February 2013 Edition
For many, Spring Break means relaxation, fun, and a time to let loose. The possibilities
seem limitless with destination and alternative break options. Regardless of how your
student spends their break, you can help insure that it is memorable for the right
reasons. Encourage them to plan ahead. This means researching, securing documents,
being safe, and expecting the unexpected.
- There is no need to worry needlessly while your student is away. Know their itinerary
(travel route, flight/airline information, accommodations, traveling companions, and
planned activities).
- Review your insurance policy. All insurances do not provide coverage throughout the
US and abroad. Talk to an agent about purchasing health insurance to use during their
trip, if applicable.
- For a peaceful mind, give your student the gift of a pre-trip vehicle inspection and
encourage them to buckle up. Make sure fluids are at suitable levels (oil, coolant,
windshield washer, and transmission), the tires are appropriately inflated and not
worn, and all lights are working properly.
- Encourage them to apply/ renew their passport well in advance of their travel. It
can take up to 6 weeks to process a new application.
- Immunizations might be required for travel abroad. Winthrop's Travel Clinic offers
destination-specific pre-travel assessments, vaccines, preventive medicine prescriptions,
and health and safety information for those traveling abroad, by appointment at Health
Services.
- Sunscreen of SPF 15 or greater is beneficial for all skin types. It should be applied
to the full body and reapplied often. Sunglasses and a wide brim hat can give added
protection from the sun's ultraviolet rays.
You should be confident that your student will continue to behave responsibly. For
some, partying means alcohol. Alcohol can have some dangerous side effects, like
dehydration, lowered inhibition, and delayed response, which can make one a more likely
target for crime or assault. Tell them it's perfectly acceptable to not consume alcohol.
If alcohol is likely to be consumed, share the following.
- Alternate alcoholic drinks with water or non-alcoholic beverages.
- Advise them to drive sober and choose a designated driver before going out or call
a taxi/car service to take them back to their hotel.
- Advise them to drink plenty of water. Heat intensifies the effects of alcohol to
dangerous levels. Never consume alcohol while in a hot tub or sunbathing.
- Encourage your student not to leave their drink unattended to avoid it being spiked,
order a fresh drink if it was unattended or if they're uncertain, and only accept
their drinks from the bartender/waiter.
Center for Student Wellness makes every effort to equip our students with the knowledge
and skills to make informed decisions. We encourage them to abstain, practice safe
behaviors, and understand the risks associated with their choices.
- While you do not want to think of your child being sexually active, it is a reality
for some. Encourage them to have adequate protection against unintended pregnancies
and infections.
- Encourage them to only go out with their friends, stay with their group, and establish
a "code word" or "signal" for when they need help getting away from someone making
them feel uncomfortable.
Make time to talk with your student about their plans and share this information accordingly.
Now that the spring 2013 semester is underway, it's time to encourage your student
to plan ahead for the summer! Planning at least a semester in advance for an internship
or a job search is a good rule of thumb. This allows for ample time to get a resume
written or updated, to perfect a cover letter and of course — to start the search!
At the Center for Career Development and Internships, we offer assistance to Winthrop
students regarding internship, job searches and much more. Encourage your student
to make an appointment with us — it's free!
While summer may seem far away to your student, taking action right now can help them
be prepared and ready for a fantastic internship or job experience during the summer
months. And while you may already know this — we thought it might be helpful to share
some key events and opportunities your student can take advantage of this semester
to help them with this process:
Career Spotlight Series: We bring in employers from diverse industries to talk to students about their company
and the type of candidates they typically look for — this is a great networking and
learning experience for students at any level. Companies often utilize this time to
talk about any internship programs or job opportunities they may have for students/soon
to be graduates.
Our first event of the semester in this series is TQL (Total Quality Logistics) on
Thursday, January 31 from 11 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. in DIGS 114. Other examples of employers
in this series include Enterprise Holdings and Family Dollar Corporate. Lunch is provided.
Career Fairs: During the spring semester, we host three unique career fair events. These events
are a perfect opportunity for students & alumni to connect with recruiters for internships,
part time jobs and full time employment. Professional dress is required to attend
these events — so make sure your student has something appropriate to wear hanging
in their residence hall or apartment closet! We encourage students to schedule an
appointment prior to the fairs to work on updating their resume and perfecting their
60 second introduction.
Summer & Part-time Jobs Fair — Tuesday, February 19, 2013, 10 a.m. -1 p.m. (DIGS lobby)
Education Career Fair — Wednesday, February 20, 2013, 9:30 a.m. - 12 p.m. (Richardson
Ballroom)
Career Showcase — Thursday, February 21, 2013, 10 a.m.- 1 p.m. (Richardson Ballroom)
Careers over Coffee: These casual events bring our services to your student — we offer drop in hours in
different locations such as common areas or Residence Halls so if your student has
a quick question or wants some tips on how to prepare for an interview or the career
fairs, we can help without them having to schedule a formal appointment. We also provide
free coffee for the residence hall locations!
Upcoming "on location" hours include:
Thomson Lobby - February 5, 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Wofford - February 11, 10 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Richardson - February 12, 10 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Phelps - February 13, 10 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
No matter if your student is a freshman or a senior, our office can provide assistance
and resources to help them feel prepared. From finding part time jobs to selecting
a graduate school — we are ready! Encourage your student to take advantage of the
resources available to them through Center for Career Development and Internships.
For a full overview of our services, visit us
online.
My name is Gabrielle Corn, and I would like to share my study abroad experience with
you. As I write this, my heart aches with nostalgia. I studied abroad last spring
in Sevilla, Spain, and it was one of the best experiences of my life.
