December 2016

DECEMBER 2016

DIVLEEN KANG

Incorporating an International Perspective into her Career Path

TRAVEL & STUDY ABROAD The many travels of Randy Boissonnault, Edmonton Centre MP

ALSO - Last Minute Gift Guide - Not So Ugly Christmas Sweater

Is English Language Privilege a thing?

Backpacking Tips for Beginners

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What is JDC West?

JDC West is Western Canada’s largest, most extensive and dynamic undergraduate business case competition. The competition is a three-day event that showcases academics, athletics, debate, and an out-of-the-box social competition. JDC West hosts approximately 600 undergraduate delegates from twelve of the premiere post-secondary institutions across British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba.

How can you get involved?

Such a multi-faceted competition is not possible without the support of almost 300 volunteers and dozens of professional partners. This upcoming year, we are thrilled to be bringing this prestigious competition to Edmonton and specifically to the University of Alberta for the third time since 2009.

The 2017 competition will occur the weekend of January 13-15th all over the city.

Live in Edmonton?

Looking to get volunteering experience?

Want to see JDC West happen in YEG? Looking to experience JDC West behind the scenes?

We want YOU on our Volunteering Team!

JDC West is an opportunity that doesn’t come around all that often, but you can get in on it by registering to be a part of the JDC West 2017 Volunteer Team.

The Organizing Committee is looking for individuals who want to spend a weekend being the heart of JDC West as the energy that the competition runs on. Energy, time and a willingness to learn is all that we require from you. Many people say that JDC West is the best experience they have during their undergraduate studies, so why not be a part of it in a way that truly makes a difference? Volunteer positions are open under the Academic, Athletics, Debate, Social, Human Resources, Logistics, Hotel Relations, Marketing, Events, External, Gala, and IT portfolios.

Descriptions and registration information can be found at www.jdcwest.org through the Get Involved page.

See you in January!

contents

cover designed by FATIMA MOHAMED cover photographed by RENEE YU

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Editor’s Note

6

All Around Europe Snaps from ASoB exchange students

last month in pictures

7 SOCIAL STUDIES

8 fashion

9 fyi

English Language Privilege The inherent advantage of speaking English

How to go on International Exchange Breakdown of the steps to go on exchange

THOUGHT VS. THOUGHT

Divleen Kang The study tours and international experiences shaping her involvement

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Randy Boissonnault Edmonton Centre MP on his travel adventures

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The Business Exchange Association Making your exchange trip more enjoyable

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Zoya Zahir A project in another country

student spotlight

external relations

The Ugly Christmas Sweater Haters’ Guide to Christmas Fashion Alternatives to an Ugly Christmas Sweater Party

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12

clubs corner

lazy chat

Hostel vs. Hotel Where to stay when you travel?

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Last Minute Gift Guide Give the best presents!

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Chirstmas Movies LF Reviews: Classic Christmas Movies

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What $1 Can Get You Around the World How much is your $1 worth?

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Backpacking Tips for Beginners Tips and Tricks for your next adventure.

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Holiday Food Origins Test your knowledge of the holiday foods!

contributors editor-in-chief

rahique um maktoom handoo

vp editorial

carey poon isabela maciel

writers

saba al hammouri ganit singh lindsay rainbow gabriel nunes kara hauca pariyanka chandan elizabeth jun victoria chiu breanna moffat

vp art & design

fatima mohamed

art director

social media director

designers

event director

marie louise espenido

breanna moffat krismina la tina jang marina bryan nichole chen elysse peralta betty vo

photographers

renee yu dylan wee candace chu giselle wong

vp communications

alexandra key marichales

marketing coordinator

suhur omar-farah

haya masri

pearl herrero

vp external

matthew ryan

#suitslf director

cole pearson

sponsored by

xerox canada priority printing

special thanks to

diana wyley business alumni association

contact us

uofalazyfaire@gmail.com www.lazyfaire.com

editor’s note

PHOTO HERE

This December, our theme is Travel & Study Abroad. We hear it everywhere – go travel! Although it sounds clichéd to us now, there is a reason people can not stop emphasizing it enough. Travelling and studying abroad not only allows us to explore different cultures but puts our lives in perspectives. Somewhere along the trip while we’re enjoying delicious cuisines, our minds are opened up to the world around us.

As none of us can wait to dive into the holiday season, if you’re planning to travel soon, we hope to give you more insight, tips and tricks for your escapade.

And if you’re planning to snuggle it up at home, this issue covers some food for thought for us in the worldwide perspective.

Along with the final stretch of the semester, it’s also the end of another year. 2016 might have been a crazy year for world events, but I think we should look back at all the opportunities and self improvement this year provided us. How many personal goals did you achieve and what is your plan for building on your self-development for the next year?

Good Luck on your finals, essays and assignments! You’ve got this!

RAHIQUE UM MAKTOOM HANDOO Editor-in-Chief

from the lazy faire team This month, the Lazy Faire team members share what place they would like to travel to and why.

If I could, I would drop everything and get on the first flight to Greece! I’m a huge fan of the Percy Jackson book series which is all about Greek Mythology so I’ve always wanted to visit the land of the Gods. Plus I have a whole Pinterest board filled with beautiful pictures of Greece complete with ocean views, breathtaking sunsets, and picturesque white houses stacked on a hillside.

It’s definitely #1 on my travel bucket list!

- Isabela Maciel, VP Editorial

I’d like to travel to Reykjavík, Iceland. Beautiful all year round, with their countryside contrasting their modern cityscape, definitely intrigues me to visit and explore!

-Giselle Wong, Photographer

Instagram: @isabelamaciela I would love to travel to Australia. The Opera House, the Great Barrier Reef, Bondi… Even just thinking about it now gets me excited for and craving that adventure. And two more amazing things to top it off: it’s the perfect place to visit during our winter, since it’s their summer, and THEIR ACCENTS *heart eyes*. Need I say more?

