By Bailey Wheeler
“What are you doing next year?”
It’s a frequent thought running through every grad’s head with the end of the school year – and ultimately their high school career – fast approaching.
It’s a question thrown out by parents, teachers, neighbours, friends, and friends of friends. It’s a good question to ask, though, as grads wrap up their stint at Oak Bay High and prepare for a new adventure.
With so many options, from volunteering abroad to pursuing post-secondary education or travelling the world, it can be a challenge to figure out what the best option is.
Oak Bay student Linden Turner has her answer. She is enrolling in the Sauder School of Business at the University of British Columbia, having chosen it for its prestigious business program and its West Coast location.
Turner is also excited about the full university experience that goes along with living away from home.
“I’m really looking forward to residence life and for increased independence,” she said.
Alex Gurney and John Shukin have very different plans for their first year out of high school: the pair are heading to Arusha, Tanzania, where they will be volunteering with International volunteer HQ. They will spend six months volunteering and teaching English and art classes in in an orphanage.
“I want to gain more life experience,” said Gurney, “I want to experience how the other half of the world lives. I am hoping to become more responsible, independent and appreciative.”
It’ll be a truly eye-opening experience for the pair and they are excited and nervous about the culture shock.
Fellow grad Ryan Broe is also travelling to another continent, taking his post-secondary education to an international level. He’ll be studying such first-year subjects as economics and philosophy at the Bader International Study Centre, located in Herstmonceux Castle in Sussex, England.
“I couldn’t pass up the chance to apply for this international experience,” said Broe. “I’m excited for pretty much everything, especially being able to travel for school.”