Academics – Kyra

A Few Things I Had To Remind Myself About Iowan Winters

It is December 15th and its 45 degrees outside.

Not too bad for Iowa right?

Except for tomorrow it is supposed to snow and drop into the twenties.

I spent a lot of the winter season last year just like this…

Oh and like this…

To my surprise, my brain was conditioned into thinking that was going to be the norm.

So I’m writing this as a reminder to myself, but also as a little note to all of those preparing for your first Iowa Winter.

ONE. Pick Out Your Clothes The Night Before

This may sound silly, but it is the perfect solution. In the winter you may find it harder to get yourself out of the bed. Your bed just seems more warm, than the howling cold that awaits you. So if you are anything like me you will hit snooze a few more times than you should, and find yourself rushing minutes before the last bus comes. Do yourself a favor, have your clothes waiting for you when you jump up, you won’t regret it!

TWO. Dress In Layers

For some reason my millennial digital age self can’t understand this, but apparently big buildings are difficult to heat properly and evenly. Which means that if you dress like it’s negative 10 outside (which it probably will be), only to arrive to class where it feels like it’s 80 degrees… you will melt. I know what you are thinking, but no this is not a valid excuse for not participating fully in class discussions. Wear layers of clothing so that you can survive outside, and thrive inside. I usually wear a tank top, long sleeve shirt, with a hoodie or sweatshirt, and a Columbia coat. So if one of my classes turns out to be a sauna room, I just shed off what’s not needed. GENIUS! I know.

THREE. MOVE TO THE BACK OF THE CAMBUS

This one should totally be number 1, but I’m too lazy to go and change my blog post order. Have you ever waited outside for what seemed like forever in the freezing cold for a bus to pick you up and finally take you back to your dorm? How much of a relief do you feel once you finally get on the warm bus? Well what if that was stolen from you? It HAPPENS ALL THE TIME. How? Well, the bus shows up and it’s at “capacity” and so they can’t let you on. However, that isn’t always true. Students often get on the bus, and don’t fill the back of the bus, but instead hover near the exit doors (in the center of the bus) and near the front. To the driver, this makes the bus look full. People are all smooshed near the front, when in reality there is space and open seats up the stairs on the back of the bus. Please do everyone a favor, and move all the way to the back. It’s the Iowan thing to do. Plus you don’t want to be that kid that doesn’t make more space for others when I’m on the bus, I will shout at you. Its not fair, and its too cold for all of that.

FOUR. UGG Boots/Snow Boots

When I first arrived on campus I noticed UGG boots were all the rage. In the four and half years that I’ve been here, that has not changed come November weather. They are a little pricey, so go ahead and get your knock-off versions because I understand the struggle and nobody gets that close to your feet in the winter anyways!

Just as a heads up, most UGG boots are super comfy but are NOT waterproof. So by the end of the winter, all the water and salt (most widely used de-icing mechanism on campus) really messes ’em up. They’ll be almost unrecognizable. So you can do what my gma does for me spray ’em with water-proof spray ($10 at Walmart), it doesn’t do much to protect them from the salt but you can be sure your tootsies won’t get wet. Fun Fact: Did you know its perfectly normal and encouraged that you don’t wear socks with your UGGs? UGGs are designed to be worn without socks. With continued use, the wool will mold to the shape of your feet, creating a perfect fit. Sheepskin is a natural product which breathes, absorbs moisture and provides a warmth and comfort superior to any synthetics. According to their site sheepskin will not become smelly with wear, I might be the exception to that!

FIVE. STOCK UP

Unless you live in the residential halls, getting food when you need food becomes a brand new type of hassle. Plan a paired trip to the grocery store with a friend right before the weather gets too crazy. Get your canned soups, cough drops, frozen vegetables, hot cocoa packets, and Easy Mac to last you a little longer than usual. Trust me, you won’t regret it.

Follow these tips and you will definitely be a happier snow-herky.

The “Student Council” of the University of Iowa

Many of us participated in student council in high school, and never dreamed that a school as big as the University of Iowa would have such an organization. Well… it does! It’s called University of Iowa Student Government or UISG for short.

