Hi! My name is Kari Parker. I’m a junior in the University Honors College (UHC) here at OSU. A little about myself: I’m a 3rd-year undergraduate in industrial engineering originally from Portland, OR; I’ve been a student here at OSU since fall of 2010, and so far my experience with both OSU and the Honors College has been pretty fantastic. Because of the encouraging environment in the Honors College, I have also decided to pursue two minors in business and theatre. These are my creative outlets when the engineering classes begin to cloud my brain with all sorts of numbers and formulas. I’m currently just beginning my thesis journey by working with my mentor Eric Hill on writing a monologue on women in engineering. This will allow me to combine my two passions in life: engineering and theatre, but I would not have decided to pursue such diverse subjects without the passionate environment that the University Honors College provides.

There are many different words that describe the UHC, but the best one I can think of is community. The UHC is first and foremost a collaborative community made up of motivated fun people. It is a place where the creative mind is encouraged and the disciplined student finds tangible feelings of success.

                The way the UHC fosters this unique learning environment is by limiting class sizes to fewer than 25 students and by hiring only the finest professors in each department. Inside an honors classroom, you will find students who truly have an insatiable hunger to learn; likewise, you will find professors who are experts on each subject and who can create a learning environment where each student feels welcome. But actually getting into the UHC is no small feat.

The application process is highly competitive, but there are many opportunities for a prospective student to show where he or she shines. The requirements for first-year students to apply are a 3.75 GPA, an 1820 on the SAT, OR a 27 on the ACT. You only have to meet one of these minimums to apply. As a transfer student either at OSU already or transferring from a different college or university, you will need a 3.5 minimum GPA to apply. There are also two essay questions where the student gets to provide the honors college a peek into their own lives and experiences. In this section as well as in the activities section and the insight resume on the regular OSU application, the application committee really looks at the student to see how their life experiences have shaped the person they are today. As far as deadlines are concerned, the early round deadlines for students entering OSU directly from high school are November 1 and the primary round deadline is February 1.  For transfer students (either currently attending OSU or another college or university), the application deadline is March 15. Check out the UHC application page: http://www.oregonstate.info/dept/honors/you-apply

After the student has been accepted, he or she will be required to maintain above a 3.25 GPA throughout their time in the UHC. The UHC also requires their students to write a thesis before they graduate as a capstone research project of their undergraduate career. This project is a way for the students to give back to the pool of knowledge that they have been gleaning from throughout their academic career.

Another benefit of being a part of the UHC is that there are honors academic advisors who are knowledgeable about every major across the university. They are resources that guide students along during their undergrad journey and help maintain the balance of being a dual citizen with the college of their major as well as the UHC. They are truly there to serve the students.

Some of the other privileges an honors student has includes, honors study lounges (SLUGs: Students Learning Underground), unlimited printing in the SLUG spaces, an honors themed on-campus residence hall (West Hall), the GEM (which offers an apartment setting close to campus, with priority placement for UHC students with a minimum of sophomore standing), study break activities, and honors exclusive trips like camping and skiing. Overall, being a student in the UHC means having a home where you can feel free to be creative and where you’re guaranteed success.

http://www.oregonstate.info/dept/honors/

 

By Katy Krieger

New Orleans Greetings from a Social Psych Researcher

Many of you are wondering what exactly happens at a research conference so I am here to fill you in on all of the details! Research conferences are structured around lectures, poster sessions, and social events designed so that students and professors can meet one another and collaborate.

Usually conferences are in bigger cities with huge convention centers, and my conference (the conference for the Society of Personality and Social Psychology or SPSP 2013) was in New Orleans, Louisiana. Fortunately for us, we were there the weekend that kicked off Mardi Gras so we got to experience the city at its very peak! Conferences are a great way to meet potential graduate program advisors and present your research to a large audience (whether in lecture or poster form). I was presenting a poster this year and had the wonderful opportunity of seeking out programs I will be applying to next fall for graduate school (this is great because I won’t waste time applying to programs that aren’t for me).

