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0 Written by Guadalupe Vial Ulloa
Lethbridge Survival Tip: Take in the Sunshine During the Fall Term.
In late August 2021, I arrived in Lethbridge for the first time, having travelled all the way from Chile. Three years ago, it was warm and sunny with a fresh breeze and green grass as far as the eye could see. If you look at the University’s page “About Lethbridge, Alberta,” three words come to mind when you think of the city: Sunshine, Coulees, and Wind. When I read that, and with my first impression of the city, I was sure the infamous Canadian winter would not be as awful for me as everyone had told me it would be because sunshine means warmth… right? Wrong. Soon enough, whether we want it or not, autumn will come. The temperatures will lower and lower. Even with the sun shining brightly, there will be many things you can’t or won’t want to do. So, here are a few tips I wish I’d known during my first summer in Lethbridge to help you make the most of this short season.
Touch Some Grass
Right now, it’s hot enough that you may even be scared to stay too long under the sun and get burnt, but truth be told, there are trees, and there is SPF, and soon enough, sitting outside will most likely be the last thing you will want to do. This beautiful greenery will be out of sight for months ahead, so I advise going out before, between, and after classes. And do as you like while taking in the for-now warm sunlight and pretty scenery. Sit on the grass and study, listen to music, read, hang out with friends, or even have a nap. Who cares? Just make sure you get as much vitamin D as you can. And if things such as the sensation of grass bother you, you can always get a blanket or beach towel to sit on and have a good time under the sun.
Do Some Outside Activities
Lethbridge and its surrounding areas have several activities and places where you can have fun with friends or by yourself while making the best out of the nice weather. You can play some minigolf, visit the Nikka Yuko Gardens (which are beautiful in every season, to be honest), rent or borrow a bike, or walk around some of the coulee trails. There are also a bunch of sports you can enjoy under the sun, such as soccer, golf, and even an apparent Canadian favourite, at least for what I have seen in my years here: Ultimate Frisbee. Take any chance to have fun without wearing a whole winter ensemble of gloves, boots, scarves, and more.
Get to Know the Area
Finally, while you can do this year-round, it is undoubtedly nicer with weather like this, and some places look wildly different now than they will two months from now, which I always find an amazing thing to see. Some places are even closed for the winter, so it is now or never (well, until next summer, really) for you to see them. You can easily Google various activities Lethbridgeoffers, and what nearby places such as Waterton have for you. However, if you prefer less physically active pursuits, there are a bunch of them you can find. Southern Alberta has something for everyone, so be sure to make the best out of your time here right from the start.
Works Cited
University of Lethbridge. (n.d.). About Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada. University of Lethbridge. https://www.ulethbridge.ca/artsci/physics-astronomy/about-lethbridge-alberta-canada
