Monthly Archives: August 2015

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The Hidden Gems of Kelowna!

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Are you lusting for some adventure?

Is your stomach grumbling uncontrollably?

Are you just searching for a peaceful setting to study in?

Let us help you out with some of these exceptional opportunities that are just waiting for you!

 

———-> Hiking hidden gems

Dilworth mountain : Easy; 1 – 3 km
Access from Hwy 97 heading north by turning left on Spall Road; this turns into Glenmore Drive. You will turn right at the lights for Summit Drive, climb the steep hill and turn right on Chilcotin Court, you will see a parking lot on your right hand side. Dilworth mountain can be seen from almost any location in Kelowna and offers some of the best views of the city.

Knox mountain: Easy; 1 – 3 km                                                                           Access from Hwy 97 heading north by turning left on Spall Road; this turns into Glenmore Drive. You will turn right at the lights for Summit Drive, climb the steep hill and turn right on Chilcotin Court, you will see a parking lot on your right hand side. Dilworth mountain can be seen from almost any location in Kelowna and offers some of the best views of the city.

Glacier Glades: Moderate to Difficult; various distances
Kalamalka Provincial park is located at the north end of Kalamalka lake which is a beautiful lake. There are several walks you can take through bunchgrass meadow, along cliffs and through the Douglas firs overlooking Kal Lake. There are also a few beaches in the area, perfect to dip into on a sunny day.

Mill Creek: Mill Creek Regional Park is 15.3 hectares in the Ellison area, east of the Kelowna Airport. Take Old Vernon Road off Highway 97 N and turn onto Spencer Road, the parking lot is on the right hand side.

Crawford Falls / Canyon Falls Park: Difficult; 1 – 2 km
Crawford Falls is located on Bellevue Creek. It can be reached by the following: Gordon Drive to Dehart Road; Dehart Road to Crawford Road; Crawford road to Westridge Road. Turn on to Canyon Ridge Crescent and finally to Canyon Falls Court, which is a dead end. You will see a Kelowna City Parks trail that you can follow to a beautiful waterfall.To get to the lower falls takes about 20 minutes but is quite difficult. Once there you will see 20 foot falls. If you continue about 10 more minutes you will see the larger falls (40 feet).  *Before you go, be advised that this is a very steep, advanced level hike. Staff are currently working to establish a safer trail to the bottom. Hikers should also be aware that parking is limited in Canyon Falls Court. Cars parked less than 3 metres from driveways will be ticketed and/or towed. There is additional parking on Westridge Drive and Stewart Road West.

Kelowna Mountain (suspension bridges and vineyards):                      Take Chute Lake Rd to Upper Mission Drive, Turn  left on Gillard Forestry Rd at Upper Mission Drive, Turn left at Kettle Valley Stone, Turn right into the Kelowna Mountain gates off of Gillard forestry Rd.

———-> Eating hidden gems

  1.                                                                                Jammery: Breakfast, brunch, and lunch only.
  2.                                                                                           Menchies: Dessert
  3.                                                                                              Bluetail: Japanese / Sushi
  4.                                                                                        Grand 88: Buffet / Western Chinese / Japanese / All you can eat
  5.                                                                                                  Packing house / Tonics / Brans Creek:  $3 wings! (on specific days)
  6.                                                                                                  Latin Fiesta:  Mexican / Salvadorian
  7.                                                                                                         Naked Cafe: Vegan / Vegetarian
  8.                                                                        Pakora Palace: Indian food

Study hidden gems

  1. Pulp fiction

  2. Starbucks                                                                     
  3. Bean Scene                                   
  4. Bliss bakery                                                                                  
  5. Kelowna Library                                                                        
  6. Blenz Coffee                                                     

 – Stella Mozin

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Canada Across the Map

Canada’s recognition

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Kanada, カナダ, कनाडा, Canadá

No matter how you say or spell it, Canada is recognized differently all around the world.

These are just a few examples…

Irene Salverda, president of the Associations for Canada Studies in the Netherlands works at Wageningen University and Research Centre in the Netherlands.

Says…

“Many of my non-Canadianist friends refer to Canada as “the European version of America.” Canada resembles Europe the way it wishes it had stayed: full of natural beauty.

The Dutch are attracted to the down-to-earth Canadian spirit. In Amsterdam, many locals will play dumb if an American asks for the way. But state you’re Canadian, and doors will open instantly.

Nowadays, my friends remark, with surprise, “Canada has an American president, only interested in the economy and ignorant of anything else, and America has a Canadian president.” So images are definitely changing; some Dutch people fear that this beautiful Canada will soon be one big oil field.”

Wang Bing teaches at the Liaoning Normal University in Dalian, China. He is a past president of the Association for Canadian Studies of China.

Says..

“Canada definitely conjures up a very positive image in our Chinese mind. We usually find Canada wherever in the world justice should be done, abuses of human rights criticized, refugees assisted, or wrongs redressed.