Amongst the academic chaos there is also the chance to see the city you are in and experience the culture. We visited Bourbon Street, went to the famous Café du Monde for beignets, and saw live jazz music. There is a rule of thumb to not overextend your brain during the conference so it’s nice to get out and do some shopping and eat the local food. Don’t feel bad for staying out late, not exercising (trust me the walking is enough to give you blisters), and not attending EVERY single event. One of the most beneficial parts of research conferences is the connections with advisors, collaborators, and other students that you will make. Just going out to dinner and attending the social hour events provides you with more insight into research happening in your field and the kinds of grad programs out there.

And because most of you want to hear more about New Orleans then research, here’s some great insider information!

Food: You must eat beignets at Café du Monde (preferably when it’s empty at 2 AM). Don’t always go to the obvious tourist spots, their prices are high and the food is mediocre. This is something to think of every time you travel. Felipe’s Taqueria on Decatur Street is cheap, a mexi-cajun version of Chipotle, and has great hand shaken drinks. Be ready to try some voodoo and herbal inspired drinks as it is very hip down there!

Music: Every place down there has a great sound system to play club music, or you can indulge in live jazz music at the House of Blues or any place on Bourbon Street. Don’t be afraid to stop and listen to the street performers as they are incredibly talented and lively.

Shopping: Although there is a high end shopping center close to the French Quarter, feel free to indulge in the French Market and hit up touristy places like the Jazz Funeral. There are some fun chain stores to go to like Margaritaville, so stop in and get a souvenir.

Mardi Gras: The parades start at 6 usually but make 3 loops so don’t think you missed out the first time! Be ready for lots of people, loud music, and plenty of beads. Bourbon Street is the most insane thing you will ever see but it is a thing of beauty so go there during the festivities! Buy a mask to wear out, get yourself some starter beads to look blinged out, wear crazy outfits, and get into the nightlife culture that is Mardi Gras!

If all of this hasn’t convinced you to get into research then I don’t know what will! Conferences are a way to find programs and advisors and get your own research and name out into the academic field. In addition, you always get to visit a great city, meet fabulous people, and have some great experiences!

By Kendra Kintze and Angel Martinez

In life, unless you acknowledge that there is a problem, you will struggle to reach a solution. Last weekend at a retreat called Exploring White Identity (EWI), I was fortunate enough to examine the harsh realities of oppression that are woven in society, with the hope that by opening our eyes and hearts to these issues we can change them and – cliché aside – make the world a better place. Throughout this retreat, everyone explored extremely emotional aspects of their lives and their experiences with race and witnessing racism. We all tuned into the oppression that exists and I became much more aware of issues that slipped under the radar of my previous perception as a white person.

The entire experience struck a nerve because I have never actually taken time to understand that my pale, easily-sunburned skin tone has provided me with extreme privilege in American society.

There are many facets of society that cater much more to people who identify as “white” than to people of color. The EWI retreat was an experience for white people to come together and acknowledge these issues in a safe environment where emotions and thoughts can be shared without judgment. Feelings of guilt, sadness, and disgust surfaced as we looked racism in the eye as people who are innately privileged in society, but by facing these negative aspects we took the first step in making progress towards change. We were united by wanting to better ourselves and our world to make it a more loving, accepting place for all.

Something that stood out for me was a TED Talks video we watched called “The Danger of a Single Story” given by Chimamanda Adichie. As an African woman and novelist, she explains the danger of assuming someone has a single story. Making judgments about people because of one seemingly dominant characteristic eliminates the possibility of learning more about them and what should instead be the individual’s compilation of stories. We all come from extremely different backgrounds, and in the same way the phrase “Don’t judge a book by its cover” has been ingrained in our brains, we must not judge people by their skin color either (or anything else for that matter). Being human is about so much more than our physical characteristics, and it is up to us to determine how we are going to use society’s word to spread messages of acceptance and unity rather than separation and hatred.

The EWI retreat gave me hope that there are people in the world who have enormous hearts, whose compassion and care is something that can absolutely change the world. I met some astonishing people because of this opportunity, of all different ages and backgrounds, who all believe in social justice.

