One very short month from now I will be embarking on my biggest trip of my lifetime. I will be studying abroad in Florence Italy for an entire semester!

I leave on January 8th, but will not be in Florence until the ninth after a quick layover in Frankfurt Germany (another place I’ve never been!). With such a big tripped planned obviously there goes a lot of time and effort into getting ready. For example, filling out my forms for my Italian visa, getting my student identity card, packing, and much mental preparation are all necessary for this trip.

This coming Thursday at 9:00 AM eastern time ( 3:00 PM Florence Time) I will be attending a Skype session with my entire trip. We will all (around 70 students from UConn) be gathered together to Skype with people at our new home, including staff and professors at the Palazzo Rucellai. I truly am looking forward to this not only because of the video conference but just the chance to start meeting other students who are on my trip.

Being a regular student is busy enough but on top of that having all this excitement/nervousness/curiosity about what my trip will be like only makes this last month before I depart that much more difficult. Of course I will be sad to leave my friends and Storrs for a whole semester but I know that when I come back I wont have missed a beat.

I consider myself to be a very organized person, however packing for a whole semester in just a few pieces of luggage should be interesting. Some of the comforts of home will be left behind like having a dryer in my house, we will be hanging all our clothes to dry!

Another thing that I am slightly nervous about is staying in shape abroad. Obviously the food is pretty darn good in Florence ranging from cannolis to paninis to pizza and then back again. So needless to say I will need to do some serious working out if I’m to stay in shape. I plan on packing some running shoes and all my running clothes so that if I’m feeling ambitious enough, I can go for a run across the Ponte Vecchio in the mornings before class.

Pizza! Well before I get anymore distracted by this picture of pizza or the thoughts of the food I bid you all farewell and ciao! More news from Florence to come!

After months of planning, I was able to once again be in the Management Team of the C.I.B.E.R. Case Competitions, this past October. It is a unique experience for Undergraduates of both UConn and outside schools. The Competition can be summed in four days of hardwork, teambuilding, and fun!! The University has hosted this Competition for two years in a row, welcoming students from other schools in the US and a couple from International schools. Each school sends four students to the competition, but once they arrive their team is comprised of a variety of students from the other schools and one international student in each team. In four days, these students get to know each other and have to team up, get a business case, and in 24 hours be ready to present in front of judges.

Introducing teams to Jonathan!

Behind the scenes, there is a fabulous Management Team introducing the students to our Storrs campus, and helping ensure that every day runs smoothly. The Team is made up of five Managers and two Co-Heads. Last year, I started out as one of the Managers, Judge Liason,  and had an incredible experience. My tasks included communicating with the judges, most of them being professionals in International Business prior to the Competition and hosting them on campus on Competition Day. I had amazing exposure to network with them and learn about their successful careers. Loving my experience, when I found out UConn would host it again I had to be a part of it!!!

Team Building Activities

This year I took the role as one of the Co-Heads and my job included working with my Co-Head, Erica, to look over what all of the Managers were working on and assist them as well. We were also that link between the Managers and the CIBER Office in the School of Business. I went from focusing on just the judges to looking at the big picture, and I enjoyed every step towards helping the Competition be successful. At the end, everyone was pleased with how the Competition turned out and that was the one reward I was truly looking for. The Competition was a moment where great connections were made, and everybody was able to learn from the experience from the students competing to the Management Team.

All of the students that competed!

Although I’m the daughter of a former professional soccer player, I am sorry to report that athletics are not my forte! Unfortunately, I am not very coordinated or fast. However, I am still very passionate about soccer and its role as a global unifier and peace maker. I am a great fan of the fact that no matter what country you are from or what language you speak soccer is something that almost every culture embraces. Therefore, I was very excited when I heard that UConn’s International Student Organization was planning to host the very first annual Husky World Cup in September 2012. The tournament would not only serve to unite cultures within our campus and provide a fun Saturday activity for our students. Also, all of the proceeds would benefit Kicks For Africa, a student run organization that donates shoes to underprivileged youth in Africa.

I immediately signed up to volunteer and was put in charge of logistics. I spent the summer drawing diagrams of soccer fields and compiling a list of rules and regulations. When the fall semester began, the International Student Organization (including myself) spent countless hours in our Student Union preparing for the event. We secured a location for the event, found sponsors, registered teams and lead them through a safety seminar, collaborated with Kicks for Africa to ensure their needs were being met and advertised as much as we could around campus. This planning process was an absolutely great experience that taught me just how much work and effort goes into planning a successful event.

