Multi-Cultural Night at the Mount!

On Friday, November 20th the 8th annual Multicultural Night took place at the Mount. The theme this year was “One tribe, One people, One world”. This was my first year going to it, and I had a BLAST. The event was in the MPR (Multi-Purpose Room) and it was all decorated in all the different flags. It was really cool because there was 4 different food stations set up: Thailand, Africa, Mexico, and Mediterranean. Each one was set up like a buffet and had a couple different meal options at each one. The plates they gave you were smaller, so that you could actually taste something from all. It was cool seeing what people ate from different parts of the world and how it differed from how I normally eat (aka: chicken fingers and fries)! The picture above is actually my meal from the Thailand Booth, note how I tried to make it look super pretty for you guys!

After dinner, there were 13 performances from cultures all over the world – including our lovely own east coast culture. There was some signing, dancing (hip-hop & traditional), a motivational speaker & drumming. And then the fun kept going! The after party took place in Vinnie’s, our own campus pub.

With all the violence and war in the world these days, it was really awesome to see everyone together in one big room like a big family and celebrate unity at the Mount. At the Mount we have students from over 60 different countries. And it doesn’t matter what country you’re from, what language you speak or who you are; because when you’re at the Mount: your family & it feels like home.

Next year, don’t miss your opportunity to attend this event. Buy your tickets early because it’s worth every penny. I guarantee you.

Until next time, see you! :)

The Mount Does A Meteor Shower

Pictures: Leonid Meteor Shower

1. What your suppose to see 2. What we saw last night

Hey everyone, today, I’m going to tell you a story. A story about my Monday night, last night – when the Leonid meteor shower came to the Mount. My roommates had a bright idea to stay up until 4 and watch the meteor shower. (A Mount Facebook event also had the bright idea!) To keep awake until 4AM, I figured it was no better time to start my project due for next week. At 4AM, 60 or 70 of us all headed up to the Mother House Hill (you will learn more about that later in the winter). We had hot chocolate, guitar players & singers to keep our minds off the cold, we also had our comforters which got bad grass stains in them (sorry Mom!) So, here we are, at 4AM – 60 something people sitting on a huge hill, waiting for some magically star show.

Then guess what happened. Clouds, clouds happened; and everyone knows – nothing kills a star show like clouds. So, I guess the meteor shower didn’t really go as planned. But at least I got my project done & some marshmallow hot chocolate. The moral of the story is that even thought the clouds ruined our entertainment – all of us still sat on the hill drinking hot chocolate & having fun. It’s so easy to make friends at the Mount and this is just one example of that. So, for next year’s meteor shower I hope to see some of you there. Hopefully the clouds don’t ruin your fun next year.

PS: I tried to take ya’ll pictures of last night. Sorry they suck, blame it on the clouds. For all the pictures – check out the facebook group.

Until next time,

Julie

Open Campus Day!: Part 3!

The following are two interviews done by students, Quinn O'Brien & Meaghan MacLeod; who attended The Mount's Open Campus Day!

About yourself:

Quinn: Auburn Drive High, Dartmouth, Bachelor of Arts (Child & Youth Study)

Meaghan: Auburn Drive High, Dartmouth, Bachelor of Arts (Child & Youth Study)

What did you like most about Open Campus Day?

Quinn: Learning about all kinds of different courses that are offered. Also, all of the engery of the students who were here was amazing!
Meaghan: The energy from all the students and having the different information about all the different classes and things at the Mount. Also, the activities that we did made me feel like I would like the enviroment and everyone was really friendly!

What did you learn about The Mount that you didn’t know?

Quinn: I learned the Mount offers a program which is based on what I want to do. Also, they have small class sizes.
Meaghan: I learned that were was a better program for me to take to help me with pursuing my education to become an elementary teacher.

What did you like the most about The Mount?

