Section 8 and Others Leave Audience Swooning

#10. Be serenaded by Singing Men of Ohio and Women’s Chorale at a concert

For my last post, I decided to turn to the Ohio University Programming Council's '100 Things to Do Before You Graduate' and select something off of their list. Number 50 caught my eye--"Get serenaded by Singing Men of Ohio and Women’s Chorale at a concert."

I have watched SMO and the Women's Chorale perform at the Ohio Upclose programs, but I have never actually (which is a shame) attended one of the many concerts the groups put on each quarter. It's something I've been meaning to do especially since my little sister in my sorority, Sarah Engle, is in Women's Chorale and Title IX.

So, tonight (actually yesterday) I trekked over to Templeton-Blackburn Alumni Memorial Auditorium and attended the OU A Cappella Invitational 2010, where smaller groups inside of the Singing Men of Ohio and Women's Chorale performed.

Singing Men of Ohio has a handful of men who perform in Section 8. They recently did an a cappella rendition of Jay Sean's Down that literally makes any person within a 50 mile radius smile ear to ear. If you don't believe me, scroll down to the bottom to watch it for yourself. Other groups that performed included: H.O.W. (Heart of Worship), The Leading Tones, Tempo Tantrums and Title IX.

Tempo Tantrums and Title IX are both smaller sections that are derived from the Women's Chorale, similar to SMO's Section 8. Both groups have performed at The Front Room Coffeehouse and do a lot of a cappella renditions of pop songs. Title IX recently performed at an Ohio Upclose visit day and left the audience in complete awe. Heart of Worship holds the distinction of being the first and only co-ed a cappella group at OU.

I wish I could do the groups justice. The quality of the performances literally blew me away. Heart of Worship performed Madonna's Just Like a Prayer; The Tempo Tantrums sang a rendition of Ego by Beyonce; The Leading Tones performed barefoot and sang I'll Make a Man Out of You from the Disney classic Mulan; and Section 8 (the hosts) stole the show with so many crowd stoppers that the entire audience was grinning ear to ear by the end. Needless to say, I'm still swooning.

I think Junior Sociology major Liz Bracher summed up the concert the best. Bracher said, "The stage presence of all of the groups was contagious and I haven't laughed that much in a long time."

Until next time,
Mak

P.S.- Enjoy the video below!

Bobcats Abroad

#9. Consider Studying Abroad

A Plant Biology major. Two Journalism majors. A History Pre-Law major. An Integrated Math Education major. A graduate of the Global Leadership Center. On the surface, you would never guess that the seven majors have anything in common besides their enrollment at Ohio University. The one reoccurring thread is that they all have had the opportunity to study abroad and experience new cultures all across the world.

Experience a Whole New World

According to Krista Baddour, a Peer Adviser at the Office of Education Abroad at OU, a number of students decide to study abroad. The latest numbers show that approximately 1,000 students study abroad each year—with the most popular quarter being the summer. While a majority of students do study in Europe, students have traveled all corners of the Earth.

Baddour also noted that regardless of the major or desired location, OU offers programs that directly relate to what the students are studying. For example, there are European business classes or health care lectures in the developing world. The difference is that students are able to have a more hands on experience while abroad than what they might experience in the typical lecture hall.

Baddour herself studied abroad in Merida, Mexico last winter through the OU study abroad program and said, “I think that it is an opportunity that every student should take advantage of. It is the best thing I have ever done in my career as a student and in my life and the experience has greatly impacted and altered my life forever.” She’s not alone in her sheer enthusiasm and passion about the study abroad program.

Endless Options

Senior Journalism major Megan Leonhardt said her six-month experience in Denmark in Fall 2008 left her itching for more. As an elementary school student, Leonhardt’s yearning to study abroad began when she received the peer-to-peer mailings. Leonhardt’s mother wasn’t keen on her going at such a young age, so she waited patiently until her sophomore year of college. Leonhardt chose Denmark and the Danish Exchange Program based on three factors: price (the Danish Foreign Exchange program has free tuition), country--Leonhardt had not traveled to Denmark prior to my foreign exchange, and language—so she could get by in the country without major language issues.

Junior Plant Biology major Kaitlin Hillier also chose Australia last fall for her study abroad experience based on language and course offerings. The Australearn program Hillier chose pairs students with other Ohio University students and has a three-day introduction to the country. Hillier also felt the urge to study abroad in high school-- speaking with friends who went abroad also piqued her interest even more.

Junior History Pre-Law major Audra Smith was set on immersing herself in European culture and decided visiting as a student through a study abroad program was the best choice. Smith is also studying German, so she chose Salzburg, Austria, because it was one of the two German programs that Ohio University offered. I utilized a program provided by OU,” she said. “I knew the transferring of credits would be a lot less painful.”

Limitless Benefits

Baddour also mentioned the abudance of opportunities and benefits to studying abroad. Not only do students have the opportunity to enrich their academic experience while earning course credit, but they are also able to do so in a hands-on environment. Moreover, students are able to become more independent and meet people from varying cultures. While some students do choose to earn credit in an English speaking country, students like Smith and Baddour do choose programs that allow them to sharpen their language skills and work toward a language requirement.

In addition, being able to study abroad is an opportunity to stand out from the crowd with future employers. Senior Tatum Risch who studied abroad in Thailand and England through the GLC and Education Abroad programs said, “Interviewers LOVE hearing about study abroad experiences. It shows them you are independent and can survive on your own in an environment you were not previously familiar with.”