Finally, the day of the event came and our thirteen teams were ready to go. As described by our student run newspaper, the Daily Campus, “students of various ethnicities participated in the tournament and showed their love for their country by representing their cultural club or just naming their team after one.” It was great to see everyone come together and share their cultural diversities. Plus, not only was the event fun, but it was for a great cause as we were able to collect over 800 pairs of shoes and plenty of money for Kicks for Africa.

The ultimate winners of the event were Team Europe who received free T-shirts and gift certificates to Wings Over Storrs. However, everyone was happy to participate and be a part of the experience. At the close of the event, Rockwell Anyoha, a 5th semester BME major, enthusiastically commented, “I really like the event and how it represents a lot of cultures coming together as one. I’m glad to represent Africa and have fun with my friends for a good cause.”

Hope everyone’s bundling up and staying warm as winter starts! After deciding that my agenda was not quite packed enough, last Spring I joined a new organization called Autism Speaks U UConn and I am loving every minute of it. It’s great to see a newer organization expand and take some real initiative.The goal of Autism Speaks U UConn is to “increase awareness through education of Autism spectrum disorders as well as through fundraising events and activities”.

I became involved with Autism Speaks U UConn last Spring and participated in the Autism Speaks 5K Walk/Run that is hosted every year on our campus. One the fraternities on campus, TKE, works with Autism Speaks U UConn to help host that event and last Spring we raised over $12,400. I dragged a fellow Special Education major to come walk the 5K race with me and it was a great time!

Autism Speaks is an organization that I find particularly important. As a Special Education major, I work with students with Autism in my classroom and can see it’s profound impact on them and the members of their families. Currently, 1 in 88 children are diagnosed with this disability so the continuation of research, as well as supports for those impacted by Autism is crucial.

Our group holds a few different fundraisers and events throughout the year. Our current fundraisers include selling $2 blue Autism Speaks rubber bracelets and also $1 blue puzzle pieces where donors can write their name on the puzzle piece. So wish us luck, keep your eyes peeled for signs for this Spring’s Autism Speaks 5k, and show us your support if you see us around campus!

For more information or to join our group (we love new members!), feel free to contact us through http://uconntact.uconn.edu/organization/autismspeaksuuconn or through our Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/pages/Autism-Speaks-U-UConn/252344381514338 .

This post is about professors. Specifically, the great opportunity we as students have to build friendships with them.

When I was sitting in my high school classroom, something our teachers loved to remind us about was how much harder college was going to be than high school. No one was going to care about us, We were just going to be another number, a face in the crowd.  And the professors? Forget about it, they are no way near as caring and concerned about us as our teachers.

In my experience at UConn, these representations have all been proved false. Every UConn professor I have ever reached out to has always responded positively. Whether I needed help with homework, had a question about the lecture, or even advice in general, they have always been more than willing to oblige. These people are at the top of the education food chain. They have been through at least 10 years of college, not to mention the countless hours of research and writing they do year after year. If they are experts in your field of study. The research they do is not only interesting but might also afford you a future in assisting them (though it probably won’t be as interesting as Indiana Jones research)! They are professionals not only in their respective field, but also in how to succeed at education in general, which is every college students’ current goal.

Professor Kuchta from the Economics Department has been a great mentor. When I was took my introduction to Microeconomics I was quickly getting lost and frustrated with the subject. I saw economics as a weird way of thinking, and I couldn’t wrap my head around it. He helped me understand the basic economic concepts such a marginal costs, opportunity cost, utility, and many others. He’s given me a lot of academic and career advice such as which classes to take as an undergraduate to help me succeed as a graduate student and where some great jobs for economists can be found. Though he has moved on from UConn, he continues to be a major reason of why I stuck with economics.

Another professor whom I really admire is Professor Miller from the Judaic Studies Department. Going into the course, I was fairly uneducated about Ancient Judaism, especially past the Old Testament. everyday after class I would walk back with Professor Miller from the classroom to his office, the whole way asking him questions. I was very interested in not only how Christianity and Judaism were similar, but also how they have become so different as well. Professor Miller continues to be a great resource for any questions I have, but also a great friend.

