1 - Introduction

First, a few quick facts about St. Johns:

- it’s the capital of Newfoundland and Labrador

- located on the most Eastern part of Canada

- the accent is a hybrid Candian-Irish

- George Street, located downtown near the harbour boasts over 40 bars

- Shannon Tweed (aka wife of Gene Simmons and Playboy's Playmate of the Year, 1982) was born in Newfoundland, in 1957.

Although it has been quite an overwhelming week or two fortunately I have come to MUN with another Business student from Bournemouth, Holly. I think we have both found some comfort in seeing a familiar face around and massively helped with the long journey here.

Adjusting to the Canadian lifestyle and climate (its been -11 at times!) has been crazy, and its been great getting to know the other 15 or so business exchange students, from France, Ireland, New Zealand, Prague, China and Czech Republic.

(Me, Holly and the rest of the business exchange group at Cape Spear, the most Eastern point of North America)

The Works (on-campus uni gym) has everything; a pool, running track, toning studio and weight room. The classes have been good too, though books generally cost between $200-500! (and unlike at home, books are required) That said, you can get some second-hand copies, depending on how recently they were released, for a fraction of the cost, which I was fortunately able to do for some - and for the others I'm just borrowing Holly's!

My ‘buddy’ TJ has been great – he’s driven us anywhere and everywhere to pick up stuff and kindly introduced me to George Street within 48 hours of arriving in St. Johns!

There’s loads to do here from watching the Sea-hawks (MUN basketball) and the Ice-caps (St Johns hockey) to beer-pong at Breezeway, the student bar, and Avalon Mall. With the growth that St. Johns has seen over the past decade and the prospects of its bright future, it’s a great place to be right now.

(View of Harbour and downtown from Signal Hill)