Taking the Risk:

What it’s like to attend RJC from out of province

Like most grade 10 students, Shay CaseSkubleny was nervous about the idea of moving out of province for high school.

But she was having trouble at her large school in Calgary, and so Shay and her family decided to give RJC a shot. She’s never looked back.

The transition was
made a little easier in her first year because Shay went along with her older
sister which meant there was always a familiar face around. And the many social
activities at RJC, sports teams and living in the dorms helped her make a new
community quickly. “I was skeptical of coming,” she says, “but I love it here
so much. I’ll be on breaks and I’ll be like ‘I can’t wait to go back and see my
friends.’”

Over her three years, Shay has been on the football, volleyball, basketball and track teams.

Social events like Sam and Sadie Hawkins, have also been highlights — particularly the Canada themed one last year. “We went tobogganing down this big hill in Saskatoon. And it was just the most fun I have had,” she says.

The Alternative Learning and Service Opportunities weeks have also had a big impact.

Shay went to BC her first year, then Toronto and now she’s planning to go to Guatemala this year. “The ALSO trips are also very fun and really impactful on your life. They’re another reason for coming [to RJC] because you can’t really get that at other schools,” she says.

The smaller class sizes have also been a big help for Shay compared to her old school in Calgary.

“Here the teachers really want you to do well. They’re here to help you with anything you need and they can kind of tell if you don’t understand and they’ll help you. They just really care about you doing your best.”

Living away from home and being responsible for everything herself was an adjustment.

“I definitely have improved since being here for the past few years,” she says. “It’s all a learning process, you have to try new things out and I definitely think I’ve got the hang of it now.” But she says having the deans living in the dorms along with the students was a big help, and her parents were always just a phone call away.

While she knows it
can be intimidating to think about leaving home, Shay has never regretted the
decision to go to school in another province. “It’s just a great high school
experience because it gets you ready. It gives you more independence and lets
you figure out stuff for yourself,” she says. “You just have to take the risk
because it’s such a great place.”