Hola, Papa Noel

My first week in Granada, Spain has been amazing! Arriving in Granada I landed at a very small airport with my program director waiting for me. I am living with a host family here with a roommate from Texas. I have classes five days a week that help me to learn Spanish. During a short break in classes each day I am able to go to a busy cafe that serves chocolate and churros!

After classes I walk home and have lunch with my host family. Then, embark on a new adventure in the city. The food is very different here and living with a family helps me truly see what Spain culture is really like.

There is a medium sized breakfast at 8 a.m., a large lunch at 2 p.m., and a light dinner at 9:30 p.m.! When going out tapas and sangria are a very common thing to eat. Tapas are delicious and can be found at almost any bar! They are different everywhere and usually involve some sort of topping on a piece of bread. I have met many new people in my classes. Including people from Italy, Korea, Spain, and the United States. We are all trying to learn Spanish, so we have a language in common to speak in.

After my classes each day I go with a group of students to see the beautiful sights in the city. Spain has so many amazing things to visit! There are thousands of beautiful places to see in Granada alone.

The mountains lie in the background of the city and the beach is only a mere two hours away! Orange trees line the narrow streets with cafes dispersed everywhere. It was a shock being immersed into Spanish with my host family and classes speaking only Spanish, but in the span of a week I have caught on quickly! Everything is in Spanish, tours, conversations with my host family, eating at restaurants, so it is very important to learn quickly.

• Monday — I went to a part of the city called the Albayzin. Albayzin was extremely beautiful! There were amazing views of the Alahambra (which I will visit next week) and narrow streets with motorbikes zooming everywhere. Almost all the streets are designed with small rocks laid one by one and narrow streets to keep people shaded on hot days. The houses are all extremely white and this part of the city has many historical elements.
• Wednesday — I went on a graffiti tour and ate at a traditional Arabic tea house. The graffiti here adds color to the city and nearby white houses. All the food here is amazing and the art and scenery are even better!
• Thursday — I went on a Bellenes tour! All around the city there are large tents set up with beautiful nativity scenes celebrating the Christmas holiday that people walk through. There are over fifty Bellenes in the city and they all compete for different prizes awarded by the city.
• Friday — I went to El Parque de las Ciencias. It is a large science museum with an aquarium, various animals, and science information. On Friday night we went to tapas for dinner at 10 p.m. In Granada it is not unusual to eat dinner at 9:30 pm and go to bed around 1:00 am. There is usually a siesta between 2 to 5 p.m. where you can nap and many places are closed during this time.

Studying in Granada during the holiday season is very exciting! There are many different parades and fiestas going on. For Christmas Eve there is a large family party with a lot of food, wine, and conversations. Exchanging of presents doesn't happen until Three King’s Day, however Papa Noel (Santa) comes Christmas Eve to give gifts for the children.

There is so much to do in the beautiful city of Granada and living with a family makes studying here even more exciting. I know where all the best places to go and things to do here are located. I’m only at the beginning of my second week, but I can’t wait to do more exploring throughout this beautiful city.

— Racquel Kreischer #HuskyUnleashed #HuskyAbroad

Racquel Kreischer is a senior engineering major spending this winter break studying abroad in Granada, Spain. Through the Instituto Mediterráneo Sol Granada she is studying Spanish while living with a Spanish family learning up-close about Spainards lives, language and culture.

It's winter break, but now what?

When winter break comes around, it’s something we all look forward to no matter what year you are in. Winter break means finals are over, the semester is over, and we have a month to relax and get ready for what the spring brings.

But as a senior, this is our last winter break. Next year at this time, we will all hopefully have a job, but we won’t have that nice month to rest. As a freshman, this is your first of many breaks. Congratulations you made it through your first semester. But what to do during break?

So… as a senior this is the time to start the job hunt

Build a resume, maybe even a website, start looking at companies that you are interested in working for, if there are openings maybe even send out an application. It is never too early to start the search, so use this time to get all your ducks in a row so when spring semester comes you are ready to take on the job hunt.

But don’t forget this is your last winter break! Make the most of it! Hang out with friends and family, go on adventures, and do things you have always wanted to do but, never got around to it. The real world is creeping closer, go out with a bang before hitting that next stop.

So… as a freshman you have realized your broke

School is expensive so is extra-curricular activities. I suggest trying to get a job. During the winter season the demand for jobs are very high. Finding a job at your local mall or stores will keep you busy and also give you some extra cash before heading back for the spring semester. Also, remember you are back with all your friends from high school.

I’m sure this is the longest time you have been apart, so you are going to want to be with them almost every day. Make the most of it! You all have made new friends but, being with your friends from home, it’s like you have never been a part.

Winter break is a whirlwind

It’s the most exciting thing to look forward to at the end of the semester. Just remember no matter what year you are in or how old you are, winter break is a time to connect with friends and family. So go to the closest city to you, go skiing or snowboarding, go out of the country, or stay in and binge watch a Netflix series with your best friends.

Make the most of it! Even though this may be your first or last winter break we all agree on one thing … Happy Finals Are Over!

