Studying Abroad

     Today in Alliot, there was a study abroad fair.  This is when a whole bunch of representatives from different study abroad programs set up tables and tell you about what they offer.  It is an excellent place to get started if you have no idea where you would like to study abroad.  Generally, if you go up to a table you can get brochures and information about the programs offered.  I already have an idea of the programs I want to do, so I knew straight away where to go. 
     Here is an image of what the fair looked like-

     
Here is a list of the programs that came to the fair today-

Academic Programs International (API) - http://www.apistudyabroad.com/

Advanced Studies in England (ASE) - http://www.studyabroadbath.org/drupal/ase_dev/

American Institute for Foreign Study (AIFS) - http://www.aifs.org/

American University, Washington Semester Program - http://www.american.edu/washingtonsemester/

Antioch Education Abroad - http://aea.antioch.edu/

Arcadia University, The College of Global Studies - http://www.arcadia.edu/abroad/

Boston University Study Abroad - http://www.bu.edu/abroad/

Champlain Abroad - http://www.champlain.edu/Office-of-International-Education/Champlain-Abroad.html

College Year in Athens - http://www.cyathens.org/

Danish Institute for Study Abroad (DIS) - http://www.dis.dk/

Institute for Study Abroad, Butler University - http://www.ifsa-butler.org/

Interstudy - http://www.interstudy.org/

International Partnership for Service-Learning (IPS-L) - http://www.ipsl.org/

Middlebury College – Schools Abroad - http://www.middlebury.edu/academics/sa

Peace Corps - http://www.uvm.edu/~pcorps/

Sea Education Association (SEA Semester at Woods Hole) - http://www.sea.edu/home/index.aspx

SIT Study Abroad - http://www.sit.edu/studyabroad/ (includes IHP programs)

Syracuse University Abroad - http://studyabroad.syr.edu/concrete/

The School for Field Studies (SFS) - http://www.fieldstudies.org/

Wisdom Study Abroad - http://www.wisdom-study-abroad.com/

     Once you have an idea of where you would like to go, or even what program you are interested in, it would be a good idea to book an appointment with Peggy Imai.  She is the Study Abroad coordinator for all students and it is very simple to make an appointment.  You can go here and then see what fits your schedule.  It is never too early to start researching your options for studying abroad.  The study abroad office is located in Klein-

     Well, I hope this has inspired you to go abroad and get an even greater chance of increasing your educational opportunities.  Tweet me, contact me, or formspring me with any questions you may have.

Kayley

Your Adviser

     Simply stated, advisers are professors appointed to you to help you sort out your college career.  My advisor is professor Busic, a Spanish professor, and I think he is has been an amazing help to me. 
     At first, meeting with an adviser can be intimidating, I admit I was nervous at first, but you have to realize that they are there to help you! Come with questions and don't be afraid to ask them about things in the system you don't understand.  They don't always know the answer, but are always more than willing to ask around for answers.  However, don't forget that your adviser is also professor, and a very busy person.  They may forget, so it's sometimes helpful to shoot them an email (within a respectable amount of time). 
     Also, a key to college success is to map out your courses and when you can take them (see post-it note plan blog).  Your adviser has a wealth of information about when courses are generally offered and if you'll be able to take them when you want to.  My adviser helped to fix my plan to account for classes that are only offered in the fall and some that are only offered in spring.  As a general rule, though, go to your meeting with your plan already done- it is not their job to put everything on the "map," you should plan it out first and then they can correct it.  
     It is simple to find out when you can meet your adviser, you can always look on the website (go here, find your major, and then click on faculty), you can send them an email asking them for office hours, or you could even stop by their office and see if they have their office hours posted on their door.   
     Well, if you have any questions tweet me, contact me, or formspring me!

Until next time,

Kayley
    

Snowflake Semi-Formal

     Last night was the VITA Snowflake Semi-formal.  It was held in the Pomerleau Alumni Center from 8:00-11:00.  VITA is a campus ministry group that my friend, suite-mate, and fellow blogger Alex is involved in!  She and my other suite-mate Kate organized the whole Semi-formal and did an absolutely beautiful job.  They decorated the room so wonderfully and also had little hors d'oeuvre to eat.  There was a chocolate fountain with strawberries, marshmallows, and pretzels to dip in, mini quiches, pita chips and dip, veggies and dip, and grapes.  We also had sparkling apple cider to drink!

The beautiful centerpiece

     Everything was so delish and the night then really got started with dancing!!  I love to dance, I absolutely LOVE dancing.  So I had an excellent time being with my friends and dancing the night away to the great songs. 
     Here are some pictures of my friends and I at the dance:

My friend KK and I

Megan, me, and Liz

Alex and I doing our best pose!

