There’s a steady hum of conversation running through the hallway at the W.A. Murphy Centre as students catch up with each other after the summer break.
At Tim Hortons, also on campus, freshmen sip coffee as they hover over iPads and laptops, registering for their courses online.
In the lobby, first-year student Ennis Rahming is preparing to say goodbye to his parents who have come all the way from Nassau, Bahamas, to help him settle in to university life.
Ennis arrived last week, to take in orientation activities and get to know his fellow students.
“It’s a nice school – a nice environment. The people are also very nice, very helpful,” says the Bernadine Hall resident who is enrolled in the business administration program.
Even though settling in has been a good experience for Ennis, it’s a bitter-sweet moment for his parents.
“He’s the last one. So, it’s hard. We had two sons graduate, and they are attending school in the U.S.,” says Clare Rahming.
Graduating is also on first year students’ minds as they pick up textbooks at the UPEI bookstore.
Liam O’Reilly wants to improve his credentials with a bachelor of science degree after graduating from the primary care paramedic program in Newfoundland.
“I’m feeling positive about the first day of classes…. I’m not too worried,” says the St. John’s native.
Shannon Watters, who has also set her sights on a science degree, is settling in at Andrews Hall.
“I moved . . . in Saturday. It wasn’t the biggest transition for me. I’m from the Island and (my home community) is just a couple of hundred kilometres away.
“But, I was talking with others who had come from Montreal, last week. And for them, the transition was quite a lot,” says the Mill River native.
