Newspapers / Meredith College Student Newspaper / Sept. 29, 1999, edition 1 / Page 2
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Kteradi^ Herald September 29,1999 2 Campus News Meredith student travels, studies in Kenya Elephants run through the nature preserves in Kenya. SuSMITTED BV KeU-V JONES Tracy Sumner Staff Wrtter For most college students, spring break means a vacation in Cancun, Mexico or time spent at home with friends and family. Last spring, Meredith College senior Kelly Jones had a different kind of vacation in mind; she spent the entire spring semester of her Junior year in Kenya, Africa. Most study abroad programs Student Adviser Apprecia tion Day and Dinner were held Wednesday, Sept. 22, to honor student advisers and to thank them for all of their hard work. According to Chrtssie Bum- gardner, directcw of First Year Experience, every year shortly after Orientation, Student Adviser Appreciation Day and T)inner are held to thank stu dent advisers for all their hard work during the summer and throughout the year. Bumgardner said that most people do not realize how much work actually goes into being a student adviser, and she explained that holding the Appreciation Day and Dinner is a way to recognize this work- Student advisers are not only responsible for helping fresh men and transfer students through Orientation, but they work during the summer to prepare and train for their duties as student advisers. They continue to carry out involve intensive language and cultural studies in Europe; however, Jones wanted to do something a little more exotic. “I didn’t really want to go to Europe,” she said. “I wanted to do something different and exciting.” She found what she was looking for in Boston Uni versity’s School for Field Stud ies. After an extensive applica tion process that included responsibilities throughout the year such as holding Freshmen Connections and assisting their advisees with registration for spring semester. Freshmen and transfer stu dents were notified that Stu dent Adviser Appreciation Day was coming up and they were encouraged to remember their essays and phone interviews, Jones was chosen to go to Kenya along with 33 other stu dents from various colleges and universities in the United States. The group, which included three professors, lived on a private ranch southeast of Nairobi, Kenya’s capital city. They were forced to live with out luxuries such as electricity ,and indoor plumbing. The students did field work involving wildlife manage ment, ecology and politics, which corresponded with Kelly’s area of study in biology and environmental sciences. They did extensive research projects and wrote papers deal ing with environmental conser vation and Kenyan economic and political structure. “We used our educational experi ences to help solve problems in Kenyan society,” Kelly said. The students also did a lot of activities that added to the experience of studying abroad. Aside from their normal schoolwork, the group traveled around Kenya visiting schools Student Adviser by doing something thoughtful. Student Adviser Apprecia tion Day was concluded with a dinner in the evening to honor the student advisers and to allow them time to relax and catch up with one another, according to Bumgardner. Sophomore Laura Koonce, a and doing community service projects. They went to four national parks in the country, observing the wildlife. and studying Kenya’s natural envi ronment. While it is common for col lege juniors in Kenya to study abroad, it is considered a very valuable experience for Ameri can students. More and more employers are looking to hire college graduates with over seas experience. “I definitely think more students should freshmen student advisor, com mented, “The dinner was very nice and we had a great evening.” At the dinner, awards were presented to two Student Advisers for the best gift given to advisees and for the best consider going abroad for a semester,” Jones said. “It is a really good educational experi ence, and you get to see other parts of the world. There is so much to see and so many places you want to go.” Jones, who is. captain of the Meredith tennis team, is plan ning to go to graduate school after graduation next spring. She is not sure exactly what kind of work she wants to do, but she is interested in interna tional jobs. “I would like to be back in Kenya working,” she said. Any student who is interest ed in Meredith Study Abroad is invited to attend a meeting on Thursday, Sept. 30, in the Chapel Commons Room at 9 p.m. Students who have stud ied abroad will be present to answer questions and share their experiences and pictures. ClxApel 'VITox'slij.jp Sep^.30: Rev. Kix*k Old- lATeeley tlon of NO name tag given to advisees. These categories were voted on by all the student advisers. Sophomore Katie Creech, a tr^flsfer stu dent advisor, explained that the din ner had a Hollywood theme so everyone was wearing huge . movie star glasses. Bumgardner stated. “Overall the day went extremely well; we had a fun. relaxing dinner and just hung out.” (L-R) Charlotte Phllen, Jenny Cosla and Missy Neff enjoy their Student AdviserAppreclation Dinner. ^OTO BV MUEDITH Ma»E Kelly Jones stands with two Masaal, natives of Kenya. Submitted by Koi.y Jones. Student advisers thanked for work Leesha Austin Stan Writer
Meredith College Student Newspaper
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Sept. 29, 1999, edition 1
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