Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Fire and Ice in Whistler B.C.
Fire and Ice is a fantastic event held weekly in Whistler during the winter. It involves a giant ice ramp, a ring of fire, spectacular firworks and a few snowboarders with nerves of steel (see picture below). Since Quest is a proud sponsor of the event, I went to watch the show last weekend and talked with people interested in learning more about our university. Brian Taylor (Dean of Enrollment) and Sarah Siddall (Admission Counsellor) joined me at the event. What a great night we had!
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
International Dinner and Visit to South America
Before heading off on my travels to Quito, Buenos Aires and Sao Paulo, a group of international students joined me at my house for dinner. It was a great opportunity to welcome a couple of new students that joined Quest in the January term. It was also nice to sit together as a group and discuss some of the exciting things and challenges that come with moving to a new country.
I had a wonderful trip to South America. I visited a number of schools and spoke with many students. Currently at Quest, we only have one student from south of the American border (he is from El Salvador). It is my goal and wish that we have more countries from South America represented at Quest, making our student population even more diverse. Below are a couple of pictures I took with some students at the British School of Quito. We were posing while waiting for a webcast to download. 
While in Buenos Aires, I had the pleasure of having dinner while watching tango dancers perform. Quite spectacular!!! 
I had a wonderful trip to South America. I visited a number of schools and spoke with many students. Currently at Quest, we only have one student from south of the American border (he is from El Salvador). It is my goal and wish that we have more countries from South America represented at Quest, making our student population even more diverse. Below are a couple of pictures I took with some students at the British School of Quito. We were posing while waiting for a webcast to download. While in Buenos Aires, I had the pleasure of having dinner while watching tango dancers perform. Quite spectacular!!! Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Hope you enjoyed the holidays!
Quest is about to start it's second term! Most of our students went home for the holidays, caught up with friends and family, ate lots of turkey, and recharged for their upcoming classes.
I was fortunate to have 2 students stay with me during their break. Lhendup (on the left and is from Bhutan) experienced his first ever Christmas with me and my family. Bjorn (on the right and is from Germany) was able to tell me about the differences of traditions between Canada and his home. Here we are after decorating the Christmas tree (note: Winnie, my dog, tried to help too)
I was fortunate to have 2 students stay with me during their break. Lhendup (on the left and is from Bhutan) experienced his first ever Christmas with me and my family. Bjorn (on the right and is from Germany) was able to tell me about the differences of traditions between Canada and his home. Here we are after decorating the Christmas tree (note: Winnie, my dog, tried to help too)
Thursday, December 20, 2007
My First Visit Ever to Mainland China...
A couple of week ago, I had the amazing opportunity to meet with students in Dalian, Beijing and Shanghai. Here are some pictures of my trip:
Me with two student volunteers at the Dalian Maple Leaf College Fair. I was able to meet with a number of great students wanting to learn more about Quest.
The entrance to the Forbidden City in Beijing. Across the way is Tienanmen Square.
Inside the Forbidden City
A visit to the Western Academy of Beijing. I was able to see one of our Quest student's former art project that is permanently in the WAB courtyard. 
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Thailand...what a beautiful country
Amazing temples, gorgeous beaches, friendly people, breathtaking views, delicious foods, inexpensive shopping... Thailand is a wonderful place to visit. Here are some pictures of my trip:
At Wat Pho I visited a temple that holds a large golden reclining Buddha. Wat Pho is the largest and technically the oldest Wat in Bangkok. The Wat is also popular because in the courtyard there is a massage school that offers traditional Thai massages at a reasonable price.
I had the pleasure and privilege of being the first college visitor at Concordian International School. The students were fantastic!!!
Dinner at a local restaurant with a prospective Quester, Pink, and her friend.
Ah...tuk tuks. So fun and stylish yet a little dangerous. Use with caution :)
I had a wonderful meeting with two great students, Yangchen and Pali, from Prem Centre in Chiang Mai. 
At the end of my visits I had a couple of days to relax and so I went south to Krabi for some quality beach time and...
of course, some serious rock climbing. 
At Wat Pho I visited a temple that holds a large golden reclining Buddha. Wat Pho is the largest and technically the oldest Wat in Bangkok. The Wat is also popular because in the courtyard there is a massage school that offers traditional Thai massages at a reasonable price.