— Samantha Gross, mass communications major #HuskyLife

Intramurals ... more than just a game

Growing up I always loved playing and watching basketball. In middle school, I played point guard for my school basketball team and was actually good. Instead of continuing my love for basketball in high school, I decided to get a job and play basketball in my spare time.

My freshman year of college I went to the Student Recreation Center a lot to play basketball, and I would hear a lot of upperclassmen talk about intramurals. After hearing what intramurals was about me and group of my friends decided to make a team and join the competitive league.

Playing intramurals basketball provided a different experience from just playing in the rec, because the games are recorded and put on YouTube, teams can buy jerseys, and they hire referees and train them. What surprised me the most was that anyone could play, usually in basketball leagues people would have to make the team or tryout to prove their skill level before they can play.

Over time intramurals turned into more than a basketball game for me.

Intramurals became something fun to do with friends. Instead of just hanging out with my friend’s intramurals allowed us to build a stronger bond by working together to win. What makes intramurals so fun is the competitiveness everyone wants to win every game and make it the championship.

Every game a lot of students come out, which makes people play harder and want to put on a show for the crowd. Also if you win the championship you get a t-shirt but in the gym the t-shirt actually has meaning and shows everyone that you earned the t-shirt by winning the championship.

Intramurals also relaxes me and gives me time in my schedule for something I like to do. Most of the time I am busy with schoolwork and working part-time that I don’t make time in my schedule for what want to do. Playing intramurals allow me to have that space in my schedule secured for something I want to do. This also help me relieve stress because it gives me a chance to step away from everything that is may be on my mind at the time such as, test, homework, studying, and personal problems.

I am happy that over the course of my last past three years at Bloomsburg I had the chance to participate in intramural sports and will continuing playing my last two semesters.

— Khalil Daniel, senior communication studies major #HuskyLife

Time to graduate, am I ready?

A few years ago, I was a freshman and now I am a senior. Time feels like it blew by so fast …

I literally cannot believe this is my last year of college and will be graduating next semester.

Before I know it I will be ready to enter the workforce or graduate school. Some of my friends that graduate in the spring have already started looking for jobs and had interviews. I haven’t started looking for jobs yet, but I have been building my resume, cover letter and LinkedIn account.

By senior year it is important to have these things done so you can start your job search right away.
My freshman and sophomore year, I was not worried about resume building, cover letters or personal portfolios. I thought college was all about having fun and partying, but as I got older I learned how important it is to use the resources that Bloomsburg University offer to the students.

The Center for Professional Development and Career Experience can help with cover letters, resumes, professional attire for events, and LinkedIn. They also hold several workshops for these topics. I recently attended a workshop at the Center for Professional Development in the Student Service Center where they looked over my resume and gave me pointers. I also talked with them briefly about graduate school and their thoughts of the MBA program at Bloom.

The Center for Professional Development and Career Experience also does mock interviews. I didn’t get a chance to do a mock interview, but I know it will be very helpful and can help build my interview skills and become more familiar with the type of questions they HR mangers ask.

As an upperclassman speaking, I wish I would have taken advantage of these opportunities when I was a freshman.

— Khalil Daniel, senior communication studies major #HuskyLife

A sign of good things to come

I knew it was going to be challenging, but I did it anyway. I had confidence in myself … and in the academic support available to me here at Bloomsburg University.

The second semester of my junior year, I took American Sign Language to fulfill one of my general education requirements. I knew ASL would be an intense course, because one of my roommates took it the semester before and failed. However, it was interesting to me to learn how people used nonverbal methods to communicate.

The first day of class the professor advised everyone to get a tutor, admitting this was not going to be an easy course. She said students who normally use tutorial services on campus earn a higher grade than those who don’t.

I wanted to get my feet wet in the course before I went in and got a tutor, in case I didn’t need one. I did poor on the first test and was falling behind on the course schedule, which made me realize I needed help.

After speaking with my professor, she gave me a list of names of people who were tutors and ASL majors. When I went to the tutorial services office to fill out the form everyone was welcoming and helpful, which made me feel good about coming there for help.

Within a week I received an email with my tutor name and contact information. The tutor was an ASL major and a junior just like me. She worked around my class and work schedule. I was able to practice my presentations with her and vocab for exams! She was also able to give me pointers and advice that made ASL easier to remember, which was a big help. She was also patient and a good listener. My final grade was an A-, and I never would have gotten that without my tutor.

Tutors work around your schedule and are only here to help students succeed. It is important to remember tutors are students too, and that you should come prepared to the meetings ready to learn.
Utilizing the tutorial services can be good for students even if you are doing exceptional in all of your classes. You may think you do not need help, but a tutor can push you to the next level and give insight on better ways to improve study habits.

— Khalil Daniel, senior communication studies major #HuskyLife

Taking control before it's out of control

As I began my senior year, stress is at an all time high. I know a lot of you are wondering why because it’s only been one month.

Well, I am going to allow you to take a step into my life. I am currently enrolled as a full-time student, working two jobs, a board governor scholar, and I have one internship. I know, I know, it sounds very exhausting … This is an example of why it is important to have mental strength and to be in control while in college.

