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Show v... :4o;c&BflPu.s": Resources, funds available for StaffWriter of traveling. This spring I would like to go to Greece and Bulgaria and maybe attend grad school in Ireland. Many of the things that you think are a big deal dont seem so after you get a chance to spend time overseas and experience different cultures, said Ipaye. The Study abroad program can range from a couple of weeks during May term, a semester or even a full year abroad. Students need to make sure passports and other travel documents are current and up to date. They should also check to see if vaccinations are required for the area they will be attending. Cassidy Jones in the International Center helps students research and prepare for travel. Students that go overseas dont have to worry about having to know the language of the host country. Many of the schools provided overseas have classes in English, says Jones. For those who are interested but are worried about money, dont. There are resources available A O 3 Issue 12 for students. Westminster now has a program set into place allowing students to use scholarships to pay for trips. Unused scholarships will be put on hold and reinstated when the student returns. There are also grants available for students who qualify. the Gillman Award. It can award up to $5000 for study abroad students. The deadline for the fall applications is March 1. One in three that apply for the grant will receive it. This is money does not have to be repaid. Going and spending time in another country has advantages. Students learn a ton about themselves by being involved in an international community, you learn great skills, and learn to deal with different life experiences. All of these will help you broaden your horizon and be a better person, says Jones. I am new to Westminster so I dont know much about the study abroad program however I would like to see Australia says Joe Rickabaugh a Westminster transfer student. Students interested in going overseas should go and talk with Jones as soon as possible to begin the planning stages. Statistically students dont go on a study abroad until sophomore or junior year. Mapping out a specific trip ensures classes are available that will count toward a specific degrees credit requirement. Westminster has about 20 students that study abroad every semester; 100-20- 0 students take advantage of the May term trips, and only ten go during summer. There are seven students studying for a full year, however only three percent of Students take advantage of the program here at Westminster, says Jones. For more information on the programs, visit the International center located in the lower level of Shaw. One possible grant AMPlifying student, alumni connections Applications due Mar. 7 Eric Norman year VOLUME XLIV . study abroad programs I cant believe I am here, its like living in a post card said Hali Ipaye, marketing major. Ipaye has taken advantage of her time here at Westminster by taking two study abroad programs. Students may think they cant afford to study abroad, or it takes a lot of work. It is a lot of work and you have to be motivated and stay on top of it. However, I got all of my money for study abroad through scholarships. If you want to study abroad, there are a lot of ways to get the funding, says Ipaye. Ipaye was able to see and live in two different countries while at Westminster. She was in China for five months and Northern Ireland for four. Because Westminster college students can only study abroad for a year, Ipaye took the time to figure out what she wanted to see and was able to map out her 02.23.2011-03.08.201- 1 is Jeff Kiesel StaffWriter The Alumni Mentoring Program (AMP) is designed to develop students both personally and professionally by creatseriing interactions with working alumni. The program is a ous commitment, if a student misses a session or workshop it s likely theyll be dismissed from the program. This is the sixth year AMP has been at Westminster. It started as a pilot program partnering students and alumni, letting them interact as they pleased. Over the years the program has become more structured, making it different from other college programs. AMP partners students and alumni in a school-yearlopartnership, from September to April. The pairs meet or cone, on the phone nect for four or more hours a month or through email. The mentoring program offers students a glimpse into the world after college. The mentors can have real conversations with students about real life issues that students may be worried about. Laura Ward, a junior communication major, joined AMP because it gives her a chance to talk to alumni about issues common to college students, that will give her an edge in her professional and personal world. You get to talk to alumni about where you are headed in life. I still dont know where Im headed, but Im more comfortable about it, Ward said. Eric Nielsen, a senior environmental studies major and the business manager for The Forum, joined the program in his second college experience after spending thirty years in the restaurant business. He found the program useful for making contacts in his new field of study and sees its usefulness for students graduating for the first time. You get to hear real things that will happen when out in the working field, said Nielsen. Its a good insight on some things youll have to deal with in the professional world. There are also once monthly Saturday sessions, which feature different topics for the theme of each session. Sessions allow alumni to share their real life stories and experiences with students, or as Michelle Barber Lyhnakis, assistant director of Alumni Relations, who works with AMP, said, Tell their E! Hollywood True Story. These sessions and AMP as a whole are confidential, so the stories alumni bring are not sugarcoated. Some topics used for the Saturday sessions are trust, priorities and fears. These topics are also applied in the one on one individual mentoring sessions. After the sessions, students are able to provide feedback on the topics and the meetings as a whole. To apply for AMP there is an application to fill out and turn in with a resume and cover letter. After the application, resume, and cover letter are submitted, there is a panel interview before the applicant is approved for the program. The idea of this application process is to make the experience similar to the job application process. This process is something everyone will go through in their life, and its good to have the experience as a student without a job on the line, said Barber. Anyone can apply to be part of AMP, although priority is given to juniors and seniors. Despite this priority, there have been freshmen members of AMP. The student applicants are chosen, and then alumni mentors are found that are in the students particular field of study. Since the mentors are found for specific students, each pair is different. There are 36 mentor pairs, and 36 different types of relationships, said Barber. Since each mentor works in their students field of study, it is a great way for students to make connections and network in the professional world they hope to go into after graduation. The mentors dont get compensation for their involvement with the program, besides helping students in a time when they are confused and scared. They are there because they want to said Nielsen. Theyre not doing it be. be, because they care, cause it looks good on a resume, or to get a pat on the back from their boss. According to Barber, AMP candidates are those who are authentic, have a sense of themselves, and are open to learning about themselves and others. Applications for the Alumni Mentoring Program are due on March 7 . The application can be found online at ng face-to-fac- |
