EXPRESSIONS
- Study Abroad experiences surpass educational expectations Rachel Elsea
- 'Meet Dave' at the theater for a mediocre time Tia Woods
- University residents decorate dorms on a dime Ali LaGesse
- Top Five: Road Trip Songs Jason Yurgartis
- YouTube Clip of the week
- Unique summer jobs take students cross-country Laura Franco
Study Abroad experiences surpass educational expectations
Rowing in canoes near the Neuschwanstein Castle, trekking through rain to reach the hilltop, learning about different university systems and visiting sites where the founding fathers of psychology first began their studies were all part of a recent psychology study abroad trip to Austria and Germany.
As my first study abroad, the experience definitely exceeded my expectations, and other students agreed. Although the focus was on culture and psychology, everyone still had many unique, fun experiences.
"[The trip] was better than I expected," said senior psychology major Amanda McAllister. "I was able to make friends with people on the trip and experience more than I thought."
Study abroad trips provide students with the opportunity to grow academically, socially and personally. Through culturally diverse experiences, students gain a more complete understanding of various world issues like economics and politics, according to the UNF study abroad Web site.
Dr. Dominik Güss and Dr. Teresa Tuason, both psychology assistant professors, led this trip.
Güss said he decided to do the trip because he traveled abroad in the past and those trips were some of the highlights of his life.
"There were so many enriching experiences with the people I met abroad," he said.
Sharing the experience of a new culture with students who have never been out of the country is enriching, Tuason said.
As part of learning about a new culture, we also had the chance to meet students from universities in Austria and Germany and learn about the way their universities operated.
"I learned how different [the University of Vienna] class system is from ours. I also found it interesting how they used to get free education until 2002," said senior psychology major Andrew Galarneau.
The places we visited were not too narrowly focused on any educational aspect, and we really got a broad overview of everything and how it related to psychology, making the trip both fun and informative.
"I wanted students to understand more about the way people in Austria and Germany behave, think and what their lifestyle is," Güss said.
Some of the places we visited included the Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Wilhelm Wundt's laboratory and the Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site.
In Wundt's laboratory, one of the first formal laboratories of psychological research, the class had the chance to sign the guestbook where other famous psychologists like Cattell and Spearman signed. This was impressive, Güss said.
We also had the opportunity to view various books Wundt wrote and tools he used for psychological research.
"The Wilhelm Wundt lab really made an impression on me just because of the way [the tour guide] was handling the old devices and letting us touch them," said senior psychology major Mike Mozingo. "It seemed like they should be behind glass in a museum and it really made the ways of psychological testing apparent to me."
The Dachau memorial site also had a significant impact on us and was useful in understanding psychology of perpetrators, victims and survivors.
"I can see people learned a lot of psychology in terms of emotions like cruelty and forgiveness and dealing with emotions like being angry, upset or sad," Tuason said. "By acknowledging it we were able to understand the psychology of what happened and also of coping with it while we were there."
Despite some intense moments of focus or reflection at more educational places, there were still times when we did not have to be 100 percent serious, and we just hung out and had fun.
For example, one night we all got together for Project Black Cougar, a decision to get two pictures of the group developed and framed including short individual messages around the photo for Güss and Tuason.
"It was so fun, a good way for us to bond and a wonderful way to say 'thank you' to the teachers," said senior psychology major Vanessa Bianchi.
Sometimes unplanned things also had the most impact, Güss said.
"I learned many students were impressed by nature and the mountains on the drive to Neuschwanstein," he said.
Seeing another culture can be powerful in showing that another culture exists and there are alternative ways of thinking, like Germany's love for the environment and recycling, Tuason said.
"Even talking to a person from another country gives us a different perspective," she said. "We are out of our comfort zone, and a study abroad course just widens that perspective. It's a blessing to go when you're young and there's more of that perspective and opportunities to go abroad and listen to someone from another culture."
