Keyaira Gruben is an exchange student from St. Thomas University in Fredericton, New Brunswick. She says while at VIU she has been learning many things, including how to stand on her own two feet.
February 25, 2016 - 3:30pm
St. Thomas University partners with VIU on student and faculty exchanges
Keyaira Gruben saw the opportunity and seized it. The St. Thomas University (STU) student who grew up in the small province of New Brunswick found herself leaving her school, family and friends to attend Vancouver Island University (VIU).
The opportunity came about thanks to the signing of a Student and Faculty Exchange Agreement of Cooperation between STU and VIU. When Gruben heard they were looking for First Nations students to participate, she applied and was accepted. But only when her plane ticket was confirmed did it really begin to sink in.
“All my friends told me BC is the place to be so I put my name in and all of a sudden I heard I was chosen to go. When I was told I would be the first student to participate I was so excited,” said Gruben.
“But as the date to leave got closer and preparations were being made I realized: ‘Oh My God! I’m leaving my family for five months!’ This is the longest I’ve ever been away from them!”
Last month VIU welcomed Gruben, who is Maliseet from the Kingsclear First Nation, to its Nanaimo campus. Kingsclear, a community of around 1,000 people, is located along the Saint John River, about 15 km west of Fredericton.
One of the main goals of the exchange program is to create opportunities for First Nations students to learn about different Aboriginal cultures and traditions while gaining life experience in a totally different part of Canada. Gruben, who is majoring in Psychology and First Nations studies with a minor in Sociology, says coming to VIU has opened her eyes.
“Before I came I wasn’t aware of just how many services there were for Aboriginal students and how integrated First Nations culture would be on VIU’s campus. The totem poles are inspiring and the facilities really made me feel connected to the west coast Aboriginal community,” said Gruben.
“One of the things I’ve noticed is that people acknowledge they are on First Nations territory at events and meetings and they give thanks to the local First Nations people. I see it all the time and that doesn’t happen back home. It’s something I’m definitely going to bring back with me.”
VIU Associate Vice-President of Academic Planning and Aboriginal Initiatives, Steve Lane, says coming up with a funding arrangement with STU and agreeing on a schedule that works for both universities wasn’t always easy but now that the agreement is underway he couldn’t be happier.
He says to start off they are going to have two students going each way in the first year. For their part the plan is to send two VIU students to St. Thomas University this September. They are also looking into creating faculty exchange opportunities.
“It’s something that we want to encourage because we know these study opportunities broaden perspectives and that immersing yourself in another community can teach so much,” said Lane.
“One of the things I’ve learned in my travels is just how varied the cultures are across this country. I think anyone who takes the time to learn about the uniqueness of our First Nations communities knows that each one can enrich our lives in ways that can’t be predicted.”
As she looks back at the month she has spent at VIU and looks forward to the rest of her stay, Gruben says the initial fear of leaving her community is gone. It has been replaced with a growing sense of self. When asked what she has learned about the Coast Salish People of Vancouver Island, she talks about the Elders that are available on campus and how easy it is to talk with them.
“What I can say is that the First Nations culture here is beautiful. Our cultural stories are different, our Creation stories are different but even though they are different they are both incredibly beautiful and valuable,” said Gruben.
“I’ve experienced a lot of growth, a lot of self-discovery and I’ve learned a lot about how to be comfortable with who I am without the influence of everyone who knows you and loves you. It’s been just awesome and I would recommend doing an exchange to anyone – especially Aboriginal students who want to learn how to stand on their own two feet.”
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Media Contact: Dane Gibson, Communications Officer, Vancouver Island University
P: 250.740.6288 E: Communications@viu.ca T: @viunews
Tags: Student Success
