Alumni Testimonials

"My time in the Anthropology department at VIU has been well spent. It has taught me to be accepting of the beliefs and traditions of other cultures. As well, Anthropology has taught me to be critical in my thinking and what I see and hear every day; it has given me the confidence to move on to graduate school."
- Kris Carter (VIU 2008)

"Vancouver Island University’s anthropology program transformed my life. The department’s multi-faceted, multi-stream approach allowed me to explore many fascinating avenues before settling on a career as an applied cultural anthropologist.  Anthropology not only broadened my horizons, the department’s many talented and dedicated professors challenged my belief system, honed my critical thinking skills, and provided the critical framework from which I moved on to do graduate work and start a successful tutoring and research business (working with clients who experience barriers to their academic success). Believe me, taking anthropology courses at VIU is the best thing that you can do for yourself. I guarantee it will rock your worldview—and that’s a good thing!"
- Liz Harvey-Carter (VIU 2006)

"I am very proud of my alma mater. After attending Concordia for graduate studies, I found that [VIU] gave me a more rounded view of anthropology than those that the students from even Concordia received. I have a better understanding and consequently, more adaptable way of considering issues, a different way of seeing, if that makes sense. Most of the students have been to universities that taught only Social Anthropology and have no background in the other sectors of anthropology, such as, the physical, biological, linguistic, and archaeological aspects. To tell the truth, they have expressed the wish to have had the same training. Hurrah for [VIU], keep up the good work! Maybe if all taught the full spectrum, there would not be this "Crise de Coeur" in anthropological/ethnographical studies that is being inflicted on us graduate students now. [...] All my instructors at [VIU] have been enthusiastic about the courses they teach, inspiring always, and have been supportive of me and all their students. Their welcoming "open door" approach meant a lot knowing how much work is involved in teaching at a university level. I strongly advocate students to consider taking anthropology at [VIU] and even encourage students at Concordia to transfer there!"
- Marie-France Germain (VIU 2006)

"As a student in the Anthropology Department of [VIU], I was inspired! My instructors inspired me to imagine, to question, to notice what intrigued me, and most of all to act on my own curiosity. My first tentative steps at research were not dampened, but encouraged, and amazingly out of it came something new and unexpected (in the archaeological record). Here the instructors exemplify a true spirit of enquiry, to which their own lives and studies are a testament. My education was exciting. It can't get better than that!"
- Nancy Greene (VIU 2004)

"The anthropology department at [VIU] prepared me well for graduate work at UBC. In the process of preparation I found encouragement, challenging ideas, flexibility and exciting knowledge in the classroom. If you are a "mature student", trust me, [VIU] and the anthropology instructors are supportive. I had tipped the age 60 line when I graduated from [VIU] and was accepted in grad school at UBC (now completed, 2004). [VIU] anthropology tops my list of learning experiences."
- Jackie Bate (VIU 2001)

"I must say my fondest memories and my best experiences were at [VIU] which I cannot say enough about. I am always recommending [VIU] to people thinking of doing their BA degree. You have the best teaching staff, the best location, the friendliest and most supportive staff."
- Lori McFayden (VIU 2000)