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Show Winter at Westminster Profile: Brandon Collett 'Study abroad alternative' grows as campus welcomes new students Denise Wayman Staff Writer Its that time again when students from all over the United States travel to Westminster to enjoy Utahs famous ski and snowboard terrain. Every spring semester, Westminster invites students from other colleges and universities throughout the country to hit the books and the slopes for a well rounded college experience. "People are more mellow here. They're friendly, but they don't drink. There's not as much " drink. to pressure Brandon Collett Generally students will spend two days per week in rigorous college courses while spending their free time skiing, snowboarding or attending informational forums about winter activities with several others who share the same passion for the sports. Winter at Westminster prorides a variety of activities and lectures for its students throughout the semester. Activities such as biathlon, sledding, skiing at Snowbasin, drills with an avalanche dog, the Banff Film Festival, bobsledding, skeleton, Nordic jumping, freestyle jumping and extreme rafting are among the types of activities supported by the program. Lectures discussing important factors related to skiing and snowboarding from sources such as the Utah Avalanche Center, a paralympian gold medalist and members of the ski marketing industry are also provided. Brandon Collett, a marketing major and communication minor from Gorham, Maine, is a student participating in Winter at Westminster this semester. At Bryant University in Rhode Island, he was the president of the ski and snowboard club and is now being sponsored by Option Snowboards. A Winter at Westminster student takes a run down the mountain. am not the 'snowboarder kid' at the school." "I Brandon Collett Collett said one of his favorite things about Winter at Westminster is that he is not the only one with his interests. I am not the snowboarder kid at the school, Collett said. Other favorite aspects include the terrain, the snow and all my classes in two days. The experience that students have when they travel to Utah is unique in more ways than majestic mountains and eminent snow. Collett said, People are more mellow here. Theyre friendly, but they dont drink Theres not as much pressure to drink. He said there are no snobby people here. Everyone back at my other school always had popped collars. Though his experience has been positive thus far, after three weeks on campus, he said one of his maYou have jor struggles is finding ways to meet people. to meet people through meeting people, Collett said, r I ; II vl SffllifflGh w Continued on page 12 3 FEBRUARY 5, 2008 |