What is being in control? Being in control is having a routine that you desire and making time for things that make you happy daily. Of course homework and studying comes first but it is important that we make time for our self and what makes us happy at Bloomsburg University.

This could be going to the gym, going for a jog, going out with friends, playing Frisbee on the quad, or going to events at the Kehr Union. I have been working at the Kehr Union for the last past two years, and there's plenty of events that go on every day that students do not know about. Such as, movie night, poetry slams, trivia, and etc. You can find these events on posters inside the Kehr Union.

Being in control of your fun time is important but being in control of your school work is much more important. At the start of a new semester make a good impression on your professor and have a good start to the semester by completing all of your assignments and doing extra credit, because it can determine the way the rest of your semester may turn out.

Nobody wants to play catch up. Being in control of your schoolwork is being organized! Make a planner, know your deadlines, and when assignment have to be done. Also, a strategy I have been using since a freshman is studying before class. That 15 minutes before class can be valuable and can help you retain information.

Tutorial services and the writing center can also be a good tools to use on campus. When I first came to Bloomsburg University I was placed in Writing 2, which is one level behind the college level. So my freshman year I spent a lot of time at The Writing Center for papers. Now, I am completing my third internship and am a communication major, which means I write papers all the time.

So don’t be afraid to ask for help!

Last but not least mental strength... Mental strength can come from a variety of different places. I tend to talk to family and friends when I am feeling uneasy about something. Sometimes we might need to talk to someone other than family and friends. On campus has several different resources such as, assistant dean of students, mentors, and counseling that you can talk to and keep information confidential. They can also help with your mental strength and give you that boost of confidence you may need.

— Khalil Daniel, senior communication studies major #HuskyLife

Prepping for a Career in College Student Affairs

Hello everyone! In this blog, I’ll update you on where I am now… busy. Ha! But first, a quick overview of Lycoming College Prep, or LycoPrep.

LycomingPrep is a two-week learning opportunity for low-income, first-generation rising high school senior students. They attend Lycoming College to learn what a liberal arts college is like. During these two weeks, they live on campus with roommates, attend two non-credit courses Monday through Friday (Chemistry and Political Science), attend workshops led by faculty and staff, and participate in fun field trips to local hot spots. My role is to serve as a residential supervisor. I lead the three student leaders, Lycoming College Peer Facilitators (LCPF)who serve as mentors to the 20 LycoPrep students. I also drive the vans between campus and our field trip locations.

Last Wednesday, I moved onto the Lycoming College campus. I have not lived on a college campus in four years so I was nervous to live with students full-time. For the first three days, I participated in training along with my three LCPFs. Together, we focused on teamwork, personality traits, first-aid training, expectations, while we prepared door decorations (to welcome the students), bulletin boards, snacks, and games for the students to enjoy. The College Student Affairs graduate program at Bloomsburg has aided me with detailed leadership courses that provided me with a clear idea of how I can most effectively lead my team. Last semester, I completed “Introduction of Educational Leadership” which focused a lot on how to manage teams. This semester, I am enrolled in “Organizational Behavior” and spending a lot of time assessing my leadership qualities and weaknesses. BU has given a strong foundation to grow; every day I am practicing my leadership knowledge and skills.

Last Saturday, 20 first-generation high school rising seniors arrived on campus. These 20 students come from seven different states including California, Texas, Colorado, Illinois, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and the District of Columbia. This is a very diverse group where they can discuss and learn from each other the different cultures and values each of us have.

 So far, our field trips have consisted of a trip on the Hiawatha Paddleboat along the Susquehanna River, the Little League Museum, the Lycoming County Prison, Williamsport City Hall, Williamsport downtown art galleries, local dining, Rite-Aid shopping trips, and a Walmart shopping trip. Today, we are scheduled to go kayaking! Over the next week we are schedule for a trip to Knoebel’s Amusement Park, digging at Canfield Island, hiking at Rider Park, watching a movie at the nearby drive-in theatre, a Crosscutters AAA baseball game, pool party at the home of the Vice President for Student Affairs, and T & D Cats of the World animal refuge!

This is an intensive experience for the high school students . . . and also for me. I attend all meals with the students, all field trips, participate in late night activities such as watching movies, playing board games, playing cards, etc. and I even attend some of their workshop sessions. I have formed great connections with these 20 students. They are a very curious group! They ask a lot of thoughtful questions at tour sites, workshops sessions, and during class. They focus on their homework and enjoy learning from each other—I am so excited to see how much they are learning about attending college. This two-week experience is a life-changing opportunity.

The College Student Affairs program has also provided me with a solid understanding of how to address change, which has been very beneficial to me this summer because this program has evolved even during our two weeks. As Professor Roesch would say, “Change is inevitable.” As student affairs educators, we must be open to change and embrace it. During just the first week at Lycoming, we have had to switch discussions, cancel trips due to rain, find an alternative, and make it all work out. Those moments can be hectic, but through open communication and creativity, we have continued to provide an organized alternative. I’ve learned that these students are having the time of their lives. They are going to be happy with any decision we make that allows them to form strong relationships and create important memories.

— Felicia Garcia-Wedemeyer, college student affairs #EducationalLeadership #ProfessionalU