Prospective students and many family members filled the halls of Fanshawe College on Nov. 7 for the school’s fall open house. As visitors toured classrooms and met with faculty and student ambassadors, some already decided on specific programs while others still hadn’t made up their minds.
“I’m planning on being a future student at Fanshawe. I just wanted to take a look around. I have things in mind, but I haven’t decided. I thought of becoming
Hasan Alaliwat, prospective student (Credit: Samantha Luis/ XFM News)
a social worker, but when I went around I saw lots of interesting things, so it will make it more difficult for me to decide. But anyway I do have to decide to start my plan,” said Hasan Alaliwat, a who is new to London and Canada.
For other prospective students, the open house provided the opportunity to discover programs, while also
addressing the concerns about continuing education.
Sofia Sandoval, prospective student (Credit: Samantha Luis/ XFM News)
“I’m here to find a program that I like. I’m into arts and all that stuff. It’s a great open house; it changed my perspective on everything. I’m from Colombia and studied there. my biggest concern is having my diploma translate, but they helped me a lot here,” said Sofia Sandoval, a prospective student originally from Colombia.
Noela Mugisha, prospective student (Credit: Samantha Luis/ XFM News)
Those that did know their post-secondary future came with questions and concerns for what this new chapter may bring.
“I just applied for the MRI rad tech program, so I’m really excited. The only kind of concern I have is commuting or doing residency because I do live an hour and a half away,” said Noela Mugisha, a prospective student.
Staff and volunteers helped make open house easier for prospective students by giving directions and guided tours around the school.
“I’m helping people get from place to place. It’s important for our prospective students to be able to navigate the College and be able to get the information that they want,” said Karen Bieger, CSRSIS at Fanshawe.
Karen Bieger, CSRSIS at Fanshawe College (Credit: Samantha Luis/ XFM News)
Open houses are made to showcase the building and programs, while also building connections and relationships.
“It’s very important for us to do open houses because it allows us to show prospective students everything that we have on campus and everything that we have to offer.
Kate Traill, general arts and science program coordinator (Credit: Samantha Luis/ XFM News)
The halls were filled with hands full of Fanshawe merchandise and program information sheets.
“Roughly, I would say down this hallway is pretty quiet but I have probably seen a good 300-400 students,” said Bieger.
“Probably around 100 or 200 people, there’s been a line-up at the table almost all day.” said Traill, when asked how many people she’s spoken to at her booth.
Booths were lined up for each program with teachers and current students to answer any questions prospects may have.
Hallway during open house (Credit: Samantha Luis/ XFM News)
“I’ve been here all day answering questions about the general arts and science program, and just trying to promote our program as a flexible way for students to try and meet different learning goals,” said Traill.
“I had a lot of questions today about prerequisite courses. A lot of questions about pathways and what courses they can take in our program and how they would transfer to university,” said Traill, when asked what her most asked questions were.
Fanshawe’s next open house will take place on Apr. 3, 2027 to align with the seasonal recruitment cycle, and give prospective students a spring look at the campus ahead of application deadlines.
