What's your happy place? (Open Thread)

As this semester is coming to a close and the cold weather approaching, I catch myself thinking back to when I was relaxing on a beach in 85 degree weather.

Everyone has their "happy place" they go to in order to de-stress and get ready to kick some ass!















https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9LKeD3rHaNY

^^ An example of Happy Gilmore's happy place which helps him focus and relax in a stressful situation.



Where do you feel comfortable? What makes you relaxed? How do you deal with stress?

Comment below with your way to de-stress or where your "happy place" is!

Internships= Important

Internships have gained a bad reputation throughout the years due to the media. Such as interns only making people coffee, copies and doing paperwork... things that require little to no skill or degree. Obviously this is not true. Throughout my years in college, I have learned that an internship in college is basically required in order to get a job after graduation. Employers want to hire someone who they don't have to train since the applicant already possesses the desired skills since training a new hire costs time and money. 

Other than valuable job experience, internships also prepare you for the working world. Simple jobs most of us had during high school or college don't really provide you with a professional environment. Even dressing up everyday and sitting in a cubicle somehow makes a person act more professionally. 

I got my first internship last summer at Bentley Systems in Exton. I worked full time (40 hours) a week from May to August. Although it sucked giving up my summer, I gained many transferrable skills I know I will be able to utilize in the future as well as showcasing them on my resume. 

Being in a space where you can network and make connections is important for your future. Having these resources who could write recommendations and vouch for you is such a necessity now a days... It's all about who you know! Even interacting with professionals in a certain area helps you grow and learn more than any class could teach. Many interns have the opportunity to formally get hired long term for their company. 

Although it is difficult to even find an internship, my advice is to apply apply apply and apply early!! I probably sent out over 20 resumes and cover letters to many companies. I was lucky enough to hear back from some and even got a few interviews. It is important to not be picky in where to apply. I was focusing on a certain position rather than the industry itself. Because I narrowed my choices, there were not many options for me in the end. Luckily Bentley reached out and I spent my summer with them. I feel more confident and prepared for the future because of this.

Good Luck!

Volunteering Abroad

Since the after-college cloud is constantly looming over my head, I decided to reach out to my friend I studied abroad with. After we went to Cyprus, she went away to Bali on a month- long volunteer trip with IVHQ (International Volunteer HQ). 

"Established in July 2007, IVHQ has grown to become the world’s leading volunteer travel company, working in over 25 countries around the world and placing thousands of volunteers abroad every year."

I feel like the only time to travel around the world is after college. Before you know it, you are tied down with a career and a family. I have to get rid of the travel bug before my wings are cut, pessimistically speaking..

Anyway, I started to research opportunities to volunteer across the world, particularly Asia. In my travels, I've never made it there, which I feel like requires way longer than just a weekend trip. 

 

IVHQ offers volunteer opportunities in teaching, childcare, community development, medical, construction and renovation, turtle conservation and wildlife conservation.There are many opportunities in various countries that are of interest.

However, as broad as these volunteer categories are, as a Communication Studies major I feel like I could do something with a much larger impact.

I then did a general Google search on volunteering abroad and was shocked at how many programs are offered. I always thought the Peace Corps was the only program to offer a wide variety of opportunities in foreign countries. Though many programs offer a fee, the experience is generally considered "priceless." 

It's hard preparing to be in "the real world"- it's actually terrifying having the world at your feet! 

Volunteering abroad is a feasible option to be able to travel and make a change at the same time. 

Zodiac

As I mentioned earlier, I am really into zodiac signs and their characteristics. It blows my mind how accurate horoscopes are for each person. Some might say it's a hoax, that horoscopes can relate to everybody. I did research the Forer Effect which states that people will believe the descriptions only apply to them, however the characteristics are generally vague and could in fact relate to anyone.

It really comes down to what you choose to believe; a skeptic would hold doubt over any horoscope they read. But the interpretations of  zodiac signs vary from person to person. When I was young my mom would always read me my horoscope in the paper. I never really listened and kind of tuned her out.. (sorry mom!) However, in college I started to research the signs and relate the respective characteristics to my friends personalities.


For instance, a Scorpio is generalized as a possessive, jealous, stubborn person who is also loyal and passionate. I have two Scorpio roommates who are completely opposite, but both possess these characteristics completely. I don't believe the Forer Effect because I am completely opposite from other sign's traits.

Even meeting people for the first time, we always ask what their sign is. It just shapes their personality and gives a sense of what they are like. I don't base my life around zodiac signs as much as I used to like reading the same horoscope 5 times a day. Although, it was crazy how throughout the day the same daily horoscope would change in meaning, showing my different mindsets and emotions at the time.


The reason I dedicated a whole posting to zodiac signs is because, personally I feel like my horoscope defines me and gives me optimism for the future. If I embody my characteristics and follow my passion I believe I will be successful in life.

I want to hear what other people think about horoscopes! Comment below anything relating to zodiac signs such as stories or beliefs, even calling them bs.. The only way to learn is with an open mind!

Surviving Ryan Air

I am going give some background first:

In the spring of 2013, I studied abroad on the island of Cyprus. I hastily applied to a program named "Semester in the Mediterranean" which was an extremely appealing program title. Also, in my haste I thought I was going to be studying in Italy. Once I got accepted, I was raving how excited I was to be studying abroad in Italy and my mom corrected me saying, "Oh no, Cyprus is in Greece." I was a little disappointed, but still decided Greece would be fun too. Only a few months before I was set to fly off, I decided to finally look at a map. To my utter shock and disbelief, Cyprus was an independent country... in the Middle East.

