Oshki-Pimache-O-Win’s on-campus learning sessions provide students with the opportunity to interact with both students and instructors.

“We learn from each other while on campus,” says Brenda Roundhead, an Aboriginal Financial & Economic Planning Program student from Slate Falls First Nation. “I find that I learn quite a lot from the instructor as well. I usually ask questions when confused about a subject.”

Oshki-Pimache-O-Win’s on-campus sessions usually last from one to two weeks, depending on the course. For instance, the Aboriginal Financial & Economic Planning Program has a one-week on-campus session to begin the program while the Basic Radiological Technician Program has a two-week on-campus session at the end of the program.

“It’s more fun when you’re studying as part of a whole group,” says Drusilla Keetash, a Basic Radiological Technician Program student from Mishkeegogamang First Nation. “I like the instruction we receive. The instruction is to the point and nothing is too complicated to understand.”

While the students’ laughter often drifts down the halls from their classrooms at Oshki-Pimache-O-Win, the students also have an opportunity to interact with staff during breaks from class.

“It’s like an open place — the staff are all very welcoming,” says Roundhead.
The on-campus classes usually involve about nine to 10 students, which is a good size for encouraging one-on-one interactions between the instructors and students.

“I liked all my instructors,” says Roundhead. “They all had different teaching styles.”
The on-campus sessions are a great advantage with Oshki-Pimache-O-Win’s programs; although students complete most of their assignments during after-work distance education sessions from their home community, they also receive intensive in-class instruction while on campus.

“The instructors try to get as many assignments done as possible while we’re on campus,” says Roundhead, explaining that she works in her community and takes Aboriginal Financial & Economic Planning because it is offered in through distance education. “I go to Thunder Bay for one week at the beginning of the semester.”

Oshki-Pimache-O-Win provides two classrooms, a state-of-the-art computer lab and a student lounge on site for the on-campus sessions.