Study Abroad: Ireland Summer 2024

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Hi everyone!

I want to talk a little about study abroad. I am studying abroad in Ireland this summer for six weeks with the Irish Writing Program, which is for English and Creative Majors. I am going to describe the application for those curious!

Part of the application includes a statement of purpose, which is just an opportunity to explain why you want to go abroad.

There are also basic details like a transcript, extracurriculars, and more.

Then there is a small written essay to explain what you hope to get from the experience.

You also submit passport info and other pre-departure documents.

If accepted, then you get log-in info from the travel agency to fill out their pre-departure forms like passport, health exam, and more. You also get information about booking tickets to a group flight with the other students doing the program.

There will be more preparation meetings and things about my lodging, but that is my experience so far.

The application will vary by location and length of study abroad, as well as the program type.

-Solenn

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Honors Events

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Hi everyone!

The Honors Program is a great place to get involved! There are many events hosted every semester to meet other Honors students.

  • Trivia night is a common one, with fun prizes like mugs and candy. It gets competitive!
  • Movie night is another fun one, we did a Knives Out one during the fall semester.
  • Late Night Study Session is great too, you can pop in and study in the space, or grab snacks and study elsewhere in Blank!

There are many other events, those are just some of the most popular ones. It is fun to go alone or with friends.

-Solenn

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My favorite classes from the 2023-2024 Year

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Hey all! I’m mentioning my favorite classes in case you need suggestions!

  1. Honors Rhetoric with Dr. O’Shaughnessy. Only 20 students, so we were all super close and I have made some awesome friends from there! The professor contract grades so as long as you put in effort, you get an A. This was way more motivating for me instead of worrying about grades, I could focus on improving without being penalized. Go to do fun presentations about cross-country running stereotypes, Percy Jackson, and a podcast about Caitlin Clark!
  2. Writing and Community Outreach with Erin Sherry. Met once a week and we got to volunteer! I volunteered with PorchLight, a local literary agency that promotes writers of all backgrounds. I ran the headquarters, which are at a very cute house. We read some interesting articles and watched an episode from Parts Unknown by Anthony Bourdain about West Virginia. It was eye-opening and raw. The discussions we have in the class are very thoughtful and deep.
  3. Oral Expression 1 (French). My first college French class and it was awesome! Madame Sohair is very kind and everyone in the class speaks good French. I enjoyed getting to practice my oral speaking and doing presentations about current events. We also had pen pals from a university in France, and I still talk to mine!
  4. Honors Outreach Ambassadors. You interview to be able to take it, but it is laid back. We meet once a week and it’s discussion-based. We lead tours of Blank Honors and help run tables for Admitted Student Days and the Honors events like trivia! We also get to suggest improvements to Honors during a semester-long project.
  5. Entrepreneurship and Innovation with David Hensley. A very interesting class about starting a company. Lots of useful information and guest speakers! I’ve learned a ton

-Solenn

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College Advice

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Hey all! I’m going to offer some college advice I wish I had been told.

  1. Get an exercise routine. I am so bad about getting up and working out, but I always feel a million times better once I do. It is the best way to fight any freshman-15 worries.
  2. It is okay to eat alone. So many people do, and no one will look at you weirdly. I just put on a show and eat.
  3. It is great to do things alone. I enjoy spending time with friends, but I have learned how to have fun by myself. Whether that is studying at a coffee shop, going on walks, or going to events by myself, enjoy your own company! Plus, if you go alone, you’re likely to talk to someone new at an event.
  4. Give yourself grace. You’re living by yourself for the first time in your life, and that can be rough. Don’t beat yourself up for not eating veggies one night for dinner, or choosing sleeping over homework, or spending time with people.
  5. Office hours!! Professors and TAs have cleared up my concerns when I go. More people need to take advantage of these.
  6. Free food. There are so many campus events going on that give away free food. Take advantage of what you’re paying for in your tuition!

-Solenn

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Dorm Essentials

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Hey y’all!

Today, I am listing my dorm essentials that I couldn’t live without. Consider this when buying dorm supplies!