     Overall the night was a great success and I'm so sad that I won't be able to go next year.  I'll be studying abroad then, so unfortunately I will have to wait until my senior year!  Well, tweet me, formspring me, or use the contact page at the top to ask me any questions about college life.

Until next time,

Kayley

Oh I Believe in Yesterday

     Yesterday was an incredibly busy day for me.  I had a study group, French club, Paper making at the Center for Women and Gender, and a Graduate School Workshop.  By the time my day was over, it was 9:00 and I was ready to collapse in bed! 
     The Graduate School Workshop was an excellent preparation to explore my options for life after Saint Michael's.  It was held at 4:30 in Klein and a career counselor gave us a brief over view of everything "Grad."  We covered standardized testing, handling the application, time issues, scholarships, courses to earn the degree, faculty advisers, studying abroad, transcripts, and essays.  A lot to fit into an hour, but it was a great start for me and I learned a ton.  The Career Counseling department is an absolutely wonderful resource and it is so easy to make an appointment and get started.  (here is a previous blog post about a Graduate School fair I attended)
     After the Graduate School program, there was paper making in the Center for Women and Gender.  It was a great opportunity to learn about paper making and take part in some of it!  I was so excited to go make paper that I set out around 6:15 and got to watch a great demonstration (by an SMC alumnus) and then create some designs of my own!  The paper is actually made of "pulverized" cloth that is ground into a very fine silt.  Here are some pictures I took-

This was the instrument used to sift through the fine fibers and water

On the left you can see what will be the paper (the purple stuff on the wood frame)

Here he has just transferred the paper to lay on a cloth so it can dry

In this picture he is putting a design on the paper with colored sprays

Here is my own creation! It says "Celebrate Differences"

     I am so happy I was able to take part in these two wonderful opportunities- a Graduate School workshop and paper making at the Center for Women and Gender.  I can't wait until tonight when I have the Snowflake Semi-formal with VITA.  Please tweet me, formspring me, or contact me with any questions you have about SMC. 

until next time,

Kayley

Chinese New Year

Happy Year of the Dragon!  if you didn't know, Monday was Chinese New Year!  Here are some interesting Chinese New Year facts-

• tangerines represent good luck and prosperity
• the color red drives off evil and back luck
• lanterns are a traditional symbol of the celebration and are decorated with animals, flowers, and birds
• Dragons (the best part) are created out of silk, paper, and bamboo!

     The Coffee Hour was generous enough to put out vegetable fried rice, egg rolls, and coffee today from 3:15-4:15.  (read a blog post about the Coffee Hour) So I hope that if you had a chance to go you were able to enjoy the delicious food!  If you have any questions about Saint Michael's, tweet me, formspring me, or contact me!

Kayley

Knight Chats!

     As a student and a blogger at Saint Michael's it's important that I try and connect with prospective students.  One way that is done is through Knight Chats!  Knight Chats, as I have already explained here, are great ways to ask questions directly to students and get answers instantly.  There are several Knight Chats coming up soon and one is tonight!  Here are the dates and times:

      Wednesday, January 25, 2012 - 7:30-9:00 p.m. EST

      Thursday, February 16, 2012 - 7:30-9:00 p.m. EST

      Thursday, April 12, 2012 - 7:30-9:00 p.m. EST

      Wednesday, May 2, 2012 - 7:30-9:00 p.m. EST

     There is also a parent chat on Wednesday, March 28, 2012 - 7:30-9:00 p.m.

     You should try and "attend" one of these chats to give you answers on all the questions you have.  Just sign into this page and continue according to the directions. 

Until next time,

Kayley

Eddie's Lounge

     Hi All! Eddie's Lounge (located in upstairs Alliot) is a cool room.  It has a big tv, a pool table and air hockey table, tables and chairs, and a nice couch.  Clubs have meetings in there and it's a great place to hang out or do homework.  I have even had a couple of knitting club meetings in there.  But how does one book the room?  It's quite simple actually, you have to be timely, though, and make sure you go around it in the correct manner. 

1. think about the time and date you would like for your event
2. check the calendar for availability https://www.google.com/calendar/embed?src=smcstudentassociation@gmail.com&ctz=America/New_York&gsessionid=jmDJ-Sk5vR_B7Pllr0Q0Dw
3. you can click on the events to see where they are booked
4. if your time is available, then you can email  EDDIES@mail.smcvt.edu with

           A. your event
           B. date
           C. time
           D. contact information

     It's that simple and worth it!  So the next time you need to have a meeting or gathering, you should try and book Eddie's!  Have a great weekend.  Please tweet me, formspring me, or contact me with questions and concerns you have about college life.

Until next time,

Kayley