Editor’s note: Journalist Gboko Stewart, previously a resident of Liberia, originally was accepted to Quest University years ago on a full scholarship, however, the Canadian government did not allow students to come on visas shortly after, due to the Ebola virus spreading in that country. Now a refugee claimant in Canada, Stewart made it to Squamish to observe Quest’s final graduation ceremony.
It gladdens my heart to see that after all that may have gone wrong at Quest University to warrant its abrupt and indefinite closure, the quaint town of Squamish is emerging once again as the winner in a debacle that has certainly left more questions than answers.
The grounds — including the vast swathes of land — that were once owned by Quest University have now been bought by Capilano University.
For all that it is/has been worth, Squamish deserves an institution of higher education, whether it’s Quest or Capilano.
Squamish, from my brief observation, is a town on the bustle. And a town on a bustle which has seen a steady growth in its population in recent years, there is no gain saying that the closure of Quest took a hit to the local economy.
The advent of CapU will, in my mind, be the defibrillator Squamish needs to be revived from its brief heart attack that it suffered from Quest’s closure.
Now that it appears CapU is seeking to stamp its presence permanently on the hill, truth be told, I’d like to return to the town of Squamish — not as a teary eyed visitor held back by the the vicissitudes of life — but as one who would love be a part of the turning of a new page.
Whatever I may have missed out on by not attending Quest, I believe it can be gained by attending CapU, no matter the model of its curriculum.
The biggest beneficiary of what would be imparted is my country Liberia.
However, now that I’m thinking of wanting to return to Squamish possibly as a student to attend Capilano, I’ve just realized I have not the means to pay its tuition which is clearly out of my affordability as a refugee claimant on asylum in Canada.
Whatever the case is, I will apply anyways for there is certainly no failure in trying.
Gboko Stewart
Montreal
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