Travel Q&A
Why did you decide to go on this study abroad trip?
"I love to travel, and I wanted to go with students my age." - Vanessa Bianchi, psychology senior
"I've been on study abroads before, and it was a great experience so I wanted to get another chance to see another part of the world I hadn't seen before." -Andrew Galarneau, psychology senior
"I wanted to travel to Europe sometime soon anyway, and the opportunity presented itself. It seemed like the perfect opportunity to go to Europe and pursue academic interest." - Mike Mozingo, psychology senior
N/A - Amanda McAllister, psychology senior
What has been the craziest thing you've experienced so far?
"The craziest thing that happened to me was being in the middle of tons of people in Vienna in the fan zone for the EuroCup soccer game." - Vanessa
"Probably the very first day when we arrived, and we were walking through the Schönbrunn Palace gardens, and it just started raining. It got really cold, but I still trekked on to the top of the mountain." - Andrew
"We thought we were being responsible and left the EuroCup early but ended up getting lost in the streets of Vienna for two and a half hours in the pouring rain." - Amanda
"It was the night of the soccer match, and we were out in the fan zone. This guy said 'hey, you have an awesome beard,' so I put my arm around him, cheers'd him, and he put my beard in his mouth." - Mike
What was your favorite part of the trip?
"The night in Bamberg when five of us went out and really experienced the culture." - Vanessa
"Probably when we visited Neuschwanstein because the surrounding area was beautiful. There was a lot to see. The Alps were awesome." - Andrew
"My favorite part was the Neuschwanstein castle trip where we climbed in the Alps and rowboated and bonded." - Amanda
"Meditating in the mountains." - Mike
What was the most significant thing you learned on this trip?
"It opened my eyes that the world goes past the borders of the United States." - Vanessa
"It's not really the experiences you get on the trip but who you experience it with. Even on the worst days, I still had fun with the group we were with." - Andrew
"The importance of visiting cultures other than your own." - Amanda
"I learned from the Germans during the EuroCup finals that even when things don't turn out as expected, it's always OK to smile, party and have a good time." - Mike
Contact Rachel Elsea at copydesk@unfspinnaker.com -- PERMALINK -- TOP OF PAGE
'Meet Dave' at the theater for a mediocre time
 The Good: The humor of supporting actors in the movie, such as the virtous and versitile Gabrielle Union. The Bad: The plot is somewhat confusing from the start. Why are tiny aliens studying humans that are just bigger versions of themselves? The Ugly: Some desperate attempts for getting laughs in the movie...i.e. the farting informate. |
"Meet Dave" isn't a horrible movie, though it may have appeared to be through its previews and the plot. It has several laugh-out-loud moments funnier than anything in theaters in the past month.
Overcoming the unoriginal angle, Murphy's performance leads to something uniquely funny about an alien trying to emulate what's "normal" while steering just enough to slide into hilarious sequences. For example, the aliens responsible for Dave's all-white wardrobe learn the look only appears fashionable on the looks of '70s band members.
A down side is clear in the movie, however. Steer clear of the reports inside Dave from Lieutenant Buttocks, who assesses a "small gas leak" that is "silent but not deadly."
Why do some Hollywood writers continue to think that farting is a standard of comedy? This will provide you with small to miniscule laughs throughout.
The plot doesn't quite work. Why are the tiny aliens so concerned with beings that are just larger versions of themselves? And the movie turns for the worse when it tries to grasp family-friendly emotion.
But sometimes a movie catches you in the right mood, and "Meet Dave" might be the right kind of silliness for the half-baked comedies that have come around in its time, such as the sketchy "Get Smart" or the just plain awful "The Love Guru."
Contact Tia Woods at features@unfspinnaker.com -- PERMALINK -- TOP OF PAGE
University residents decorate dorms on a dime
Moving away from home can be a thrilling time for new college students. With less parental supervision comes more freedom, usually with just one exception: reliance on parents for money.