  1. Humidifier. I used to wake up with a dry throat and nose before getting one. A life-changer.
  2. A lamp or fairy lights. The room lighting is very unflattering and bright. Softer light is the way to go.
  3. Rug. Makes the place ten times cozier + elevates the floor-time experience.
  4. A futon. Friends can sit there, Elevate your legs when doing homework, makes the space more filled-up.
  5. Mattress topper. My bed feels like a cloud and helps my back.
  6. Fridge/microwave. Wouldn’t be able to have ramen or store food without it, essential.
  7. Heated blanket. My room gets cold, this is the perfect thing.
  8. Light-lamp. Keeps the seasonal depression away.
  9. Chair cushion – way comfier to sit at my desk
  10. Tea kettle – heat up water for cocoa or instant-oatmeal

Those are a few of my essentials, but whatever you think you might need!

-Solenn

 

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Honors Outreach Ambassador

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Hi everyone!

Today I am talking about my experience as an Honors Outreach Ambassador. This is a one-semester-hour class you can take in the fall and/or spring. You interview to get a spot, as this position is not just a class, but a leadership position inside the Honors Program.

We meet once a week and it is a very relaxed, fun class. There is little to no homework and the requirements to pass are simple. I lead tours of the Blank Honors Center, run the table for Admitted Student Day, or work as a panelist on visit days. I also help run Honors events like Late Night Study Sessions, trivia, and more!

Outreach Ambassadors are also part of the Student Advisory Board, and we have a semester-long project to suggest an improvement to the Iowa Honors Program. My team is working on ways to incorporate more opportunities to earn Honors-coursework hours. This is a great way to be more involved in the honors community and meet more people in the program!

-Solenn

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Dorm Snacks

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Hey y’all!

If you’re like me, and you get the munchies, I have a list of recommended snacks to stock up on in your dorm!

  1. popcorn. Either microwave popcorn for movies or lightly salted pre-popped corn.
  2. Candy. Can’t go wrong with Sour Patch!
  3. Ramen. Good if you don’t have time to go to the dining hall
  4. Fruit. A nice breakfast or snack
  5. Ice cream pints. If you have a freezer, that’s awesome
  6. Soda. Sometimes having a can in the fridge is the highlight of my day
  7. Granola bars – easy to keep in a backpack
  8. Trail mix

Honestly, there is a lot you could get, these are a few of my favorites!

-Solenn

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Best Iowa Tradition

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Hey y’all!

Iowa has so many awesome traditions, between the Hawkeye Wave, Carver-Hawkeye Arena chants, and On Iowa!, it is hard to choose.

However, my personal favorite has to be the Pancake Man during finals week. He is there at 6 am in the Iowa Memorial Union, flipping pancakes and serving other delicious breakfast items. Get there early, the line is long!

The fun part is that he flips the pancake into your plate, so practice those catching skills!

-Solenn

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Refreshing My Dorm Post-Spring Break

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Hey everyone! Here are some things to do for a little spring cleaning in your dorms.

  1. If you have a Brita, make sure to give it a good cleaning and replace the filter.
  2. Clean out your fridge and microwave!
  3. If you have a humidifier or air purifier, replace those filters/clean them!
  4. Do laundry. Wash those towels, blankets, and winter coats.
  5. Sweep, Swiffer, dust!
  6. Clear out items you don’t want anymore and donate or sell them
  7. Clean your mirrors, inside the medicine cabinets, and any furniture you have.
  8. Clean doormats!
  9. Clear out desk drawers/backpack
  10. Make your bed
  11. Reorganize your closet

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Becoming an RA: The Application

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Hey all!

I was recently offered a position as a resident assistant for the 2024-25 school year, so I’m here to talk about the application. A resident assistant is a student who lives on a floor of a residence hall and ensures floor community and unity, and the first person to go to in case of problems and emergencies. They get free housing and meal plans, as well as a stipend, so it is a great job to have.

To get the application, you must attend one of several information sessions that cover what being an RA entails and the application process. They take attendance, which will then let them email you the application.

The application includes some short essay questions about yourself and how you are involved on campus. If selected in this round, you get to be interviewed virtually.

The virtual interview is held by members of Housing and Dining, other RAs, and Hall Coordinators. They ask you questions on how you would handle things as an RA, yourself, and how you have handled problems in your life.

If you are chosen as an RA, you will receive an email about a month after with the next steps.

-Solenn

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