My fellow CLA Ambassador Angel went on the EWI retreat as well. Here is her take on the experience:

“In America we are blasted every single day, whether we take note of it or not, by the media and what they want us to internalize as their version of reality. As a result we pick up on stereotypes that can undermine, discredit, and hurt people with different ethnicities. Last weekend I was given the great opportunity to attend the Exploring White Identity (EWI) retreat. This retreat came with a two and a half day jammed pack schedule where we as a group  of 28 people who self-identified as ‘white’ came together and discussed what it really meant to be white in our society, and more importantly for me what it meant for people within our society who are not viewed as white. We unpacked the privileges that we as a ‘white’ demographic experienced and what effect it has on others.

One of the unique things about this retreat was the opportunity for us as individuals to reflect on how we personally were and currently are affected by this social construct. I myself was able to explore and discover things about myself that I had left dormant and unspoken inside for my entire life. I’ve always struggled with the fact that I have both Mexican and Native American heritage and no evidence in either knowledge or outward appearance to prove it.

This retreat helped me to be more comfortable literally in my own skin. I feel like I grew as an individual and have an even deeper appreciation for those that are in a society where they are not part of the privileged demographic.

On the last night we were encouraged to write down something to let go of and something that we want to hold on to. I would like to share what I’m holding on to. I hope that if you are someone that has ever felt the way I had felt for almost a decade can relate, and maybe even heal a little bit like I did.

I am not ‘white’

Any more than I am brown hair

I should not be ashamed or feel guilty for my skin.

Any more than I would for having hazel eyes

I am not my phenotypic traits.

I am a combination of what I think, how I feel and what I do”

 

By Angel Martinez

It’s great to be back in Corvallis. We’re all starting new classes, making new friends, and catching up with our social group/s. Aside from all that excitement I’m sure that we’ve all noticed the dark and gloomy weather that was here to greet us all for the start of winter term. Along with not being able to spend much time outside comfortably there is a serious issue that the winter season can bring upon some of us. Seasonal Affective Disorder (S.A.D), also known as seasonal depression, is something that should be looked out for. Especially if it is your first time being in a colder winter climate than you’re used to.

Seasonal depression can happen to anyone even if they have never been diagnosed with clinical depression before. And If you are diagnosed with clinical depression, symptoms can actually increase during the winter.

If you are worried that you or a friend may be suffering from S.A.D these are some symptoms to look out for.

Loss of Energy, Oversleeping or Irregular Sleeping Patterns, Social Withdrawal, Depression, or Appetite Change

If you or a friend shows some of these symptoms here is some advice and resources that may help through this tough time.

First visit the CAPS center on the 5^th floor of Snell Hall. There are many resources and ideas that they offer to help get you through this tough time. They have counseling in case you want to talk to someone. Your student fees guarantee the ability to speak with a counselor.  There is also the mind spa that could help with any anxiety that you may feel, again a resource payed for by your student fees.

They also offer SAD lamp that you can rent for free. These lamps emit UV rays. One of the causes for seasonal depression is that your body is not getting enough Vitamin D through UV rays which are emitted by the sun. This is why it may also be a good idea to take Vitamin D tablets.

Next, find a friend or family member that you’re comfortable talking with. You don’t have to go through this alone, and no one should ever have to. Ask them to make you accountable. If they are aware of your situation have them make sure that you socialize and don’t become self-isolated.

School under any circumstances can be tough, and going through something like this only makes it harder. But you don’t have to hopelessly ride this out till spring time. There are a lot of people on and off campus that want to see you succeed at your fullest potential.

In the midst of winter, I finally learned that there was in me an invincible summer. ~ Albert Camus

By Katy Krieger

With that disappointing loss in the Alamo Bowl it seems as though OSU sports are over until next fall when football starts back up, but, oh how wrong you are! Winter term offers some great OSU sporting events that will get you and your friends out of the house and into the stands.

