Prospective Students and Families Attend University of Alberta, Augustana’s Winter Preview Day

BY PRECIOUS AKANINYENE / STAFF WRITER

Winter Preview Day is an exciting opportunity for prospective students and families to learn more about the University of Alberta, Augustana Campus, and everything it has to offer. The purpose of the preview day is to provide attendees with an opportunity to tour the campus, meet with current students and faculty, and learn about the various programs and services that the college offers.

The Winter Preview Day, which took place on Saturday, February 11th, 2023 was an enjoyable and informative event. It began with lunch in the dining hall which lasted from 12 pm to 1 pm. From 1 pm until 2:15 pm, there was a welcome speech by Dean Demetres Tryphonopoulos and a presentation by an Augustana Alum. The guests were then divided into two groups and from 2:30 pm to 4 pm, the two groups took a tour of the campus and visited booth fairs in the forum.

The Dean emphasized the importance of finding a university that is a good fit, both academically and socially. He advised potential students to take advantage of the preview day to get a sense of the school and determine whether it is the right fit for them. Additionally, he emphasized Augustana’s dedication to giving students a comprehensive education that will equip them for success in both their academic and professional endeavours.

The second speaker discussed her own Augustana experience and the positive effects it has had on her life, especially speaking from the perspective of an Augustana alum. She discussed the chances she had to participate in extracurricular activities and how these experiences have shaped her as a person. She also discussed the tight-knit community and how it has given her a support system that has enabled her to succeed.

She also gave a slideshow presentation about the Augustana campus, highlighting its features and the enjoyable activities nearby, such as going to Fika Coffeehouse and stargazing at the Miquelon Research Center.

I had the opportunity to speak with one of the visitors anonymously and inquire about their time at the university during the preview day. Before attending the event, they said they had done a lot of research and were impressed by the smaller campus and the small class sizes, which they thought would provide more attention focused on students individually. They also mentioned how students could participate in a variety of extracurricular activities.

The visitor responded that they liked the tour the most when asked what they liked best about the preview day. They couldn’t wait to explore all that Augustana had to offer.

The visitor had a favorable impression of the campus’s culture and atmosphere, calling it warm and the people friendly.

Lastly, the visitor said they thought Augustana’s preview day was “really, really good,” and they were excited about the possibility of attending. It was evident that the preview day had made a good impression on them and had significantly influenced how they felt about the university.

In conclusion, the University of Alberta, Augustana’s Winter Preview Day was a fun and educational occasion that gave prospective students and their families a glimpse into the college’s programs and services. The dean and alumna’s remarks emphasized the significance of selecting a school that is a good fit and Augustana’s dedication to offering a comprehensive education that equips students for success. Ultimately, the Winter Preview Day is a great chance for prospective students and their families to make decisions about their education that are fully informed.

Interested in volunteering with upcoming Preview Days, or taking a tour of campus yourself, for any prospective students? Email augvisit@ualberta.ca for more information!