community engagement – Page 2 – The CSEA Student Voice

Patricia Cardozo and Julia McMillan are the leadership team for the Center for Student Engagement and Activities. Read below to find out what’s coming up for student orgs.

Patricia: Hi, Everyone. Julia and I are the leadership team for CSEA. in April 2018, I was given the opportunity to lead this department, became chair of NUSO (National University Student Organization) Board of Directors, and created CSEA, so that student organizations would have centralized support. Julia came onboard to create the infrastructure with me, and we are really excited to work with student organizations!

Julia: Hi, All! It’s been a great experience to partner with Patricia in getting student organizations really up and running at NU. It’s such a privilege to get to work closely with students, staff, and faculty to help turn your ideas and goals into reality. We have a unique student body, and I appreciate that what works for other universities might not work for you. We’re here to find creative ways to make this part of your education just as valuable as what you learn inside the classroom.

Patricia: One of our main goals as a department is to enhance your educational experience at NU through supporting student organizations and creating intentional activities for you to join.

We hope to achieve this in many ways, one of which is through creating this blog. We invite everyone in student orgs to share your experiences in student leadership and going to school at NU by using this form.

Another way we want to support your experience is to organize activities you can attend, so that you feel part of the NU community.

This is why we are launching NU Engage. We invite all NU students to attend one night of this event! You will learn about clubs, participate in a club workshop or demo, meet club leadership, and win prizes.

It will be from 5-6 p.m., PDT, on Tuesday, September 29, Wednesday September 30, and Thursday, October 1.

On Wednesday, September 30, we will end at 5:30 to join Kim Mitchell’s Speaker Series talk. She’s NU’s amazing Senior VP of Military, Veteran’s and Gov’t Relations. If you have time, read her story.

We have a great line up of events for you in October. Some highlights are below:

On October 8, we have a special workshop from our own Matt Medeiros, Chief Compliance Officer, on Public Policy and Citizenry. (Registration link.)

We will also launch the blog, Parenting During COVID. On October 19, the blog contributors will have a student discussion on obstacles and success they have encountered while parenting, going to school, and working. We invite you to come and participate in the discussion. (Click here to register.)

There are more events scheduled that you can check out either on What’s NU this Month? or the official Activities Calendar. We will update this the first week of every month.

We’re also excited to launch the new look of the Center for Student Engagement and Activities website. Please email us your club photos, if you would like to be featured on this site or CSEA. (Use clubs@nu.edu)

If you want more info on clubs, please go to either CSEA links or our official NU CSEA page. Contact us anytime at clubs@nu.edu.

We can’t wait to meet you!

Our best,

Patricia + Julia

Why should you study abroad?

April 29, 2019May 2, 2019 CSEA Student Voice

Jordan Montejano headshot

Jordan Montejano

https://portfolium.com/JordanMontejano

Creative Writing MFA

In 2018, I went on a study abroad trip to Tijuana, Mexico. Here is what I gained from the experience and why I recommend study abroad programs.

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Why Should You Consider Study Abroad?

Study abroad allows for you to bond with your fellow students, learn about history, practice a new language, and experience the richness of a culture through firsthand experience. It’s also a lot of fun.

Cultural Interaction and Learning

The 2018 National University Scholars Program study abroad trip to Tijuana, Mexico allowed me to learn about the people, history, language and culture of the area. I was able to admire the beauty of the natural landscape and the handmade crafts. At the Cultural Center, I viewed an extensive collection of artifacts and read up on centuries of history. I engaged in conversation with locals and enjoyed cuisine in areas of cultural interest such as Mercado Hidalgo, a large market with fresh produce and crafts, and La Calle Revolucion, a bustling street packed with various stores, restaurants, and iconic places like Caesars. Through my research, I discovered that many of the popular tourist locations in Tijuana today were first made famous during Prohibition, when there was a huge influx of people crossing the border from the US.

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A Group that Studies Together…

What I enjoyed most about Study Abroad was bonding with my fellow Scholars through a shared and collaborative experience. The trip helped to bolster a sense of comradery and allowed for us to see things from different perspectives, so we could reflect and gain a better understanding of what we learned and how to apply it.

adult learner, Graduate Student, Military, Navy, Parents, Study Abroad

Studying Abroad as a Parent

April 27, 2019May 2, 2019 CSEA Student Voice

Brent Harris headshot

Brent Harris

https://portfolium.com/baharris123

Creative Writing MFA

29 Palms Region

“Freeeedddooooommm!”

Shout that in your best Braveheart voice, for that’s the euphoria I felt as I stepped onto the curb, kissed the wife and kids goodbye, and sauntered into the Palm Springs departure terminal.

In January, my Navy wife went away on deployment – for seven months – leaving me at home with two kids, a Master’s program, community volunteer projects, and a perpetually empty cup of coffee. Those months were challenging. My daughter had ballet twice a week and a residency in Anaheim, my son had Toddler Tumbling and was not yet in school. I was teaching on Tuesdays, in between two back-to-back scripts for school.

A break loomed.

The NU Scholar’s program offered a study abroad opportunity to Tijuana. A weekend away from the kids, a break when there was none, to go down South of the Border? Sign me up! I dutifully did the repeat photography assignments, finding pictures of the past to compare with pictures from today. I was all set. And then my son got pink-eye.

I couldn’t go.

The joys of parenthood.

Flash forward several months, and I was afforded an opportunity to visit Vancouver to study abroad. And I’m so very glad I did. Vancouver is a beautiful place with beautiful people. It’s not an old city, but it is rich with culture and vibrant nature. Had I gone to the city by myself, as a tourist, I would have failed to see the splendor beyond the tourist traps. Going as part of the NU study abroad program, travelling with others, allowed me to see parts of the city most would have passed. An amazing coastline, foggy bridges, strange statues, a shower of autumn-red maple leaves, and buildings with a history all their own. The food was great, the people better, and at the end of each day, our phone cameras were full, and our feet were worn.

While there, my first feelings of Freedom! slipped away as the greatness of the experience enveloped me. It was no longer a trip to escape, but the forging of a new friendship. Vancouver will be with me forever.