Dispelling the Ivory Tower Myth
Oh, the YU Building was always a dream. When I mentioned that I was going to move to Canada to go to York University's School of Continuing Studies (SCS), I got impressed smiles and knowing nods. York's standing as an esteemed establishment predated it. It was a symbol of great advancement and a badge of distinction. However, what caught me off guard and was unknown to them was the amazing human experience that was ahead.
Putting aside the stereotypical image of professors sequestered in ivory towers, my SCS instructors were enthusiastic people who actually cared about our achievement. For example, Professor Rovena's contagious enthusiasm for marketing made even the trickiest pricing tactics seem like an exciting game of chess.
She would incorporate real-life experiences into her lessons, such as the time he unintentionally started a social media campaign for cat food with the incorrect target demographic. It was a humorous error that turned into an insightful lesson in audience segmentation. She seemed so approachable as a result, rather than just being a superior we had to defer to.
A Tapestry of Voices: The Classroom's Rich Multiculturalism
One more incredible feature? the colorful multiculturalism of the classroom. Every interaction felt like a global dialogue taking place in a busy cafe, with many viewpoints contributing to the tapestry. Our students were vibrant individuals who shared their contagious optimism and approach to problem-solving with us. A discussion regarding lengthy versus short form content emerged one day. That talk fundamentally altered my perspective on the problem and served as a reminder that marketing was more than simply creating memorable taglines and viral advertising—it also affected consumers' perceptions of the information they were exposed to.
Imagining the Future: Filling the Distance Between York and SCS
But here's the thing: even while the SCS experience was amazing, there was occasionally a persistent sense of peripherally. Compared to full-time students, we were not granted access to student unions or significant university activities. Recall the infamous "Yorkstock," the storied year-end extravaganza fronted by the hippest indie band? Everyone was talking about how amazing the performance was. At SCS, we were jealous of the whole York experience as we watched glimpses of it on social media. We had the impression of looking out of a window into a colorful world and wanting to be a part of it.
A Common Experience: How Our Bond Was Created by Our Separation
The unexpected thing is that the SCS program's distinct sense of camaraderie was cultivated by the program's inherent separation. Over late-night homework sessions motivated by the same fears and victories, we became close. Do you recall that challenging group project on global marketing strategies? Driven by nervous energy and lukewarm coffee, we crowded around library tables for endless hours. There were intense discussions, angry exchanges, and even a small tantrum when Sumaiya unintentionally erased our whole presentation the previous evening (don't worry, we saved it!). However, we always came out stronger, our friendship becoming stronger with every obstacle we overcame.
The final presentations of the semester were a flurry of anxious excitement mixed with thrilling relief. We painstakingly created visual aids and polished our delivery, practicing our pitches until our voices were raspy. At last, the day came.As we presented our work to a panel of professors and fellow students, the air crackled with tense expectation. Of course, there were mishaps (my own included a rogue slide transition that almost knocked my entire presentation off course), but we all made it through, and at the end, there was a tangible sense of relief in the room.
But then something extraordinary occurred. As we regrouped with our teachers, the stress vanished as we laughed about our humorous presentation day errors and encouraged one another's accomplishments. To our astonishment, a professor even took out a Polaroid camera to snap a huge group photo, creating a physical remembrance of our common experience. That day, a group of people from various backgrounds came together with a shared experience and aim rather than just discussing academics. Even though we weren't able to take advantage of everything York has to offer, we created a unique community and bond at SCS that went beyond our geographical distance from one another.
So let's toast to York SCS—a wonderful platform for education and development of the self. It gave me useful marketing skills, connected me to a global peer network, and unexpectedly gave me a sense of belonging. However, as time goes on, I want to see more connections made between SCS and the larger York community. Envision the rewarding experiences that await all — full-time students in the SCS program learning new insights from experienced professionals, and SCS students experiencing a taste of the exciting campus life.
This is where the narrative takes an intriguing turn rather than coming to an end. Watch this space for a follow-up in which I'll discuss some suggestions for strengthening the bonds between SCS and the core of York University.