Part 2: Another Chapter of my Adventurous life: Spring 2013

The Road to Becoming an Italian: Florence 2013

The process to studying Abroad in Italy I’m sure is nothing compared to the process of living there for an entire semester. I was aware it was going to be a journey, and I heard it was a stressful process but never did I expect it to be as rigorous. Someone else may have had a different experience and say, “it wasn't as bad as everyone said”. Not my experience!

“…I specifically chose Italy for two reasons.  As a part of my cornerstone religious studies requirement at Stonehill, I had the opportunity to take a class about Greek and Roman religion. Between the class discussions, and the professor’s stories about his personal travels, I knew I had to go see the famous sights like the Coliseum that I had heard about. The other major reason I want to study abroad in Italy however, is because I am a Studio Art minor. Art is and always has been a large part of my life, and I would give anything to travel to the place where it all started. Not too many artists, especially in the Western world can say they have been to, or better yet, studied in Italy and I would love to be one of the few artists who can testify a firsthand experience of the beauty in art found in Italy.  I have no doubt that studying art in Florence, Italy will transform my perspectives towards life and art.  I strongly believe that this experience can transform me into a unique artist and I look forward to the opportunity to do so…” 

Instead of rewriting why I chose Italy, I figured I would save me time by copy and pasting this section of my abroad essay.

The road to Italy became real when I met with my abroad adviser, Aliki for the first time. I left the room thinking, “damn, it’s really happening!” I went into the application process not sure how I was going to afford it. Have you ever heard the phrase “God will make a way or provide”? Well that was my thinking. I was thinking; I don’t know how I will afford it, but God will make a way, he always does.

It’s alright if you don’t believe in God.  All I can say is, I’m a living testimony of the great things God can do if you trust him. I knew my scholarships and grants were going to transfer to Florence at Lorenzo de Medici. Tuition and housing was never an issue. The real problem was coming up with the money for pre-departure expenses (deposits, plane ticket, application fee) and extra spending while I am there (Food, traveling, books and miscellaneous other expenses).

Because I’m the type to think ahead, I started my process earlier than the majority of other students; I think back in November while others waited until after the winter break. I went to the study abroad fair and got a bunch of pamphlets and handouts on every where that offered a mix of Studio Art and Healthcare courses. Let’s just say, healthcare is not too popular in Europe. Italy did not have many Healthcare related courses and the few countries that provided Healthcare courses I had no interest in. Moral of the story is, Healthcare Administration does not exist much in Europe (at least for study abroad students). Over the winter break, I did a quick process of elimination with pamphlets received from the fair even though my mind was already set on Italy. The question was where in Italy? I was originally thinking Rome but some how my adviser and I decided on Lorenzo de Medici, Florence. I’ve heard nothing but great things about Florence and Lorenzo in the past; I had no reason not to trust her.

The next step after choosing a program was applying into the system. Applying into the system alerted Stonehill that you were interested on studying abroad. You were immediately placed under the radar. The following step was applying into the program GSE (Global Student Experience). I became a little nervous after submitting my application because of my GPA status; very close call. My nerves got to me for no reason because I ended up getting accepted.

"Congratulations, and welcome to the Global Student Experience Florence Fall 2013 program.

Your acceptance is considered conditional until you have visited and been approved by the Stonehill College Office of International Programs. If you have not already been in contact with the Office of International Programs you must do so immediately.  GSE requires that you comply with all of Stonehill College’s study abroad policies and meet all requirements...."

With  the accepted email came the stressful part of the abroad process, the DOCUMENTS! The list went on for dayssssss...! 

Official transcript from home university

GSE Student Code of Conduct Contract

GSE Housing and Medical Questionnaire

One color photocopy of your passport

Four official passport photos

 GSE Transcript Request Form

The happiest day of the semester for me was the day I turned in my complicated visa request to Aliki (Study Abroad Adviser).

One of my biggest regrets at Stonehill by far was not applying for the Gilman scholarship on time. I had planned on it since I found out about it on freshman year. I knew that was my key to my abroad opportunity. Time came and of course I did not meet the deadline. I had everything completed; my essay was tight thanks to my good friend Colleen McBride and her great editing skills. The only document left was my transcript, which I completely underestimated. I wasn’t aware you had to fill out forms and had to present. Talking about rookie mistake huh? It was now spring break weekend and also the weekend before Externship, NYC. The Externship program is a professional networking program sponsored by the career service department and the Alumni network in New York City. Lookout for my next blog for more details.

All I had left of the application was uploading my transcript and it wasn’t due until Tuesday. I emailed the Registrar’s office on the weekend thinking that was all it was going to take. Long story short, I did not have as much time as I thought I had between the demanding Externship schedule and the process it takes to receive a transcript. It was a shame and once again one of my biggest regrets because the scholarship was worth $5,000! Yeah I didn’t get to complete the Gilman Scholarship application but it was a learning experience. I had to learn the hard way, but what is more important is the awareness. Besides just when I thought it was over, I got the surprise of a lifetime at Gillete’s Humanitarian Dinner -- a RBTV event.