Canada’s image as a dull “wheat exporter” decades ago has now changed into a much more dynamic, diverse country. The curriculum about Canada focuses on Chinese immigrants, bilingualism and multiculturalism, which is perceived as the best, if not perfect, choice to solve problems of ethnic conflicts and social harmony.”

Emperatriz Arreaza teaches at the University of Zulia inVenezuela and is president of the Venezuelan Association of Canadian Studies.

Says..

“Canada is so important in Latin America and especially in Venezuela, in order to recuperate democracy and freedom. We are so grateful for the attention that Canada’s Parliament has given to the political prisoners’ wives and their testimonies about the violence and lack of human rights in Venezuela. Canada has a role as a peacemaker in Latin America in general, particularly in Venezuela.”

Samira Omar is a postgraduate student at Saint Paul’s University in Ottawa.

Says…

“It is one of those known and widely accepted truisms that Tanzanians love and respect Canada and that Canadians, through their goodness and generosity to Tanzania over the past 60 years and more, have shown in a clearly measurable way, their affection for my country, Tanzania.”

Article info from…

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/how-canada-is-perceived-around-the-world-1.3132343

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/how-canada-is-perceived-around-the-world-1.3132343

– Stella Mozin

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Events

Upcoming Events: August – September 2015!

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Jumpstart 2015!   
Undergraduate International student orLogo_-_Jumpstart23021ientation hosted by the IPS.

A one-week preparation to academic life at and orientation to UBC’s Okanagan campus for new international undergraduate students.

Grad Jumpstart 2015!
Graduate International student orientation hosted by the IPS.
A one-week preparation to academic life at and orientation to UBC’s Okanagan campus created specifically for international graduate students.

Spark Extended Orientation! (Month of September)spark
UBC Okanagan’s five-week extended orientation program designed to welcome back our returning students and introduce our programs and services to New-to-UBC students. It is highlighted by the following week long events:

– Week of Welcome!
– Wellness & Recreation Week!
– Involvement Week!
– Academics Week!
– Diversity & Equity Week!

– UBCSUO Frosh!
Week long activities that welcome students to university living hosted by the Students Union.
It includes concerts, fun activities on the commons and many more!
One of the notable days during this week is:

– Clubs and Course Union Day

A day set aside for all the clubs and course unions on campus setup booths in the academic courtyard so students know what extra-curricular involvement options are available on campus.

* this page will be updated regularly and is not the final list of events for the months of August and September 2015.

 

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Uncategorized

Public speaking is possible!

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According to recent studies, public speaking is placed #1 for people’s worst fears. Which subsequently beats out skydiving, spiders and even death!

This is how I have gone through the motions….

“The time  subsequently arrives when you get called up on stage and immediately your heart starts racing. You receive a hot flash every three seconds followed by a swift shiver to even the anxiety out.

Once you start the short walk to your worst nightmare you can’t help but feel as if you have chicken legs wiggling about underneath you. Next, you finally make it to the platform and the lights somehow manage to blind you so effortlessly.

Right before you open your mouth to speak, you feel as if you forgot everything you ever wanted to say.  So many eyes are transfixed solely on you. Then, once you have successfully made that leap over the Grand Canyon of nerves, you manage to start speaking flawlessly. You finally feel as if you could conquer anything.

Lastly, when you step down from that platform, you can not even remember what the heck just happened or more so what you just performed. It seems like a foggy dream, and yet it was very real.”

People fear and dislike public speaking for many reasons.

A few examples are…

  • Being self-conscious in front of a large group
  • Fear of being judged
  • Bad experiences
  • Comparing yourself to fellow students

Public speaking can do so much good for you.

A few examples are…

  • Immensely builds up your self confidence
  • Very important for your future career
  • One of the most effective way to get your message across
  • It demonstrates your knowledge

There are so many places you can get involved!

  • Student leader conference
  • Media center / UBCO-TV
  • Model united nations
  • Global Fest
  • Debate Club ( https://www.facebook.com/ubcodebateclub?fref=ts )  
  • Toastmasters ( https://www.facebook.com/ubcotoastmasters )
  • Tedx UBCOkanagan talks

– Stella Mozin

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Your Voice

The Global Spectrum

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I am the sound of radiant colours,
An impression of diverse waves,
The prodigy of multiculturalism,
Reconciliation of better days.

      I am the possibility of cultural understanding,
A conqueror of stereotypical thinking,
The Caesar to inter-culturalism; my Cleopatra,
On this winding road: a universal adventure.

 I am the echo of Mahatma Gandhi,
An embodiment of Nelson Mandela,
The fearless leader of the Cherokee Nation,
Revolving around this global spectrum.

I am the continuum of diversity,
A piece in a world filled with controversy,
The introspective pawn traversing a chess table,
Maneuvering a tale that is far from stable.

      – Nene Azu

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