Basketball: With Jared Cunningham off to the NBA there have been a lot of changes to the OSU basketball team including four new freshman players (most of who are seeing quite a bit of court time). The season is well underway and the Beavers are already 10-6. Coach Robinson is doing a great job leading us into a strong Pac-12 schedule and perhaps even a March Madness appearance. Head to Gill and check this team out!

Women’s Basketball: These OSU ladies hold their own on the court. They are currently 7-9. The next game is Civil War against U of O at 8PM on the 15^th (tomorrow night) at the Matthew Knight Arena in Eugene. But fear not, the game is televised (as are many of the OSU men’s and women’s basketball games). Lead scorers so far this season are Weisner, Bright, Gibson, Hamblin, and Martin.

Gymnastics: The home season began last Friday with the Beavs appearing at home and beating Ohio State. The team looks strong with 12 possible all around competitors and big name returners like Melanie Jones, Makayla Stambaugh, Kelsi Blalock, and Brittany Harris. The floor routines always feature great music and the uneven bars are more stressful than midterms!

Men’s and Women’s Golf: Although the season goes on hiatus in January, expect to see score updates beginning February for the two golf teams. Both the men and women will appear in a plethora of tournaments, opens, and classics but unfortunately they will be migrating to warmer courses to make OSU proud.

Baseball: The baseball season starts with some exciting tournaments in February so look for them to be on the PAC12 network and in March the action moves to Corvallis! Yelling is encouraged and for once you get to be outside when it’s nice. Why not go see baseball? Oh, did I also mention the delicious yet awful ball park food offered and the fact that like all OSU sporting events it’s FREE!

Softball: Similar to baseball, the team will open in February away from campus in a number of tournaments and will return later in March to Corvallis. These girls will no doubt be force in the PAC-12 so look forward to lots of “W’s” on the board.

Women’s Swimming: Coming off a win against Northern Arizona, the swim team will appear in a Corvallis meet January 26^th against WSU. Some early leaders to watch out for are Crystal Kibby, Ocean Trail, and Sammy Harrison.

I could go on by diving into the intramural and club team events but alas my bog would be far too long for you all to read. So, with this small (but diverse) smattering of OSU sports, I hope you can all find your inner Beaver Believer and represent the Orange and Black at your favorite sport!

By Morgan Willer

Everyone’s back on the beautiful Corvallis campus and it’s exciting to see the friends you’ve missed over break. However if the foggy rainy weather isn’t getting you down then the thought of starting a brand new term might be. It’s never fun sitting through hours of class once you are used to sitting through hours of Netflix on your comfy couch. Not to worry though, I’ve compiled some of my favorite things to do in order to get over that Post-Winter Break Slump!

Throw yourself into your New Year’s Goals!

I say goals because it’s a lot easier to achieve them if you give yourself a little room for failure and have a plan of attack. So you want to get in shape? Go purchase a fit pass or take advantage of the free facilities at Dixon. Want to have a better G.P.A. this term? Start signing up for tutors, visit the Academic Success Center in Waldo 102, purchase a planner and don’t forget to do your reading (it really does help).

Take a little time for yourself!

Find a new hobby or thing you just enjoy doing. Then throw yourself into it. Is there a really cute coffee shop by your house? Go there to study a few days a week and enjoy your favorite drink. Buy enough new songs on iTunes to make a playlist that will get you through the nasty Oregon mornings (and afternoons, and evenings). Set up a date with your friends you didn’t get to see over break, and make sure to keep the check-ins going throughout the term, especially when you get stressed.

 

Make a 2013 Bucket List!

It is still just the second week of the year so what better thing to do than make a bucket list of everything you want to do before we ring in 2014. Personally there are so many things I want to do before I graduate and move on from OSU, but sometimes I let the stress of school get in the way of the big picture. Make this list so it gives you something to look forward to when you’ve been spending more hours in a Valley cubicle than your own bed. Mine will include finally seeing a Beaver Baseball game!

 

Plan your spring break!