- Elizabeth Jun, Writer

Instagram: @eleezerbeth

I would travel to Monaco because there are so many exotic sports cars that I would love to see and take pictures of. I really want to MonaGO there!

-Dylan Wee, Photographer

Instagram: @dylanwee422

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LAST MONTH IN PICTURES

ALL AROUND EUROPE

this article is sponsored by Cafe Rista

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PARIS CRYSTAL HAKIMI

DANIEL ERKER

GREECE

MEGAN KEIRSTEAD

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social Studies

written by VICTORIA CHIU designed by ELYSSE PERALTA

ENGLISH LANGUAGE PRIVILEGE Ah, privilege. It’s a buzzword many of us have likely encountered multiple times and will continue to run into over the courses of our lives, whether it’s associated with religion, race, gender, social class, or sexual orientation. The concept of privilege—intrinsic advantages lent to individuals who possess certain traits or were raised a particular way— is often touchy and controversial. It seems to imply at face value that the lives of the privileged are universally easy while simultaneously placing blame on privileged people for somehow being at fault for characteristics they did not choose, like the colour of their skin. However, as uncomfortable as it may be to discuss, it is a very real facet of society at large. Privilege is so deeply entrenched in the workings of the world, in fact, that it pervades more aspects of life than class or race: privilege can even be found in the languages we speak. Namely, English.

What does this mean? Consider this: In foreign countries, English is often provided alongside the nation’s official languages on signs and in spoken announcements. When you travel to Germany, airplane safety demonstrations are translated into English; menus in some Japanese restaurants describe the dishes in English below the names listed in kanji; United Arab Emirates road signs note the names of streets in Arabic and English.There is an expectation in place that non-English speaking countries will accommodate English speakers and visitors, but that expectation doesn’t necessarily go both ways. In short, foreign governments and their people exhaustively work to be understood by English speakers, and that puts English, and those who speak it, in a position of privilege over those who speak less widely and thoroughly accommodated languages. The latter have to struggle to be understood far more frequently than the former, and that barrier alone can be devastating.

There’s an important reason why other countries want to be accessible to English speakers: English is the global language of business. Despite languages like Mandarin

exponentially increasing in strength and the widespread awareness of the value of learning second and third and fourth languages, English remains a powerful force in the business world because of the countries that speak it: the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and a myriad of other nations who deal chiefly in English, and for other (read: non-English speaking) countries to successfully build and maintain trade relations with these nations, their people must pick up English.

But where did the advantage of speaking English come from, and how did it become such a dominant language in the first place? The answer lies at least partially in colonialism. Powerful monarchical entities historically spread their influence over the world through the staking of claims in other countries, often touting English as the “correct” language at the same time. Historically then, English has had a heavy influence on the world as a whole and a kind of “head start,” if you will, on other languages.

All of this might sound as if English speakers are personally and individually to blame for the rise of English and its current dominance over the rest of the world, but that’s not what privilege really means. After all, what if you didn’t necessarily choose to speak English? People don’t have a great deal of choice over the languages they learn as children, and to place the blame of the entire history of English influence on current speakers would be unfair.

Academic discourse around privilege doesn’t blame you for the language(s) you do or don’t speak, but regardless of the manner in which you adopted English, the privilege still exists. So while it’s important not to feel at fault for speaking English, it’s equally key to be mindful of the privilege of the English speaker—and it’s this mindfulness that can, perhaps, someday eliminate the expression of English language privilege and the inequality that comes with it as we see it today.

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fashion

The Ugly Christmas Sweater Haters’ Guide to Christmas Fashion Christmassy Instead of Sweaters

Things to Wear Ugly Christmas

Hate Ugly Christmas Sweaters? Try these festive alternatives to get in the spirit without having to buy a hideous sweater you’ll only wear once a year.

• Christmas Socks: Similar to ugly Christmas sweaters, but less itchy and easily hidden by shoes and pants.

• Christmas Headwear: Throw on reindeer antlers, a Santa hat, or an elf hat to get in the Christmas mood! Easily removable, yet Instagram worthy.

• Jewelry: It’s surprisingly easy to find some cheap and festive (read: tacky) Christmas Jewelry! The bolder, the better!!!

• Festive makeup: A bold red lip and some green eyeshadow will make your Christmas game A+.

• Garland Scarf: Use a garland or tinsel as a boa to make any outfit look like Christmas!

• Pretty Christmas Sweater: Show everyone up at the ugly Christmas sweater party by dressing in a classy sweater. They will all be jealous of how cute you look!

Alternatives to A Ugly Christmas Sweater Party Tired of going to Ugly Christmas Sweater Parties? There are other festive options!

• PJ Party: Everyone wears pajamas! No itchy sweaters here.

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Note: Bonus points if the pajamas are Christmas themed!

• Christmas Ball: Everyone wears the fanciest clothing they own, like ball gowns and tuxedos.

Reminder: If you don’t have your high school grad outfit still hanging around, places like Value Village and Goodwill often have cheap formal wear.

• Santa Party: Everybody at the party has to dress up like Santa (or at the very least like an elf ) Protip: Have a contest with prizes for the most accurate or inaccurate Santa.

• Christmas in July: Pretend you live in the southern hemisphere and celebrate Christmas on a pretend beach! Everyone has to wear swimwear and do beach activities.

Note: You may have to turn up the temperature to get in a beachy mood, so prepare for that heating bill!

• Christmas Movie Party: Ask your guests to dress up like a character from their favorite Christmas movie.

Reminder: Mean Girls is technically a Christmas movie, so dressing as one of the Plastics in acceptable!

• Gingerbread House Decorating Party: have a contest to see who is the best at decorating gingerbread houses! Also add a category for the ugliest and the yummiest.

Protip: make it BYOGH (Bring Your Own Gingerbread House) to make it easier on the host. written by KARA HAUCA designed by MARINA BRYAN

FYI

written by GABRIEL NUNES designed by BREANNA MOFFAT

How to go on an international exchange Participating in an exchange program is one of the best decisions you can make while pursuing your degree. Studying abroad will significantly enhance your education experience by providing a unique learning opportunity. However, the process can seem daunting, and perhaps you have been turned off from going on exchange as a result.