This is my second year in UISG, and this time around I’m a part of the Executive Branch. I’m this year’s Diversity Liaison. In student government you learn a lot about politics (you run a campaign to get votes for your party in the spring), you meet tons of other student leaders, you build relationships with administrators and community members, and you are presented with ample amount of opportunity to create change on campus. The last one is my favorite part.

Anything from staples in the library (provided by UISG!), to advocating on behalf of Tuition Freeze (yep, we do that), to keeping the student center open for 24 hours to accommodate the late owls and early birds, there are truly no limits!

UISG just had their first senate meeting of the year. It was part of a carefully planned retreat to get everyone acclimated to all parts UISG. We had dinner together, learned about Robert’s Rules, met with our committees (Sustainability, Diversity, Academic Affairs, Student Life, Governmental Relations, Communication and Outreach, Nominations, & Financial).

We passed our first legislation of the year, and I’m happy to announce that the International Student Advisory Board is going to be up and running soon. How cool is that?
I had a great time, and I’m looking forward to a great year.

There are five seats reserved for Freshman Senators which are filled at the beginning of the Fall semester.

All students will be notified via email when the application is open, so be sure to check your emails!

For more information on The University of Iowa’s Student Government visit http://uisg.uiowa.edu/ or comment here.

Lessons Learned This Semester

Lessons Learned This Semester
A quick overview of my growth and understanding of just a few things entrepreneurial and businessy

First, let me reflect on what my perception of entrepreneurship and business were five months ago. It’s strange to think that they could have possibly changed in such a short amount of time. My views of entrepreneurship before this semester were as followed:

An entrepreneur was something I had to wait to become because I didn’t have an idea yet.
The business that I will eventually start would have a TOM’s shoes business model.
Raising Capital is a long, formal, and technical process
Customers are important

Kyra’s Shoes
Although the idea isn’t completely ruled out, I have pretty much decided that building a company identical to TOMS shoes but in a different industry isn’t necessarily how I want to save the world. I’m almost more interested in starting a company with no one social good officially tied to all marketing and business. I would like my company to give because it’s the right thing to do, not because we exploit the emotions of others. I still would like it built into our mission, but I’d almost like it if my niche is what first came to mind in my customer’s heads. However, if a bunch of students in a Social Entrepreneurship class did a Corporate Social Responsibility analysis of my company, they would discover that we operate the best we can in order to not only avoid, but combat exploitation of others. I would like them to discover that we care about our impact on the environment throughout our supply, production, and distribution chains. I want to compete in the business world on customer service, quality, and overall awesomeness of my product and service, while at the same time being aware of all negative externalities of my company, and encouraging more positive externalities.

Kyra the Entrepreneur in 2024
I’ve always known that there were a lot of students at Iowa that were starting their own businesses. I knew I had the skills to be one of them, I believed I had everything going for me except I didn’t have an award winning idea. So I was a wannabe entrepreneur, and I was determined to groom myself for the day that I would come up with something and make millions! It dawned on me this semester that I already am an entrepreneur, and that it didn’t have to be my “idea” to play a critical role in adding value and taking it to the next level. I am doing that right now, with the local startup Ellison.

Getting That Startup Dough
A combination of taking my Entrepreneurial Finance course and being in the Venture School has really helped me understand the processes and options for raising capital, which was a really a foreign concept to me prior to this semester. I had my silly assumptions, I won’t waste time explaining them all, but I did think that raising money for a business was more of an application process, and the character or network behind the team had no significance throughout the process. Now I’m more in tune with the minds of venture capitalists, business model competition winning material, pitches, angel investors, and bank loan terms and conditions. I’m definitely on the right track now.

My Inspiration
Where I derive my inspiration from has also expanded. I have never felt a connection between my entrepreneurial spirit and that of the military in any way shape or form. I realize now, that there is a lot I can learn from the SEALs that easily transfer over into other areas of my life, including the entrepreneurial sections. Thanks mostly to the activities in my Social Entrepreneurship class, I’ve really grown to think about lessons I can learn from all walks of life, and the art of connecting it to my entrepreneurial pursuit of success.

