Pincher Creek high school student Nic Jordan has been taken out of his normal routine over the past few days, participating in Lethbridge College’s Experiential Learning Week.
“Sleeping on my own, no mom making me the meals. It’s pretty good, it shows us how independent it really is,” Jordan said.
Jordan is one of close to 30 students from Matthew Halton High School and St. Michael’s High School taking part in the learning week.
“You just see these (high school) students living the life of a college student and really enjoying themselves,” said St. Michael’s and Matthew Halton off-campus coordinator John Taylor. “They’re getting to know each other, and doing new things, like taking public transit and cooking their own meals.”
The students are spending the week in residence, while taking a post-secondary course. The class choices for the group span between justice and public safety, digital communications and media, or interior design technology.
Jordan has family working in law enforcement and decided to try the justice and public safety program.
“It’s a different way of learning for me,” Jordan said. “Instead of being just a notes kind of guy like we are in high school, it’s more hands-on—seeing what it’s like for yourself.”
Experiential Learning Week has been a staple in Pincher Creek for the last three years, but this is the first time Lethbridge College has been involved. Though the week isn’t finished yet, for some students, it’s already changed their outlook on education.
“I was never really going to go to college,” said St. Michael’s Grade 10 student Devina Nelson. “But now that I have this experience, I think college is definitely an option.”
Jordan said he’s enjoying the post-secondary experience, but he’ll be just fine waiting until graduation to start the real thing.
“I don’t think right away would be the best time (to go to college),” Jordan said. “I still have to maybe get a little bit more training living on my own, but one day I’ll be very ready for this.”
The high school students will remain in the programs at Lethbridge College through Friday.
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