Fortunately, I had the opportunity and pleasure to take part in two study abroad experiences, and therefore I have first-hand knowledge of the process involved to begin your international exchange journey.

Prepare yourself to learn more than you expect.

If you choose to go on exchange, in addition to the classes you take, you will be exposed to frequent novelty. There is no doubt that you will meet countless people, make numerous friends, try a plethora of exotic foods, as well as learn and appreciate vast quantities of foreign art, history, architecture, language, and culture.

Get started as soon as possible.

With that being said, preparing for exchange is not something to take lightly, and time is of the essence. Applications normally need to be submitted months in advance, and there are limited spots for each destination/partner school, so applying early will give you a better chance at getting your first choice.

Contact the Student Exchange Coordinator.

Once you decide that you are interested in studying abroad, you can contact the Student Exchange Coordinator (currently Mic McCollum) to indicate your interest.

The Coordinator will be able to advise you on how to best proceed with turning your exchange dream into reality. You’ll be required to conduct some initial research and preparation prior to submitting your formal application. For instance, you will need to check your eligibility to participate, and meet with an academic advisor to ensure that an exchange program will fit with your degree.

Exchange Association’s Travel Award is a $1,000 subsidy that is automatically given to BCom students participating in a Fall/Winter International Exchange approved by the Alberta School of Business Undergraduate Programs Office. But that’s definitely not all that’s out there, so make sure to look around!

Begin your formal application.

You may be finished with the application procedure, but don’t stop there! I found it incredibly useful to prepare myself in advance for my study abroad experiences. It is essential to consider information relating to topics such as accommodation, currency, language, flights, visa requirements, immunizations, travel insurance, and credit transfers. Even just knowing about the cultural differences that exist before entering your new destination country is extremely valuable.

After confirming that you are able to go on exchange, you can move forward and begin your formal application. You’ll have to select your exchange destination and provide a bunch of documents including (but not limited to) your application form, transcripts, resume, and a letter of intent.

Notification on your selection status will be sent to you sometime after your application is reviewed. If you are successful, you will be recommended by our school to the partner exchange institution. The process after this tends to be, in my experience, pretty straightforward – but I’m sure that you will be provided with more details once you are at that stage.

Research and prepare for your trip.

The awesome thing about going abroad is that you can really personalize your experience depending on what you are looking for. There are so many options at our school for international education experiences, and you aren’t just limited to the full semester exchanges. There are also Plan and secure funding in advance. study tours, internships, the e3 programs, There is no way around it – going abroad and other short term study programs that is expensive. That’s why another reason it are available. is a good idea to apply for exchange early is because it will allow you to figure out For more info regarding study abroad funding in advance. There are tons of funding opportunities, please see the following links: opportunities for study abroad programs, https://www.ualberta.ca/business/inter so you should absolutely take advantage national/outgoing-exchange of them. It’s amazing how many resources https://www.ualberta.ca/why-ualberta/ and other forms of support our university international/go-abroad provides to encourage international learning 9 opportunities. For example, the Business

THOUGHT VS. THOUGHT

hostel vs.

Let’s be honest, we’re all in the same boat of constantly negotiating between saving up what’s left of our dwindling funds, or buying food. So then, why do we still spend outlandishly large sums of money for a place to unpack for a few days and rest for the night? When you’re on vacation, do the money worries suddenly grow wings and fly away, or is it the want of luxuries like room service that are just a phone call away? Why are you still spending hundreds of dollars on hotels, when you should be treating yourself to an yummy treat, or that exotic souvenir that, in all honesty, is probably waaaaaay too overpriced, but you still want to take back home?

Here’s why your next trip should have you booking your nights at hostels instead of hotels.

Safety The most common argument against hostels is that they’re not as safe, both for individuals, and valuables, as hotels.

While I understand the tendency to want to err on the side of caution for the time you spend sleeping, keep in mind that you are sharing the space with other travellers whose intentions are similar to yours – finding a cheap place to rest their head, and getting a good night’s sleep to recharge. Often, hostels also have a designated area for your valuables to be secured under lock and 10

key – similar to a safe in a hotel room – and if you’re still feeling uncomfortable with the level of safety, there are various options for dorm room, semi-private, and private accommodations that have increasing price points, but are arguably cheaper than booking a hotel room.

Comfort Maybe you’re a big fan of the TV that comes with your hotel room. Or the board games and the free Wi-Fi? Hostels regularly have common areas for socializing, games, TV’s, DVD’s and internet access. In addition to the comparable amenities that hostels can offer, they are usually categorized, so you can know what kind of an atmosphere you will expect to be engaged in. There are party hostels that provide alcohol and host events every night, boutiques that cater to a specific brand or theme, or quieter options that enforce curfews and same-sex dorm rooms.

Price A trip, no matter how far or close, requires you to budget your hard earned money for transportation (airfare is no laughing matter), food (especially to get a comprehensive taste of the local cuisine), and some extra pocket money for souvenirs and shopping. Hostels are usually under 30 dollars a night when you’re sharing the room with several

by ELIZABETH JUN

other people. Really, all you need is a place to leave your belongings, and catch some Z’s, so is it worth it to pay upwards of three times what you would pay for a hostel, for pretty much the same basic provisions?

The One Up The other big advantage to choosing a hostel is the opportunity it offers to meet new people – individuals that you may otherwise never think to introduce yourself to, or have a chance to hear the story of. Some hostels will even organize group activities or tour groups, an amazing opportunity – no matter if you’re a solo traveler, or with a large group – to meet your hostel group, and learn first-hand about the destination you’ve travelled to. You’re on a trip – that in itself is an adventure, so why not take it one step further, and immerse yourself completely in the spirit of trying new things, seeing new sights, and meeting new people? If you hate the people in your room, or the room itself, you can always pick a new hostel or – god forbid – a hotel. But you might as well give it a try, even just to say you’ve experienced it; you never know, it might be your new go-to travel hack! written by ELIZABETH JUN & SABA AL HAMMOURI designed by KRISMINA LA

hotel I have been described as a bougie traveler. I typically like to stay in hotels when I travel, and the fancier they are, the better. A lot of people give me a hard time about spending money on a hotel, and not the actual experiences that my destination may offer. But in my defense, where you call home during your travels is part of the experience.

