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UNB students to participate in alternative spring break event at Saint John Newcomers Centre

Author: UNB Newsroom

Posted on Mar 1, 2019

Category: UNB Saint John

Visions of spring break typically include walks on sandy beaches, skiing on a snowy mountain or relaxing at home. But for some University of New Brunswick students, participating in an upcoming alternative spring break event will give them the opportunity to develop some essential skills and give back to their community.

The Saint John Newcomers Centre has partnered with university students from across the province, including UNB, Université de Moncton, St. Thomas University and Mount Allison University, to provide a fun event for newcomers and their families.

The event, entitled the Super Saturday Social, will be held at the Saint John Newcomers Centre on Saturday, March 2, at Portland United Church, 50 Newport Crescent, Saint John from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for students to engage with diverse populations, while increasing cultural competencies,” says Dr. Sarah King, director of experiential education at UNB. “This will also allow UNB students to meet and work with students from other universities and collaborate with others across the province. Service learning opportunities allow students to bring their rich experiences back to the classroom and think about how their academic learning connects with their service opportunities.”

Student volunteers will prepare a meal and a social activity for the participants. This will also be a great opportunity for newcomer families to practice language and social skills, make new friends and gain cultural insight.

The Super Saturday Social is funded by FutureNB, a program that provides experiential learning opportunities for students looking to apply their skills in community and employment contexts.

Media contact: Sarah King

Photo credit: Rob Blanchard