When away at college and living on a tight budget, decorating a living space can end up being a very expensive task. UNF freshmen have different ways to tackle being thrifty when decorating dorm rooms.
Special education major Sofia Rubin said she saved money when decorating her dorm by not spending money on unnecessary items at the store.
"I just brought posters from home," Rubin said.
Items such as storage containers and eating utensils that came from the dollar store were what she got the best deals on, and retailers like Wal-Mart and Target were the easiest places to find deals, Rubin added.
Her advice for thrifty dorm shopping is to plan ahead and only purchase what is needed at that time.
"Don't buy too much at one time, and always reuse what you have," she said.
Roommates Kim Ulseth and Nicole Turner, both nursing majors, agreed that Target is a good place to find inexpensive decorating and utility items for their room.
"Target is where it's at to find deals," Turner said.
Business major Trent Long said the best deals he found when purchasing items for his dorm room were found at Wal-Mart. He recommended finding special sales when shopping.
"I just look for 'buy one get one free' sales," Long said.
He said his dorm is decorated mainly with magazine cutouts.
"I just tore out a bunch of pictures from my magazines and stuck them on our walls," he said.
When decorating the walls of a dorm room with photos, instead of merely plastering up a few pictures, buy a large, inexpensive frame that can fit five to ten photos in it. Retailers such as Target and Wal-Mart sell such frames at a lower price than such stores as Pottery Barn and Pier 1 Imports.
The most inexpensive and the most common way to decorate dorm walls is to cut out pictures and brand names from magazine advertisements and retail store shopping bags. Fashion magazines such as Glamour, Allure and Teen Vogue cost no more than $4 and are full of pictures of favorite celebrities, fashion trends, and other unique pictures that serve as great dorm wall décor.
Posters are also a thrifty dorm wall necessity and can be brought from home or purchased at a retailer, usually inexpensively.
Ulseth said she went to the dollar store to buy miscellaneous wall decoration items like stickers, which added a lot to the personality of their room.
"We did spend a lot of money, but The Dollar Store was a great place to get cheap stuff," Ulseth said.
Contact Ali LaGesse at features@unfspinnaker.com -- PERMALINK -- TOP OF PAGE
Top five
Road Trip Songs
The start of fall semester is just around the corner, but there is plenty of summer left to scrape together some cash, a few friends and some music and head to destinations unknown. Here are five road-tested songs that won't let you down no matter where you're headed.
"Roadrunner" - The Modern Lovers
With a jangly organ, three chords and lyrics about driving fast and loving rock n' roll, this song will make rock n' roll lovers drive fast.
"Jump Into the Fire" - Harry Nilsson
John Lennon said Nilsson was his favorite American tenor, and if that isn't enough of an endorsement, the thumping bassline and Nilsson's infectious vocals make this song the highlight of the infamous helicopter scene in "Goodfellas".
"Award Tour" - A Tribe Called Quest
A sharp beat and incessant keyboard loop, this is the perfect song to get the trip back on track. Turn it up and wash away the boredom of the open road.
"Passenger Side" - Wilco
As a twangy, breezy and lazily-paced song about drinking away the frustrations of not being able to drive while riding in the passenger seat, it's a classic slice of Americana and a sing-along during the bleaker moments of the trip.
"Ramble On"- Led Zeppelin
In this classic about the inability to stay grounded, Robert Plant howls through this traveling tale laced with "hobbit" references, which begs the question, did anyone in the history of the world get more women by ripping off J.R.R. Tolkien?
Compiled by Jason Yurgartis
Contact Jason Yurgartis at features@unfspinnaker.com --
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YouTube Clip of the Week
Home Shopping Network katana slip
Watching other people get hurt is funny, especially when they're hocking swords on a home shopping channel. Like most jobs, selling swords has its occupational hazards and luckily for viewers, they've been captured on tape and exposed on the internet. Note the quality workmanship on the katana and remember this clip next time you decide to buy swords for a home reenactment of "Kill Bill."