Part of the fun of traveling for me is staying in a hotel, where people are at your service 24/7. But beyond that, there are three really good reasons why I prefer hotels; safety, comfort, and yes, even price.

Safety I think this point goes without saying.

When you are traveling in a foreign country, your number one concern should always be your safety. Staying at a hotel is the first step you can take to ensure that you are safe while traveling.

This is especially true if you are staying in an internationally reputable hotel.

Hotels ensure that access to the rooms is limited to the guests, and that each guest is secure in their own room. As well, hotels often take extra safety precautions by having security guards and cameras around. Within rooms, you’ll find safes to put your valuables in – yet another element of safety woven into your stay. And let me tell you, as a person paranoid about her personal belongings getting stolen, these

precautions make my trip ten times better. Going on vacation is meant to alleviate you of stress, not induce it.

Staying in a safe place just gives me one less thing to worry about!

Comfort Most people use their vacation time to relax and unwind, to momentarily forget about all that is wrong in life – like the recent American Election (all of 2016 really). One of the elements of relaxation is comfort, and hotels provide the perfect atmosphere that caters to comfort and relaxation.

Hotels offer you several opportunities to unwind and relax – whether it’s lounging by the pool, or indulging at the hotel spa, everyone can find peace of mind at a hotel. And of course, we can’t forget about hotel services such as housekeeping and room service! Those two services are the epitome of comfort.

You no longer have to worry about the mundane tasks of cleaning your room, or getting your own food – that can all be done for you. Although I might not always like to be dependent on other people to do those tasks for me, while I’m on vacation, I welcome the opportunity to sit back and do nothing at all.

Price Now it seems like the one major downside of hotels is price. But I can

by SABA AL HAMMOURI

assure you that there are ways to get around those hard to swallow figures.

First of all, consider what you are getting for the price. A lot of the times hotels include meals within their pricing.

This can actually be a huge money saver as food tends to be one of the top expenses when traveling. Hotels will also have a lot of amenities included in their pricing, such as wifi, shuttle access, and parking. So make sure when you’re booking, your hotel offers a lot of those sweet amenities! The second thing you can do is research. There are a lot of websites out there that compare hotel pricing in order to get you the best deal.

So definitely do your research before committing to a hotel. I know hotel prices can be daunting, but when you think about the value you are getting, it can be worth it.

Hotels may not be for everyone, but for those who stress about travelling as much as I do, they are a safe haven. With hotels, you know what you’re getting yourself into, and there are usually no surprises. As someone who likes to plan for anything and everything, that is exactly what I am looking for in my accommodations. Don’t get me wrong, I love adventure, just not with my accommodations.

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student spotlight

D ivleen Kang 12

Divleen is one of the most humble and open-minded individuals I’ve had the pleasure of meeting, despite the fact that she comes with a laundry list of accomplishments and accolades.

She has a heart for serving others and learning everything she can from those around her, whether that be as a Student Ambassador for the School of Business, working during her co-op terms in HR, serving as the Co-Chair of ANPA, being a Senior Peer and mentor through International Student Services, or working on the committees for the CIBC Run for the Cure and Heritage Festival. And that’s just the tip of a very large iceberg. Divleen is currently preparing to head to Vienna, Austria, on an exchange next semester, so she and I sat down to discuss how international travel and engaging with other cultures has shaped her career path, and what she hopes to encounter during her trip.

LF: You went on the BUEC 444 Europe Study Tour last year. How did the trip shape your perspective on business internationally?

Certificate in International Learning.

What have you learned by working with such a diverse group of individuals who have experiences and worldviews unlike your own?

DK: I got involved with the Senior Peer Program because I myself was an immigrant to Canada at one point, so I knew what it was like to be immersed in a new culture and how much of a help it is when there is someone there [to guide you]. I wanted to give back, having had a similar experience – but I actually gained a lot more than I expected. We have a lot of stereotypes set in our minds about different cultures, but some you don’t learn about until you actually talk to these people about why they do things a certain way. You learn that things are done differently but that they’re still okay.

LF: What have been your biggest takeaways about working with groups of different people who don’t share your same background and education?

DK: The study tour was about Family Business, so the first thing I learned is that over 80% of the businesses in Europe are family businesses. It was cool to visit big family businesses like BMW, where the family is on the Board, and they make the major decisions.

Since my dad runs a family business, I already know a little bit about them, but getting that international perspective was really great. It was eye opening to see how there are different cultural values that increased or decreased the level of involvement that the family had [in the business].

DK: In the groups I’ve been a part of, I would definitely say that outside of business, these clubs are considered to be more of resume builders, but as a business student we see them more as added value on top of our education.

Outside of the University, I’ve been a part of two other groups that had more structure and set roles; I definitely found that interaction to be more similar to how things are in the SoB. These people were all very passionate about supporting the cause we were working for. It was great to see people that were there to do more than just add to their resume and actually wanted to be a part of something.

LF: You spend a lot of time working with international students and exchange students, and you are completing your

LF: You’re in your last semester here at ASoB. What has been your greatest lesson that you’ve learned during your

time here that you will take away with you as you move on in your career?

DK: Last year I was part of a lot of different groups and took on a lot of volunteer things and I think I’ve learned to be pretty good at time management, but sometimes I lacked in self-care. It was a lot of me giving and I was pretty burnt out last semester. The most important lesson I’ve learned is to do as much as you can, but don’t overdo it, and if you need a break, take that break. I am a huge micromanager and I hate it, so this realization really helped me let go a bit and learn to take care of myself first before giving so much.

LF: What are you most looking forward to about going on exchange in Vienna next semester?