Baby Jesus, Bill, & Tony
What do Jesus, Bill Strickland, and Tony Hsieh have in common? Probably a lot of things, but for the purpose of this essay I’m referring to the way they changed the world around them for the better despite the fact that that very same world was calling them all crazy for even thinking about it. Brilliant innovation doesn’t come about by following all the rules and sticking to the status quo, in order to have that type of impact you may have to go ahead and do what your intuition is telling you even if it doesn’t sit right with those around you.

Which came first, The Hen or the Egg?
This semester I’ve had my eyes opened to just how much more valuable it is to value and understand your customer, than it is just have a good idea. I know this may come off as common sense, but I always thought of entrepreneurship in a chronological order beginning with an idea and then ending with a customer. Now I see how beginning with the customer their wants, needs, and pain points is a much better route.

Thanks To These My Experience @UIowa
–University of Iowa’s Venture School, Social Entrepreneurship Class with Joseph Sulentic, Entrepreneurial Finance class with Scott Hauser, and my new team Ellison startup company, JPEC, & Hawkeye Innovation Summit

The Most Stressful Midterms

Okay, so not to say that I had it worse than anyone else, but I’m sure it would be a tough call. The week before midterms I was engulfed in the internship application process; interviews, assessments, more interviews, etc. I think the University of Iowa could better space out when this fair occurs, because having it a week and a half before midterms is gruesome. All the employers expect you to get this done in two days, and that done in three days. I’m not complaining too much because it is a blessing that I have even been selected to be a part of the process. It just gets difficult if you are taking on a full load of classwork, and then having to choose where to spend your time-sensitive efforts, between internship and academics. The weekend before midterm week was my best friend’s wedding. It was an entire weekend-long event. I wouldn’t miss it for the world. She looked absolutely stunning, the food was fantastic, her family felt like my family, I won fifty dollars, and not to mention I am really happy for the both of them.

After the wedding -BOOM midterm week! I had a total of four exams, one quiz, and two Spanish papers to do. After a very late night of studying and procrastination (I was having a hard time trying to focus), my first exam went great. After a pep talk with one of my good friends, my Spanish research paper turned out alright. The first day was done and I was feeling good.

Tuesday I had to do an assessment for one of the internships I was applying for. I found this internship at the Spring Job and Career Fair hosted by the university at the Iowa Memorial Union. They sent it to me on Friday and said that I had 2 business days to complete it. The wedding consumed my weekend, and I spent Sunday and Monday preparing for exams that I waited until the last minute to do the assessments for. Tuesday night I begin to start feeling really sick. It was obviously my lack of sleep was catching up to me. By 6pm I had a cough, sore throat and an achy body. At 10pm I was trying to get these assessments done, and I ended up being so fatigued that I fell asleep during one of them. I completely bombed them. I currently feel awful because I know that I could’ve done a lot better had I been well rested and not sick. 🙁

Wednesday morning I woke up so sick I could barely move. I went to an academic adviser meeting where I was encouraged by my adviser to “follow my heart.” Okay, so those were not her exact words, hers were of course less cliche and more wise, had a lot more content, and more structure. 🙂

Right before my first class I stopped by the Center for Diversity Office (my favorite place on campus), and although there was no food present I did find an empty beanie bag in the backroom. I sat there with the intention on taking a quick nap. I felt like complete dog poo. I had aches all over my body, and it hurt to talk or think. My nap turned into a two hour siesta. Once I woke up, I knew I had to go to the doctor. While I was waiting for the bus a good friend of mine brought me some soup. I am so grateful for the friends I have made at Iowa, they are so sweet. Later, I called Student Health and made an appointment. After describing my symptoms the man on the phone told me to not go to class.

I went there and good news, I didn’t have the flu! However, they believed it could be something else. They couldn’t test for it, because the results for this “something else” do not show up until 1 week after you’ve begun to experience the symptoms. However, my doctor did tell me that I need to rest all evening and all day tomorrow to see if it helps. She also suggested that I did not go to class, until I was feeling better.

