Make a Smilebox slideshow

All happened too fast and I'm sad

Now the semester is over at the University of Prince Edward Island.
Exams are almost done. Everyone is going back home.

As for me, I am not too excited to come back. I must confess this semester has been a fun, productive one for me. Being able to travel to Canada and to see snow for the first time, participate in winter sports, meet students from over 50 countries, share cultures, meet new friends get acquainted with faculty memebers and being involved in many school activities, all explains why I will definitely miss UPEI. Not to mention I know more people here than at COB. I wish this exchange program was fifthfor 8 months rather. I gain many exposures the and now tohave a broader and well established look at the world and others.

My studies went great and I learnt a lot academically and socially. I must say this was the best thing that ever happened to me, since knowing myself.
I am going to miss all my friends here.

As they say,"All good things must come to an end."
I hope I can get another chance to go on a trip for my studies.

I will again like to thank President Hodder, Mr. Russell, Dr. Davis and all the staff of The College of The Bahamas who have made this possible and a wonderful success.

DFAIT Roundtable discussion in Ottawa

On Sunday of last week, I travelled to Ottawa to attend a roundtable discussion.
I was invited by the Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada (DFAIT) to participate in a roundtable for students from the CARICOM countries currently on GSEP or CUSEP program in Canada, representatives from your High Commissions or Embassies in Ottawa and representatives from DFAIT. The goal of the roundtable was to discuss the scholarship program, consider other education initiatives in place with the Caribbean, and explore opportunities for collaboration between Canadian and Caribbean institutions. The roundtable was organized on behalf of DFAIT by the Canadian Bureau for International Education (CBIE).
Ottawa is also the capital city of Canada and it is where Parliament House is located and the Prime Minister of Canada resides.
Our rooms were booked and ready for our arrival. On Sunday afternoon, other Caribbean students and my fellow Bahamian companions arranged to mee in the lobby. The purpose of it was to give us the opportunity to get to know one another. To me, it was nice to see Caribbean students-felt like family was in the midst.
The roundtable discussion was the following day. We were placed in groups, where we all gave our input on ways to improve the exchange programme that will help it to develop between Canada and the Caribbean countries. Present at the event were High Commissions and representatives for High Commissions of different Caribbean countries. I also met the High Commission for The Bahamas- Mr. Michael Smith. Representatives of Host Canadian Universities and the DFAIT International Scholarships team at CBIE were present as well.
After, one of the coordinators, Brian Molerio took the us(Caribbean students) on a tour of Ottawa. Amazing things were every where, such as statutes, House of Parliament, great ancient buildings. Everyine had a camera and cameras were snapping by the second. It was a blast!
We (Caribbean students) all will like to go again.
The trip was a very productive, yet a fun experience for everyone. It was my first trip to Ottawa and will sure not be my last one.
In other news, I have my final exams this upcoming week and the week after. Therefore I’m in the process of studying.
Until next time, this has been words from Shavado

Semester coming to an end: Exams are at Hand

Many students are now having a sigh of relief because the semester is practically over, and another school year is finished. This semester, as an international student has been my first school semester abroad and I must say I really did enjoy it, and was very rewarding in many ways, from the my first encounter with snow, meeting new people from all over the world, participating in winter sports and to getting “down” with the school work. UPEI is an enjoyable, learning environment and one that offers students to express themselves academically and socially.
During this year, students have been “strapped down” with homework assignments, writing papers and studying for exams continuously.
Many students complained about the amount of work they are “bogged” with and saying that it is, “stressful.” But I bet there is a wide smile on many students’ face, knowing that the school year has finally come to an end.
Some students have mix feelings of school coming to an end.
Some will miss their friends and is happy school has ended.

UPEISU General Election

UPEI Student Union held their election this week. There were four Presidential candidate, five Executive Vice President cadidates and three candidates running for the Vice President Activies position.

There was a significant voting turn out of 50% compared to last year's 30% voting rate.
The President elect is Timothy Cullen who captured 500 votes.
The Executive VP is Jarrod "J-Rod" Faria, who also happens to be the DJ at the 'Wave' the campus pub and an international student from Trinidad. Also I have known him very well and he is a good friend.
The VP of Activities, Shawn Younis who happens to also be a good friend of mine clenched the position by getting 813 votes. Moreover, he is the current VP of Activies and decided to run again and he did get re-elected. Shawn is also well known among most of the students and faculty, here.

Overall, it was a great election. Candidates did their best to get votes and to reach out to students effectively. One of the effective initiative was that candidates went into classrooms and explained to students what their platform is all about and how it will affect them in the upcoming school year.

Another great initiative that Shawn Younis (VP of Activities) took was to get students say "Vote Younis" while recording and place it on facebook to promote his campaign.

I find it very good how we as students can go online, at our student login and vote for our candidate and policy amendments. This is not at COB and I think COB need to start this initiative, because students sometimes might not want to come at school to vote, but can just sit at home on their computer and vote. I also think it is why COB receive low percentages of votes from students. Hopefully they will soon progress and do this as well.

Well, the winning candidates are celebrating this weekend by putting on big party bashments for their victorious win. I hope to be apart of some as well.

Incredible week at UPEI

This week was very refreshing. There was sun sine from Monday and its still ongoing.
There was a debate this week, from candidates who were running g for the executive positions of the UPEI student Union. This was very interesting and I enjoyed the debate. It highlighted the platform each candidate had and how it will help UPEI students for the year 2009-2010. Elections will be next week-17th &18. I am so exciting to vote. Students will be voting for the President, Executive VP, and VP of activities and their various schools’ representative of their chose. Some Candidates criticize each other harshly while debating. One candidate even place videos on YouTube, stating ‘Vote for Shawn Younis, VP of Activities.’ He goes around campus and record students saying “Vote Younis.” I think that was a great initiative.
On Thursday there was a Job Fair. I went and see several employers of various careers. These included, Vector Aerospace; Wells Fargo Financial; Parks Canada Student Employment Program and Canada’s Army. I certainly learn very much about the different careers. The Canadian Army was not bad at all. I was told that you can be a reserved and still attend school and plus they will help fund your school’s tuition. Also, it is your decision if you would like to be in the Army after your graduation. I think this is not bad at all.
On the other hand my studies are going well. I have three exams in a row on next week. I am doing a lot of studying to prepare for them. Hopefully, I will pass them all.


P.S. There is a street called, ‘Nassau Street’ in Charlottetown city of PEI.

Dinner at The Governor’s House

School is going great. Exams are still going on for me. This week was very progressing for me. I got many class assignments completed.

Last night, I was invited by Lieutenant Governor- Honourable Barbara Hagerman to have dinner at her house. The house was beautiful. It is similar to the Governor General’s house in The Bahamas. There are many antiques in it. The floor of the Governor’s house cost about 90,000. The Table we ate at was 175 years old. This was amazing to me and I was honored to have dinner with the Governor, her husband-Nelson Hagerman and other students and faculty members of UPEI. She told me that it was not her house; she was just living there until her term in office ended. She also described her house like The Governor General’s House in the Bahamas that she visited last year. She explained that she love The Bahamas and hope to go back soon. She has a son that works in The Bahamas as well; which I thought was great.

The food was very delicious. Here is the Menu:

Poached Pear & Pecan Salad with Goat Cheese and a Balsamic Vinaigrette.

Butter Poached Salmon Baby Potatoes, Broccoli and Roasted Beets

For desert it was:
Milk Chocolate Crème Brulee with Baileys Whip Cream. The desert was the most delicious part of the meal.

I enjoyed the dinner and I’m grateful for it.