UNBC Review

After a forty-seven and a half minute flight to Prince George, I walked out of the arrival gate clutching my UNBC brochure expectantly. I glanced around the airport and realized I was standing at the only arrival gate, only meters away from the solitary departure gate. We got our hands on a map with specific instructions to UNBC, which was all the way across town. I settled into our rented Kia Sedan and prepared for a long ride. However, ‘across town’ doesn’t quite have the same connotations in Prince George as it does in Vancouver; the ride took fifteen minutes total. The university itself, perched atop a hill overlooking the town, was quite impressive and visually appealing. Parking was cheap and easy to find, just across from the main entrance. You immediately notice the Native influence of the architecture outside the building as well as inside. The ambiance is easy-going as you walk through the big front doors; summer students smile and nod at you as you pass. The admissions office welcomes us with huge smiles, and knows who we are before we had even spoke. The tour begins immediately; a senior student guides us through the main hallway, informing us of the various achievements and statistics of the school. The science wing is impressive, with state of the art labs and lecture halls. My fears of monstrous class sizes were squashed instantly, as our guide informed me that even the biggest class would probably only reach 50 students. The newest addition to the ever-expanding university, the education building, boasts it’s own ‘homework centre’. It’s a service that offers free tutoring and readily available one-on-one ‘professor time’ for all students in all programs. The University also has a fully equipped fitness centre and is currently constructing a state of the art sports centre, set to open in 2007. The cafeteria has a variety of food choices, including a Tim Horton’s, Starbucks, a sandwich bar, and a salad bar. The residences, located just outside the main building, sport the ‘classic dorm’ beige walls and stained carpet. However, as dorms go, these aren’t bad. They are separated into four bedrooms, a full kitchen, and a bathroom. Cable is provided, but the T.V is not. The bedrooms are equipped with a closet, a dresser, a single bed and a desk; however, it is relatively small for the amount of furniture. The final verdict is quite good. The school itself is very inviting and impressive, with new buildings and small class sizes. However, living in a small town like Prince George could be a setback for some, and takes away from the schools other features. If you are interested in a smaller school setting, as opposed to the huge student communities at UBC or SFU, then UNBC could potentially be a suitable option. If you crave the fast paced city life and social scene, Prince George might not be the place for you.