For the first time in a while, I thought… YES I CAN BREATHE! So, I went home and slept for quite some time. Then I woke up to dismal emails from my professors about making up my exams. Talk about STRESS!

My trip to China is even more precious now, I can’t wait!

Hikone Jo- “Hikone Castle”

I am not quite sure if I have said this enough times or not, but I am so thankful to be in such a beautiful country with such amazing people. Last Friday Scott and I took off on a little adventure of our own to go see the beautiful 400 year old Castle of Hikone. This is one of the highest accessible points (besides other mountain tops), and the point with one of the best views that I have seen so far. Looking out into the distance from any angle will give you an irreplaceable view of Hikone, including the beautiful Lake Biwa and the city of Hikone itself.

Time and time again, I had to just stop and take it all in. Just to think about people over 400 years ago walking on this very ground, building this very castle is quite a humbling experience. Once we made it to the top and I avoided the evil Japanese hornets, I sat on a bench in the wind and listened to every sound of the city. The holler of the air whistling through the mountains. The voice of the black and white birds in the trees just a few feet away. The city’s vehicles. What a sweet combination of nature, history, civilization, and peace. This gave me an opportunity to let my mind roam in places it ordinarily wouldn’t. I asked a lot of “why” questions to myself and imagined what life would have been like. Unfortunately, because of lack of planning and Scott and my spontaneous spirit, we did not get to the castle during the hours that the inside was open. In more than one way I am thankful for this. We were able to pay close attention to the outside architecture of the castle as well as its beautiful surroundings .

Leaving Hikone Jo, I felt renewed and restored. I had some prayer and much needed relaxation time. The JCMU Intensive Language program is very intense, I study here like I have never studied before… I might just need to visit Hikone Jo a little more often.

The landscape and view from the castle delivers peace and beauty with every look….

♫ Bicycle! ♪ ♫

First official Day

Today (June 2) we had orientation and through my jet-lag and complete and utter tiredness this is what stands out to both my peers and me.

Wear your Helmet or you are going to die!!
♫ ♪ Bicycle! ♫ Bicycle! ♪ ♫ ”
Read the Packet. (Everything you need to know is in the packet)
Don’t go buying your own house cleaner. They are a lot stronger in Japan. So strong it is a common use for suicide.
By the end of the session it has been made clear that one of us, we just don’t know who, is going to get hit by a car. (Read this in a Scary Movie Narrator voice!)
Accountability is huge. Own Up! & Show Up!
Park at Hikone Station and your bike will get stolen.
Forget your room key on the weekend you are S.O.L.
Lastly, I am of legal drinking age! 😀
(p.s. this is just an observation… I am still being safe, smart, and responsible!)

Please understand that there was a lot more said in the orientation, and if only I was my normal self, I am sure I would have blogged about those.

After orientation we went on a bike tour! It was a great time. I was continually impressed by my Japanese comprehension skills and at the same time embarrassed by my poor Japanese speaking skills. I guess we can’t all have thumbs up all the time.

I can’t express how beautiful our location is. There is a huge lake right next to the place where I stay called Japan Center for Michigan Universities (JCMU for short). Japan is an island made from mountains so it shouldn’t come to any surprise that I am in the middle of the mountains, yet I still find the shock and beauty in it every time I walk outside.

The people that I am with seem so cool; I can’t wait to get to meet everyone over the course of these two months!

Study Buddy

So I find that I study Spanish a lot better when I study alone at a table by myself, or with one other student in the same subject. If I have any other circumstances, I definitely don’t get a lot of work done. 🙁

Yesterday, my suitee Michelle and I couldn’t find a good place to study because everywhere was packed with people studying! There were people all over the lawn of the Pentacrest multi-tasking! People were getting their TAN ON while reading their text books!

Michelle and I ended up going to the Old Capital Mall and studying at the little tables meant for dining next to the escalators! We studied for like 2-3 hours and we got a lot done! HIVE FIVE MICHELLE! 😀

Major. Minor. Degree. Certificate.