DK: I’m going in with a mindset of ‘yes, let’s try new things’, and we’ll see where that takes me. What I’m looking forward to the most is just being on exchange with students who are coming from all over the world, and learning from them and seeing what they bring from their own cultures.

LF: You’ve mentioned that you’re interested in how culture shapes us as individuals – because we’re all different, and yet we’re all also the same. Do you think your career will have a focus on that?

DK: I would definitely like for it to. The types of jobs that I’m interested in really focus on training and development, so culture plays a big role in how people learn. I would also love to do event planning or work at a not for profit.

My ideal job would be a volunteer and fundraising coordinator at a culturally focused not for profit. If I found a job like that, I would come back from Vienna right away! written by LINDSAY RAINBOW photographed by RENEE YU designed by FATIMA MOHAMED 13

EXTERNAL RELATIONS

RANDY BOISSONNAULT Randy Boissonnault is an all-rounder in every sense of the word. As a multi-lingual Member of Parliament for Edmonton Centre, and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Canadian Heritage, he has been a model figure in the areas of leadership and public service. If that weren’t impressive enough, he was a successful entrepreneur, Rhodes Scholar, and Students’ Union President at our own University of Alberta prior to being elected to office, and still plays an active role as a community leader and philanthropist.

Lazy Faire recently had the chance to sit down with this spectacular multi-hyphenate to talk about learning, taking chances, and capitalizing on the opportunity to study and travel abroad.

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You attended the University of Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar after graduating from the University of Alberta. What made you want to pursue education abroad in the first place?

I knew I wanted an international experience, and at that time, I had experience as Students’ Union President and with my other extracurricular involvements. I wanted to see what other parts of the world would be like, and was interested in studying philosophy, politics, and economics. Not a “degree” sort of path, but a “forming the brain” kind of path. It was an opportunity that presented itself – and there was the Rhodes Scholarship; I applied, got an initial interview, got through the two-stage interview process to head to finals, and eventually was chosen to go [to Oxford]. It was a real opportunity for me to learn other languages – that was where I learned Spanish and German – and picked up other skills there, too.

It’s where I taught myself how to play hockey, learned how to skate, and travelled: travelled through the Middle East, through most of Europe, and managed to get bursaries for language studies, which helped me to establish friendships that have lasted a lifetime from all over the world. I wanted to do more horizontal exploring rather than delving really deeply into one subject, so I went out into the world to experience new, interdisciplinary studies firsthand, instead of formally studying them in an academic context.

That’s a great way to balance the popular advice of travelling when you’re young with personal and professional development.

I still did what you’re talking about [in terms of professional development] – I got an offer from McKinsey & Co., which I ended up handing back to them with their signing bonus. I had saved up money for a few months and I ended up travelling to East Asia. That was my coming out time, too – that was the period of time when I really figured out who I was, just me and my backpack, and when I came back home, I came out.

What were some of the challenges you faced during that period of entering the workforce after finishing your formal education?

I started my company in 1999, which was a huge challenge. I can tell you I made $14,000 the first year I ran my company – I made less money running my business that year than I did as Students’ Union President! I lived below the poverty line. Coming from the business faculty, if you’re not prepared to live through the lean times, then maybe you don’t belong. I was tested in those fires. And then it got better! You establish yourself, work hard, build up a client base, do good work, and the rest unfolds.

Do you think the transition from attending school to the workplace was made easier through your studies abroad?

I don’t know if it made the transition any easier, but it certainly helped me place Edmonton, Alberta in its context. My travels helped me understand that we live in a global marketplace. I realized that if you can connect individuals from different parts of the world to different markets, that’s a key way to diversify the economy. Those are the kinds of pieces of knowledge that I could really only have internalized through real-world experience.

One barrier to studying abroad for a lot of students is the financial factor. How did you overcoe that hurdle when you encountered it?

The only advice I can give on that is to maybe do what I did: work, save up your money, and spend it wisely when you’re abroad. Stay in hostels, eat a lot

of street food, and be prepared for the consequences. And do your research before you go! Look into the costs, the culture, and the little things you might need to have on hand in certain locales.

Don’t be afraid to go alone, either – that’s when you open yourself up to opportunities and pleasant unexpected experiences. I travelled solo, mostly, and if you do consider travelling with somebody, remember that two people or a group of people [travelling together] tend to create a bubble, whereas a solo traveller is always looking for other people to connect with. The best way to make new friends is to, at some point, split up and talk with new people. You have to be open to that sort of thing, and you have to be ready to test yourself and your limits at that point – otherwise, when are you going to take the leap and do it?

That openness must have really minimized, or even eliminated culture shock for you.

What you really need to look out for is the culture shock you’ll experience once you come back from your travels – because you will have changed, and none of the people who have stayed at home will have changed. All of this is in the context of me being a huge, huge risk taker, I did a lot of travel stints in gorgeous places – Buenos Aires, New York, Paris, Berlin, all over the place – and did a lot of nomadic international consulting that confused some people.

They wanted to know what I was doing with my house and my car, but to me there was no “pause” button on life: I wanted to throw myself into travel and experience it all now when I was young enough to enjoy it, and I figured I would find a way to balance it all as I went through it – and I did. I’d come back home every once in a while, get some more work, leave again, and – it just all worked! It was crazy, but fun. I’d change every time I went away, but it was for the better. It shaped me, and I’d never change a thing about it. written by VICTORIA CHIU photographed by DYLAN WEE designed by BETTY VO 15

CLUBS CORNER

THE BUSINESS EXCHANGE ASSOCIATION

Founded in 2006, the Business Exchange Association (BEA) is a student based organization that operates within the School of Business and strives to promote international study exchanges for domestic students. They facilitate student exchanges for the fall, winter and summer semesters with UofA partner universities in over 25 different countries.

The BEA focuses on providing travel opportunities for business students such that every exchange participant has the best international experience possible. This is achieved through the group’s commitment to providing information, scholarships, housing accommodation, and the experience of a life time.

to many questions you may have, and contact information for any inquires that are not already addressed. Additionally, the University of Alberta website provides an extensive explanation regarding how the process fully functions.

