Capilano University Students Blogging Abroad

It was now 6:00AM and my friend, Maria and I were getting into a cab heading off to Orlando International Airport. During the 45 minutes we were in the cab, all we did was reminisce on all the amazing adventures we had during our time in the Disney International College Program. Such as: Gambling in Vegas, Cruising to the Bahamas, Jamming to the beat at the Electric Daisy Carnival, Lounging on Daytona Beach, Tanning in the Miami Sun, Plastered in Paint at many Paint Parties, Cheering on the Tampa Bay Rays, Sitting like a VIP at the Orlando SolarBears Hockey Game, Chilling with our New Friends Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Dancing the night away in Downtown Orlando and Making Magic and Memories everywhere we went! It’s crazy to think back and realize how much I and we (as a group) have done together and individually. People are right when they say “Time Flies When You’re Having Fun!”   This is it ladies and gentlemen my time is up! My magical experience has come to an end. The mis...

Studying abroad is a once in a life experience. The beginning is a bit awkward. You will arrive at a new residence with a load of people you have never met. You will realize you are in need of household items you didn't think you would need ( like dish rags or something as little as toothpaste ). The important thing is just to take that first step and make the effort to connect with the other students you will be going to school with. By doing that you will realize that there are more people than you thought in the same boat as you. The first couple of weeks will be all about meeting new people and getting comfortable with your host University. The way the classes are set up can be confusing, as well as figuring out the fastest and most reliable way to get to and back home from the University. The good thing is that you will be surrounded by other confused student. So the best thing to do is lean on them a bit and get as much information as you can about different opp...

My biggest bend in the road happened nearly a month ago when I transferred roles. As a participant in the International College Program we are required to complete a role rotation unless your role consists of Front Desk, Concierge, or Life Guard. I expected it to be a great opportunity for me to experience different aspects of the Disney company but unlike the majority of other international cast members I was transferred into a job of the same sector. My first job was in Full Service Food and Beverage and I am now located in Quick Service Food and Beverage. With that being said there are a handful of differences and the restaurant works entirely different from my previous location but the new job wasn’t nearly close to what I expected. On top of it all I had to leave a place that I was just finally beginning to feel settled and comfortable and start the whole learning process all over again.   It was very difficult for me especially leaving all the friends I made and subm...

Given that the NHL is in lock out and I can’t see my beloved Vancouver Canucks, I desperately started looking for replacements or other hockey leagues to go watch. Call it good timing because the Orlando Solar Bears (a long lost hockey team) came back this year to the ECHL at Amway Center J Seeing this I decided to put a group together and make our way to watch some hockey. All of those that joined me were hockey deprived people that we just looking for some good hockey. Hockey gods must have clearly been on our side, because as it turns out the ticket we bought were CLUB LEVEL SEATS! For $55 we got our own table with individual TVs, our comfortable semi reclining chairs, and our own waiter to cater to our needs. J To top off this amazing experience, the Solar Bears won their first game back in 11 years in a drilling and exciting shootout that lasted easily 10 minutes. I appreciate that the hockey gods feel our pain and I’ll be forever grateful for accidentally landing...

Usually these blogs you write about “my” experiences or what “I” has learned on this trip or what “I” have been doing throughout this program. However, I decided to change it up a bit. I would like to take this moment to express the meaning of Ohana ; “it means family and family means nobody gets left behind……..or forgotten” It is time to acknowledge the people that have been by my side through this whole experience. I am not trying to forget those amazing people back at home who have helped me with everything as well; they have been awesome - thank goodness for Skype! But I have made this crazy bond with these guys and gals who I have only known for three and a half months and we have connected like we have known each other for years, we support each other like best friends and we laugh with (or at) each other like were siblings in this big, happy, dysfunctional family. Of course in every family there are: (1)     Two parents are the two oldest that always hav...