Exploring the Ecuador Experience

1) Study Abroad in Ecuador with Missouri State University

Okay, so option one I am exploring is studying abroad. I have always wanted to study abroad, but the timing has never been right. A whole semester is just too much for me at this point in my life. However, the Spanish Department at Missouri State University has a four week program every summer. This year they are going to Ecuador!

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So here's the scoop:

The program is May 22, 2011 to June 19, 2011. It costs...wait for it...$4,000. Although that is terribly expensive, it includes everything as well as getting 6 hours of credit towards my Spanish minor. Yeah! The deadline is March 4, 2010 with a non-refundable deposit of $300. The teacher chaperon is Dr. Roger Dowdy.

We would stay two students to a room with a host family that are native speakers and go to class everyday. The classes are taught by native speakers, and there are four students to every teacher. Talk about personal attention! Dr. Dowdy said that each Thursday they volunteer at a Boys and Girls Club sort of thing and just play with the lower income kids. (Which is a great way to learn Spanish like I discussed in a previous post) On the weekends, there will be multiple "excursions", Dr. Dowdy said.

In conclusion, great opportunity that costs a lot of $$$. To me, I like the idea of study abroad because in the realms of adventure, it is safe. I know, lame reason but I am not much of a risk taker. This would be an adventure filled with rich experience, but I know I would be provided for and taken care of, for the most part.   

This trip would definitely embody community and culture by emerging myself in a new culture and community, which would leave room for a coffee adventure! I have been wanting to spend more than a week in a Spanish speaking country for a long time to harness my language skills, and this could be my chance.

What do you think?

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Halloween Night at the Museum

Friday night, it was PRSSA's first volunteering event coordinated by me. Me, Lindsey, Travis, and Doug all helped out at The Discovery Center's Halloween Night at the Museum.

It was such a neat idea. Kids came dressed in costume and could go to different booths that were both scientific and about Halloween. The grand finale involved blowing up pumpkins. I didn't get to see it because I was cleaning, but it sounded like a lot of fun.

My favorite part of volunteering at events like this is meeting new people. I greeted with a sweet lady named Linda, who was a Drury student in a Organic Chemistry class. During candy lulls, we got to chit chat, and it is always fun to meet new people. :)

 It was so fun! I was a greeter at the door, so I had the best seat for all the cute costumes the kids wore. There were a lot of Spidermen, Woodys, and Buzz Lightyears. I also gave out candy at the end, so I think I was automatically the kids favorite volunteer.

My friend, Megan West, who works at The Discovery Center, was also there and a cat like me! It was good to see her at her work place.

Travis, my beau, was a sheriff. He was so sweet to help with my volunteer event!

Me, Doug, and Lindsey posed for a picture for at the end of the night. (Lindsey was a "cereal killer", which was pretty creative.) All in all, I would call this event a great success for The Discovery Center and PRSSA. Looking forward to more opportunities to volunteer this year!

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Community Relations for PRSSA

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So this year, I have decided to get more involved on campus at Missouri State. I mean, I am junior, so it is now or never.

Last year, my lovely aunt, who is a PR professor at Belmont, paid my membership for PRSSA (Public Relations Student Society of America) for Christmas. And this year, I am co-chair with Andrea Lensing for Community Relations. I am so excited!

This job suits me so well because I am already plugged in the Springfield community and want to help a of these non-profits any way I can, and now, I have an outlet for that.

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Basically, we want to help volunteer at a different non-profit event each month, to get our organization's name out there and get more involved in the community. This Friday, we are volunteering at "Halloween Night at the Museum" at the Discovery Center. We get to dress up and help kids have an educational, fun Halloween.

Next month, we are also planning to help Ozarks Food Harvest's Fashion Show. This one is dear to my heart because of my internship with them this summer. I am excited to be a part of them in a small way again.

This chair position has also made me realize that I could potentially love working in Community Relations for an organization. So if non-profit PR doesn't happen for some reason, I have something to fall back on. :) Pin It

The Adventure Bug Defined

So I already alluded to this in an earlier post, but I REALLY want to travel ASAP. This summer is my last real summer before "real life" starts, and I want to have an epic adventure.

I have also been inspired by my lovely roomie and her buddy to blog about the adventure I hope to have. They have an awesome website called Wander and The Runaway, where they hope to build a community that supports their adventure and keeps them accountable to follow through. I want them to take me with them on their blogging/real adventure. I am kind of inviting myself. (hope that's okay) ;)

from weheartit

However, I am going to make my own adventure. Here is MY adventure bug defined:

I want to do something out of the state of Missouri that involved coffee, culture, and community. That may be one thing that lasts all summer or a bunch of small trips. I am going to put this blog into practice by actively seeking it out how coffee, culture, and community interact in the real world.

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Okay, so here is my current brainstorm list. I physically cannot do all of the adventures on my dream list this summer, but I am going to explore the possibility of ALL of them. I am also open to any suggestions! :)

DREAM LIST:

1) Study abroad in Ecuador with Missouri State University.

2) Apply for an internship with World Vision in Chicago, IL.

3) Apply for an internship with Compassion International in Colorado Springs, CO.

4) Apply for an internship with Coffee Kids in Sante Fe, NM.

5) Work in a coffee farm with my wonderful friend in St. Louis.

6) Go to Spain to visit my Aunt (maybe with my lil sis).

7) Visit my friend's (let's call her ladybug) sister in South Korea.

8) Just move to a Spanish speaking country for no reason.

9) Work at an awesome coffee shop wherever I end up.

10) I want to leave room to DREAM.

from weheartit

There it is. 

Between now and then, I will explore these options, dream up more, and keep you updated. I would also like to visit my former neighbors in Pittsburgh, PA and possibly go with my church to Vancouver, Canada.

Okay, so there. My adventure bug is defined and out there. Hope you enjoy this adventure as much as I will. :) Please don't let me wimp out and give me lots of ideas!!! For now, that is all!

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AIDS Walk 2010

Through my Public Relations writing class, I have been writing with a partner, Kim Perry, for a local non-profit organization, AIDS Project of the Ozarks. They are such a great organization providing relief for HIV positive individuals in 29 counties through Southwest Missouri. Their services include medical help, financial aid, non-perishable item pantry, counseling, etc.

This Saturday, I participated in their event, AIDS Walk. It was so fun like one big family block party including a bounce house, face painting, and red hair extensions, of course.

Around 10, everyone gathered for the walk, which was phenomenal. It is hard to describe. I was all alone amongst this tight nit community. Watching all of these people with a deep connection come together as a community and walk together proudly was breathe taking. I was so honored to be a part of that.

I also ran into a Coffee Ethic regular, Casey Cox, who introduced me to much of the staff of APO. It was great to talk to him and learn about all of their needs as an organization and what they are doing in the Springfield community.

After the walk, there was the Dog Parade. Oh my goodness, there were so many dogs dressed up in the most adorable outfits. Here are just a few:

The experience as a whole was amazing. I walked, met new people, got a T-shirt, and some red extensions! I hope that next year I will be able organize a group to walk. 

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