However, spending 4 months on this island being the only Americans was an eye-opening experience which is now close to my heart. Since this island was in the middle of many countries, I was able to travel to many many places:

Egypt, Turkey, Morocco, Greece, Italy, Spain, Ireland & Poland

The only way I was able to go to all these places is because of a little gem named Ryan Air. The flights are generally very cheap, but you get what you pay for! 

Ryan Air is known for getting your money with sneaky charges. Right from the start, when you are booking a flight on their website, read everything!! They try to charge for every little thing, even to book a seat when you can sit anywhere on the flight!! This part of the booking took a while to figure out how to get around, but just don't rush through the fine print.

If you don't print out your boarding passes ahead of time, there is a ridiculous charge of 70 euros to print it out at the airport. So make sure you have the boarding pass for each flight, including each way of a round trip.

Also, the main kicker- you are only allowed 1 carry-on that has to fit in a little box before you get on the plane. Not even a purse is allowed! I struggled with this so much!! On my way back from Morocco, I bought so many souvenirs that I had to wear every article of clothing I owned in order to get my bag to fit.

 how ridiculous is this?!

Once on the flight, the only plus is you get to choose your own seat. I would recommend boarding from the back since the front is generally crowded.

Usually European flights offer food and other amenities free of charge. However, Ryan Air leaves the lights on the entire flight!! They have announcements every once in a while offering lottery tickets, food and other gimmicks. Just leave on your headphones and make sure you have a sleep mask. 

As much as a pain this airline is, the bottom line is it gets you places. I wouldn't have been able to go to all of these amazing countries if it wasn't for Ryan Air. 

It's time for the United States to get an airline like this!!!

Everywhere Ryan Air covers

The future is not slowing down...

What I am going to do once I graduate is always in the back of my mind. Before I know it, I'll be a college graduate with the world at my feet. It is terrifying. I've always been optimistic about the future although I have no idea where I will/want to end up. Recently, I've been banking on moving in with my brother who lives in NYC until I form a plan. 

My mother backpacked across Europe when she graduated college and had the time of her life. My brother went to China for a month after he graduated. I really want to go explore the world while I have the opportunity: before I start my career and fresh out of college. However, none of my close friends have any interest in traveling the world with me. 

Come this winter, I am going to have to start applying for jobs!! I've had my fair share of jobs in my life and even had a full time internship last summer. But I get so fed up with doing the same thing over and over and being in the same place! Choosing a job that I will have for years just makes me feel uneasy. Like a caged bird. Even though I have an older brother who just went through the same thing I have, he is completely different from me. He loved school and learning, so after college he got a job doing something that he loves. 

Either way I'm not moving back home... I'm just waiting for an epiphany rather than a midlife crisis!

Welcome

Hello! I am a senior at West Chester University majoring in Communication Studies and minoring in Web Technology. This blog is going focus on my love of travel and trying to figure out what I am going to do once I graduate college. I have no idea what is in store for me come May 2015, so this blog will detail my journey towards graduation.

Unlike many of my classmates, I do not know what I want to be in the future. If any of you follow horoscopes, I am a Sagittarius to a T. I value my freedom and am extremely optimistic about the future. Choosing a career for the rest of your life is terrifying especially if you are as  indecisive and all over the place as me! Here's to the last year before I enter the "real world"...!

Blog Roll

Here are some blogs that relate to my topic:

http://thegraduates.blogs.nytimes.com

http://blog.aftercollege.com

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/travel-blogs

http://www.lifeafterstudyabroad.com

Technology Narrative

Technology Narrative

I usually write my papers on computers, though it is easier for me to edit them on paper. Usually when I am about to start a project I brainstorm ideas in a notebook before I begin typing. The worst thing about starting an essay is opening a blank Word document and trying to start the paper. Once the first couple of sentences are written, the rest comes rather easily.

Most teachers would prefer their assignments to be submitted electronically which forces students to use computers for their work. West Chester University uses D2L for all of their classes, so in order to keep up with the classes students must have access and familiarity with computers.

I am familiar with Microsoft Word, PowerPoint and Excel as well as Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator. I am not sure what career path I will pursue after college, but after my internship this summer I realized how much work is done on computers. From emails to conference calls, and documents, everything is done on a computer. I could not imagine my internship without computers now that I think of how much is really done using technology.

It is really important to learn how to use computer applications for the future. I am currently taking a course on HTML, which I have found is very valuable to have under your belt when looking for a job. These days with social media being so prevalent, being able to generate content and understand cyberspace is extremely important. Social media allows you to brand yourself to others using posts and displaying pictures.

The social media platforms I use personally are Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Tumblr. Although nowadays with smart phones and tablets, desktop computers are not used as much. Our generation has established an urgent and efficient manner in which technology should be used on the go. I remember when I was younger we got our first computer. When someone wanted to use the internet, we could not use the house phone because of the dial up connection. The amount technology has grown in my lifetime is incredible and threatening at the same time. If this much progress has been made in the last 10 years, I am anxious what the next 10 years will bring!

Composing cyberspace is a critical act so you do not fall through the cracks. Companies take advantage of technology and utilize it to fit their brand and pursue marketing endeavors. Refusing to use computers is such a disadvantage in this day and age. Being able to brand yourself or your company online is important to understanding cyberspace.