I have a double degree in Japanese and undeclared Business with a minor in Spanish.

What does that mean? Well, a double degree is very similar to a double major, however Japanese and a Business degree belong to two separate colleges; so they call it double degree. My business major is undeclared because I don’t know what part of business I want as my emphasis. I believe some of the options are Economics, Marketing, and Finance. I am in Japanese because I traveled there a couple of times when I was in high school and I would simply love to communicate with my friends and family there. Also, I could see how learning another language would benefit me in any career.

Although that’s what I have declared, I am open to a change of plans. 🙂 I am only a freshman and I know I have time to figure out exactly what I want to do the first couple of months I am out of college (then after that- I am open to a change of plans again 😉

There are a couple of certificates that I have my eye on!

http://www.uiowa.edu/~socialwk/certificateinccc/

International Business

I can’t wait to talk with my academic advisor about them! Every student is assigned an academic advisor, and I just happen to love mine! Me and my best friend have the same advisor, and we often get into “arguments” on who my advisor likes better. 🙂 She responds quickly to all my questions and has one of the most relaxing offices I’ve ever been in! On top of that, she takes the time to get to know me, remembers who I am, and sends me emails about events that she thinks I’d be interested in. I am not sure if all advisors are required to do that, but it wouldn’t surprise me if she goes above and beyond what is qualified. Shell, my advisor, always tells me something thought provoking and leaves me pondering the things I want in life. GOTTA LOVE IT 😀

A lot of my friends have had this success with their advisors, however, I don’t think they can top mine! But then again, it could be like the whole Panchero vs Chipotle Feud (You’ll learn about that when you come!) or the Bestest Dorm Spiel! Everyone always thinks their residence hall is better than someone else… give it a rest PEOPLE! Mayflower is definitely the coolest! haha 🙂

Everything has to come to an end.

Whoa, it is hard to imagine that I have less than 3 weeks left until I have successfully completed my first year at the University of Iowa. Looking back, I have grown sooo much, experienced a lot, and enjoyed the company of so many different people.

This Friday is my last training day with the Iowa Edge Peer Leader program and that makes me excited for next year’s incoming freshmen to be a part of Iowa Edge. This program really helped me get my foot in the door on campus.

Tomorrow is my birthday! Unfortunately, it will be celebrated at work until 9 pm, however I will be headed to:

Women’s Resource & Action Center (WRAC) event Take Back The Night Rally! It is a march and rally created to speak out against violence!
Friday I am going to get my SALSA ON! 😀 The University of Iowa International Crossroads Community (ICC) will hold its annual Latin dance festival, Gusto Latino, from 6 p.m. to 1:00 am. THERE WILL ALSO BE FREE FOOD AND A TACO BAR!!! HEY!!!!!!!
In between time I will be studying hard and planning for the summer, I’ll fill you guys in on that sooner rather than later 🙂

Economically Breathing

Okay, so we all know great time management skills is a necessity to survive college- and if you don’t have any when you get here, it wont be long before you shape up and acquire some.

I am sitting in the Main Library taking some time to cover my Microeconomics Lecture material. I don’t know what to expect it’s my first exam in this class and I really am at a loop for what to study. However, deep down inside I feel prepared. I haven’t missed a lecture, I’ve taken plenty of notes, exchanged my notes with my roommate (who is also in the same lecture-GENIUS! 🙂 ), and we even created some handy-dandy-flash cards.

I talked with my lovely academic advisor today-SHOUT OUT TO SHELL FEIJO- who is absolutely wonderful 🙂 She gave me some really great advice.

“Before you go into the exam…take a breath”

Haha, who would’ve thought?!!? I mean seriously. Who? Not me.

Sometimes I get so wrapped up in “Freaking Out” I forget to do the normal…breathe.

So this is me. Breathing.

Inhale

Exhale

🙂

p.s.

I found a website on the inside of my text book with practice quizzes and online flashcards…. Can someone say Prepared?

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