Pacific Students Go Abroad During Summer 2009!

Hi Everyone!

It's amazing how fast summer has been moving! It's almost the end of July...one more month until classes begin on August 24th! But we can't go all summer without letting you know about some Pacific students' amazing travels and experiences around the world.

Some students who are participating in great ambassadorships and internships abroad include:


-Nabeel Cajee, junior


-Jocelyn Gray, senior





-Liza Boyle, senior



These three individuals have set up blogs that chronicle their first hand experiences abroad. Nabeel, a pre-law/pre-dentistry major, is currently situated in Bolivia. Jocelyn, a bioengineering major, and Liza, a mechanical engineering major, are currently in South Africa.

Here are links to their blogs:

Nabeel: www.iralsur.com

Jocelyn: www.jocelyngray.wordpress.com

Liza: http://ambassadorcorps1.blogspot.com

Check their sites out, and see for yourself the opportunities for abroad experiences here at University of the Pacific!

Who knows? You might embark on a similar life-changing trip in your future!

Enjoy,
Kathy Ordanza

San Joaquin International Film Festival Kicks Off Summer!

Hello!

My name is Kathy Ordanza. I just finished my freshman year here at Pacific back in May! I started off my summer in a great way, by volunteering at the 2nd Annual San Joaquin International Film Festival (SJIFF2). This festival is just one example of the exciting events happening in Stockton, California.

Just to give you a little background on this event, SJIFF was created by Sophoan Sorn, a 24-year old entrepreneur and Stockton resident. Short films and feature-length films from over 40 countries around the world are brought together in Stockton for film lovers and the community to enjoy. This year, 120 films were screened from about 30 countries in all.

The film festival was held from May 14 to May 24, 2009. The 10 day festival brought not only the films, but filmmakers and actors as well. Cinematographers, directors, and actors from the films were present to answer audience questions and enjoy the festival.

The Swiss-Italian film, "Marcello, Marcello" was screened on Opening Night and the lead actor, Francesco Mistichelli, was present also. Maiara Walsh, an actress who was previously on the Disney Channel show "Cory in the House" and is currently on "Desperate Housewives" was also in attendance. Her USA/Thailand film "Lullabye Before I Wake" was presented during the festival. The drama "Like Dandelion Dust" starring Mira Sorvino and Barry Pepper was screened on Closing Night, and director Jon Gunn was at Faye Spanos Concert Hall to answer questions and enjoy the Closing Night Gala.

If any of you are really interested in films, or any medium of art, I highly recommend participating in the San Joaquin Film Society events held throughout the year. Check out: www.sjiff.org for more information about upcoming events.

I had TONS of fun during those first 10 days of summer! The film festival is a great way to get involved in the community and enjoy amazing films at the same time!


Here are some pictures:
(Left) Me with Jon Gunn, Director of "Like Dandelion Dust" starring Mira Sorvino.












(Right) Actors Francesco Mistichelli and Maiara Walsh













(Left) Volunteers at the Box Office of the Stockton Empire Theater, main venue for the Festival.













Hope to see you checking out the San Joaquin Film Society events soon!
Kathy =)