I have had the pleasure on several other occasions in the last couple years to be able to walk with my professors from class to wherever they were going, before I headed back to my dorm. I have never been disappointed in doing this. I was able to gain a much deeper understanding of the class and learn their viewpoints as well. The advice I have gotten has ranged from personal viewpoints to which books are the most trustworthy when doing research.

You will not regret the time spent outside the classroom with your instructors. Every friendship I built with a professor has always made me a more knowledgeable, well-rounded, and better student. Wherever you choose to go to school, don’t miss out on the chance to get to know your professors.

Getting involved on campus is one the best ways to enrich your college experience. When I was a freshman I thought about community service opportunities, maybe joining a club sport or even one of the improv groups on campus nut Greek life was not something I was interested in.  Ironically, this fall commemorates one year I have been a sister of Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority, Incorporated. Being a sister of my sorority is one of the best decisions I have ever made and will never regret. IT has helped me develop professionally and personally, as well as serve as a support system, away from home.

Every fall semester Lambda Theta Alpha hosts a week of events ranging in topics from improving self-esteem workshops to self-defense classes. Our goal is to bring the UConn community together to celebrate female empowerment and educate the community on topics of interest. Last night was our last event of our Wise Women Week, and we we’re fortunate to have author and tenured professor Gloria Rodriguez all the way from New York come to Storrs! I originally met Professor Rodriguez this past summer at my sorority’s national convention held in Puerto Rico where she was the keynote speaker. As soon as I heard her speak I knew that she was something special and wanted to share her insights with the UConn community. She gave an inspiring presentation on finding your purpose and reaching your full potential. After about an hour of what seemed to be an intimate conversation and some meditation my fellow students and I left feeling motivated and relaxed. It was a great way to end the week!

I’m so proud that every event we have had during our Wise Women Week turned out to be a success! It is during these times that I am reminded why I chose to ‘go greek’. being a part of Lambda Theta Alpha has allowed me to intertwine my interest and passions and able to fulfill all the tings I like to do. I get to participate in community service when working with St. Jude’s, my sorority’s philanthropy. I get to hold leadership positions by serving as vice president and treasurer on my Chapter’s executive board. I get to meet and network with amazing sister form all over the country. These are all things I absolutely love to do and I don’t think I would be able to to have done them without the encouragement and support for my Lambda Theta Alpha sisters.

]]> http://uconnwelcomemat.wordpress.com/2012/12/03/being-a-sister-of-lambda-theta-alpha-latin-sorority-incorporated/feed/ 0 alimages natalialens DSC_1001 lta kappa fall 11 4239404172-1 http://uconnwelcomemat.wordpress.com/2012/11/30/uconns-clinical-research-lab/ http://uconnwelcomemat.wordpress.com/2012/11/30/uconns-clinical-research-lab/#comments Fri, 30 Nov 2012 14:11:21 +0000 Darlene http://uconnwelcomemat.wordpress.com/?p=15400 ]]> Hello Everyone, Darlene here! 

Today I’m here to talk about the Human Development and Family Studies (HDFS) research lab that I have been involved in this past semester. In the past I had never entertained the idea of joining a research lab because my idea of a lab was working in a room full of test tubes, a few computers and telescopes (a.k.a. BOORING! – at least to me.) However over the past few years I have listened to many of my co-workers at the Visitors Center talk about all the interesting things they had been learning in the research labs that they were involved in and it sparked my interest.

Last spring semester I signed up for the Clinical Outcome and Process research lab after receiving an email from the HDFS department about an observational research opportunity. Though I wasn’t familiar with observational research, in fine print the flyer mentioned having the ability to view real life couples therapy sessions so I was all in and I couldn’t have found a more perfect fit for me!

Rachel Tambling

The Clinical Outcome and Process Research Lab is mainly run by Rachel Tambling, Shyane Anderson and my wonderful lab manager, Scott Huff. The lab was designed to collect more information on successful couples therapy sessions amongst heterosexual couples. With roughly 15 members on the team there are various different projects currently in progress but the most prevalent being  FRCCS ( Family Relational Communication Control Coding Scheme), SOFTA (System Of Family Therapy Alliance Coding) and my project RMICS ( Rapid Marital Interaction Coding System).  These three project focus on (1) coding communication of messages – looking at who is doing the talking and what are they talking about, (2) coding a positive or negative alliance in the client and therapist relationship and (3) coding the actual interactions of the clients with each other and their therapist.

