Students’ Views

The beginning of the spring semester is a busy time of the year at Southwestern. This year, the first two days of school were canceled because of a massive ice storm which took the central Texas area by surprise. My friends and I decided to take advantage of the weather by using trays from The Commons (our dining hall) to go sledding on the golf course. Once we arrived, several students had the same idea and it became a day of playing outside in the cold instead of the usual first day of classes.

For two days, the entire campus experienced the “wintry mix of 2007″ leading to ice covered cars, buildings, and sidewalks. It felt like the world stopped, since we were basically unable to drive anywhere, but students still found different ways to have fun even in the bad weather.

Later in the week, all four national sororities on campus had Formal Recruitment Weekend (also known as Rush Weekend). It’s three days of decorating, meeting girls who are interested in joining a sorority, and many planning meetings to organize three days of parties. Although it’s a lot of work, at the end of the weekend, we have several new members and get to celebrate their joining of the organization.

Part of the celebration of Rush includes creating some interesting outfits while waiting to hear who are new members will be. All of the girls who have accepted a Bid to join a sorority come running toward the sorority of their choice, we sing and take pictures, before heading to dinner as a group.

Other than the excitement of Rush and the ice storm, I’m also beginning a new internship at the Texas Capital. I am working for Representative Mark Strama as a legislative intern dealing with both his district and congressional workload for the legislative session. So far, it’s been an eye-opening experience to learn about all of the effort it takes to run a successful government as well as to keep constituents happy. My office is in the Capital building; it’s a confusing place, and all the hallways look very similar so I’ve had a difficult time getting around. I’ve been amazed at how many young people work at the Capital. I’ve always had this image of government as being something that only old men participated in, but through this internship, I am learning that it takes a variety of people from different backgrounds in order to run a successful office. I’m working at the Capital for the entire semester as part of a class I’m taking called Texas Political Internships and although it is unpaid, I am receiving 3 credit hours towards my Political Science major. I’m working 10 hours a week, and will soon be planning larger events and assisting in writing policy, so I’m sure I’ll be writing often about this experience.

My life has changed in another dramatic way with the start of a new semester because my roommate, Lindsey, left to study abroad in Mali in West Africa. I’ve been able to watch her apply and go through the preparations it takes to move to a new country for 3 months, and it is strange that she finally is able to accomplish her dream of living and studying in Africa. I will miss her, but I am also excited for her return in order to hear all of the experiences and knowledge she gained on her trip. After watching Lindsey apply to study abroad, I have decided to do the same. I have a meeting next week with one of the study abroad counselors that Southwestern offers in order to plan a semester in another country. Right now, I am looking at going to Germany, Denmark, Switzerland, or New Zealand for the Fall semester of 2007. Over 60% of the students at Southwestern study abroad during their time here, but it’s a completely new and exciting process for me now that I am beginning to search for programs myself. This will probably be another adventure to expect many updates on as I figure out what country I will be in during the fall.

I also had the opportunity this week to go to a concert at the student-run coffee house on campus called the Korouva Milk Bar. Two bands, one called The Brood and the other called, Farewell Fiction, both comprised of Southwestern students and graduates took the stage on Thursday night as part of a weekly concert series. Korouva, which was closed for most of last semester, is open for student performers, and also has hosted Slam Poetry in the past. Plus, they have great coffee and it’s so much cheaper and more delicious than Starbucks.

As cheesy as it is to say, spring is a time of new beginnings and growth. Southwestern in the spring for me has brought a new internship, new idea to study abroad, and of course, a new selection of classes. With all of the changes I am experiencing, I can at least predict many interesting journal topics to write about in the coming year!