This is a really weird one. I created a document, then split it into columns. The columns were created so the first text was on the right side, flowing over to the left side?!? I’ve never used any right-to-left languages, just good old English. I’m using LO 4.3.1.2 on Windows 7.
I’m using 4.4.5.2 on Windows 7 and could not reproduce it. My LibreOffice is set to Brazilian Portuguese and splitting into columns has the expected effect of beginning on the left.