Amazing Race – College of Nursing Style
Nursing students from the Regina campus participated in an “Amazing Race”, as part of a community clinical experience.
Trying to make an appointment on time, while caring for a child, learning to navigate the bus system, facing cold weather and speaking minimal English…..these were just some of the obstacles making up an “Amazing Race” that Regina campus students participated in as part of a nursing community clinical earlier this term.
Around 22 students came together from different community clinical groups to participate in the activity. “The purpose of the Amazing Race was to help students gain insight into what it might be like to come to Regina as an Immigrant or Refugee or someone who is new to the city,” said Clinical Associate Joleen Klassen. “They had certain objectives they had to meet during the 2.5 hour period and guidelines they were asked to follow. The experience taught them about access, equity and capacity building and to understand some of the challenges people face every day.”
Each student group was given a scenario, such as: you are a family who recently moved here from the Ukraine; you have a baby sister you are caring for, but you want to see the sights around Regina; you will each need to take turns caring for your baby sister (a doll in this case), while completing certain tasks over the next 2.5 hours. The rules for the activity included taking the bus or walking to destinations and only using five English words per sentence when speaking to other people. Some of the tasks that needed to be completed during the race included taking a photo next to the Holodomor statue, taking a picture at St. Basil’s Ukrainian Catholic Church, using a pay phone to call your instructor, finding a washroom with a change table to change your baby sisters diaper, doing a random act of kindness and buying a healthy snack from a grocery store to share.
“Even though the day of the race was cold, so cold the students cell phones weren’t working, adding another dimension to the challenge, the students felt the event was really valuable,” said Klassen.
Below are a few quotes from the students who participated in the Amazing Race.
“This was an awesome experience. Regardless of the cold weather, it was extremely realistic and sent a very powerful message. The objectives of the race were also very heartfelt and allowed us to give back to the community, while still having fun and participating in games. I recommend all students participate in this experience, so they can get an idea of the difficulties people go through when coming to a new place.” Mackenzie Moore
“Participating in the amazing race activity was an exciting experience, as it allowed us to live two hours in someone else’s shoes. This activity demonstrated the challenges many immigrants face when it comes to transportation, accessibility, finances, and language.” Mary Gilo
“Spent Tuesday competing in an Amazing Race challenge around Regina in -30 degree temperatures with other groups of students from school. Was definitely an eye opener into the reality many people face each day. We sometimes get caught in our own lives that we don’t recognize challenges and obstacles people in our community deal with. This was an important day and a good reminder for all of us.” Romney Jones
“To make an event like this happen, it takes a lot of work,” said Klassen. “I would like to extend thanks to Nathan Luhning, Manager of Business Development, and the City of Regina for donating the transit passes, as well as Assistant Professor Marie Dietrich Leurer for her generous donation and support and my fellow Clinical Associates Megan Weiss, Nikki Williamson and Donna Martin for donating the rest of the bus tickets, so the students could have this experience. I would also like to thank nursing student Chibuzo Agu for helping develop the challenges and sharing her insights into navigating the bus system.”