Deadlines vary depending on the locations and semester that students are applying for. The process was designed to be as seamless as possible and all relevant information is easily accessible online.

Costs: The BEA places emphasis on making the cost of studying abroad more affordable than one might believe it would be.

Right off the bat, the BEA offers a Transfer Rewards Program The Process: (TRP) which is a $1,000 scholarship offered to all students Students wishing to partake in an exchange are advised to that study abroad within the Alberta Business School. In first speak with an undergraduate advisor to see if they have addition, depending on where a student chooses to study Vienna room in their B.Com program and to ensure that they will the cost of Edmonton basic student expenses is relatively reasonable.

Cost (Wirtschaftsuniversität of Business) receive transfer credit for coursework completed while on an I discovered(Alberta this by School examining a table that contrasted the Wien - WU) exchange. expenses of living independently in Alberta with living expenses in $4,627.69 popular exchange locations. $3,191.44 The following Tuition & Fees Afterwards, students can interact with links provided by the information shows the costs of living and attending a 4 month BEA website for a comprehensive application process.Materials There University for Books & $500 - $800 semester. $100 - $250 is a frequently asked questions section that provides answers Cost

Accommodation $500 - $1500/month $500 - $900/month Vienna Edmonton Hong Kong (Wirtschaftsuniversität (Alberta School of Business) (HKUST) $200 - $400/month Food/Living Expenses Wien - WU) $300/month

Tuition & Fees

$4,627.69 Transit Pass

Books & Materials

$500 - $800Roundtrip Airfare $100 - $250 N/A

$100 - $240 $1,000 - $1,600

Accommodation

Exchange Fees $500 - $1500/month

N/A $500 - $900/month

$250 $225 - $325/month

Food/Living Expenses

N/A $300/monthBEA Travel Award $200 - $400/month

-$1,000 $300 - $600/month

Transit Pass

4-month Total $129 (U-Pass)

Roundtrip Airfare

N/A

Exchange Fees

N/A

$250

$250

BEA Travel Award

N/A

-$1,000

-$1,000

4-month Total

$8,295.92 - $12,595.92

$6,710.84 - $9,860.84 2

$6,110.84 - $8,875.84 3

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$3,191.44 $129 (U-Pass)

$3,191.44 $225 (Semesterkarte)

$125 (student Octopus $8,295.92 - $12,595.92 $6,710.84 - $9,860.84 2 $225 (Semesterkarte) Card)

$1,000 - $1,600 $1,200 - $2,000 Extracted from: https://www.ualberta.ca/business/international/outgoing-exchange/costs

Extracted from: https://www.ualberta.ca/business/international/outgoing-exchange/costs

BEA BUDDY PROGRA Not only does the BEA assist domestic students traveling abroad; it also helps foreign students that come to Edmonton! The association helps foreign students integrate into Canadian culture with their Buddy Network Program. The program was established to ensure that “international students have an amazing experience at the University of Alberta.” This is done so by creating genuine Hong Kong connections between locals and visitors.

(HKUST) The Buddy Network works by matching a local student with a student on an exchange. The program sends local students to help Not only does the BEA assist domestic students traveling skating and other activities for their buddy network. The $3,191.44 students on an exchange locate their residence and their partner abroad; it also helps foreign students university that come to program was designed to make the transition from one once they leave the airport. It helps traveling students country another much smoother Edmonton!

The association helps foreign students integrate $100 - $240 acquire knowledge about where to to get necessities for living, such for students on an hopes to showcase the pleasantries of Canadian into Canadian culture with their Buddy Network Program. as a where to acquire aexchange. cellphone It and locations to buy groceries culture whilst simultaneously helping The program was established to ensure that “international and other needed products. The buddy network program’s goal is local students meet $225 - $325/month from around the world.

students have an amazing experience at the University of people to facilitate international friendships that promote an expansion Personally I am a fan of the Buddy Alberta.”

This is done so by creating genuine connections of cultural knowledge and learning more about life in a global Network Program as I $300 - $600/month believe having somebody knows the climate and between locals and visitors. society. As a participant of the that Buddy Network the BEAthat organiz $125 (student Octopus surroundings of a new country is a great es welcome week events, pub crawls, sporting events, skating and opportunity to have.

Card) It also allows local participants The Buddy Network works by matching a local otherstudent activitieswith for a local student and their buddy to gettotoexpand know their understanding about how life works in other nations. a student on an exchange. The program sends local students each other better. The program was designed to make the transi- Making new friends $1,200 - $2,000

BEA BUDDY PROGRAM

to help students on an exchange locate their residence and makes traveling all the more worthwhile as you have peers their partner university once they leave the airport. It helps to share your new experiences with. As a traveler you can $250 traveling students acquire knowledge about where to get learn about key places to visit, new foods to try, interesting events to about attend, must cultural differences.

Bestthe of links bel necessities for living, such as a where to acquire a cellphone You can find more Information theand BEA andknow exchange opportunities through -$1,000 and locations to buy groceries and other needed products.

The all you gain an open minded friend to help you explore your Email: uofabea@ualberta.ca new oasis buddy network program’s goal is to facilitate BEAinternational Website: http://uofabea.ca $6,110.84 - $8,875.84 3 friendships that promote an expansion of cultural knowledge Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/uofabea/?fref=ts written by GANIT SINGH and learning more about life in a global society. The BEA photograph supplied by the BEA UAlberta Website: https://www.ualberta.ca/business/international organizes welcome week events, pub crawls, sporting events, designed by MARIE ESPENIDO You can find more Information about the BEA and exchange opportunities through the links below: Email: uofabea@ualberta.ca BEA Website: http://uofabea.ca Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/uofabea/?fref=ts UAlberta Website: https://www.ualberta.ca/business/international 17

written by RAHIQUE UM MAKTOOM designed by FATIMA MOHAMED

Last Minute Gift Ideas

School, assignments and exams have taken up all your time and the last thing you need is to spend time over choosing gifts for this holiday season. Don’t panic because we’ve got you! Here’s your guide to gift buying for your loved ones.