I know most of us are on a college student’s budget but that doesn’t mean you can’t still have a great spring break, and it’s never too early to plan! Whether it’s visiting friends in another state or volunteering at home you should plan one thing that will give you a good memory to relive when you’re back at OSU.

Take an hour (or two) to just not care!

Take an hour or more to pretend that break really isn’t over. Watch episodes of your favorite show on Netflix (I’m still not caught up on Gossip Girl) or play some video games. It’s proven that you will be more productive if you give yourself some time to relax. Just don’t go overboard.

I hope all of these helped y’all a little! Good luck with this term (it’s always the hardest) and try not to get too stressed out. There is always something to look forward to.

By Katy Krieger

As we get ready to take our finals there is always the thought about what to do with our holiday break. But then we start seeing money signs and want to throw in the towel, because after all, we’re poor college kids. Here are some tips for having a great break on a dime!

Gifts: We all want to give those around us a special something for the holidays, but how to do it when your piggy bank is super empty?

–          Channel your inner Martha Stewart. Look on Martha’s website, go on Pinterest, or ask a crafty friend. Making a gift can be just as fun as shopping for one and definitely wallet friendly. You typically only have to pay for materials and websites have step by step instructions to follow. Make your mom a blanket, paint a picture for your grandma’s living room, or make a special spice rub for your dad to use on his next BBQ creation!

–          Look at specialty websites. Websites like Open Sky offer website credit when you sign up that you can use on gifts. Some sites even offer free shipping around the holidays. Amazon is another great source to get items at a discounted price.

–          Write out a list of people you want to give gifts to and then budget for each gift. Stick to the budget and make a shopping plan so you don’t deviate.

–          Make yummy treats! Bake some cookies, put together a themed basket, or invite friends over for dinner (you provide the nibbles)

–          Wine! Yes, wine can be affordable and a great gift. Look for a specialty label that reminds you of a friend or get their favorite red blend.

–          Buy in bulk! Places like Costco offer great gifts that can be split up and given to a group of your friends. A set of 6 candles can be divided amongst your cousins or grocery stores offer a six pack deal on wine where six bottles can be purchased for one flat price no matter the brand.

–          Gift cards can be another great way to stick to a budget. Get various amounts on the gift cards and think of how each person may spend the card. Large grocery stores usually have an entire wall of gift cards to choose from so you can one stop shop!

Activities- We all want to go out with our friends and family and enjoy some time. But everything, even movies, can be expensive. Here are some cheaper alternatives.

–          Go ice skating! Local rinks can be cheap to go to and you can fall on your face for hours!

–          Potluck and game night- get friends together and have each one bring food/drinks/games and laugh the night away

–          Redbox night- rent a few flicks from Redbox and pop some popcorn (look for promo codes to get discounts or even FREE movies)

–          Groupon- look for deals in your area using this site along with many others

–          Holiday sales- a lot of stores have holiday deals (pedicures for a girls day can be half off during the holiday break!)

–          Sledding! is a great way to be outside and enjoy time with friends

–          Use happy hour! Cheap eats and half price drinks are ideal on a college budget

–          Bigger groups means bigger discounts, you can get group pricing on dinner or activities (like laser tag or visiting an exhibit). You can also split meals or appetizers with friends to share the cost

Holiday Travel- I’m from out of state and have to fly home. Most people are looking for cheaper ways to travel to see family for the holidays.

–          Look for deals in your inbox (sign up for your favorite airline to receive deals)

–          Fly Southwest, usually Southwest has a deal each week along with hot prices on certain trips

–          Book on Tuesdays as prices are usually at their lowest

–          Go for airlines with free checked bags or discounts for kids/seniors/students/round trip booking

–          If you’re travelling by car fill up on gas during the middle of the week because prices go up for the weekend

–          Go for off hours and off days to book flights or train tickets

–          Use train as an alternative or even the Greyhound for shorter trips

Even if you can’t afford everything you want to do, that’s not always the point of the holidays. Spending time with friends and family is the most important thing you can do. Enjoy your holiday season and stick to your budget!

