Only about 150 students arrived at Quest University this Labour Day weekend, but the campus feel was unmistakable for those who ventured to the upper Garibaldi Highlands area of University Heights Sunday (Aug. 31).The privately-funded school is only in its second year, yet it is quickly gaining international recognition. Thirteen per cent of the 80 first-year students starting their post-secondary quest on the hill are from outside North America. An even higher number of second year international students brings the overall slice closer to 20 per cent.The diversity of the student body enhances the school's interactive methods for learning, said Director of Student Affairs Melanie Koenderman."It just brings so many different perspectives and ideas and experiences to the classroom. So when they're discussing global issues and political economy and democracy and justice they have people who have lived in very different political and economic systems."Chilean Timbon Tan, 19, started the 18-day cornerstone block this week, which is an orientation to the school's alternative approach to education. He and the rest of the new students are learning some of the hands-on skills and strategies needed for doing well in their classes throughout the year. Activities like river mapping are incorporated into a unit called Humans and Nature.A school councillor recommended Quest to Tan. And although he has been in Canada for little more than a week, he is confident he made the right move, he said."It's like a whole new life for me," said Tan, an avid snowboarder who hopes to some day start his own snowboard business. "The surroundings are amazing, it's close to Whistler and there's a tight community here with small classes."Meanwhile, 24 per cent of first-year students are from the United States and 64 per cent are from Canada, two of which are originally from Squamish. Second year student Patrick MacNeil, 21, of Nova Scotia is beginning his first full year at Quest after having to return home to Halifax's Dalhousie University for financial reasons a couple weeks after starting at Quest last year. What started as a promising academic year turned into a let-down, he said, adding that other schools cannot match the Quest experience."I really missed it - the sense of community here is unparalleled," said MacNeil, who has a strong interest in neuroscience. It's an experience that not everyone can afford. Tuition fees including room and board cost $32,500 for 2008-2009. The two terms (or eight blocks) incorporate a number of the major fields of study.