Quinn: How helpful all of the people were. You didn't have to go very far to find help!
Meaghan: I like the atmosphere and the small class sizes. Also, how easy it was to find people to answer my questions.

What did the people who didn’t come to open house miss?

Quinn: They missed out on the opportunity to experience a bit of the daily life at the Mount.

Meaghan: They missed out on the experience of what you would get out if you came to the school. Also, meeting teachers and students who go here.

Open Campus Day! : Part 2!

The following are two interviews done by students, Brandon Drake & Kyle Pickrem; who attended The Mount's Open Campus Day!

About yourself:

Brandon: J.L Ilsley High, Halifax, interested in Sciences

Kyle: J.L Ilsley High, Dartmouth, interested in Sociology

What did you like most about Open Campus day?

Brandon: Taking the day off and finding things out about the university at the same time.

Kyle: Missing school, as well as helping plan for my future!


What did you learn about The Mount that you didn’t know?

Brandon: Monty the Mountain Lion is the Mascot.

Kyle: 17 year olds can get into the bar on campus.

What did you like the most about the Mount?

Brandon: the guy to girl ratio!

Kyle: girls, oh and education!

What did the people who didn’t come to open house miss out on?

Brandon: pizza and coffee

Kyle: information on the campus, charity & sports!

Open Campus Day!: Part 1

The following are two interviews done by students, Derek Leighton & Chris Gallant, who attended The Mount's Open Campus Day!

About yourself:

Derek: J.L Ilsley, Spryfield, NS, Interested in Business

Chris: J.L Ilsley, Victoria, BC, Interested in Business or Science

What did you like most about Open Campus day?

Derek: The people here are very friendly and the girls

Chris: The amount of questions that are answered & pizza!

What did you learn about the Mount that you didn’t know?

Derek: Have their own pub!

Chris: They have small class sizes, and the girls ratio!

What did you like the most about The Mount?
Derek & Chris: The girl to guy ratio, 3:1!

What did the people who didn’t come to open house miss out on?

Derek: Pizza and the Mount Info

Chris: Pizza and the questions and info that was brought up!

Mount Basketball!

The following is a testimonial from a first year basketball player here at Mount Saint Vincent University:

My name is Mac Ellis and I’m in my first year at the Mount studying public relations. I went to Sir John A Macdonald high school in upper Tantallon and was the starting center on the high school team grade 10-12. When I was recruited by Rick Plato to come to the Mount and play basketball I was skeptical at first, I had always had plans of going to Dal. However the more I looked into the Mount as an option the more appealing it seemed. They have gone undefeated in their seasons the past few years. Once I researched it, going to the Mount was an easy choice to make.

The Mount basketball season starts November 1st however we have already had a jam-packed pre season including a tournament in Montreal. The main difference I feel between university basketball and high school is the amount of offensive and defensive schemes you have to know inside out. The size is a big difference, I’m going from playing down low at all times in high school to learning to play the 3/4 position which on our team play on the perimeter.

My favorite part about being on the team is the improvements I’ve made already on my game. Being on the team, basketball just becomes part of your everyday life. A day that you aren’t at practice, in the gym getting some shots up, or in the gym working out is a rarity. Some days you do all three. Also, basketball has introduced me to a whole new network of people. My least favorite part is the wear and tear on your body. For the first 3 weeks of practicing I was sore pretty much everyday. It’s getting better now though.

I’m not the type to stress much, or at least I wasn’t at high school. Now with a full plate everyday, I find it a bit hard to be completely stress free, however it is definetly manageable. You just have to treat basketball as another one of your classes. The main adjustment I made from high school to university is I waste less time. I’ve gotten away from my one a day naps and try and be as productive as possible during the day while still being social and enjoying myself.

One piece of advice I would recommend is residence for making life much easier. Assisi is located in the same building as the gym and meal hall and some of your classes. Very convenient for people with a busy schedule.

If you are interested in playing, I’d recommend filling out a recruiting form and keep working hard.