Studying Abroad

So, I applied in December 2009 for the opportunity to study abroad for the spring semester in Maastricht, Netherlands. I found out the second week of January that I would be going. Since it was so surreal to me to graduate from high school, and then even more astonishing to be accepted at Grand Valley State University, I have been ecstatic to have this opportunity. And the full effect has yet to fit me. I have my passport, travel insurance, the fight schedules, and I still feel blocked, I think that would be the right word to describe how I am feeling, from the full range of emotions that this opportunity should provide. I think I have just a little longer before the wall falls, and I am hit with the full impact.

Today we have our first mandatory informational meeting, so everyone that will be going will be there. I believe there are 16 other GVSU students who will be led by 2 GVSU faculty members, Pat Bloome and Laura VanderBroek. As of right now, I know we will be staying in the International Dorms at the University of Maastricht. I also know we have some sort of role in the local grade schools there, I am thinking we will be tutoring for the English Language. I am hoping to work with at least fifth graders, if not middle school.

Learning and Teaching

SO it's my senior year, definitely not my last year but close, and I am just feeling like I have it figured out. BUT, if there is anything I have learned from studying the English language it's this: There is always an exception. And really it holds so much truth and meaning for my life all around. I may feel like I am adjusting to the rigor of college studies, but as my usual self, I continue to question my ability to excel in the ART of teaching. I have been working with two students this semester and it has proved to me how much will be expected of me as a teacher. It scares me because I know the retention rate of new teachers is low and I don't want to forget during my first years any of the small and large reasons for choosing this profession. I know it will take me a while to get into the swing of things and figure out the class will run. An each time I get a new class I will be better at figuring it out. I just hope it doesn't take too long. I want to figure it out before I become the stark-raving, screaming, ornery teacher (like the ones I have run across recently).

A New Kind of Senior Year

So I was reading a status comment someone had left on FaceBook. They were talking about having to soak up all the fun now and stop complaining about the hard work because it was their last year before the real world. I realized I don't have to feel that way because I will be here another four semesters. I will graduate in December of 2011. You know what? I am not sad about being here longer. I also remember over hearing someone's phone conversation on the Rapid bus during my sophomore year. It was rainy that day I remember and I just finished classes for the day and was heading back home. He too was saying how he had to soak it all up now. I am assuming he was a senior. But he also was saying how "once you have it figured out, your done." At the time I was having a hard time with my classes. I was sick of all the work without seeing any benefits. BUt now I appreciate his observation, for it is true. I am just figuring this whole college thing out, and can't imagine trying to rush out of here. Between learning how to study, being in classes and learning things that I am passionate about, I am glad it is not ending so soon. I feel like I finally have a hold on things. I have four semesters to further develop my passion of education and teaching. I have that chance to keep good grades and invest in opportunities that will be beneficial to me when I get into the field.

President Obama's National Address to Students

While listening to President Obama's Speech the first thing that really stood out to me was his ability to relate to the students. He constantly reminded them that he too was a student once; a student that made mistakes but did not allow those mistakes to define who he was or who he would become. I find that it is important for students, especially at the high school age, to be reminded of future and its endless possibilities. The situation that they are in now doesn't have to determine their future. They can change their circumstances IF they have the will to take responsibility for themselves. Students can often be so consumed with what is going on at that time and how they feel at that moment. A leader like President Obama, regardless of political views, stands as a good role model to the students of America
He reminds them that you can change your circumstances as he did.

After listening to President Obama's speech, a point he mentioned which had made the largest personal impact on me was his being a first generation college student. I myself am a first generation college student. It is one of the hardest obstacles to overcome. I work for a student support organization which helps students achieve their goals. Our target population is students of first generation college attendance. Without the support of others who understand what I am trying to over come, I do not believe I would have made it this far. For our President to have come from a background and to represent a greater majority of the population of the United States is amazing. I believe his role will have a positive influence on many students of American. I can only hope that he will do his BEST to advocate strongly for the student support services offered by programs such as TriO, so that we can keep our responsibilities to our country and make it out into the endless possibilities that wait for us upon our graduation.

Melanierose

I am about to turn 22. I stated my fourth year at GVSU two days ago. I am studying English with an Elementary Education distributed minor. During the course of my studies with thsi subject matter I have unearthed my love and passion for reading and writing, both of which have an amazing tendency to explore the meaning of one's life and how we relate to others. Therefore I have decided to start this blog to help me understand more of my own life and to help me gain insight to lives of others as well. I guess that's all I am going to start with; A little more structured and rigid than the rest of my thoughts will tend to be, I promise.