Have you ever had the desire to step out of the flow of your everyday life? Ever dreamed about testing your boundaries, immersing yourself within a different culture, and seeing places in which you’ve only read about in books?

If you have, taking an opportunity to study abroad during your undergrad may be something of great interest to you. Recently I’ve been accepted into a short 4-week study abroad program during this up coming summer. Since I’ve never really had an opportunity to travel outside of my own country I couldn’t be more excited to take on Europe in just three months!

A girl from my sorority is studying abroad at a public research university located in London, United Kingdom. While on her adventure she took time to give us some feed back from within her own experience of studying abroad.

Kelsey is twenty-one years young, currently in here senior year studying Public Relations.

Tamara: What made you want to study abroad?

Kelsey: I have always wanted to study abroad, even when I was a kid. However, I could not financially support the trip until this year. I also wanted to be sure I made the most of my college career.

T: What are you studying abroad? Classes?

K: I’m Studying communications and writing. The classes that I am taking include: fictional writing, media and multiculturalism, history of London since 1960, and fashion journalism

T: How long is the program?

K: The program is 5 months long

T: 
How long did the application process take? When should I start?

K:I started my application process in the summer and didn’t finish until September (for my spring program). I would say start-doing research as soon as possible to figure out where you want to go, and then find the program that suits you best. Research is key!

T: Since this university is located in another country has there been a language barrier at all?

K:I am studying at the University of Westminster. No language barrier, just awesome accents!

T: Culture differences?

K: I would say a big cultural difference is the college experience. For instance I live in a ‘dorm’ but it’s more like a small apartment. I make my own food, I only have one class a day, there are no required texts, and so everything is on you. The British school system is very much independent learning.

T: Contact with family & friends? Laptop, cell phone?

K:  I use Skype and face book on my laptop! I bought a pay as you go phone for contacting my new friends in the UK. Leave your cell phone at home and make sure you have a Skype account.

T: Favorite/least favorite part of the experience?

K: Favorite- immersing myself in the culture. Least- Nothing I love London!

T: Interaction with locals, other students studying abroad?

K:  My main group of friends is half American and half British. I met the Americans through our study abroad host university (Arcadia) and I met the Brits when I moved into my dorm. Most of my interaction with other British students is in class and at the student bar. That sounds terrible, but you meet so many people on Monday night (which is a huge bar night, and I have no idea why!?). In class teachers will put you in groups and I have meet multiple Brits, Americans, and students from around the globe.

T: Advice/recommendation for other students planning on studying abroad?

K: When you get abroad, it is really easy to just do what you do in the states i.e. sitting in your room on your laptop. Get out and explore! Don’t be afraid to do things by yourself. Never say no to a new experience or adventure! Make friends with the locals and overall dive into the culture. Take a break from being American and be an honorary member of that culture!

Winter break has officially come to an end. As everyone is getting back into the swing of things, the spring semester is set into full gear. With a bright semester lurking on the horizon this brings new classes, different teachers and fresh starts into perspective.

Getting used to the flow of the New Year can be both exciting and stressful all at the same time. I’ve discovered creating balance amongst all the different commitments I hold is key to success. One New Years resolution that I set for myself goes hand-in-hand with this theory. In the year 2013 I’m aiming to bring more organization into my life. (Even bought a planner)

What will you begin to embark upon within this New Year?

Western Michigan University also brought something different in with the New Year! In the Bronco mall, located in the lower level in the Bernhard Center is the addition of Santorini Island Grill. This new restaurant is focused around Greek and Mediterranean grilled items.

Some of the menu items include gyros, falafel, pita sandwiches, hamburgers, Greek salads, souvlaki (chicken skewers) rice bowls, island/feta/ or loaded fries, and hummus. There are also meal deals that the restaurant offers.

Lunch today at Santorini! Veggie Pita, Salad & Bottle water for $6.50

The hours for the spring semester are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. weekdays, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday.

