U of R ‘Move in Day’ welcomes hundreds of new students to residence

After a handshake welcome from University of Regina president Vianne Timmons, around 500 mostly first-year students moved into their Kišik Tower dorms on the U of R campus Friday.

Timmons said the new scholars are coming from around the province and overseas.

“The first student I met was from Venice,” Timmons said. “(I) met a student from Holland, a student from Mexico, Guatemala, North Battleford, Prince Albert, Brandon, Manitoba. They’re from all over the world, all over Canada and all over Saskatchewan.

“It’s really fun to meet these young people and hear why they chose the University of Regina.”

International student Jesus Manuel León Corral travelled from Los Mochis, Mexico to study in the Faculty of Arts at the U of R.

At home, he’s pursuing an industrial engineering degree, but he thought coming to the Queen City for a semester would help him with his English.

“I really, really love Canada and I want to make new challenges,” León Corral said.

León Corral noted he has heard rumours of the brisk Canadian winters, but he packed his parka, so he’s not worried.

“A lot of people tell me winter is very cold, but I’m ready,” he laughed.

It’s move in day at the @UofRegina! About 500 (mostly first-year) students are moving into the Kīšik Towers alone. @vianne_timmons, the U of R’s president and vice-chancellor, is greeting students and their families when they walk in. #yqr #backtoschool pic.twitter.com/OYSiKx6w7r

— Jessie Anton (@jessieanton_) August 30, 2019

Meanwhile, four best friends from southeast Saskatchewan are excited to be roommates.

Makaila Mansfield, a first-year pre-medicine student from Wawota, couldn’t contain her enthusiasm after walking into their dorm to find that it overlooks Wascana Park and the Regina skyline.

“I’m so excited!” she squealed. “It’s so beautiful — we got super lucky. This apartment is so cute.”

Despite moving away from her hometown of Carlyle for the first time, Hope Robertson said she isn’t anxious at all about embarking on a social work degree across the province.

“I’ll miss my family, but (Carlyle) is not that far away, so it’s not that big of a deal,” she said, adding living in residence with her friends will make the transition easier.

“I’ll get to know the campus better, and my friends are living here too so I’ll have friends right away.”

Robertson’s mother, Tanya, agrees, but noted she’s still feeling bittersweet about her first child going away to school.

“It’s not too bad. She’s only two hours away, but I try not to talk too much about it,” Tanya said with a chuckle.

Another of the roommates, Wawota’s Briana De Roo, said the whole experience won’t sink in until everyone’s gone.

“I’m kind of nervous to cook for myself and clean, but I’m excited,” the soon-to-be sociology student said.

After already sending her first child off to post-secondary school, De Roo’s mother, Cheryl, said she’s not stressed about how her daughter will do away from home.

“Sure, I’m going to miss her, but life will go on,” Cheryl said. “If she’s good, then we’re good.”

U of R students start classes next Wednesday.