By Casey Colvin

Thanksgiving break is almost here! Gobble, Gobble! But, that means that dead week and finals are right around the corner, eek!

Here are some tips for surviving dead week and making finals week a little less stressful.

First, enjoy your turkey day! Take the day to relax and not worry about classes. I find it important to enjoy this break and not think about school stresses at all. I used to kid myself and take a bunch of work home to do on Thanksgiving break, and it would never happen, then I would just feel guilty.  Now, I recognize how important it is to just enjoy the time off and the good food.  After the break is over, you can return to your school work feeling refreshed an energized!

Remember to not wait until the last minute to get projects, papers, and other finals done. If you want a less stressful dead week, don’t procrastinate! Time management is critical this time in the term, so start developing your priority list now! If you want to learn how to develop a priority list, come to the finals preparation workshop in Gilkey 100 on Monday, November 26th at 5:30.

Take food breaks! This sounds obvious, but it is easily forgotten when you’re studying for multiple finals and spend all day at the library. Try to eat healthy; having fast food for breakfast, lunch, and dinner is not a good idea. Trust me!

Know what works for you. By now, you should have an idea of where you study best, so go there and get to work!

Get plenty of sleep! Yes, I am telling you to sleep, do not pull all-nighters. That’s just not healthy and not a good study habit to develop. Sleep has so many benefits; so don’t deny yourself this necessity!

Be calm! It is not healthy for you to have high levels of stress. Find a way to keep yourself calm, whether that is yoga, going for a run, or watching your favorite show.

Go to study groups! Make sure you study alone first so you have knowledge of the topic and can contribute to the group.

Turn off your social media! Facebook, Twitter, iPhone, or whatever you have. Yes I said it!! Keep in mind I am a media communications major, so when I am suggesting this you know it’s a big deal. They are VERY distracting and easily take away from your studies. I promise you’ll survive a few hours without it.

You are so close to the finish line, so give the next couple weeks your best effort and it’ll pay off. I guarantee it!

Happy Thanksgiving!

By Angel Martinez

Hey ladies and gents. We’re in the middle of week 8, Thanksgiving is around the corner, soon to be followed by our first round of finals for the academic year. Whew! (Insert minor panic attack here). Regardless of how many credits you’re taking this term, or what classes you’re in, I’m sure we’re all going to be hit with some stressful moments prepping for the finals. Here are some tips that I’ve found helpful in my several years of experience at OSU for how I was able to study for my finals.

First, prioritize your studying. When you’re juggling several different finals, it’s important to know how to utilize your time in order to be ready for every final. I would recommend that if you’re not having trouble with any particular class then study for your finals in the order that you will be taking them in week 11. It wouldn’t make much sense to study all day on a Sunday, for a final that you have on Friday, if you have a different final on Monday.

Second, if possible try to find a study group or a study partner. The old saying goes “two heads are better than one”, and when you’re trying to ‘re-learn’ 10weeks of information this couldn’t be more accurate. It’s easier to remember more concepts and details from class when you have two people who may understand and remember different things. You can work together and teach each other what the other may have forgotten or not understood.

Third, if it is offered by your professor utilize the study guide. When using a study guide for your final make sure to remember that it is meant to be a tool, not an answer sheet. It’s a called a study guide for a reason. Make sure you review more than what is on the study guide, but prioritize the guide first.

Fourth, utilize campus resources to learn how to study for your finals. Going to the academic success center in Waldo 102 is really helpful for a number of different plans and strategies. Also, one of our Liberal Arts advisors, Kerry Thomas is offering a finals prep workshop on November 26^th at 5:30pm, in Gilkey 100. She will cover test anxiety, time management, study and test taking tips as well as help you make a study plan for each class.

Finally, take care of yourself. If you’re getting overly stressed out go to CAPS on the 6^th floor of Snell to de-stress. Make sure that you get enough sleep. There’s no point in staying up to the wee hours of the morning and not be energized and fully focused while taking your final. Also eat well. Make sure you have a good breakfast to get the brain churning.