If you haven’t had the chance yet, I would defiantly recommend checking this place out!

http://www.santoriniislandgrill.net/

Thursday the 25th day of October, in the year of 2012 at precisely two O’clock in the afternoon I had the opportunity to attend the President’s Welcome Reception. This was my second year in a row attending, and the Seita Scholars fifth annual time having the event at Western Michigan University.
Walking up to the top floor of the Bernhard center I was filled with excitement. Last year I attended the event as a first year student with my fys (first year seminar) class. However this time around being a peer leader for the Seita program I took on an active role in the reception. I had the privilege of producing a speech to give in front of our entire fys student, other Seita scholars, our university president, staff, interns, volunteers, Donors and WMU partners within the Seita scholars program. My speech particularly focused in on expressing gratitude towards Dr. John Dunn (WMU University President). Previously to this year I was unaware of his involvement in the Seita Scholars program, and was honored to be able to have the opportunity to address him for his efforts. My speech went accordingly:

“Prior to attending Western I didn’t believe I had the resources necessary to attend a big university. This amazing program changed my life when I transferred last fall. I have so many people out here to be grateful for in regards to all that they do. However I would like to take this time to thank our very own university president Dr. John Dunn. This would all but be just a dream with out his support of moving forward with the program. The over all goal of our program aims at increasing opportunities for young people like my myself whom have aged out of foster care and have a desire to pursue a degree. Knowing that people such as Dr. Dunn & others alike truly care about providing support & promoting success within the Seita scholars program has enabled me to open so many doors and achieve so much that I once though was impossible.”

One of our campus coaches, Jamie did an amazing job putting on the program, and I would have to conclude that the overall event was defiantly a success. Thank you for everyone who came out and shared this special day with us!
I love being a Seita Scholar!
Over & Out -Tam

Summer is slowly slipping away. With the high being a chilling 45 degrees, this is something that takes me awhile to get used to each year. Fall in Michigan is beautiful don’t get me wrong, however the sorts of activities I like are much more enjoyable in the warm weather.
At Western a good portion of students go home for the summer. However if you want to stay through out the year there are options both on and off campus. I stayed in French hall last year on the tenzing floor for transfer students. The lease for my room was up after spring classes, so I subleased an apartment off campus for the summer.

How did I spend my beautiful summer days?

Have you ever been to this magical place called Disney? I was lucky enough to go to Walt Disney World with my family right after spring classes were released. That was the first time returning to Florida in years. This was such a great experience to be able to share with my six younger siblings. While at Disney I learned about a college programs & paid internships that they offer to students. This is something I’ve been considering for the fall of 2013.
However after all that craziness I returned to Kalamazoo for the summer. I was working two jobs, and opted out of taking classes. Though working as a student ambassador, and peer leader for the Seita program I still had time to attend some pretty awesome festivals. Some shows I went to include: This world is ours tour, spring awakening music festival, mayhem, electric forest, and mad decent block party. How did you spend your summer?
Over & Out

Lizz (My bestie from WMU) & I on our way to Electric Forest!

Hey Broncos! Getting back in to the swing of things after the weekend can be pretty difficult at times. I had the first exam of the year in my math class today! It wasn’t as difficult as I thought it would be; now I just have to wait in anticipation for my teacher to post the grades on e-learning. I was really nervous about my math class at the beginning of the semester due to the fact that we only have 50 minute classes, and my class size is pushing 300 students. However working with my teacher assistant during our math lab on Fridays and attending the review sessions that he provided prior to our exam defiantly eased my worries about the class. Some fellow peers in my class may need additional help so they can also choose to go to the professors’ office hours. On campus each professor is required to have office hours. During these slots they have open time for students to come in and ask questions or review any material as needed. Reflecting over the semester so far I really can’t believe how much time has already flew by! It seems like last week everyone was just arriving back from their summer festivities and preparing to take on a new semester. Believe it or not we are almost at the half way point of fall classes! I have my scuba diving course that only runs for a half of a semester, therefore in two weeks I will be a certified scuba diver. Ahh so excited!
Until next time -Tam

From snorkeling to scuba diving in six weeks!