Under $25 for the fashion forward

tech-friendly gloves ALDO

for the breakfast lover for the adventurous soul

hamilton toque ROOTS

mini waffle maker URBAN OUTFITTERS

Under $50

dry sack REI CO-OP

$50-$100

for the backpacker

for the makeup lover

for the casual photographer

scrubba portable laundry system AMAZON

hourglass palette SEPHORA

fujifilm instant camera BESTBUY

$100+

for the fitness enthusiast

for the gentleman

fitbit BESTBUY

tom ford fragrance SEPHORA

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What What $1 $1 Can Get You Around Around the World

written by SABA AL HAMMOURI designed by NICHOLE CHEN

Indonesia

67 pieces of gum An

A

entire

cup

Hungary bottle of wine

Portugal of espresso coffee

2 A

scoop

A McDonald’s

England cigarettes

Croatia of ice cream Australia

slushie

Czech Republic One and a half bottles of beer One

France

baguette

Vietnam A bowl of

One

3

shot

New Zeland

20 M&Ms Brazil A

cup of orange juice

Cairo A falafel or shawarma

USA A huge can of Arizona Iced Tea Philippines

30-45 minute foot massage Budapest A plain hamburger at McDonald’s Italy A

litre of cheap wine

Costa Rica watermelon

One

pho

Malaysia A

Poland at a bar

Nepal

Sourh Korea songs of karaoke

pita

dozen eggs

250 mL of Coca Cola Peru A kilogram of mangos

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LF Reviews:

Christmas Movies In this edition of LF Reviews, LF writer Kara watches two Christmas classics, “Home Alone” and “The Nightmare Before Christmas”, for the first time.

Home Alone (1990) The general plot of Home Alone is that an eight-year-old boy named Kevin (played by an adorable Macaulay Culkin) is accidentally left behind by his large family on a Christmas holiday trip to France. Kevin defends the family home alone while two burglars attempt to rob the house.

While defending the home, Kevin sets a number of traps for the burglars. For a family friendly movie, some of the traps, as well as the burglar’s reactions, are fairly violent. I would say that a movie where a character threatens to bite a child’s fingers off has the potential to frighten children. However, most of the traps lead to cartoonish pratfalls.

Watching this movie in 2016 made me think about how some critical plot devices in this movie, like the alarm clocks not going off and phone lines being down due to power outages, would not have worked at all if cell phones existed.

I enjoyed Home Alone. I found myself laughing at all the ridiculous partfalls and the ending was surprisingly heartfelt. However predictable, the movie has a sweet message about family and will put you in the Christmas mood.

The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) In the animated musical, The Nightmare Before Christmas, Jack Skellington of the dark and twisted Halloween Town, discovers Christmas Town, and is enchanted by the spirit of Christmas. He decided to help out Santa Claus (or Sandy Claws as he says) and gets all of Halloween Town to pitch in and make presents, to disastrous results. Some may say this movie is more of a Halloween movie, but I think it can be a gateway movie to jump start the Christmas season.

The star of this movie is the spectacular stop motion animation, and Tim Burton’s signature macabre, gothic style. The main characters, Jack and Sally, have a distinct and enchanting look to them. For puppets, they are emotive and relatable. The music is also captivating, particularly the song “This is Halloween.”

While the movie was visually pleasing, and it was fun watching Jack try to figure out the mathematics of Christmas, the emotional aspect of the film was lacking in parts. However, it was worth watching, especially if sticky sweet Christmas movies aren’t your thing.

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written by KARA HAUCA designed by TINA JANG

Backpacking Tips for Beginners This past fall, I made the decision to go on a solo backpacking trip to Spain and Portugal to push myself out of my comfort zone and embrace new experiences. While on my trip I learned, largely through trial and error, many tips on how to make backpacking easier and more enjoyable for myself. I have compiled a list of my top six tips and tricks when backpacking to help others who are thinking about embarking on their own adventure!

1

Have Earplugs Available at all Times Earplugs became my secret weapon on my trip and ensured that I could get enough sleep wherever I was. From using them on the plane, long bus rides, or in an 18-person hostel room, earplugs gave me the means to have some silence.

2

Pack Light and Only Carry-On I learned this tip the hard way, as all of my luggage was lost on my flight over and was not returned to me until after my trip. Packing everything in one easy carry-on bag forces you to pack light and ensures that your luggage will be arriving at your destination with you.

3

4 5 6

Have Photocopies and Backups Before leaving for your trip, make sure you have photocopies of your passport, important documents and emergency contact information. Even have a backup credit card in case one is stolen or lost so you do not have to be without money. Unfortunately, loss or theft happens quite often to travelers, so be smart and have backups to keep yourself safe.

Go For a Drink…By Yourself One of the best ways I met people during my traveling was at hostel’s bars. Talk to the bar tender or ask to sit beside a fellow guest, and don’t be surprised if other solo travelers start up a conversation with you. I found so many cool sites to visit and made so many amazing friendships this way, so just treat yourself to that drink!

Trust Your Gut Trusting my gut was the most important thing I learned while traveling. Whether it is a weird feeling I had about a situation or someone’s vibes, listening to the voice inside myself was the most valuable tool I had while traveling.

Take One Thing at a Time One of the biggest challenges I found traveling was to not be overwhelmed by everything I needed to do. From making it to your new destination, to finding free WIFI to connect to, or using the metro to get to your hostel, there was a lot to do in a completely new place. I learned throughout my trip to take one thing one at a time, and that by breaking things down into individual tasks I was not as overwhelmed.

written by BREANNA MOFFAT designed by MARINA BRYAN

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QUIZ

written by LINDSAY RAINBOW designed by MARINA BRYAN

Do You Know The Origins of These Different Holiday Foods?