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Contact at features@unfspinnaker.com -- PERMALINK -- TOP OF PAGE
Unique summer jobs take students cross-country
For many college students, summer break provides the perfect opportunity to enter the workforce and earn a little money. Students fill out a myriad of applications and flock to employers looking for "the perfect job."
There are a wide variety of jobs for college students to choose from, many being the typical fast food or retail. But some UNF students have turned to alternative options.
Having a job other than fast food and retail will help students in the future, said Valarie Robinson, a College of Arts and Sciences liaison for Career Services.
"Get as much practical experience while in school," Robinson said. "Pursue internships. Some organizations offer students the opportunity to intern as early as their sophomore year."
Robinson said if students want to get jobs in organizations, they should apply early and directly contact the organization. She added if students get the position they can go into Career Services and try to receive academic credit.
"[When looking for summer jobs,] be aware of competition, and have a clear idea of what you want to do post-graduation," Robinson said. "Be aware of the type of skills organizations are looking for such as extracurricular activities and information, knowledge and skills you've gained in classes."
For junior communications major Courtney Barriger, her summer job involves living in Manhattan Beach, Calif., and asking and surveying the citizens of Los Angeles what concerns them in their community and the environmental changes they want to see happen.
Barriger works as a street canvasser for Environment California.
"[It is an] environmental protection agency that gathers funding for research and encourages lobbyists to pass laws and legislations regarding the environment," Barriger said. "It makes the community aware of global warming, clean air and water."
Barriger heard of the opportunity when she was looking online for summer jobs in public and non-service organizations. She went to Career Services and inquired about receiving academic credit through a co-operative independent study.
"It is a part of what I'm doing with my major and minor [international relations]," Barriger said. "I want to get involved in politics and broadcasting. It gives me the definite tools for communicating, in being able to convince people, write reports and meet quotas."
Barriger will also be involved in fundraising activities and will attend campaign activities like press conferences and district meetings.
While in Los Angeles, Barriger has also pursued acting jobs she heard about through her 2007 internship as a production assistant for the HBO movie "Recount." She recently auditioned for a short program, a play that parodies fairy tales.
As for junior sport management major Tara Crisp, she had always wanted to be a camp counselor. So when she heard about a position with her church's youth group, she jumped at the opportunity.
"I got involved in summer 2007," she said. [The camp] I went to was in Tiger, Ga., and it was a great experience. I reapplied this year, and I was sent to Prescott, Ariz."
Crisp will spend five weeks starting in July at Life Teen's Camp Tempeyac. The camp focuses on bringing middle and high school students closer to their faith through sports and team building activities.
Some of the activities teens got involved in last year were ropes courses and whitewater rafting, Crisp said.
"Days spent whitewater rafting were thrilling," Crisp said. "It definitely took teamwork and a watchful eye to make sure your friend didn't fall out of the boat, along with precision rowing and listening to the guide."
As for the ropes course, it consisted of high and low ropes. Low ropes required more teamwork, and it involved learning about team trust and communication in difficult situations, Crisp said. The high ropes paired teams into groups of four and hoisted a person 35 feet in the air to a hanging obstacle course.
"Once up you had to maneuver down a swinging bridge, across the 'Crow's nest,' over tight rope walk," Crisp said. "There was also a rock climbing wall, a giant rope swing and a zip line."
The difference between Crisp's job and other jobs is that you don't get to go home for five weeks, she said.
"Literally, you arrive at the airport with your bags and find your way to a group of people you've never met and quickly become friends with them in order to perform your job best," Crisp said.
If you're interested in finding a summer job or internship, visit the Career Services Web site at unf.edu/dept/cdc. Also, visit coolworks.com for listings of unique summer jobs.
Contact Laura Franco at features@unfspinnaker.com -- PERMALINK -- TOP OF PAGE