Monday, December 3, 2007

Foreign Affairs

Students should be made aware that they have the opportunity to study abroad for usually up to two full semesters, depending on the university. It is the chance of a lifetime to study in a different country. Students are able to learn about different cultures firsthand. This can help students who are studying a foreign language a great deal. It will allow them to hear the proper accent and pronunciation of the words. Students will also be able to meet new friends from across the world. When I studied in London, I meet people from several different countries such as Greece, Italy, Romania, Peru, South Africa, Russia and France. I still remain in contact with several of them which is pretty neat. I went through the John Carroll University program that is located in Cleveland, Ohio. The trip could not have been any better or more organized. They offer a wide variety of different countries that students can go to. They are also very accommodating with the whole program. I would strongly suggest any student to consider studying abroad, they will not regret it at all.

http://stuweb.jcu.edu/mk470t5/Global_Ed/GE_home.html

Sports: The Smiles, Sights, Sounds, and Smells

For those who would just like to kick it with their friends a few nights a week and shoot some hoops and those who dream of being a national champion wrestler and everyone in between. Athletics goes with today's college experience like text messages and facebook. College is a great place to participate in the sport(s) that you have been playing all your life or to pick up a new sport that you have always wanted to try. If you get to school and you previously participated in a sport that isn't offered as a varsity sport, but you still want to practice and play the sport, you can introduce it as a club sport if there is enough interest. Usually there are others that share a common interest or are willing to give a new sport a try, unless the sport is awful (men's pairs skating). An intramural sports is a great place to meet new friends and hang out with friends you have already made. It is also an effective way to measure which freshman or sophomore dorm is the coolest on campus.
Remember this past weekend when you went out after the bar and ate a White Castle Crave Case? Me neither, but the point is that you need a little bit of exercise. An important benefit of participating in intramural athletics is that it is an easy way to get a little bit of exercise or to relieve some stress caused by the rigorous course work or an overbearing significant other.
Whatever your skill level is or how seriously you would like to compete, there are many positive aspects to participating in sports at some level while in college.

Sunday, December 2, 2007

A Sister for Life

Choosing which sorority to be a part of can be a difficult decision that many college students face. After first deciding that joining a sorority is something you want to be a part of the next step is recruitment. Recruitment usually lasts about one week and during that week you get to meet each sorority that the university has to offer. It is a mutual elimination process and by the end of the week you find out who your new sisters are. John Carroll University has 5 national sororities that include Gamma Phi Beta, Chi Omega, Kappa Delta, Kappa Alpha Theta, and Kappa Kappa Gamma. Each sorority has a unique quality and being a part of any of one is a great opportunity for young women. They participate in many activities and also raise money for local and national philanthropies. Sororities are more about the sisterhood bond and creating a good name in the community. John Carroll University are working hard at getting housing for sororities and starting in Fall 2007 a select few will have the opportunity for greek housing in the dorms. This is an excellent way to stay in close contact with all of your sisters and also help the organization grow. Formal recruitment takes place in the fall but many of the sororities have informal recruitment in the spring. Sorority socials are another great aspect of sororities. On average most sororities have about 4 socials a year and it is a great way to let loose and have some great laughs with great sisters.

http://stuweb.jcu.edu/mk470t5/Greek/greek_page.html