They say that college is supposed to be the best four years of our lives. We're supposed to seize every opportunity possible, live every day as if it is our last, and go on a million adventures. The sad thing is most people follow the same routine all four years of college. They follow the same paths to classes, go to the same parties and bars, see the same students on their walks on campus, and never break away from their day to day life. I'll admit, I am one of the most timid people when it comes to trying something new, but once I do, I am always glad I did. There are so many opportunities and programs available to break us away from Lexington and our daily routines for a little while and allow us more adventure than our hearts could ever desire.
Education Abroad:
I know we all get annoyed with all the flyers, announcements, and sessions dedicated to studying abroad, but if you actually gave it a shot and experienced it, you'd be thankful for their persistence. Each year, UK alone has around 900 students who study abroad. UK offers Study Abroad, Research Abroad, Intern Abroad, Teach Abroad, and Service Abroad programs all across the world.
UK literally shoves in our faces the opportunity to meet people thousands of miles away, visit some of the most amazing places on the planet, explore a foreign culture, and have the time of your life! There are 3-4 week long summer programs, semester long programs, or year long!
I asked a few people who I know have studied abroad their thoughts:
Alyssa Wolfe, Alpha Gamma Delta, said “I loved being somewhere new, it changed my whole perspective, and opened my eyes to doing things on my own and becoming more independent. I'm still in touch with every single person I went abroad with, and I'm still close with all of them".
Garret Oien, Alpha Tau Omega, said, “spending a semester abroad helped me grow exponentially. And I can attribute that growth to the places I went, the people I met, and the experiences I had."
Tabi Krier, Alpha Gamma Delta, said, “Education Abroad provided with me with more than I could have ever asked for but most importantly, it gave me a 2nd home 3000 miles from my 1st one."
If you're interested in more info on one of the programs UK has to offer abroad, or you want to see what major-related programs are offered, you can check out their website at http://www.uky.edu/international/educationabroad or visit the Education Abroad office in the International Center at 310 Bradley Hall!
Semester Exchange:
UK also offers a program called the National Student Exchange where students can “exchange at one of nearly 200 campuses throughout the United States, Guam, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Canada at in-state tuition rates! As a member of the National Student Exchange Program (NSE), The University of Kentucky provides opportunities for full-time undergraduate students with a GPA of 2.75 or higher to exchange for a semester or an academic year".
Ever wanted to visit another state for a longer week? Maybe spend a semester skiing and studying in Colorado, or surfing on the California coast, or enjoying the beautiful terrain in Hawaii, or the hustle and bustle of NYC all while earning college credit and still being enrolled at UK?
Spending a semester at another school across the country is the perfect way to have some adventure and branch out from your day-to-day life!
For more info you can go to their website at: http://www.uky.edu/US/nse.html
Disney College Program:
To be honest, I am a little biased towards this program, probably because it has been the best semester of my life and I am not even done yet! Within one week, I knew I never wanted to leave!
How many other people can go visit Cinderella's castle every evening to see the Wishes firework show, or Animal Kingdom's Lion King show every afternoon, or drink around the world at Epcot on their day off, or ride Tower of Terror every other day at Hollywood Studies; or visit Universal Studios every weekend, or Daytona, Cocoa or Clearwater beach after an hour drive? How many people can interact with thousands of strangers every day, perform countless different jobs all over the property, and bring magic to every guest that walks through the door? How many people can say they work in the most magical place on earth while still in college? Walt Disney World and Disneyland, offer college students the opportunity to live and work in the parks for a semester with their college program internship! Straight from their website, the college program is described as: “a paid internship offering participants the opportunity to advance their strengths and interests, meet guests and cast members from around the world and take part in educational opportunities students can't get anywhere else. This truly unique program allows participants to network with leaders, take part in personal and career development classes, and build transferable skills such as problem-solving, teamwork, guest service and effective communication." There are 4 month (one semester) or 6 month (extended) programs!
I asked a few of my sorority sisters who have done the program as well what they thought!
Elizabeth Graves, Alpha Gamma Delta, said, “the friends you make down here will last a lifetime; the job you have will be the one you most remember but the experience you have had will take place over everything and it will always bring back the most amazing memories."
Lastly, Korinne Henrickson, Alpha Gamma Delta, said, “the most important thing about this opportunity for me has been how much I've grown from it all. It was really hard being away from family and working so many hours at first, but now I realize how good it is for me. It's not only a blast getting in to the parks and all of the perks, but I honestly feel more prepared for the real world and know that the challenge of the program is going to be worth it at the end."
The emotion that arises just from thinking about all I have encountered and accomplished in these short months is hard to contain. It took everything I had to allow myself to say yes to Disney, and I have thanked myself every day for letting go of my inhibitions and taking this leap.
For more info and to apply you can go to: http://cp.disneycareers.com/en/default/
