Co-op Chronicles

Hands-on education at the edge of the Earth

by Marni Friesen

Pitman

At the age of 57, Marilyn Pitman isn't your average university student, or your average camp counsellor.
But the ultra-fit fourth-year recreation and health education (RHED) student isn't interested in being average—or in acting her age.

Last summer, Pitman joined dozens of students from all over the world, including two others from UVic, working as a recreation leader for groups of disabled and disadvantaged children attending summer camps at Atlantic College near Cardiff, Wales.

"It was like being on the edge of the Earth," says Pitman of the college's spectacular setting—800-year-old St. Donat's Castle, perched over the Bristol Channel. Atlantic College is one of 10 United World Colleges around the world, including Victoria's Pearson College, which evolved from the vision of German educator Karl Hahn. The institution has been a frequent employer of UVic physical education co-op students since the early '90s.

Pitman's days were spent rock climbing, kayaking, orienteering and even jousting with young summer campers. Many of her co-workers were graduates of the college itself, and came from all corners of the globe.

"I'm a very mature student," she laughs. "I mean, I was almost three times as old as most of the students I was working with. For me, the job presented a big social and physical challenge. But I never say, 'I'm too old for this.' You just have to throw yourself in."

It's the same attitude that brought Pitman to UVic. When she retired from a career as a microbiology lab technologist, Pitman knew she wanted to turn her passion for fitness into a full-time job.

"I chose to go into the RHED program because of its mandatory co-op program," she says. "I knew that with so many experiences available I'd figure out just what I wanted to do." Recent co-op terms have seen her working as a personal trainer and as a recreation leader and conversation partner at a local English school. But that first co-op term in Wales made a lasting impression.

"The whole experience showed me that I could do things I never thought I could."

All my jobs have been sickeningly fun," she laughs. "I love this field because the job is to help people enjoy themselves."