I had the pleasure and privilege of being the first college visitor at Concordian International School. The students were fantastic!!! Dinner at a local restaurant with a prospective Quester, Pink, and her friend.Ah...tuk tuks. So fun and stylish yet a little dangerous. Use with caution :) I had a wonderful meeting with two great students, Yangchen and Pali, from Prem Centre in Chiang Mai. At the end of my visits I had a couple of days to relax and so I went south to Krabi for some quality beach time and...
of course, some serious rock climbing.
Thursday, November 8, 2007
Malaysia
This year, Malaysia celebrates it's 50 year anniversary of independent rule. I was recently in Kuala Lumpur to visit a couple of high schools and attend the EARCOS Conference. Here are some pictures of KL. I can't wait to go back and explore the rest of the country.
This is a picture of some great students from Wesley Methodist School, their counsellor and myself.
Two of the most famous KL building are:
The KL Tower. There's a revolving restaurant at the top that gives you a 360 degree view of the city. It does one full revolution about every 90 minutes.
The other famous building is the Twin Towers (notably featured in a movie with Sean Connery and Catherine Zeta Jones called "Entrapment"). The towers glow beautifully in the night sky.
I went on a tour with other EARCOS participants to a pewter factory. 
All of their products were still made by hand.
A picture of King, a potential Quest student, and I having coffee in KL. King is really interested in learning more about studying in Canada.
Ahh, the chaos and colors of the market. One of my favorite places. This is the KL Chinatown market.
This is a picture of some great students from Wesley Methodist School, their counsellor and myself.
Two of the most famous KL building are:The KL Tower. There's a revolving restaurant at the top that gives you a 360 degree view of the city. It does one full revolution about every 90 minutes.
The other famous building is the Twin Towers (notably featured in a movie with Sean Connery and Catherine Zeta Jones called "Entrapment"). The towers glow beautifully in the night sky.I went on a tour with other EARCOS participants to a pewter factory. All of their products were still made by hand.A picture of King, a potential Quest student, and I having coffee in KL. King is really interested in learning more about studying in Canada.Ahh, the chaos and colors of the market. One of my favorite places. This is the KL Chinatown market.
Friday, November 2, 2007
Singapore
Commonly called "Asia 101", Singapore is multicultural city that is quite easy to navigate. Singapore is also known for it's strict rules and fines (chewing gum is illegal!!!). The people are friendly, the food is delicious and the history is interesting.
Here are some pictures:
The landing spot of Raffles. His landing opened the door for other European trades men and women to settle in Singapore.
Singapore has a large Indian community. While I was there 'Little Indian' was colorfully decorated to celebrate the festival, Deepavali. 
The markets in 'Little India' were fantastic. 
This is lady I met in the market who was having her hands henna tattooed to mark the end of her fasting for Deepavali. 
I had the opportunity to try a number of traditional foods with Misha, friend and potential Quest student, and her family. This was the first time I had ever tried a salak fruit (also known as snake skin fruit because of the texture of their skin) 
Singapore is quite hot and humid. In Chinatown, I found all the employees of this establishment succumbing to fatigue from the heat (a.k.a. sleeping on the job).
The Merlion fountain is a landmark in Singapore. Half lion and half fish (or mermaid???), this fountain has become a national symbol of Singapore.
Here are some pictures:
The landing spot of Raffles. His landing opened the door for other European trades men and women to settle in Singapore.
Singapore has a large Indian community. While I was there 'Little Indian' was colorfully decorated to celebrate the festival, Deepavali. The markets in 'Little India' were fantastic. This is lady I met in the market who was having her hands henna tattooed to mark the end of her fasting for Deepavali. I had the opportunity to try a number of traditional foods with Misha, friend and potential Quest student, and her family. This was the first time I had ever tried a salak fruit (also known as snake skin fruit because of the texture of their skin) 
Singapore is quite hot and humid. In Chinatown, I found all the employees of this establishment succumbing to fatigue from the heat (a.k.a. sleeping on the job).
The Merlion fountain is a landmark in Singapore. Half lion and half fish (or mermaid???), this fountain has become a national symbol of Singapore.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
