Isha Wallace moved to Edmonton from London to study engineering at the University of Alberta but was not accepted to that program. She enrolled in the science program instead but felt socially isolated and switched to open studies at MacEwan University. She struggled to find her path and was waitlisted for the nursing program twice. After attending an information session, she enrolled in the Communication Studies program and has thrived, challenging herself academically while building confidence and skills. Her story demonstrates that setbacks are common in education but that persevering and keeping an open mind can lead students to find their fit.

1. THE MACEWAN EXPERIENCE
Student Story of the Month:
Isha Wallace - The One Who Never Gives Up
When life gives you lemons, make lemonade at MacEwan University. That
is exactly what Isha Wallace did for the most recent years of her life thus far. Wallace is a
fourth year Bachelor of Communication Studies student at MacEwan University.
It all started when Wallace moved to Edmonton, Alberta form London, U.K.
seven years ago. With plans to become a successful engineer, Wallace decided to apply to
the University of Alberta. Due to high numbers of applications, Wallace was not accepted
into the faculty of Engineering. However, she was accepted into her second choice--the
faculty of science; she then became a Chemistry major in 2010. “I really thought I was
going to enjoy this experience at the time,” says Wallace.
After her first semester, Wallace begun to feel socially out of place on campus,
homesick, and her major wasn’t what she expected. She started to feel that she was going
to school because she had to, not because she enjoyed it. As a result, she didn’t shine
academically. In April 2011, Wallace left the University of Alberta.
The summer of 2011 wasn’t the easiest for Wallace. While working full time, she
decided to return to school, but she wanted to attend a different school. She wanted to
feel less alienated in the classroom; she wanted to feel more connected with her
instructors. After researching different schools in Edmonton, Wallace applied to
MacEwan University. In the fall of 2011, Wallace took open studies courses at MacEwan
University. During this time, Wallace was unsure what to major in after having such a
negative experience at the University of Alberta. All she knew is that she needed to keep
going forward. “I was scared that if I didn’t go back to school, I’d take a gap year. Then
that will turn into two years, and so on. I always wanted to make something of myself.
I’ve always kept that promise to myself,” admits Wallace.
During her time at MacEwan University, Wallace got back on track. She loved
the smaller class sizes and how much instructors were willing to help during office hours.
Making friends also seemed much easier for her. As a result, she improved academically.
While these were a few things she loved, she was still finding a major that suited her. In
the fall of 2012, Wallace became a Bachelor of Arts major with hopes of getting accepted
into MacEwan’s Bachelor of Nursing program. While things seem to be going to plan,
Issue 15- March 2016

2. they weren’t completely. With MacEwan’s Bachelor of nursing program being highly
competitive, Wallace was waitlisted for two semesters.
Feeling jilted once again, Wallace decided to take a semester off. From January
2014 to August 2014, Wallace worked full-time, but she constantly had school on her
mind. After researching her options and meeting with advisors, she saw an advertisement
on MacEwan’s website for a talk on the University’s Bachelor of Communication Studies
program. On a winter evening she attended the talk, and was impressed with Joyce
Nethercote and Lucille Mazo, the program’s advisor and chair, respectively. After
gaining acceptance into the Bachelor of Communication Studies program, Wallace was
more than determined to go back to school.
Wallace started her professional communications major in the fall of 2014, and to
say that she enjoyed it was an understatement. At this time, she also decided to challenge
herself by take five classes per semester. This was something she had never done before,
and it worked. Also, during her first semester, Wallace continued to make friends and
realized that many other students shared an academic story that wasn’t too different from
hers. Her courses allowed her to express herself more creatively; they helped build her
confidence; they helped her to become a better writer. All these things helped her to
become a better person.
Today, Wallace is in her final year in the Bachelor of Communication Studies
program at MacEwan University. She is also currently looking for an internship she will
have to complete this summer. So what was the point of this story? The point is that
many of us have experienced a time in our lives when we are feeling like a fish out of
water, or maybe very confused while in school. The important thing is to not give up.
You must keep going because the world doesn’t stop, so why should you?

3. Isha Wallace
Narrative for an Internal Audience
BCSC 331
Patricia Porter