Page 6 February 2009

By Shavado Gibson Post Contributor

How does a future full of op- portunities, excitement, and traveling the world sound? It almost seems too good to be true, but it isn’t at all. Study- ing abroad can be a major benefit to students. Not only will you enjoy your time in another country but you will create a lot of open doors for your future.

As an exchange student from the Bahamas, my first impression of UPEI was that it is bigger, and more ad- vanced than the College of The Bahamas (COB) where I was studying before arriv- ing here.

Many other international students have the same im- pression.

What is also of interest is that UPEI is a multi-cultural university, whereas COB is not a multi-cultural college. At UPEI, there are residenc- es on campus to accommo- date students, and it gives students easy access to and from their classes. In: addi- tion, a cafeteria is also on campus for students to have a meal whenever they want (only if they have a meal plan). This is awesome, be- cause at COB the residence available is not so easily ac- cessible in terms of going to classes and no cafeteria is present on campus.

Moreover, this is my first encounter with snow. How great is that? The only snow I saw was on television. With regards to the snow

CAMPUS

My Experience at UPEI

and cold weather I was wor- ried and being paranoid that something terrible will hap- pen, not being in such cold weather before, but surpris- ingly I am adjusting to the weather faster than I would have expected.

With regards to the sporting events and activities of Can- ada, I went sledding so far which I must say was very exciting.

I hope I will have the op- portunity to be involved in other activities such as ski- ing, curling, snow boarding and ice skating. Some will refuse to do this, but I am an individual who enjoy trying things for the first time and getting an experience with it.

find study abroad experi- ences aS an enormous asset to your resume and scholas- tic experience. Many stu- dents do not have this kind of experience. We that do must cherish it too. The dis- tinction of having studied in a foreign country for a ses- sion, semester, or year, can be invaluable to your future career in today’s competitive job market.

Frankly, this study abroad experience has allowed me to understand myself better, acquire skills and knowledge which will open other doors for me. It has helped me to develop myself into a stron- ger individual. I am having the opportunity to experi-

Take advantage of study abroad experiences

Furthermore, I personally ©

ence a completely different culture. By this I develop the ability to thrive in and adapt to a culture different from my own, which I must high- ly regard as a major factor as a Bahamian student.

In addition, students change majors, alter their education- al directions and friendship networks, and often redefine their life goals as a result of living abroad. Also as a re- sult of study abroad experi- ences, some students change majors, alter their education- al directions and friendship networks, or redefine their life goals. This has applied to me, because I find my self wanting to change my major also.

On the other hand, I am be-

PANTHER POST

ing acquainted with many Canadian students at UPEI and international students from all around the world. For me, this is wonderful and I enjoy the opportunities I have to interact with other students and share our dif- ferent cultures.

I must not forget the nice, warm hearted UPEI students and faculty members who warmly welcomed me _ at UPEI and showed me kind- ness and made me feel at home.

For them I am very grate- ful.

Hopefully, I will be able to return at UPE] as a full time international student and not just as an International Ex- change student.

How do you keep warm on campus?

I go through building to building. I building walk.

99

I go to the gym and work out, keep the temp up, have a few drinks out.

Jessica MacKinnon Ist year Science

Nick Gaudet Alumni

How am I keeping

warm? A wood fire.

I’m not keeping

warm. I’m really cold.

Max Hamon Arts Faculty Education ©

Brenton Dickieson

Faculty Religious Studies