From varsity rugby to law school in a new city, Alancia Jeffery shares how embracing unfamiliar spaces has helped her discover deeper connection, confidence, and purpose.
BEEDIE LUMINARIES — One spring afternoon nearly seven years ago, Alancia Jeffery received exciting news that would shape the next chapter of her life: she had been offered the opportunity to play Women’s Rugby at the University of British Columbia. From that moment, eighteen-year-old Alancia quickly embarked on her undergraduate journey, spending the next five years growing both as a student and young adult.
After graduating with her Bachelor of Arts in the spring of 2024, Alancia received more exciting news— “Congratulations, Windsor Law is pleased to offer you admission to our Juris Doctor program commencing Fall 2024.” With the support of the Beedie Luminaries Graduate Studies Award, Alancia once again packed her bags, ready to embark on a new journey—a continuation of her educational path and the beginning of an exciting new chapter in her life. Now, settled in Windsor, Ontario, Alancia shares her reflections on the importance of community in the face of change, and how connection remains a constant, helping to weather life’s challenges.
Note: “Third Space” is a term often used to describe places beyond home (our “first space”) and work or school (our “second space”), such as coffee shops, libraries, or community centres. These are spaces where connection, conversation, and community typically unfold naturally. More than just physical locations, third spaces are also sites of personal transformation, where identities meet, mix, and evolve. In this article, Alancia reclaims the idea of a third space as a metaphor for her continued self-expansion—beyond the foundation built during her undergraduate years and into a new chapter shaped by autonomy, curiosity, and growth.
Hi! I’m Alancia Jeffery, but most people know me as AJ. I’m a proud Beedie Luminary from the 2019 Cohort and now a recipient of the Graduate Studies Award. I grew up in Mission, BC, where sports shaped much of my life. When an opportunity arose to play rugby at The University of British Columbia (UBC), I took a leap into what became my “second space.” That transition—from high school to university, from high school rugby to varsity rugby—was a defining shift, pushing me to grow in ways I never expected. Throughout my undergrad, I discovered more about who I was, what mattered to me, and where I wanted to go. Now, I find myself taking yet another leap—this time into my “third space”: law school.
Suitcases, IKEA, and a Mattress in a Box…to Windsor
Windsor, Ontario. Where is that? Where will I live? Do they have an airport? Is there a good coffee shop nearby? What will the people be like? Will I do well in law school? The questions flooded in, each one a reminder of how much I didn’t know. But within that uncertainty, there was also excitement—excitement for an opportunity many only dream of. Just as I had once embraced the unknown when moving to Vancouver, I chose to lean into that excitement rather than fear.
The excitement became real the moment I signed my lease—an apartment I had never seen, in a city I hadn’t even known existed before applying to law school. Then came the IKEA orders, endless decisions about what to bring, from hoodies to shoes to pajamas. Before I knew it, I was standing in an airport with two suitcases, boarding a flight to Windsor, Ontario. My amazing sister, Makayla, came with me, and after two plane rides, I arrived in Windsor. It felt like a foreign country, nothing was familiar. That first night, we stayed in a hotel while my Amazon-ordered box mattress slowly inflated in my apartment—one of the many small but surreal moments that made this move feel real. After days of building, laughter, and exploration, my sister left and I was on my own. And so began my journey of figuring out how to thrive in this entirely new space.
Moving away for law school felt different than all the other times I had packed my bags. There’s something about packing up to start anew—especially when you’re moving to a place you’ve never seen, a life that looks completely different from what you’ve known. It’s not just the act of leaving; it’s the realization that the choices you make now are shaping a life you’re fully responsible for. In the past, I’ve always had some version of “home” to return to. This time, I was carving out my own space in a new city, with new routines, new faces, and a whole new level of autonomy.
Left: Alancia with peers at UBC / Right: Alancia with peers at Windsor Law in 2025.
The Not-So-Easy Balancing Act Between Independence and Need for Connection
The autonomy was exhilarating, but it was also lonely. I could choose how I spent my days, what to bring into my life, and how to create a routine. But with that came confusion and moments of doubt—where do I go when I feel disconnected? How do I find people who get me? The quiet moments, when I felt most alone, were often when I realized that true happiness doesn’t come from being independent all the time; it comes from the balance of autonomy and connection.
Building a community in Windsor wasn’t something that just happened—it was something I actively sought out. I hosted a get-together at the brewery near my apartment before school started, inviting any law students who had arrived early. I ran for the 1L single representative position with the Student Law Society (SLS) and was thrilled to get the position. From there, I became the Chair of the Windsor Community Care Collective and dived into everything Windsor had to offer—whether that was exploring the farmer’s market, playing pickleball, or checking out the local cafes. But the most important thing I did was just talk to people. Everyone around me was in the same boat, looking for connections. Sometimes, all it takes is a simple “hi” to spark a meaningful conversation and build a relationship.
“Sometimes, all it takes is a simple ‘hi’ to spark a meaningful conversation and build a relationship.”
Alancia on finding new friendships amidst change.
Embracing the Moments (even the awkward ones)
Through this journey, I learned a lot about the people I want in my life—people who are communicative, compassionate, and driven to make a positive impact. I often say that law school has changed me, but what I truly mean is that it’s helped me realize that this was the best decision for my personal growth. It’s here that I’ve met the people who also truly support and understand me. Looking back on this past year, I can honestly say it’s been the best year of my life. I’m incredibly grateful that this “third space” has allowed me to feel the happiest and most fulfilled so far!
One of my favourite parts of law school has been the events and networking opportunities. The connections I’ve made—both professionally and personally—have been invaluable. But the most important lesson I’ve learned is that if you want something, whether it’s a community or new opportunities, you need to make the first move. You can’t be afraid to put yourself out there, because the right people will find you, and they will embrace you. The people who truly love and support you will shine through during these new adventures.
A love letter to vulnerability, bravery, and showing up
This experience has made me a better friend, student, daughter, sibling, and aunt. I approach everything now with a greater understanding of myself and others. The embrace of the unknown has opened up new perspectives that have made me not only more confident in who I am, but also more empathetic and willing to take risks in my personal and professional life. I’m genuinely happier for it—and I’m excited for what comes next.
At the end of the day, community is as open to you as you are willing to be to it. If you’re willing to take that first step, to lean into the unknown, you’ll find that people who care, support, and celebrate you will find their way into your life. It’s all about the spaces you create and the connections you build along the way.
Thank you, Alancia. We are so proud of you.
Looking to connect with alumni students like Alancia? Connect with her here.
Back To Top