The Ron Burton Training Village (RBTV) hosts the annual Humanitarian Dinner at Gillette stadium. I’ve been apart of this event for the pass 8 years. Every year the RBTV also rewards 2 or 3 of it’s graduating seniors with the Ron Burton Scholarship (full ride) of choice. Of choice as in any one of the scholarships on the list (Bentley, Stonehill, Nival Academy, West Point, BC, North Western etc.) I'm not sure where others have went in the past but if you have any interest in getting more details on the RBTV you can either read the blog call Ron Burton Training Village 2012 or check out the official website at http://www.ronburtontrainingvillage.org/

In acceptance of the scholarship, the individual has to give speech about their experiences at the RBTV, a crowd of 500-700 people! Talking about nerve-racking huh? I was once one of those fortunate students. I’m sure you can also find my speech on the website. But I strongly recommend you not to! You have been warned! This year’s event was dedicated to Karen Kaplan of Hill Holiday (Biggest Advertisement Company in Mass). I was once again fortunate to have been one of the main events. I was surprised with the second annual Myra Kraft Community Service Award in memory Bob Kraft’s, owner of the New England Patriots. Along with the scholarship came 5,000 dollars scholarship! I couldn't be more thankful. How amazing is God? One opportunity slip by my finger tips and another came running through the door. You know what they say though right? You win some you lose some. I have Paul Burton to thank for taking a look at my accomplishments over the past few years, my resume and recommending me for the scholarship. I don’t think things would have worked out financially for Italy if it hadn't been for the scholarship. My departure date? August 26! Keep an eye out for many blogs from Italy.

Part 1: Another Chapter of my Adventurous life: Spring 2013

Introduction to the Advanture:

Where do I start? But seriously, what an amazing semester! Yes, I've had my ups and downs so far at Stonehill but what an adventurous semester! So many exciting things happened this past semester, I could literally sit here and write all day, every day about it. But I'm not really a writer so that's not going to happen. Besides, I do not want to bore anyone with a 50-page blog but I will do the best to capture the excitement and make it short and sweet. Rather than publishing everything at once, I will publish each topic as a separate blog. If the topic sounds like something that might interest you, then take the time read it. If you have that much time to read all possible topics then be my guest!

I don't want to think of myself as a person with a great life, because my life is the furthest thing from being great. My family situation is the furthest thing from being great. My financial situation is just as far away from great as the earth is from the sun. Don't get me wrong, I'm also the furthest thing from being poor thanks to my hardworking mother. The perfect word to describe my life is: BLESSED! I am blessed. Not lucky, but blessed. One day I'm at the peak of Mount Everest, the next day I'm emotionally at the bottom of the pole, and the following one I'm back to a happy medium. It could be scary not knowing where I'm going to be at tomorrow emotionally, but it’s also exciting because when I'm at my highest, it's like heaven! It's like, even though I was in the dumps yesterday, it does not matter because I want to keep moving, and I keep getting better, stronger. In other words, my life is a freaking adventure!

I normally like to think about my highs, lows and emotional status as a roller coaster. This past spring semester is what I call an adventure. Now what is an adventure? The dictionary says, “an exciting or very unusual experience.” My definition: taking advantage of every little possible opportunity, making the impossible possible, and of course, how can I forget my favorite quality in life? Not taking “no” for an answer, not feeling sorry for yourself (myself). Sorry about the rambles but I traditionally start with discussing my academic achievements, then everything else (work, activities, cool trips, good or bad random experiences etc). Isn’t it time to switch it up though? You know, talking about everything else then conclude it with academic achievements? Well what choice do you have as a reader? It’s my blog! With that, I would like to welcome you to my first 2013 blog! Sorry it took me so long after the semester to publish a new blog. It’s been over a month in process but the time hasn’t been there. But relax your mind, brace yourself and enjoy the ride. I hope I don’t bore you too much. And oh yeah, warning; I AM NOT A WRITER!

1^st Wrestling Club: It’s only the beginning

If you are a frequent reader you know my last blog was partially about the establishment of Stonehill’s first Wrestling Club. That was, of course, the accomplishment of the century. It only took me about a year and a half, no biggie. This past semester we had our first meetings/practices as a club. The practices took place at Brockton High School and Oliver Ames High School not too far from campus. Transportation was provided by the sports department for practice twice a week (Tuesdays and Thursday, 8:30-10pm). I needed to get van certified in order to drive the van, especially on days when coach (Dean of Admissions, Dan Monahan) either couldn’t make it to practice or needed to drive his own car to practice. On the days coach couldn’t make it to practice, I was left with the responsibility to run practice. I enjoyed every bit of having to run practice and coaching. I approached it as my time to shine as a coach. The guys loved it as well, especially the spontaneous Wendy’s trips on the way back from practice. Not really the healthiest option post practice but it was quality team bonding experience.

For practice, I would write a list of basic moves and drills I felt would help improve the newer wrestler’s skills and give the veterans a solid workout. Let’s just say, it was designed so that everyone can benefit from it. The practice strategy and games like cat band derived from my high school coach (John Kanavich). He is no doubt the most consistent high school coach in Mass. He's very professional, and highly respected by coaches in the New England area. It was certainly an honor getting coached by him. He transformed me from an immature, too cool for wrestling young man I was freshman and sophomore year and into the dedicated captain I was my senior year. On average, we had eight wrestlers and in the end were able to keep everyone. People came and went, did we chase them back on the team? Absolutely not, wrestling is survival of the fittest, only the hungry and dedicated will survive.

We started late in the season so we unfortunately were not able to compete. It was also great because it gave us time to build team chemistry and give newer wrestlers the opportunity to learn basic techniques before competing. On the more positive note, we should have a full team this upcoming season. Because we don’t have our own home space and we are still a new team, we are yet to have a full schedule this season,  but we are going to wrestle in a lot of open tournaments and do a lot of traveling, and hopefully compete in the national dowels . It will be a perfect transition from Italy. Italy? I guess you will just have to keep reading! As of wrestling gears, Coach Monahan is currently working on ordering singlets and head gears for the season! I can’t not wait to see how it is going to come out. Let’s just say I’m going to do a lot of running in Italy to keep up with the guys who are here. It is going to be quite a journey, one I am extremely excited for.



First Wrestling Gear




The Logo!