Capstone Course and Critical Thinking

I am back again! I spent a lot of time doing my keystone class and ski class the last couple of months. PLU is a great school to learn about all kinds of classes. My
Chinese friends and I took the same ski class last J-term. It was so fun to
take that course. We all do not have any chances to learn anything about skiing
in China. At PLU, we caught this chance and we went to the summit mountain to
learn something about skiing. Each time I fell down from the top of the mountain
to the ground. Although I was hurt so many times, I always laughed. It is because in
my mind I enjoyed that process.

This semester I am taking a Capstone class, and for students who take a Capstone class means that they are graduating. It is the last class that students need to take before graduation. However, I still did not finish my minor courses, so this Capstone course is not my last class at PLU.

But I want to tell something about Capstone course this time. For my communication major, my Capstone course asked me to talk about how I met ILOs (integrated learning objectives). The PLU ILOs, or Pacific Lutheran University integrated learning objectives, are values and abilities that PLU wishes to teach all their students. More specifically, it was about how I met Critical Reflective Thinking,
Expression, Interaction, Valuing, and Multiple Frameworks. I will be giving some
examples that prove I met each part. I would show my previous homework papers, presentations, and videos to prove those elements. From this point of view, we could know PLU takes the responsibility to know what students leaned though several years study. And for students, it is a good evaluation method for ourselves to know what we leaned those years. In order to let you have something to say in your Capstone course, please study well throughout your time at PLU.

-Meng

J-Term Madness!

First of all, I am so glad this J-Term is coming to an end! Talk about a stressful time. Most of the people I know who are taking J-Term classes are already finished, but unfortunately, I have an interview to conduct and a 5-page paper before I can wave bye bye.

To sum up my first PLU J-Term in one word: MEGAMADNESSOUTOFTHISWORLD. And yes, I am aware of the fact that it was six words, but all together and it justifies it all.
Taking my first ever philosophy class was hard, especially to cover one semester over just four weeks. But then again, as a GUR (General University Requirement), there was really no way of avoiding it.

My pre-internship class in the School of Arts and Communication, however, has been nothing but fun, and I learned a lot from it. As a pre-requisite for the internship class I'll be taking as a senior this fall, the class really prepared me for what I later will be taking on in my academics. Even though they are both required for my major, which is Communication, I consider them nothing less but fun classes!

All in all, although I had to say goodbye to my weekends during J-Term as I did nothing but study, write papers and do research, I wouldn't have done it any other way. Oh, and another thing: It is important to know that you can take classes up to 5 credits for FREE and stay on campus for FREE during J-Term. If PLU is giving me the option to do that, I'm certainly going to take them up on that offer!
Because hey, who doesn't like free classes? :)

Best,
Lina.

Get Ready for the New World.

Hi everyone, it's been a while since I have posted a blog after summer break.

My last semester was a bit overwhelming taking 2 classes besides the capstone and internship classes; I have learnt so much at PLU not only on the academic side, but also the opportunities that have given to me throughout 4 years. As an international student, I have contributed to the diversity on campus from Global Get Down to the fundraising for Japan's tsunami and earth quake relief.

Well, are you afraid of jumping into the new world? - Probably I was. I never came to the United States till I studied at PLU. Everything seemed to be very enjoyable at first but I had to tell myself to be independent and humble to essentially understand the dynamics of American culture. At the end, surely, PLU gave me uncountable opportunities to connect with people from different sides of the world. To learn and understand another culture takes lots of energy and efforts as the other international students do because it's not a simple 1,2,3 process; To achieve your goal and vision, you need to clarify how you manage yourself each day. My journey at PLU would have never been completed without you: faculty members, professors, PLU community, friends and my great parents.

Now I am ready for next step of my journey- keep moving forward to develop my own map of my next career as a PR professional. After I have establish my career I am planning to come back here for my masters degree.

Greatly appreciated Allyson & Akane, who had given me the great bridge to connect the current students and perspective students at PLU.

Happy Holidays!

Tomomi

Introducing New Blogger

Hello!

My name is Lina, I’m from Norway, and this is my first year here at Pacific Lutheran University. I transferred as a junior from Green River Community College, and if I could, I’d major in Awesomeness.
Unfortunately, that’s a non-existing program, so I choose the next best, and I’m therefore majoring in Communication, with a concentration on Journalism and a minor in Global Studies.

In my spare time, I like to laugh at animated shows on Netflix – behind closed doors in my apartment of course. I also love to hang out with friends, and Seattle usually gets invaded where the coffee runs out.
I’ve been told I’m a pretty weird person. Personally I prefer the term original, but whatever works. I like to think of myself as a dreamer, but yet an optimistic realist. I never have too high of expectations; that way, I’ll never get disappointed. (Hopefully)

Besides school, I work at the Office of Admission here at PLU as an International Admission and Recruitment Intern. It’s pretty neat. I have the privilege of working with awesome people, I’ve learned so much already about PLU, and it’s really fun too!

I’ll leave you with this: Worrying is stupid. It’s like walking around with an umbrella waiting for it to rain. (:

Memory of my 2011 summer holiday

Hello everyone, I am back. It was so fun to spend my summer holiday with my parents and friends. It was so fun to meet with my PLU professor Vidya Thirumurthy in Beijing. I was so glad to introduce Chinese culture and history to foreigners, especially someone I know. My parents were very excited to see my professor even they could not communicate in English -  it is a Chinese tradition that parents prefer to talk with teachers in order to know on a deeper level the situation of their kids in school. Even though they could not talk, they felt very good to sit together, and I could tell by their facial appearance that they were pleased.

I also went to lots of places to hang out with my boyfriend's family. I learned a lot from my summer trip. My dad would often tell me it would be a waste your time and money if you did not learn anything when you are traveling. So I try to search information before I go to each place. I try to know its past history and enjoy the beautiful scenery. I very enjoyed my 2011 summer holiday. Let me share my happy moments with you guys.