Hello there Walsh community!

I guess an introduction is in order, eh? My name is Julia Kole and I am a new blogger this year at Walsh U. As well as working on my Accounting Major and Economics Minor, I am an active student in the Walsh Community. Some highlights you will hear a lot about from me will be about Walsh Varsity Tennis ( I am part of the women’s team) and the International Club, where I will be acting as President for this academic year. I am a newly founf globe-trotter, so be prepared to hear all about my travels here, there and everywhere. I took part in the Rome Experience Fall II trip last year in 2008 and had the time of my life, and also traveled to various other countries before and during the program.

Part of our Faboulous Fall group. Here we are outside the Coliseum enjoying the wonderful weather in Rome.

This past summer, in addition to working at my equestrian all-girls summer camp, I flew across “the pond” again to revisit Spain, this time taking a Spanish language course. I will try to share all of my experiences of my travels abroad, the good, the bad and the slightly funny. Shall we get started?

Adios Canada!

So after the grueling battle that was NAIA Tennis Regional’s (where we were finalists), it was time to kick back and relax after a hectic Spring semester. What better place to unwind than in sunny Seville, Spain? I signed up with CSA (Center for Study Abroad) for a three week Spanish language course with Enforex, a language program that has schools all over Europe. There was an exchange of quick hello and goodbyes at home and just as I unpacked the last of my university things, I was in the air waving bye to Canada. I was excited to experience the sun, heat, culture and cuisine of southern Spain. Upon arrival, I was blown off my feet (almost literally) with the insane heat as I stepped out of Arrivals and into a taxi. It was a blistering 104F !!! My Canadian blood barely withstood the barrage, especially at night sleeping with no fan and no air conditioning. X_X But I survived each day and got used to the dry heat, even when the temperature reached 111F.

Close quarters! Good thing I liked my roomate I did eventually get a fan.

Meeting new people is always so thrilling, especially when they are from different countries. While studying in Seville, I met many people from all over the globe including England, France, Germany, The Netherlands, Croatia, the United States, China and Sweden. A group of us formed a “League of Nations” of sorts and merged our cultures into one. At one point we would speak to each other in a new kind of international dialect, part French, part Spanish and part English. My classes were great and I really improved my conversational Spanish, though there is much left to work on. We had many outings and sightseeing activities and even Flamenco dance lessons! Unfortunately I have discovered that dancing is not a talent I possess. Oh well, I made up for that artistic disaster by shutterbugging around the city taking hundreds of photos.

A typical Sevillian scene: The Cathedral, a sunny day, a few tourists and horse carriages everywhere!

Now I don’t want to rant on forever and get a bad rap on my first blogging attempt, so let me just say this: IF YOU HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY, STUDY ABROAD!!! Not that I want to force anyone into it, but the experiences, knowledge and friendships you gain from exploring the world are priceless. Not only will they help you in an academic way, they can help lead you into new fields in the workplace and change your perception of how you view the world around you. And if all else fails, you will always have some sort of gypsy tale to tell your friends when cafeteria conversation gets dull.

I look forward to informing and entertaining you all this year. Hope you had a great first week and have an awesome holiday weekend.

I’m “oot” and “aboot”,

Your Friendly Neighbourhood Canadian