysterious anymore.
Big school, small city: University of Saskatchewan
Ishmael Napoleon Daro is a fourth-year political science student. Originally from Afghanistan, he grew up in Saskatoon
Why did you choose Saskatchewan?
“Basically, geography. I have a safety net with family around and friends.”
What’s campus like?
“The U of S is one of the better-looking campuses we have in Canada,” says Daro. “The buildings all have a stone finish that gives them the same sort of look. Even when they build a new building, they’ll still have the stonework done to make the whole campus look consistent. It’s beautiful.”
How are the people?
“It’s mostly local people. You do get a lot of Albertans from Calgary, Edmonton or some of the smaller towns, but it does feel like a very Saskatchewan university.” However, he doesn’t mind being surrounded by prairie folk. “I don’t imagine that people in other cities are so freakish or terribly interesting that I’m missing out.”
How’s the music scene in Saskatoon?
“Pretty vibrant, considering the size of the city. We do get to see a lot of great bands,” says the indie radio DJ. “But occasionally, I see a band’s concert schedule and they’ll have a date in Winnipeg and a date in Calgary. That’s frustrating.”
Is there a university bubble?
“Once you’re on campus, you might eat on campus, go to the gym on campus, plus your classes, and the groups you’re involved with, are on campus,” says Daro. He can’t always
escape his fellow students at home either. “I live on Broadway, which is still very much a student-dominated neighbourhood. So I go from school to home and even if I go to a restaurant, it’s all students. It leads to feeling isolated from the larger city.”
How is course selection?
“I always manage to find interesting classes here,” says Daro. “One that stands out for me is the philosophy of sexuality class, which looked at the works of major philosophers through what they think about sex, rather than freedom or democracy,” says Daro. “Here’s an example. Kant talked about categorical imperative. Sexually, he’d say you could never just use someone for their utilitarian value. Every sexual encounter would have to be for pure reasons, rather than for selfish reasons.”
Very useful and amazing article! I’m a second-year student of Pedagogical Academy in Russia. I’m going to write an essay devoted to educational system in Canada and its advantages and disadvantages. I think I’ll use some facts from this fantastic article=)! Thank you!
The assumption that only small liberals arts schools can offer discussion, intimate interaction with professors, or a close-knit community is false. Small programs at large universities can offer all of the same things (with perhaps a little more walking distance to cover between classes), as well as the benefits).
I think this article is very interesting and that there should be a follow-up piece. I chose Trent University because of its intimate environment and wonderful English Literature program. For me, university is about discovering yourself, your goals, and – I say this unashamedly – your ideals. It will take me 5 years to complete my degree, but Trent has been more than accomodating to my needs.
Once again the writers of Macleans demonstrate their total commitment to obsessive fawning over the United States of America.
As there always are, this 2010 University Rankings issue had a ridiculous number of references to the US, the majority of which were completely unnecessary. The most pathetic being the profile of US American Emily Kellogg who fully admits to having “always dreamt of living in New York” but chose U of T because she couldn’t afford NYU. Wow, what a great plug for Canadian universities! Why was this person/story chosen? Why have we as Canadians become convinced that the merest token of recognition from anyone south o’ the border somehow legitimizes us? Can’t we see that it only makes us look pathetic? I just don’t get it.
Macleans columnists: Every time you feel the addiction of tying the States into the narrative of your writing, please just pause and ask yourself, “Does this REALLY make my article better?” You may be surprised to discover that it rarely does – it rarely improves things. I would even argue that it devalues.
Now, it may take more work to use Canadian references, but it is worth it. You are doing so much more for the integrity, identity and self-worth of yourself, this magazine, and our nation.
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Quispamsis is over 3 times larger than Antigonish by population and has much more than “just a variety store.” Also, it is said to be “one of Atlantic Canada’s fastest growing cities.” ..FYI