Finals can get rough, but if you’ve been going to class, doing the assignments, and participating in class, then chances are, with some good studying, you’re going to do just fine on your finals.

Good Luck!

As the weather gets colder and each day there’s more rain in Corvallis, we all want to go on a nice little trip to someplace sunny.  At OSU there are some great opportunities to travel; most of which can provide other benefits too! Studying abroad, internships, club outings, and conferences are all great ways to go beyond Oregon and explore the United States and the world. I have compiled some travel experiences from a few of the CLA ambassadors in the hopes that you will all be inspired to take a trip!

Kendra Kintz

“When I came to Oregon State I hadn’t planned on studying abroad at all. It wasn’t until my Junior year that I realized I had this huge craving to travel, and more specifically I wanted to find my way to Ireland. I started researching internships and study abroad options, eventually finding a 5 week program over the summer where I took two classes on Irish culture at a college just south of Dublin. I fell head over heels in love with the country, lived with the greatest host family I could have ever imagined, and now have friends all over the world. One night I even camped under the stars on the Aran Islands, right across from the Cliffs of Moher. I also backpacked throughout Europe by myself for 5 weeks after my stay in Ireland, seeing five additional countries and learned what it takes to take care of myself in a completely foreign environment. There’s nothing quite like waking up from a nap on a train in Switzerland all by yourself, seeing waterfalls and mountains that have only existed in fairy tales, now in your face as reality. Every detail of my experience abroad was magical, and it’s still hard for me to believe it actually happened. I am beyond grateful for everything I was able to experience, and I encourage anyone to go see the world from a new place!”

 

Angel Martinez

“Going to Chile for fall term was one of the most amazing, unforgettable experiences that I’ve ever had. I lived with a host family with a very sweet mom that helped me ease into the culture who gave me advice on customs and food. My professors were very quick to help when we were struggling in class, despite the minor language barrier. I met wonderful Chilean friends that I still talk to, even though it has been almost a year since my trip. I was able to travel the country and experience things that I had never done before, like going to a hot springs, or zip lining in the forest. I grew so much as an individual while learning a second language. I loved everything about my adventure to Chile, and if I could do it all over again I would in a heartbeat!”

 

Morgan Willer

“Last summer I was offered an amazing opportunity to work with Camp Adventure and travel to Italy to work with kids on a U.S. Military base. Working with the kids was an amazing experience. Living on base gave me a new perspective on another way of life and I gained a lot of respect for these families. I left being inspired by these children and with more passion for my future career (a history teacher). Of course I was also living in Italy which was AMAZING! I was able to travel on the weekends and see things I never thought I’d see. I went canyoning in Switzerland, saw an opera in Vienna, and rented a boat off the Italian island of Capri. I have now seen places that I have only ever read about in my history texts like the Coliseum in Rome, the Parthenon in Greece, and the ancient city of Ephesus in Turkey. I was able to learn skills that I can apply to everyday life and I learned about other cultures. I cannot recommend studying or interning abroad enough!”

Katy Krieger

“Working in a psychology research lab has allowed me to travel to conferences and either hear from other researchers or present my own work. I have created a wide social network within the social psychology research field and plan to use this network when I apply to graduate school. The conferences are also a way to see the United States and what it has to offer. Each year our conference moves to a new state (usually somewhere warm). Last year I went to San Diego in January and was able to fit in lectures, poster sessions, shopping, and eating out! This January I plan to go to New Orleans where I will present a poster at the conference. The great thing is that Mardi Gras season will have just started and there are some great New Orleans traditions and cultures to experience firsthand!”

After hearing all of these travel stories, all I want to do is book a flight ASAP! Look into studying abroad or maybe an internship in your major. Perhaps your club has an annual get together or there is a conference you can attend in your field of study.  If you are interested in study abroad, International Programs has first steps meetings every Monday through Friday at noon and at 4:00 pm in Heckart Lodge. Whatever it is you want to do, or wherever it is you want to travel, scratch it off your bucket list and think “YOLO”!