June 30th, 2008
There are internships and study abroad programs available all over the world. Students report back that this experience is life altering. When they return, they are more focused and clear on their career objectives. Often this experience is a motivator to make it to the goal which is graduation.
Studentsabroad.state.gov/ is a web good site to explore. The focus is college students studying and traveling internationally so it is also a good site for students taking a gap year for travel. This site provides tips for safe travel, instructions on what to do in an emergency, information on the location of embassies, instructions on applying for visas, even how to vote overseas.
Some dates to be aware of are the XXIX Summer Olympic Games in Beijing and also the Beijing Paralympic Summer Games.
Do you have a student that has studied or traveled abroad during their college experience? Let other parents know what your experience has been.
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June 16th, 2008
Here is a good web site to have: www.securityoncampus.org
Security On Campus, Inc. has a brochure which explains to you, your parental rights to be notified if your student is involved in risky behavior. Check out this site. Type in “parent notification form” to find that particular page.
This site is not to alarm you but to give you good information. Remember, it takes a village. Lets keep the kids safe so they can finish growing up to be successful adults!
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June 7th, 2008
This week when I was cruising the internet doing research, I discovered a great web site that will give you the crime statistics for all major universities. The stats for 6000 institutions of higher learning are available.
www.securityoncampus.org/crimestats/index.html
Check out the school your student attends or they are thinking of attending.
My next posting, I will tell you how to be informed if your student is involved with campus police!
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June 4th, 2008
This past week, I entered a new world… The World of Book Publishing. The BEA was held in Los Angeles, California. Now, I love going to Barnes and Noble or any large book store and I can spend hours perusing the aisles. The BEA was eye candy for the book lover. This was the place to meet the publishers, the sales people and the authors behind all those books we love to touch and read. It was an amazing experience. I saw so many young authors, I feel sure this next generation will provide us with plenty of good reading material. Publishing is also an amazing career for a student who is a journalist or has an interest in marketing and business that also has a love of books. It could be a good career choice.
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May 12th, 2008
Many parents are spending one-third of their income on a college education.
Statistics from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development show that the U. S. ranks:
• First in government spending on education;
• 18th in high school graduation rates;
• 10th among countries in 25-35 year-olds who have college degrees; and
• First among countries with 55-65 year-olds who have college degrees.
These are just some interesting statistics but it is food for thought. College is a major investment. Include your student in financial discussions so they know where the money is coming from and what their responsibilities are.
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May 6th, 2008
Check out this web site. It is the best on the web in my opinion. 18 minute videos on all kinds of topics which make you think and feel awe for some amazing people doing amazing things.
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April 28th, 2008
“The Song of Bernadette” is a movie classic released in 1943. This is the story of St. Bernadette Soubirous Bernadette’s community, which included her school, was skeptical of her because she was “different”. We need to be aware of how we relate to young people, students that are different. They may be special in their own unique way; in fact there is a good chance they are… We have students that have different learning styles that arrive at college with all kinds of talents. College provides a great time for them to “come out” and be who they are without all the tags they had when they were in high school. Many college students blossom and thrive at college. Maybe they were not “popular” in high school but now they have the opportunity to redefine themselves. They can experience success. I love to see kids, finally have their “time in the sun”. I see “nerds” become the popular one… The shy student finds their voice. Someone that never had the chance to perform, become a star… This is what college is about.
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April 14th, 2008
In these times leadership is more important than ever and there is so much we can learn from the leaders of our past.
I have found that Winston Churchill is popular with the college audience. When we have spoken to this age group, we are always amazed at their questions and their insights. Did you know that Churchill is the third most quoted source to this day. (The Bible and Shakespeare are the first two.) His life lessons are great tools for the leaders of tomorrow.
Here’s a favorite Churchill quote : “Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen.”
Take a minute to share one of your favorite quotes below.
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April 7th, 2008
Summer Jobs for High School Students
That Prepares Them for College
For the Entrepreneurs
- Cleaning Services
- Yard Maintenance Service
- Car Detailing Business
- Pet Sitting Service. Summer is vacation time.
- P.C. tutor – Help adults learn how to use their computers
- Catering – Help a busy household with meals.
- Painting. Start with outside jobs.
- Errands
- Messenger and delivery services
- If your student has a talent, have them market it.
Traditional Jobs
- Have your student talk to family and friends.
- Hotels and Resorts
- Grocery Stores. This is a great place to start.
- Fast Food Restaurants.
- Is your family a member of a tennis club? Golf club? Apply.
- Park and Recreation Departments. Summer Job Programs.
- Local Government Summer Job Programs.
- Camp Counselor/C.I.T. (Counselor in Training Program)
- Take a college level course at a Community College.
Volunteer Jobs
- Local Library
- Animal Shelter or Bird Sanctuary
- Trail and Beach Clean-up
- Working at a co-op
- Providing Random Acts of Kindness to those in need.
***It is never too early to start building a resume. Every job a student has is an experience, another tool in their tool box that sets them apart from others.***
Do you have some ideas? Please share. Post any idea you have for a student who is looking for a summer activity.
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March 31st, 2008
I have lived overseas and as a college expert I can see the value of a cross cultural experience for the college student. The United States is a country of immigrants but contrary to countries such as Europe and Australia, we do not always expose our youth to other cultures. Opinions are made from being exposed to cultures in the neighborhoods of the USA. For example, China town, the border towns of Mexico, little Italy…
The education our college students receive should not be limited to the class room. There are some amazing semester abroad programs that will change your student forever. It opens their eyes to a bigger world. I also think it introduces tolerance for cultures outside our own.
Visit this web site for an example of a study abroad program in China: www.allianceglobaled.org . Brian D. Hammer, Ph.D. is the Director of this Shanghai Program. Another program I am familiar with is through NYU. Steven Paul Bielinski is the Student Life Coordinator. These are just two examples of programs available for college students.
Not to worry, students earn college credits while studying abroad. They also make contacts that may come in handy after graduation. The best part is, its fun, educational and life altering.
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