Have you ever thought about going Greek? Sororities and Fraternities are associations or societies of men/women who espouse common purposes and values. Here at Western Michigan University there are four governing councils for Greek life: College Pan-Hellenic, interfraternity, National Pan-Hellenic, and multicultural Greek.
The College Pan-Hellenic Council serves as the governing body for 8 National Pan-Hellenic Conference member organizations here at WMU. These sororities include: Alpha Chi Omega, Alpha Omicron Pi, 
Alpha Phi, 
Alpha Xi Delta, Chi Omega, Delta Zeta, 
Pi Beta Phi, and Sigma Kappa. These are also the sororities who participate in formal recruitment.
Students can register to go through formal recruitment for the Pan-Hellenic sororities online. This year formal recruitment was just last week, September 10th-16th. Email panhel-recruitment@wmich.edu if you have any questions.

In the fall of 2011 I went through formal recruitment right after transferring to WMU. You get the opportunity of going through and seeing each of the eight houses to decide what is the right fit for you. I found my place at Alpha Xi Delta and am so fortunate to be surrounded by such a great group of women!

Bid Day 2012

Fall Welcome Ambassadors

Fall welcome was such an amazing experience! For those of you who have not had the opportunity to be involved in the program, Fall Welcome is a four-day event that assists first year students with their academic and social transitions into college life. Throughout the week students will actively participate in different activities, presentations, seminars connecting them not only with the campus life but the community as well.
I transferred to WMU last fall, and missed fall welcome as an incoming student. So along side with the incoming students this year, this was my first welcome week experience as well. Looking back on all the opportunities in which I missed out on when I was first arriving to the university, I would truly encourage each student to partake in this event.
My overall experience with the program was both exciting and overwhelming at times. Each day before we meant up with our group of students all of us fall welcome ambassadors had morning meetings bright and early around 7:45! After all of the ambassadors were dismissed from meeting it was time to round up the students and begin the day. Each day had a different agenda, packed with interesting activities and presentations such as: stadium night, click downtown, Meijer mania, matriculation ceremony, greek-a-palooza, and so much more.
So fortunate to have had a second opportunity to be involved with fall welcome!

Hello! South East Michigan Transitional Program or abbreviated as S.E.T week was such an amazing opportunity! The program is for incoming Seita Scholars and is held for five days. S.E.T week happens after freshmen orientation during the last week of July. It helps foster students with their transition into college. The Seita Scholars Program provides this extra orientation free of charge to students. One of our campus coaches & two students from the Seita Program (hired as S.E.T. week coordinators) set up the daily agenda & virtually take on the whole responsibility of planning for the week. Campus coaches work as mentors to students whom receive the Seita scholarship. Each incoming student will have one campus coach out of the five we have available on campus. The Seita Early Transition was defiantly a success! I had the opportunity of helping incoming students connect with the campus & community as well as make connections with them. Just a few more weeks before Fall Welcome begins & all the new students take on a new chapter in their lives!

My name is Tamara. I’m a third year student here at Western Michigan University. I transferred to WMU after my first year at a community college. Currently my majors are business and psychology. Transferring to WMU to continue my education has honestly been the best decision that I’ve ever made. Attending a university was something that I’ve always dreamed about, but didn’t really think was an option. Western Michigan University turned my dream into a reality through the Seita Scholars Program. Seita Scholarships are offered to youth who have been or are presently in foster care.

Currently through the Seita Office I’m going to be working with incoming Seita Scholars for Seita Early Transition (S.E.T) week. This is pretty much another form of orientation just for incoming Seita scholars. I’m so excited to begin the program; it starts on July 15^th & runs through July 20^th! Upcoming in the fall I will be a peer leader for the incoming Seita Scholars as well as a teacher assistant for their First Year Seminar (FYS) class.

Greek Life is also something I’m involved in on campus. Out of the eight different sorority houses on campus I’m lucky enough to be a part of Alpha Xi Delta!! I’ve met a lot of great people through Greek Life and I’m excited to see all the new potential members the fall will bring in!

Looking forward to telling you all about my S.E.T week experience! <3