Acadia University a long way from home

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When Dawn Anaquod researched Canada's universities for the best place to earn her bachelor degree in business administration, she was initially somewhat dismayed to discover tiny Acadia University appeared to have the best qualifications. Located 45 minutes from Halifax in Wolfville, N.S., Acadia was a huge distance away from her Regina home.

But now that she's well into her second semester of studies, she knows she made the right decision.

"Acadia only has about 4,000 students and therefore it's a friendly atmosphere, and it's easy to get to know your way around the campus," Anaquod said.

The university also offers other advantages, including a number of high tech, innovative programs. And in a recent Maclean's magazine survey, the school came out on top in every category in which Anaquod was interested. The small institution is also known for its great variety of student clubs and services.

Anaquod, who is of Cree, Saulteaux and Sioux descent, is 20 years old and greatly misses her mother, father and younger brother back home on the prairies, but has found ways to dispel the loneliness. "I talk to my parents almost daily, either by phone or e-mail. And I made lots of friends here at Acadia by getting involved in university committees and community activities. I'm too busy to be homesick," she said.

In high school, Anaquod enjoyed activities related to the business field. "My friends and teachers all said I was a natural to pursue entrepreneurial ventures," she said. Anaquod was chosen as a youth representative for the Regina Business Women's Association which hosts an annual event where female students are given the opportunity to hear presentations by entrepreneurs and chief executive officers of major companies in potential career fields.

"I listened to speakers talking about advertising, marketing, management and entrepreneurial ventures and gained some great insights. The experience actually helped me make my decision to enter the business administration degree program and it also gave me a lot of connections, which I may be able to utilize when looking for work, " she explained.

Anaquod's parents were major supporters of her plan to continue her education after high school graduation. "My dad is a professor at the Saskatchewan Indian Federated College (SIFC) and is involved in a lot of commerce activities with First Nations in the area.

I like how he dealt with business and the interaction he had with people," Dawn Anaquod said. Her high school guidance counsellor, Cheryl Exner, also saw the entrepreneurial spirit in her young student and encouraged her.

Anaquod has had an interesting range of courses in her first year, including an introductory business course, which further convinced her she had chosen the right field of study. Calculus proved interesting and she was able to complete it successfully, despite the fact that students usually fear the difficult math course. Micro-economics and communications rounded out her first semester, as did sociology, which is her favorite area of study so far.

"Acadia offers the exact courses we need to pursue our careers, and we don't have the pressure of choosing from a great number of options," she said.

Her after-graduation plans originally included returning to the prairies to work, but after spending time in Nova Scotia, she realizes the maritime area of Canada offers potential employment opportunities as well. She is also considering further education, possibly in the area of cultural anthropology or sociology, and a master degree is a definite possibility. "I definitely want to stay in Canada, and I'm excited about the many options that are waiting to be considered when graduation day draws near."

The advice Anaquod would give to students who are apprehensive about attending university or college is to get involved in campus activities, stay on top of their homework, and prepare well in advance for exams. "I had a couple of all-night study sessios in my first semester and I don't recommend them."

It's a matter of finding a balance, she said. "You have to have a bit of a social life. Acadia actually promotes the concept that university is not just about studying but also about being part of the campus social system. But you have to make your school work come first."

She urges all students to pursue the career that will make them happy. "There will always be obstacles which you have to overcome, but you'll find a way to overcome them. Don't give up. Believe in yourself and you will be successful. "