Assignment #3: Benefits of Studying Abroad

Recap: Benefits of Studying Abroad from Student Perspectives

While attending a university with nearly 300 unique and nationally-recognized study abroad programs, who wouldn’t want to take advantage of this opportunity and travel to a different country?

Michigan State University students who have participated in a study abroad program said their experiences have helped them to acquire and strengthen numerous transferable skills, while providing them with a global perspective that has enhanced their education.

MSU senior Logan O’Neil said problem-solving skills, time management, and versatility were among the main abilities that she strengthened while on her four-week program to the United Kingdom in 2012.

“I definitely feel more comfortable with change and adapting to unfamiliar situations,” said O’Neil.

While in Costa Rica, MSU junior Bronson Herman said he taught at the local high school where he made several presentations in Spanish, which significantly improved his public speaking skills.

“Giving presentations in English just seems like a breeze now,” he said.

Other than strengthening certain skills, Herman said traveling to a different country allowed him to observe the world from a different viewpoint.

“I’m more motivated to discuss issues abroad, rather than just domestic issues,” he said. “Seeing how influential the U.S. is on different countries is really eye-opening.”

O’Neil shares this sentiment and said she is always finding ways to draw on what she learned in order to keep her study abroad experience relevant in her everyday life.  

“Having an understanding that the world is so much larger than just the small town you’re from sounds so cliché, but once you go and experience it, there’s really nothing quite like it,” she said.

Assignment #3: Benefits of Studying Abroad

Preview: Benefits of Studying Abroad from the perspective of MSU Faculty and an Employer 

Michigan State University offers nearly 300 unique study abroad programs that provide students with numerous academic benefits which can better prepare them for their future career, according to Cheryl Benner, the communications manager for the Office of Study Abroad.

Although each program offers something different, Benner said acquiring and strengthening universal skills is the greatest benefit that any student can gain while studying in a different country.

“No matter where you travel to, you’re going to build skills that you can talk about in an interview,” said Benner. “When you go abroad, you learn to be more resourceful and adaptable, and those are skills that are going to resonate in any job.”

According to Human Resources Generalist Aaron Buchholz from Key Safety Systems, having a study abroad experience on a resume can be very valuable because it signifies to an employer that the individual has gained cultural awareness and strengthened their communication skills.

“Knowing the cultural nuances and how to work within another culture is huge,” said Buchholz.  “You’re five steps ahead of somebody who doesn’t have this experience.”

  

Assignment #2: Transitional Housing

Recap: Transitional Housing Perspective from Students 

A majority of Michigan State University students who have been affected by transitional housing said despite some challenges, this unfamiliar living situation was an overall positive experience. 

Although the third person in each transitionally housed dorm room was offered a new space to live by the end of the fall semester, 215 residents voluntarily chose to remain in their original housing assignments in 2013, according to Laura Cole from LiveOn. 

Freshman Garrett Patterson said although the lack of space for a futon is still an issue when visitors come over, he really enjoys his living situation and having an extra person to rely on in the first few weeks of school was really beneficial. 

He said after coordinating everything with his two roommates and dividing up the responsibilities for bringing certain necessities, having one person move out wouldn't have made sense. 

Lauren Friebe, another student who voluntarily has an additional roommate, said she would have never imagined making this decision at the start of the semester. 

“We thought our additional roommate was going to move out at first, but we became really close,” said Friebe.

She said having an extra person makes it hard to concentrate on studying sometimes, but the living situation is not as difficult as she anticipated.

Assignment #2: Transitional Housing

Preview: Residence Education and Housing Services' Stance on Transitional Housing 

Transitional housing continues to be an issue at Michigan State University because the number of incoming freshmen, transfer students, and returning residents are always changing, according to Assistant Director of Residence Education and Housing Services Charlie Thompson-Orsua. 

"Certainly there is some forecasting that can be done, but the numbers are always fluctuating," he said. "We try to do the best we can to be aware of it."

According to Laura Cole, the assistant manager of the Housing Assignments Office, the fall semester of 2013 saw an increase in transitional housing that affected 1,131 residents, compared to the 798 students impacted in 2012.

She said the increase was predictable because of a steady increase throughout the past three years, as well as the ongoing renovations of Butterfield and Landon residence halls, which currently make 700 rooms unavailable to residents on campus. 

As Butterfield and Landon will be completed by next fall, it is predicted that MSU will not have any transitional housing cases in 2014, said Cole via email.

Despite misconceptions about MSU’s intentions for utilizing transitional housing, Assistant Director of Communications for REHS Ashley Chaney said the university guarantees housing for all freshmen even if they must add an additional person to each room. 

"We have so much data that shows the impact of students who live on campus, and how that positively impacts their experience," she said. 

Assignment #1: The Fosters Recap

Recap 

As this week's episode of The Fosters unfolded, Brandon and Callie struggled to cope with the fact that they will soon be legally bound as brother and sister. 

This upcoming adoption has been an ongoing issue between the two individuals who fell in love a few months after the Fosters welcomed Callie and Jude into their home.

Earlier this week, Wyatt returned to Anchor Beach High School, and it appears that Callie is trying to rekindle her relationship with him so that she can move on from Brandon.

At the school’s Winter Ball, Brandon confronted Callie and tried to convince her that they can still be together, despite the adoption.

“We’re not related. We don’t share the same blood, there’s nothing wrong or illegal about that,” Brandon said. 

Callie said moving on is the only option because she can’t date Brandon while committing to her new family.

Following this argument, Callie was crowned Winter Queen and she went on to thank the other students for their support.

Minutes later, three students said that Callie allegedly brought alcohol to the dance in order to bribe students and secure her chances of winning. 

Police found a fake ID in Callie’s purse, along with text messages discussing her intent to offer alcohol in exchange for individual’s votes.

Upon reaching the police, Brandon said that he set Callie up.

 There is still further investigation taking place to determine whether or not Brandon was just trying to save Callie from being sent back to the juvenile facility.

Brandon said in addition to this incident, he is responsible for creating and selling fake ID’s to multiple other students.

Police arrested Brandon, but they later decided to drop the charges.