Junior Integrated Math Education major Jenna Valentine agreed wholeheartedly. During her trip last summer to Italy, she was able to learn how to make gelato and play bocci. Even though Valentine openly admits to expecting the “worst homesickness of my life,” she admits to not being homesick at all. In fact, Valentine said the hardest thing she experienced was ending her trip and leaving Italy.

The biggest myth surrounding studying abroad, according to the Office of Education Abroad is the dent it will leave in your pocket. Admittedly, some programs ARE more expensive than others—but Baddour reassuringly stated that students who select Ohio University programs are able to use all of their financial aid (including scholarships!). If you are still coming up short, there are also specific grants and scholarships for study abroad funding that are based on financial need and merit. In addition to these scholarships, there are other funding resources that students can find on the Education Abroad website under “Funding.”

Junior Journalism major Caitlin Ash studied abroad in Merida, Mexico this past winter and said the costs were well worth it. “The money situation shouldn’t discourage you at all though,” Ash said. “It will change your life.”

Almost Convinced

Unfortunately, I’ve never had the opportunity to study abroad—you could call it a “long term” bucket list item of mine. As my time at OU is slowly coming to an end, I thought I simply had too many commitments to take a quarter off before graduation. However, after speaking with seven Bobcats who have studied abroad and the Office of Education Abroad at Ohio University—I’m seriously considering studying abroad the summer after I graduate. While it would certainly be a courageous leap for this Scaredy Cat, the pictures below are enough to make anyone a traveling Bobcat!

What are the steps to studying abroad?

* Visit the Office of Education Abroad website.

* Search through programs either by term, destination or type of experience (exchange program, volunteer, intern abroad or work) you’re interested in.

* Online applications are available on the website’s main page as well as a calendar of upcoming events and announcements.

* Visit the Education Abroad office during their walk-in advising hours Monday through Friday 1-4 p.m.

* Make an appointment with a Peer Adviser, like Baddour, who can answer questions and guide students throughout the application process.

Until next time,
Mak

Give back to the Athens community!

#8. Give back to the Athens community before you graduate.

A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to break out of the OU bubble--which stretches from Peden Stadium to East State Street, but still stay in Athens. For those who don't know, Athens (and Southeast Ohio) is one of the most poverty-stricken areas in the state. For a lot of OU students, the poverty doesn't even register on their radar. For others--like myself--they don't know how to help.

I was so grateful to be able to volunteer with Good Works, Inc.'s Friday Night Life, where my compassion and love for Athens grew. I was able to not only cook out for people of all different walks of life (including those who are staying in shelters and others who have well established homes) and actually hear their incredible stories.

Before you graduate, I encourage and challenge you to give back to the Athens community. We take so much for granted by being privileged enough to attend college and take over the city of Athens for most of the year. Take a couple hours out of your day and give back!

Below are links to different volunteer options throughout the Athens community to get you started. What are you waiting for?

Good Works, Inc.
United Campus Ministry
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Athens County
Passion Works
Athens County Humane Society

Until next time,
Mak

Sushi in Athens

#7. Try Sushi Tuesday at Lui Lui Restaurant

This past Tuesday, I finally got the opporunity and motivation to go to Lui Lui Restaurant for their Sushi Tuesday event. The restaurant flies in sushi every Tuesday fresh from Hawaii and has a monopoly on the nonexistent sushi market in Athens, Ohio. Their only competition is at the student food court at Baker Student Center and Kroger.

Most students don't know about Lui Lui as it is sort of off the beaten path--located across from the Smiling Skull Bar on Union Street.

I grew up eating sushi, so I'm extremely picky about the quality of sushi that I eat. I'm not the only one as my roommate Clare Lowry and friend Jaden also experience that insatiable craving for a good spicy tuna roll.

When we arrived, I was immediately blown away by the extremely reasonable prices. The most expensive roll on the menu is under $8, with most prices averaging out at $6.

After careful deliberation, I chose the New York Roll (smoked salmon rolled with avocado, cream cheese and wasabi)for $5.95 and the Sunburn Roll (spicy tuna, avocado and cream cheese, tempura fried) for $7.59. Of course, I mentioned the free sushi a la carte deal I told you about before.

Jaden chose the Sunburn Roll and the Shrimp Tempura roll, while Clare chose the Island Roll (spicy tuna and cucumber topped with avocado and almond).

The service was wonderful and pretty quick. The cool part is they have an open sushi bar where they make everything. It's visible from the entrance, so it lured me in. Iwas extremely excited to see if Lui Lui sushi lived up to what I had heard and moreover, what I expected.

I have to be honest. The Sunburn Roll was a mistake. I was not a fan, to say the least. Maybe it's because I'm not a fan of cooked rolls, but it definitely sounded better than it actually was. As for the New York Roll, it wasn't anything I'd rave about for days--but it helped cure my sushi craving.

The Sunburn Roll is to the left and the New York Roll is to the right.

Clare, on the other hand, said "it was the best sushi I've ever had. I will definitely be coming back." Jaden also seemed equally satisfied with her choices.

As for myself, I'll probably be back when I need a sushi fix--especially for the cheap prices. However, I don't think I'll be a regular.

Until next time,
Mak