Along the Coast: Annabelle Bugay
Begin in Cape Breton and drive just about 1,720 kilometres down the coast and you鈥檒l find yourself in Richmond, Virginia, the hometown of Annabelle Bugay. Although Richmond is where Annabelle鈥檚 story begins, it was actually in Ireland that the young musician and dancer first heard about her future home, Cape Breton University.聽
While pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Irish Music and Dance at a university in Ireland, Annabelle learned about CBU through her school鈥檚 study abroad program. At the time, despite her interest in Cape Breton and it鈥檚 music and dance traditions, Annabelle wasn鈥檛 sure if she was ready to jump to another country after having just gotten settled in Ireland.
As fate would have it, while performing in Austria, Annabelle unexpectedly ran into an upper-year classmate who had just completed his study abroad term at CBU. 鈥淗e had nothing but good things to say about his time in Cape Breton,鈥� says Annabelle. 鈥淭he whole evening was just so serendipitous that I filled out my application from my tiny phone in the hotel the next day. And thank goodness I did because I unknowingly made the best decision of my life.鈥澛�
Before arriving at CBU, Annabelle鈥檚 excitement outweighed her nervousness and she couldn鈥檛 wait for the new adventure. After arriving, Annabelle says the magnitude of her decision set in and she felt a little more nervous, but her nerves quickly dissolved after meeting Mario and Carol Colosimo. The Colosimo鈥檚 love helping international music students explore the Island, encouraging them to become involved in the music scene by performing at various events. 鈥淏y the end of my first month I felt so settled and welcomed into Cape Breton that I felt like I had been living here for much longer than I had,鈥� says Annabelle. 鈥淎 month later I felt so attached to CBU and the Island that I decided to transfer universities and make this my new home.鈥澛�
Now, Annabelle is a full-time student at CBU, pursuing a Bachelor of Arts and Community Studies in Music and Folklore and says she loves the new challenge of academia as opposed to the more conservatory-like setting of her previous university. A champion Irish dancer and talented pianist, Annabelle says coming to Cape Breton has also provided opportunities to expand on her skills. 鈥淭he piano is more commonly found in Cape Breton music than Irish music,鈥� she explains. 鈥淎nd the prevalence of step dancing and square dancing has allowed me to learn and incorporate local styles into my own dancing.鈥� In addition to the great learning opportunities, Annabelle says her favourite part of the music scene in Cape Breton is how kind and welcoming the people are. 鈥淭he camaraderie I鈥檝e experienced among musicians, dancers, and those who simply enjoy listening and watching is immense,鈥� says Annabelle. 鈥淚鈥檓 about to do what I love while being surrounded by good company.鈥�
To those considering studying abroad at CBU, Annabelle says she would absolutely recommend it. 鈥淐BU has so much to offer music students on exchange, from wonderful course selections to attentive and helpful professors,鈥� she says. 鈥淥n top of that, the music scene is vibrant and having the chance to attend events such as Celtic Colours is an invaluable opportunity.鈥� But as Annabelle likes to say, she came for the music but stayed for the people. 鈥淎s much as I recommend studying abroad at CBU for the education and musical opportunities, the highlight is truly the sense of 福利免费在线看 in Cape Breton,鈥� she says. 鈥淚t鈥檚 something you must come and experience to believe.鈥澛�
When she鈥檚 not dancing up a storm or perched behind the piano keys, Annabelle is working hard to soak up as much knowledge as possible in the classroom. As for what comes next, Annabelle鈥檚 options are open, be it sticking around for a while after graduation, pursuing a Masters in Folklore, or returning home to open a dance school. No matter where life takes her, Annabelle says there鈥檚 one thing she knows for certain, she鈥檒l always keep visiting Cape Breton.
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