Live your last like it’s your first

As I wrap up my fall semester of senior year, I’ve realized it slowly hitting me that I’m actually going to be graduating next semester. I never thought my turn to graduate would come so fast. When I came here as freshman, the orientation workshop leaders said time would fly by in the blink of an eye, but I always shrugged it off. Almost four years later flashed by before my eyes and now I definitely see what they meant.

I remember my first semester at Bloom like it was yesterday. A completely new environment, new people, and a chance to become a new me. Bloomsburg University became my home away from home. Something I thought another place could never be.

Every year I’ve come back, it’s just as exciting and nerve-wracking as the one before. The feeling of anticipation for what fun the new semester will bring. New opportunities, fresh starts, and new memories with old friends.

Reflecting on my college career, I’m glad Bloomsburg University gave me the chance to grow as a person. My first semester here, I was a shy 18-year-old that only went to class. Now, I’m so much more involved on campus in organizations such as BUNow as a social media editor, I’m member of the International English Honors Society Sigma Tau Delta, and the vice president of my sorority, Chi Sigma Rho. If I hadn’t chose to go to Bloom, I don’t think I would have learned what I have and met the people that I did to help me become the confident and involved person I am today.

The classes I’ve taken and professors I’ve had have given me important knowledge that I know will be crucial to be successful in my future. This university has definitely prepared me for the “real world” and I feel confident I’m prepared to handle whatever comes my way after I graduate.

My time here has allowed me to not only gain lifelong skills like time management, leadership, independence, and effective communication, but friends that I’ll cherish for a lifetime.

Our college years are some of the most difficult times of our lives. Most of us are off on our own for the first time, living in a new area, and having to make new relationships with all kinds of different people. Not to mention the different and overwhelming stressors that we all can experience during these years.

I’ve been able to go through the hard times of college with the friends I’ve made. Whether it be getting a bad grade, or just having a rough day, I’ve always had someone to lean on or ask for support.

As I go into my last semester of my undergraduate college career ever, I want to live it up as if it’s my first. Any chance I get, I want to make sure I’m living the moment to the fullest. Every new opportunity that comes my way I’m going to make sure I experience it. Any campus events I’m able to go to like Free Food Friday, bingo or trivia at the KUB, I’ll be there. I want to spend as much time as I can on campus just taking in the time I have here, while I still have it.

Most seniors take easy classes their last semester, but I want to take advantage of the last bit of time I have as an undergraduate student and continue to learn as much as I can in as many different areas as I can. I’m even going to make sure I utilize all of the resources Bloom offers as much as I can like attending more Professional U workshops, and even applying to present in the Husky Student Leadership Summit.

Years from now, when I look back on my college years, I want to have no regrets and no missed opportunities I wish I took. My time at Bloomsburg University will be a piece of my life that I’ll always be proud of myself for.

When I walk across that stage at the end of next semester, I will be grateful for the memories I’ve made while a student here. Bloomsburg University will always be a part of me, and I know I’ll always be a part of Bloomsburg.

Once a Husky, always a Husky!

— Samantha Bergan, senior mass communications major and English minor

#BloomOnward #HuskyLife

Countless memories in Poland

A group of 30 students traveled to Poland during this winter break to study abroad for three weeks.

They were accompanied by two Bloomsburg professors, Mykola Polyuha, assistant professor of languages and cultures, and Michael Martin, assistant professor of English. While there, students completed two classes at the Jagiellonian University, the second oldest university in Central Europe and located in Krakow.

The first class was titled Jews of Europe. This course was about European Jewish history and their culture. This class examined Jewish life from 1450 to the mid-20th century and helped students understand the plight of the Jewish people that ultimately ended in the Holocaust. The second course students participated in was an Eastern European film class.

In this class, the students watched sixteen different movies that illustrated Central Europe in its multicultural background as well as its interconnectivity in terms of ethnicity. These courses had world-renown professors, a cultural/social anthropologist, Dr. Annamaria Orla-Bukowska, and Dr. Maciej Stroinski, cultural theater and film critic.

Not only did students spend time in the classroom, but they also were able to explore the beauty of Krakow, spending time on the Main Square, that was complete with the Christmas Market. The Main Square was filled with food, restaurants, pubs, and little shops offering numerous options to learn about the culture and bring back gifts for those who support them back home. The most exciting part for many students was spending New Year’s in the Main Square with as many as 90,000 people from all over the world.

Two days of travel to Prague, Czech Republic, was another highlight of the trip. Exploring the city of Prague and the city’s Jewish section was an incredible experience. This experience of walking through the cemeteries and synagogues that were built as early as the 13th century provide a sense of history that cannot be found in America. Visiting the Jewish Ghetto, Schindler’s Factory, and the Jewish Quarter in Krakow provided a first-hand look at history that was such a significant part of the 20th century.

Leaving Poland is bittersweet for most of these students, because of the countless memories they made. Much of what was learned will be understood in the weeks, months and years ahead, but now, in spite of some continued jet-lag, it feels great to be back home in America!

— Arden Shiller, sophomore early childhood and deaf education major #HuskyAbroad #WinterBreak