bummed

kibo8

I've been planning on student teaching in Australia since freshman year. This semester it's finally time to sign up... and last week the Dean got rid of all the abroad programs at my school. Basically, they are being cheap and don't want to pay a staff member to coordinate it, or loose out on my tuition payments while i'm over there. It is just wierd, something i've looked forward to for so long not being an option anymore. Idk.

On a happier note I added a picture on here (my avatar?) on Kiwi, my adorable little Boston Terrier. Thought some of you might like to see her.

AudgiePodge

Sucks.

Social security poped into my head.  Don't count on in until you get it, it might not be there when it's your turn.

calindi

Your terrier is adorable, and I'm super sorry about the abroad option being cut!  That really sucks!  I think if my college had cut study abroad, I would have transferred.  It was something that was essential to me when picking a school. Bummer.

In other news, can I ask where in RI you live?  I grew up there!

kibo8

Their Australia program was a big reason I picked my college over the other state school. So this was definitely a big slap in the face. If it would have happened earlier I probably would transfer, but I only have one more semester so it wouldn't be worth it.

I live in Providence now (on the east side), but I grew up in Pawtucket. Where did you grow up?

musikbx

That really sucks that your school had to cut the program.

There are a lot of programs designed for American teachers to teach abroad for a year or so. I'm trying to do something along those lines for this upcoming year. I know you're bummed out because you had your heart set on doing it sooner but don't give up!

cu97tiger

Kibo - are there any non-school based study abroad programs you could do? Then transfer in the credits? Or maybe you don't do it for school credit, you just do it for the experience? That sucks they cut the program, there seems to be a lot of that going around these days. 

Your terrier is adorable.

I have family in Wakefield and spent a week every summer in Narragansett from age 8 - 15. I love Rhode Island.

kibo8

musik- One of my professors did a year abroad and was telling us about the program. It definitely seems cool. I just don't know if I could really go teach somewhere for a full year! That is a long time to be away. At least student teaching was only 3 months or so.

kibo8

tiger- the education program here is really strict, you don't really have wiggle room for credits. Plus i'm so close to graduation anything like that would probably just delay it. I would still love to take a vacation there after graduation, but i'm sure it won't be the same as getting to live and teach there for three month. I'm just disappointed.

I'm glad you love RI! I do too.. in the summer. But I feel as if Winter is about 10 months long and I hate it haha. It seems to get longer and colder every year, i'm kind of a baby about the cold.

Elle1036

Awww.  I like Bostons.

musikbx

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_bummed-2?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:136Discussion:d0540939-b7d5-4120-8034-9690d286658bPost:a651b91f-d631-4c86-b0b3-3e3268bcfc54">Re: bummed</a>:
[QUOTE]musik- One of my professors did a year abroad and was telling us about the program. It definitely seems cool. I just don't know if I could really go teach somewhere for a full year! That is a long time to be away. At least student teaching was only 3 months or so.
Posted by kibo8[/QUOTE]

I hear you! I feel the same way, but on the other hand it's something I really want to do. I decided just to apply and see how I feel if/when I get accepted. I think if it's a good enough deal, I'll go for it. If it doesn't feel right, there's no obligation.

You could also look into a summer teaching program. As a heads up, most of the "teach abroad" programs you find though an internet search are pretty scammy. They charge an insane program fee and you still have to pay for your flight, accommodations, food and whatnot. I was lucky enough to find a program in Japan teaching ESL for a summer and they paid for <em>everything</em>. I found it through word of mouth, which is probably your best bet. If your education program has connections to Australia, you might want to ask your professors if they know of anything. I imagine there aren't many ESL programs in Australia, but there are probably other things that focus on culture exchange, or on teaching a specific skills set (dance, music, technology, health, special ed and so on.)

calindi

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_bummed-2?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:136Discussion:d0540939-b7d5-4120-8034-9690d286658bPost:ec6ba752-cc1a-4ba5-92e9-d4adeb726998">Re: bummed</a>:
[QUOTE]Their Australia program was a big reason I picked my college over the other state school. So this was definitely a big slap in the face. If it would have happened earlier I probably would transfer, but I only have one more semester so it wouldn't be worth it. I live in Providence now (on the east side), but I grew up in Pawtucket. Where did you grow up?
Posted by kibo8[/QUOTE]

You've got a Private Message - sorry, but enough of my details are out on the interwebs around these parts that I think giving my hometown would be a bit much!

I love the East Side.  I miss Wickendon Street - that was my stomping ground all through growing up.  I used to get a hot chocolate at Cafe Zog all the time, and pizza and Pizza Pie-er!

What I really miss is Casertas pizza.  Mmmmm.... they do ship their pizzas, but it's so expensive!  Maybe someday...

kibo8

Mmmm yes, I have to say I do love all the food on the East Side! Everything is so close too! I will be pretty sad to move out of Providence after graduation. I'll check my PM right now.

musik- Thanks! I'll definitely keep that in mind. It's a really good way to look at it, apply and see how I feel. I have a meeting with the professor who was in charge of the whole thing in a few weeks anyway, I will definitely ask him about any options he knows of. I went to England for a short program in January, it was great, I just loved getting to go over there and see how their school systems are different.

Of course BF was just a little too non-sympathetic to hear the news. He's sad that this is making me upset, but he didn't want me to be away anyway. But he brought wine, Ben & Jerry's, and he's making a nice dinner, so I won't be too mad at him for it haha.

NurseyK

What's with school pulling all kinds of crap lately!!

Sorry to hear that! Would you still travel on your own there anyways?

kibo8

Hopefully I'll make it over there on my own anyway! It's a damn expensive vacation with tickets being about 2,000 round trip, but eventually hopefully. Financial aid was going to cover the majority of the costs of travel and housing and all that.