A Life of Adventure, Careers and Cultures with Class of 2001 Alumna, Aushra Shivitskis

For Aushra Shivitskis, Class of 2001, life has been a remarkable journey across continents, careers, and cultures—shaped by resilience, exploration, and a deep appreciation for human connection.

Born in Lithuania, Aushra moved to Mexico when she was 8 years old and came to Trafalgar Castle School at age 15, completing Grades 11 and 13 as a boarding student. She recalls her years at the Castle with fondness: “It felt like home. Saying goodbye was hard—you grew attached, and the warmth of the community stayed with me,” said Aushra. She credits Mr. McClure for his guidance and remembers with gratitude the encouragement she received from teachers such as Mrs. Fields, who fostered her passion for sports and healthy living.

After graduating in 2001, Aushra’s path took her across the globe. She lived in Lithuania for 10 years, followed by six years in Australia. When the COVID-19 pandemic struck, she had relocated to Finland, where she has lived for the past five years.

In Finland, Aushra embraced the country’s wild beauty, working as a licensed nature guide. Her guiding business, which she ran for several years, offered visitors unforgettable adventures, including ice fishing, aurora hunting, and wilderness exploration. Living in Rovaniemi, Finland — famous as the “home of Santa Claus” — she rented cabins to travellers, chased the Northern Lights, and immersed visitors in the rhythm of the Arctic seasons. She describes the extremes vividly: Two months of darkness, followed by three months of continuous sunlight.

“Seeing the sun after months of darkness is deeply profound,” said Aushra. “In Finland, people call each other asking, ‘Have you seen the sun yet?’. Or they drive to the hills to get a glimpse, and when the sun finally warms your face, it’s overwhelmingly beautiful. It really feels like the darkness prepares us for the light and makes us value its presence.”

Aushra has a Master’s degree in Clinical Health Psychology. Her passion for people and well-being has been a constant theme throughout her journey, alongside her entrepreneurial spirit. Beyond her professional life, Aushra is a lifelong traveller and avid runner, which keeps her grounded and reinforces her belief in the importance of healthy habits.

She reflects on both loss and opportunity as milestones that have shaped her life. Having lived in many countries and currently considering a move back to Australia to work as an Assistant Nurse, Aushra carries with her a truly global perspective, which is captured in a book about her life.

September 2025 marks her first return to Canada in 20 years. She is eager to reconnect with her classmates from the Class of 2001, sharing both memories of their time at Trafalgar and the wisdom gained from her extraordinary journey. Her advice to current students and fellow alumnae is simple yet powerful: “Consider carefully what you want to do for your career, and stay connected with your classmates. That connection is invaluable.”

Looking back, Aushra says the leadership skills and discipline she developed at Trafalgar were key to her success. From organizing her daily life to launching her own business, she sees the school’s influence in the foundation it gave her.

As she prepares for new adventures, Aushra carries Trafalgar’s spirit with her wherever she goes.