So many things to eat, so little time. It’s going to be a long cold winter, so we need to start storing up that extra layer of fat to keep us warm! Whilst gorging yourself on freshly baked holiday cookies, have you ever stopped to wonder where these traditions of eating our favourite holiday treats originated from? Probably not, because cookies need no explanation. But, perhaps this year you will! Or at least, maybe it will cross your mind during the pauses between bites...

1) Mince Pie – This savory meat pie has several different filling options and is a popular holiday tradition. Which country does it originate from?

2) Fruitcake – Candied fruit baked into sweet, spiced bread.

Sounds better than it tastes. Nobody really enjoys this stuff, right? Take a guess at who we have to blame for this holiday horror that just won’t go away.

3) Gingerbread – The building material for the most epic (and edible!) mansions, forests, and families. This is a holiday classic, but who do we have to thank for it?

4) Mandarin oranges – The popular “Christmas oranges” that we see filling the produce aisles of our grocery stores during the holiday season.

Tasty and sweet and oh-so-petite, when did we start to associate such a mundane fruit with the most wonderful time of the year?

5) Stuffing – A seasoned mix of starches, vegetables, and sometimes nuts or eggs. Nobody knows what’s really in it, but we all eat it anyways – because, tradition! Okay, I don’t eat it, because it was once up the rear end of a turkey, and I find that strange... but the rest of you seem to love it! Do you know where it comes from?

1) Answer: Mince Pies are a popular holiday dish originating in England. It’s exactly what it sounds like (but is surprisingly tasty).

2) Answer: The dreaded holiday fruitcake came to be during the 16th century. Fruit was too expensive to ship overseas to America from Europe, so fruit preserved in sugar (which was cheap!) became a way to get around this. But when there was too much candied fruit, the colonists created fruitcake.

Another one of the horrors of imperialism we wish we could erase from history (I’m sorry if you actually like fruitcake).

3) Answer: Gingerbread was a common food in Europe during the 1500s, but the only people allowed to bake it were guildsmen. This rule was relaxed during the holiday season so people could bake it in their homes, and it became the tasty holiday treat we see (and build with) today!

4) Answer: Typically imported from Japan, eating mandarin oranges during the holidays is a popular tradition in Canada, the USA, and Russia. This originated in the 1880s, when Japanese immigrants in the USA received these oranges from their family back home as gifts for the New Year. This tradition spread quickly among the non-Japanese population (and I, for one, am so glad it did!).

5) Answer: Various kinds of stuffing go as far back as the Roman Empire, but were made popular in England and France. After the 1970’s creation of 22 Stove Top stuffing, it became a popular Thanksgiving and Christmas side dish in the USA and Canada as well.

written by PARIYANKA CHANDAN photographed by RENEE YU designed by FATIMA MOHAMED

LAZY CHAT

lazy chat with

ZOYA ZAHIR Zoya Zahir is a 4th year business student who is a Management Information Systems Major. She is the VP Marketing for the MIS Club, a TA for MIS 311, and does account managing for AIESEC. Zoya loves to hang out with her friends and meet new people, which led her to go on an exchange to Poland through the AIESEC organization.

What inspired you to go on exchange?

I had many inspirations. One of the biggest inspirations was being around other AIESEC members, and learning from this organization about how you can go to other countries, explore yourself, and learn how to step outside of your comfort zone. I was in a rut in life and wanted to change things up. I wanted to find myself, as cliche as that sounded, and that’s what happened.

Where did you go and what did you pursue?

I went on exchange through AIESEC’s Global Talent Exchange. In my heart, I knew I wanted to go somewhere warm, with a beach. I was thinking Spain, because I was fascinated by the culture. I did interviews for exchange with Spain, but during my interview with Poland, I really connected with the girl over Skype, and knew I had to meet her in person.

I chose to do a work internship in Bialystok, Poland, where I taught ESL classes for 3 months. My project was the AIESEC University Project, where we taught English to University or higher level students. They ranged from low to high competency in English, and I was given the freedom to structure my classes how I wanted to. I would get my students to speak as much English as possible by doing presentations, role play, discussions, and debate.

What did you do when you were not teaching?

The people working with me on the project became really good friends of mine, basically family. We would travel on the weekends, and explore the city on weekdays. We would meet the local people, and have really cool conversations. They were so open – we got to learn about their culture and teach them about ours.

What did you gain from this experience?

I met an incredible network of people around the world that are so close to me. I also gained a lot for my local AIESEC community, because I learned

skills from meeting other AIESEC members, and can project the mission of exchange to others. I learned to be real to myself by acknowledging and understanding who I really am. Presenting yourself in a natural way is the best way to present yourself.

What was your favourite moment from being on exchange?

My favourite moment was when I realized the people surrounding me would be my network forever. We were all in Krakow taking a hike up this mountain that had a beautiful view of a blue lake between a valley. We got to the top, and hung out to enjoy the view. I remember looking around me, and realizing that these people – who were once strangers – are now very deeply connected to me. I feared leaving them, and wondered how I would survive without them.

What did you miss about home the most?

I am a vegetarian, and also lactose intolerant, so I really missed my mom’s cooking. I also really missed being around my parents and family who really support me.

What surprised you the most in Poland?

The people surprised me the most with their kindness and generosity.

When I arrived, my luggage was left behind and I did not get it for days.

The AIESEC community there gathered clothing, makeup, and other items for me overnight, and surprised me the next day with bags of stuff!

They really took incredible care of us.

Was there anything that scared you while you were gone?

Any risky moment of uncertainty was scary. For example, we hitchhiked from Poland to Prague, and it was scary because you’re in a different country where you don’t speak the language. Whenever I had moments of uncertainty and fear, I would face that by embracing the opportunities presented to me. Take every moment for what it is, not what you want it to be.

What would you say to someone considering an exchange program?

I had a lot of anxiety before going but AIESEC provided me a lot of support in overcoming it. After exchange, I realized that whatever I put in, I got more out. For business students, the return of investment is invaluable. Take the four months off for yourself, and put yourself outside of your comfort zone. Travelling is the best way to grow.

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