Through my time spent abroad, I have come to believe that travel is one of the best
educational tools available, and that traveling opens doors to a wealth of opportunities
that wouldn't have been available by staying at home. Since my first trip overseas
to Italy as an au pair at the age of 14, I have seized every opportunity possible
to travel. Naturally, I made it a goal of mine to study abroad while in college. However,
as a student-athlete, leaving the country for an entire semester seemed impossible.
Fortunately, my soccer coaches realized how important it was that I have this experience,
and gave me their blessings.
I chose to spend a semester in Spain because I am minoring in Spanish and knew that
I had to fully immerse myself in the language and culture if I ever wanted to improve.
I was fortunate enough to meet great friends who were patient and understanding, and
sincerely wanted to help me become fluent in Spanish. My host parents were outstanding
and took me in as their own child. There is not a day that goes by that I do not think
of these people who have influenced my life so deeply. They shared their world with
me and taught me the Sevillian way of life.
Not only did I meet lifelong friends but I learned so much more than any book or class
could teach me. True learning invokes all the senses; the smells, sights, sounds and
emotions surrounding you. I danced their traditional dance called Sevillanas at the
Feria de Abril, dressed in the traditional flamenco dresses, I watched the sacred
processions during Semana Santa until the sun came up, I ate tapas every Friday night
with my friends, and my Spanish momma taught me how to cook typical Spanish dishes.
But most importantly I learned how to live their lifestyle and motto, "no pasa nada,"
which means "no worries." Basically, I learned how to more fully enjoy life, in every
minute and every aspect of it with a deeper passion.
The experiences gained by those who travel will help them become more marketable to
employers and to be more understanding of the world and its people. A four-year degree
is not complete without an experience abroad that challenges the individual and expands
one's horizons.
If you or your student is interested in learning more about these exciting opportunities,
e-mail the International Center or call 803/323-2133. We look forward to helping your student
embark upon this amazing adventure!
You have made it to the spring semester! We have had a lot of new things happening
here with Winthrop University Dining Services.
We just had a grand opening for our NEW location in the DiGiorgio Campus Center. "The
Wedge" is a new create-your-own salad concept. It's fresh, simple and green! We also
offer fresh baked potatoes and a soup of the day. Students may use their meal plan
during the designated times to get a combo from The Wedge.
We also have a new station in the Thomson Caf. The Mongolian Grill at Thomson Caf
is a create-your-own stir fry option where you choose your vegetables, rice or noodles
and sauce — then we stir fry it for you right there. It's a perfect way to get a customized
meal.
It's a new semester and commuter students still have time to purchase a meal plan!
Better yet, purchase a meal plan with a GREAT incentive. Purchase any commuter plan
and receive a coupon book for the entire semester — that's a $70 value! It's easy,
simple and saves money while dining on campus. We have six plans commuters may choose
from — two created specifically for commuters. To purchase, your student can log onto
their Wingspan account and choose the meal plan of their choice — this will be charged
to their student account. If you would like to pay it immediately, you can go to the
Cashiers Office and pay — otherwise it will be placed on your next bill from the university.
For more information please check our
website and click on "Meal Plans" — if you have any questions, please feel free to contact
Dining Services at 803/323-2119.
Hope to see you this spring dining on campus!
Winthrop University students contributed their time and talents on Martin Luther King
Jr. holiday to area agencies and service projects as part of a day of giving back.
They were joined by York Technical and Clinton Junior College students to form a 236-member
volunteer force.
On Jan. 21, they gathered at the Richardson Ballroom at the DiGiorgio Campus Center
to organize. Before disembarking for the service projects, teams listened to words
of wisdom from Angelo Geter `08, a Clinton Junior College employee, who encouraged
them to contribute to change.
Coordinators Jill Wahlbrink and Justine Knudson said there was a big emphasis on education
and reflection in this MLK day of service.
Here is a rundown, by the numbers:
- The 236 volunteers provided 472 hours of service to 32 projects.
- Students served 81 senior citizens at Green Street Independent Living Facilities,
Agape Senior and the Adult Enrichment Center with a "Living History" project. The
object was for students to learn what the elderly in the community did when they were
in their 20s. The senior participants were left with booklets to document their stories
and share with their families.
- Volunteers worked with 185 youth at the Boys and Girls Club at Northside and Fort
Mill and at the YMCA in Rock Hill. Activities included: making handprints, posters
and bookmarks; singing songs; reading books; and playing games related to Martin Luther
King Day.
- Participants picked up 34 bags of trash as part of Adopt-a-Highway.
- Students created two new plots in a community garden near the campus.
- Volunteers posted 162 flyers about domestic violence, sexual abuse, HIV/AIDS and STDs
- Students sorted items at Pilgrims' Inn and Safe Passage, painted a mural and cleaned
the property at A Place for Hope, painted picnic benches at the Children's Attention
Home and organized clothes, toys and other items at the Tender Hearts Thrift Store.
At their service sites, participants sent photos of their groups in action via cell
phones to include in a slideshow that was shown at the end of the day.
"Many students expressed interest in continuing to serve at the organization they
served," said Wahlbrink, who works at Winthrop as an AmeriCorps staff member with
the Center of Center for Career Development and Internships. "After serving, the students
did a formal reflection as a team."
The MLK Day was partially supported by a grant from the Global Learning Initiative.
Other sponsors were the Center for Career Development and Internships, Office of Multicultural
Student Life, Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs, Campus Compact grant, Council
of Student Leaders, Resident Student's Association and National Pan-hellenic Council.