What sets observational research apart from many other research methods is that it is not looking at numbers. As this research lab focuses on finding out how and why successful couples therapy sessions are successful, it would be quite difficult to give the results we are looking for in a numerical value or code interactions in a form of numbers. 

So you’re probably wondering what I actually do in lab – well, I watch different clips of couple therapy sessions and code them for behaviors like psychological abuse, general problem discussion, self-disclosure, hostility and more. Sounds easy? Not really. It takes me roughly an hour to code 5 to 10 minutes of one therapy session and within that time there are at least 30 interactions that are coded.

Overall I really enjoy being apart of the Clinical Outcome and Process research lab. Being apart of this lab has shown me that there is really something for everyone at UConn and I can’t wait to continue with this next semester.

-Dar

So, I will not be giving tours at the Lodewick Visitors Center next semester (Spring 2013) because I will not be at UConn—or in the United States for that matter! Next semester I will be going abroad to Adelaide, Australia to complete four courses toward my major.

This is going to be a huge step in my life. I have never been away from home for more than two weeks (with the exception of school, but I only live 45 minutes away, so it doesn’t count) and I’ve never been overseas. So although I am extremely excited to start my adventure I would be lying to you if I said I wasn’t super-nervous. It’s going to be big change for me. I won’t be able to go home whenever I want and when I want to talk to someone we have to workout a time that works with the 15-hour time difference. As soon as I step on the plane I’ll be on my own from February until June.

Adelaide, Australia

Not to worry now though, there is so much to do before I leave on my big trip, or as my Dad calls it “my vacation abroad”. First things first, I had to apply to UConn’s study abroad program. Once I got accepted there I then had to apply to the actual school—The University of Adelaide. Right now I’m in study abroad limbo until they give me the official go on December 1st. However, I am 99.99999999% that I’m going to be accepted so I am still doing all of the other things in preparation for my big trip. These things include: canceling UConn housing, getting a visa and round-trip plane ticket, pick classes for Adelaide, find housing in Adelaide, getting all my courses accredited, and making sure everything is in order for the fall when I come back to UConn. There are also plenty of other things that I have forgotten about that will have to get done as well.

This is going to be one of the best experiences of my life and I truly am so excited to go, but it is also going to be such a huge change in my life. The Study Abroad Office has been great through all of this. They have helped me every step away and they are comforting me about being so far away for so long. I am actually going to my pre-departure meeting tomorrow to finalize all the details!

I’ll be keeping everyone posted on my Australian adventures, so be sure to check back! That’s all for now!

“Krav ma-what?” is often what I get when I tell people I am involved in Krav Maga. I guess it does sound bizarre. Krav Maga is the Israeli defense fighting form, the same form taught to the world-class Israeli army.

It has gained notoriety for its intensity and almost savage reputation. Although it’s probably not as crazy as people think it is, Krav Maga is indeed intense and is indeed a fighting form where there are no rules and no excuses.

I came across the Krav Maga club like most freshmen come across 99% of the clubs they encounter: UConn’s Involvement Fair. I wanted to get involved in a martial art since I have already experimented with Judo, Karate, Tae kwon do, and others. Krav Maga appealed to me because it was a hybrid, a relatively new martial art that incorporated the best aspects of the oriental martial arts with common sense and street fighting.

Another type of hold.

When I bumped into the Krav Maga display at the Involvement Fair I instantly signed up. I was amazed when the president of the club told me I only had to pay $40 a semester to be in the club. For those who are not familiar with Krav Maga this may not seem like a big deal but Krav Maga classes are extremely expensive.

The rest is history. I have been going since first semester of freshmen year. I have learned many techniques: how to escape chokes, how to disarm people with knives and guns, how to strike with my elbows, and different blocks and grabs.

The classes are taught by a professional Krav Maga instructor, Anthony. He drives all the way to UConn just to teach us and it is truly an honor that we can get such an authentic and effective experience.

The Krav Maga club has been a positive experience in my life so far. We meet every Tuesdays and Thursdays in the Hawley Armory from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm. You’ll get a great workout, learn how to defend yourself, and meet awesome people!

Come stop by!

This is us after a hardcore training session. I’m on the left with the red shorts