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Show Monday, Nov. 5,,2007 + ...-i ...:.-.; ; -« -i—t-.-L-i-j -.._.i_4_ features@statesman.usu.edu • ' ^ | -' 1 j ; 1 ' 1- > 797-17^9 i ! S *fet"^ LEAVE LOGAN, FIND FRANCE By AMANDA MEARS staff writer Logan is a cold place to live during spring semester. Luckily, programs like Cafe Abroad are here to help. Thomas Arm, media coordinator for Cafe Abroad, said the study abroad program got its start in spring of 2007 and is a place for students to connect with each other about semester study abroad options. The program's Web site and magazine feature stories, experiences and upcoming activities from students who are currently studying abroad. Arm said it can be invaluable to students trying to decide where they would like to study abroad. "I've directed people to the Web site to read stories and see where they want to go," Arm said. "It's real students and real stories." Arm, junior majoring in psychology and math as well as premed at Hamilton College, said lie began working as a team manager in charge of organizing promotional events for Cafe Abroad when he was studying abroad in Athens, Greece. Arm said through promotional events he was able to meet many different people he still keeps in contact with. Arm said he encourages students to get involved with Study Abroad programs and to explore different options through Cafe Abroad. "It's just an amazing and valuable tool," Arm said. "The more students that use it, the more useful it would be." Current issues of Cafe Abroad magazine can be found in the USU Study Abroad Office, located in the Taggart Student Center Room 313. Kay Forsyth, Study Abroad director, said there are . Guys and their dumb sports restaurants [M See SPORT, page 8 IJ See ABROAD, page 8 Student says alcohol should be on campus US: Why did you pick your major? MS: Because I love learning about people and culture and I love to travel. I have traveled to a lot of places in South America including Ecuador, Peru and Brazil. I have traveled all over northern Europe. I counted once. It was like 13 countries in northern Europe. I have been to Australia and Mexico. A t Ruby Tuesday, the TVs are always tuned to some channel displaying sweaty men running back and forth dribbling, kicking or catching. They also sell hamburgers the size of football helmets. What more could men want? I went on a date there a while ago and was so excited when we got to sit at one of the tall tables-for-two with the swivel chairs. How fun. My date was excited too because the host seated us right in front of the big screen. He, of course, sat on the side of the table that faced the TV. I faced the tables behind him. He was in ESPN heaven, almost ready to order some sort of medium cooked meat, no doubt with mushrooms or onion tanglers and barbecue sauce. 1 would be ordering my staple baked chicken and broccoli pasta, and would be talking to a guy who, instead of staring at me, would be grazing his eyes above my forehead, still kind of listening, but making sure he didn't miss a touchdown. Pig. The purpose for places like Ruby Tuesday, Chili's, Iggy's and Wingers is so any breathing, sports-loving man can go to dinner, order greasy food and not worry about missing one inning of the World Series, or a auarter of the NBA or NFL. He can bring a girl along and she'll feel lucky to be asked out. And so long as the guy can get a good view of the tube, the date will practically be designed by Cod as far as the guy's concerned. It may be even better for him if he doesn't go on a date. I went out to Iggy's a couple months ago with two other girls and a guy. Because we were all going Dutch and there was no pressure to impress anyone, our guy friend not only stared at the enormous, strategically placed big screens, but at about every waitress and hostess he thought was attractive. In fact, after we had paid for our dinners, he conveniently let us walk ahead of him as we left the restaurant so he could get one of their phone numbers. Iggy's may as well have been created and brought to Logan just for him and all other men of his kind who are obsessed with three things - sports, food and ladies with phone numbers. I'm not saying there is anything wrong with going on dates or with friends to sporty restaurants. In fact, most of the ones I mentioned above are my favorite places to eat. Ruby Tuesday has good French fries, Chili's serves those mouth-watering chicken crispers, and I can't get enough of Winger's sticky fingers. The atmospheres are fun, laid-back and social. All I'm saying is it's obviously tacky when a guy is searching for the nearest football game in the middle of a conversation. The guy that I ate with at Ruby Tuesday said he thought ! wouldn't notice he was looking behind me when I made fun of him for it. Guys, just so you know, girls always notice. It's various magazines including Glimpse and Student Traveler that can also provide useful information to students about studying abroad. , "The format of (Cafe Abroad) is nice," Forsyth said. "It's a little glossier and glitzier, plus it has more stories by students." Forsyth said more than 200 USU students choose to travel abroad each year and the number continues to grow. The most popular places students want to go are England and Australia, but she said there are many programs that are offered for all types of majors. With so many choices, picking a place to study abroad can be overwhelming, she said. However, Forsyth said there are plenty of resources for students. "A lot of the time students come in with no background and that's just fine," Forsyth said. "We talk about what they are interested in. There are so many options, it's really exciting." Forsyth said she also suggested talking to professors from USU that travel to companion schools to teach for a semester. They can provide a lot of valuable knowledge, she said. A list of all professors currently involved can be found at the Study Abroad Office. In addition stopping by the office, students can check the Web site at www.usu.edu/studyabroad. Here, Forsyth said students will find travel information, including how to get low-cost airfare to minimize costs. There is also information on scholarships, which Forsyth said one or two students from USU receive each year. Forsyth said there are many programs through Study Abroad that let cost-conscious students study around US: How did you finance all of these trips? MS: I work a lot. 1 have worked since I was 14. Being a student, a lot of these trips have been school sponsored. I studied abroad in Holland and I have done two programs in Peru as a student, so student financial aid has helped. I'm not die-hard but 1 really like it, but I don't have so much time. My friends, especially, would think that was weird. US: If you got to have a private plane ride and you could invite three people in the world, who would you invite? MS: Jane Goodall would be one. It seems so horrible, but Brad Pitt is so beautiful. The Dali Lama. I don't think he would come but I would really like him to. US: What would Brad Pitt be wearing? MS: Maybe nothing. Brad Pitt in nothing, me and Jane Goodall could probably do some fun things with that. Physically there would be no competition from Jane. US: What jobs have you had? MARY SUNBLOOM, SENIOR IN ANTHROPOLOGY A N D INTERNATIONAL STUDIES, said she has traveled to 13 European countries. DE&RA HAWKINS photo Caught on A Campus § Mary Sunbloom West Valley, Utah Senior Anthropology BySETH R. HAWKINS editor in chief Utah Statesman: Where are you from? MS: In high school, I worked for Ream's grocery store for four years. In college, I started working on campus at the Junction. The Junction was a good first job for a first semester. I've also worked for telemarketing and mostly recently I have been working on campus for some professors. Mary Sunbloom: West Valley City. The ghetto. US: Where do you want to end up? US: Why is it ghetto? MS: Working internationally. I really have a calling to Africa. I would really like to work there, probably in East Africa. I am drawn to Kenya and Tanzania. MS: Probably the highest crime in Utah. There were drive-bys in my neighborhood but 1 never personally experienced it. I heard about it. US: Was your school rough? MS: As rough as Utah gets. US: What is your secret nerdy passion? MS: I don't think my passions are nerdy but other people probably would. I really like to scrapbook. US: What was your favorite TV show in the '90s? MS: I really like the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. I used to be able to sing the song from the beginning. US: Are you still a big Will Smith fan? MS: Occasionally I still have to pull out the 'Gettin' jiggy wit it.' US: If you could be any Power Ranger, what color would you be? MS: I don't know much about the Power Rangers. I would have to say yellow because I like yellow because it is like energy and sun. US: If you could break any law and get away with it, what law would you break? USee CAUGHT, page 7 |