Student Ambassadors
Vilhelm Bjoergul
-Norway
“Now, although I am admittedly a reserved Norwegian, the crowd of students
at PSS ended up being the
best crowd there is. Some
people see Pemberton as a
bit too rural, but when one
learns to embrace it, it’s a
different story entirely.”
Pemberton
Secondary
2016
My decision to come here is largely due to my
siblings, who both traveled as international
students to Michigan during their grade 12
year. However, the United States seemed to me
a bit blurred and unpredictable with the variety of numerous states, with no real knowledge
of where one might be situated. After exploring my opportunities for some time my decision fell on Canada. I will ry y best to avoid
any comparison between the U.S. and Canada
seeing it is a bit of a taboo, but trust me, it is all
in good spirit. For some reason my perception
of Canada was an American version of Norway. I assume it is because Canada is generally
associated with the North, more so than the
U.S. Additionally, it portrayed a degree of neutrality, much like home, but with a friendly
vibe. I saw it as something in between the extreme outgoing American and the reserved
Norwegian. In this case, I could argue my assumption was right.
Pemberton is a truly special place, and whenever someone asks me what the biggest difference
between home and Pemberton is, my answer is
always the same: at home I would be shocked if
anyone passing me on the street smiled and
said hello, but in Pemberton I would be
shocked if they didn’t.
Asking what I like best about Canada is a
loaded question, which I could go on a big
rant about. But, to stay on the positive side
of things, I’ve always had the opportunity to
debate with teachers, staff and coaches of
Pemberton Secondary School. There is a
handful of them that I am sincerely grateful
to have met, and had meaningful conversations with. They have given me the recognition and support whenever it was needed,
and also given me a fresh take on things.
Now, although I am admittedly a reserved
Norwegian, the crowd of students at PSS
ended up being the best crowd there is.
Some people see Pemberton as a bit too rural, but when one learns to embrace it, it’s a
different story entirely.
This year, I have taken some memorable
courses. Last semester, English, Media Studies and Art were the ones I enjoyed the most.
Without going into too much detail, their
on
or was project based learning.
For me, this means the opportunity to express
potential in a different way. This semester, the
by far best course, is Comparative Politics, and
I don’t believe anyone in the class would disagree with me. A teacher filled with stories and
students eager to debate in blissful ignorance
is good combination. Shared by all these classes hough, w s teachers open to conversation.
I did both basketball and snowboarding during the winter. Yet, I hold being included into
the Pemberton Canoe Association’s dragon
boat crew this spring at the peak of my experience. With the Olympian Dr. Hugh Fisher as
the head coach, the stories surrounding a crew
that has been around for two decades with sixteen gold medals at the Concord Pacific Vancouver Dragon Boat Festival, are pretty amazing. Despite cold wet days on One Mile Lake,
the sunny ones with the view of Mount Currie
and good laughs with the team, makes for a
good time.
There’s a few things I can mention, but the
most obvious are my two host sisters. At the
age of 10 and 12 years old, they are a constant
source of entertainment!
About three months ago, I was restless and
keen on getting home. But, somewhere between March and May, there was a shift.
Now, I’m struggling with the fact of leaving.
I have realized that spending ten months
building relations, and then having to leave
those relations behind, is no easy task. There
have continuously been challenges this year,
but facing this last one is most definitely going to be hardest.
There’s a few staff members of PSS that deserve to be mentioned: Mrs. Street, Ms.
Zablotney, Ms. Walden and Mrs. Brynjolfson.
I also need to mention Coach Paul Vacirca of
the Pemberton Red Devils and the PCA Dragon Boat Crew and the Laoyam Eagles. There
are a lot of students I can mention, but I think
they all know who they are. Thank you!