February 05, 2026 By Ivy
YouAlberta is written by students for students.
Ivy is a second-year nursing student at the U of A and a residence storyteller with Residence Occupancy. As an international student, she’s passionate about community engagement, leadership development and learning beyond the classroom. Through her involvement in Alternative Reading Week and volunteering in health-care settings, Ivy enjoys sharing stories that highlight student growth and meaningful campus experiences.
Before coming to university, I believed that learning mostly happened in lecture halls, libraries and late-night study sessions. Alternative Reading Week (ARW) completely changed my perspective.
ARW is a community-engaged learning experience offered through Engage Edmonton, where students step outside the classroom and into Edmonton’s diverse community spaces to learn through service, reflection and connection.
For residence students, ARW is more than just a week away from university. It’s an opportunity to build leadership skills, strengthen empathy and experience the values of residence life in action.
Through hands-on volunteering with local organizations and meaningful conversations with community members, ARW reflects what it means to live and learn together at the U of A.
I chose to join ARW because I wanted to do something meaningful during Reading Week — something that would push me beyond my comfort zone. Before the program began, participants attended orientations to learn about our community partners, understand our roles and set expectations. We discussed the importance of respect, humility and listening before acting, which helped ground the experience in intention rather than assumption.
Like many participants, I set simple but purposeful goals: to stay open-minded, to contribute positively and to learn from both the community members we met and the students beside me.
I came into the week hoping to make a difference for others, but I didn’t expect how much personal growth the experience would bring.
Each day of ARW brought a new environment and a new lesson.
We worked alongside community organizations such as Edmonton’s Food Bank, The Mustard Seed and Hope Mission, supporting low-income populations, newcomers and individuals experiencing vulnerability. Our tasks varied — from organizing donations and preparing materials to assisting with daily operations and simply spending time listening and connecting.
There were moments that challenged me: navigating unfamiliar spaces, adapting to new team dynamics and learning how to communicate with people whose life experiences were very different from my own. I handled this by staying open-minded, asking questions and intentionally slowing down to listen rather than react.
Unlike my day-to-day routine, where expectations and roles are familiar, this experience required constant adjustment. Each charity offered a unique perspective on society, allowing me to learn from diverse demographics and to view issues through the eyes of different populations. These challenges became the most valuable learning moments. I saw how powerful active listening can be and how adaptability is an essential leadership skill.
Some of the most meaningful moments were the quiet ones — small gestures of gratitude, shared laughter and conversations that reminded me how deeply connected our community truly is.
Our community partners were at the heart of the ARW experience. Their missions to support, empower and uplift others gave our work purpose and direction, while strengthening the relationship between the university and the city we call home.
Some of the other student participants I spoke to highlight just how meaningful and transformative the experience can be.
“I didn’t expect to learn so much about myself in just one week.”
“I came in nervous, but I left with confidence and lifelong friendships.”
These voices reflect the diversity of ARW participants — students from different faculties, backgrounds and experiences — all finding personal meaning through shared service and community engagement.
ARW strengthened my leadership in ways that aren't always visible on a resume. I became more aware of local social issues, more comfortable working in unfamiliar environments and more confident collaborating with others. The experience deepened my cultural competence and reinforced that leadership often looks like empathy, patience and presence.
These lessons align closely with Residence Life’s living-learning pillars of community building, engagement and personal growth.
ARW showed me that learning doesn’t stop when we step off campus; instead, it expands when we actively engage with the world around us.
ARW reminded me why I chose to live in residence in the first place: to be part of a community that values connection, service and growth. The lessons I gained during ARW will continue to shape how I approach my studies, volunteer work and future career goals.
To any residence student considering ARW next year: take the leap. You’ll gain skills, friendships and perspectives that extend far beyond one week.
Sometimes, the most meaningful learning happens when you step outside your comfort zone — and into the community.
YouAlberta