There’s an election coming up. You may have heard about it. (Are you registered to vote? You should be.) Not interested in politics? Too bad, they’re running your life as you speak. You should be interested. As November rapidly approaches, you can’t turn on the radio or watch the news or go on Facebook without seeing or hearing something political. Americans are be- ing inundated with positive advertising, negative advertising, bumper stickers, yard signs, and the ever-present question, “So, who you voting for?” In my family, this question is usually my cue to leave the conversation.

Who am I voting for? I don’t know. The candidate I will vote for is currently buried beneath the advertising. Commercials, yes. Signs, yes. More important, though, is the news media. Fox News, MSNBC, CNN, you name it; they’re all huge venues for political advertising. Mitt Romney wishes he were Latino. Barack Obama sympathizes with murderers. It’s all in the news, it’s all advertising, and it’s developed the Democratic and Republican parties in interest-

ing ways.The demographics of these two main parties are clearly defined by their advertising. It is the older generation that is the focus of the Republican Party. Yes, there are young Republi- cans. However, our generation did not grow up in the same political environment as the older generation. Our generation has grown up in a world that is spinning faster and faster thanks to the Internet, popular culture, and the expansion of media outlets in general. There is a severe disconnect in our general “youth” population from politics because we don’t feel the need to be bothered. To further this older demographic, Republicans have put some interesting laws forward. In the United States, a photo ID will soon be required to vote. Well, that strikes out anyone who doesn’t have a driver’s license or passport. Unless you sit at the DMV for hours for a photo ID, you’re not going to have one. A large amount of young people and minorities are removed from the voting pool with this law. In Texas, an NRA license is permitted, so the right-leaning NRA members can still vote. Convenient. Essentially, the Republican Party is slowly weeding out the voters they don’t want.

The Democratic Party is feeding off of that. When you think of a conservative television program, Bill O’Reilly, Rush Limbaugh and anything on Fox News comes to mind. However, liberal media is much more subtle. Yes, it can be argued that CNN is becoming liberal Fox. The largest source of liberal media, however, is aimed directly at us young people. Ever watched The Daily Show? The political media directed at our generation is not MSNBC, CNN or Fox. Satire programs such as The Daily Show and The Colbert Report are largely the sources of news for this generation of instant gratification, of Facebook and Twitter. There is a huge focus on Pinterest and Tumblr, not on political websites. The Democratic Party knows this. While the Republicans are busy hoarding the older and richer demographic, the Democrats are es- sentially selling out to get our attention. In the previous election, Barack Obama was not a candidate. He was a brand. He had a logo. He had slogans. He had shoes with his face on them. It’s no wonder that the 2008 election had one of the biggest turnouts of minorities and young people in the history of this country.

So, once you’ve registered and are ready to head to the polls, look not at the advertising on the news. They’re just trying to convince a demographic. Look instead at the positions each candidate holds. Otherwise, you’re just out shopping for the prettier package, not the better candidate.

The latest rumors seem to be putting the most stock in Apple’s September 12th press conference. Yes, it is all speculation, but tech-experts believe that iPhone 5 will be here by September 28th.

To further feed expert’s interest, Verizon has forbidden all employees from taking any vacation time from Sept. 21-30.  With the past as the best gauge, we can expect that Verizon is gearing up for a record beating number of pre-orders.

With rumored features ranging from, 4G LTE, a 12 megapixel camera, finger print recognition, a 4inch retina display and Google Wallet, which will allow users to securely make payments over the phone, iPhone 5 is sure to satisfy the market’s growing demands.

Though many of these claims seem to be the next logical step, Apple has been particularly quiet concerning their latest phone. The only basis for this anticipation is the findings of key changes in Apple’s dealings with many of their suppliers.

Early this year tech websites exploded with the news of a thinner all steel frame, and dealings with Samsung. It was reported that Samsung signed on to produce a “larger screen.”

Also, iPhone 5 is expected to have a smaller, completely redesigned, USB connector. Siri users will be excited to find a host of upgrades and an even smarter interface integration. The most impressive upgrade will most likely be found in the new iOS 6 operating system, and the redesigned quadcore A6 processors (this phone is going to be blazing fast).

Last year iPhone 4s seemed to flop from the expected level of excitement because of the anticipation of completely new iPhone. From a strategic stand point, Apple was wise to release the 4s in place of an iPhone 5, it kept our interest.  Maybe Apple was letting the market catch up?

Though the public has been demanding a new iPhone since the 4 came out in June 2010, experts believe iPhone 5 will dominate this years’ holiday season.  Some websites are claiming that 2 of 5 Android users will make the switch to the iPhone. However, Androids are -as of now- outselling the iPhone 4s, 2 to 1.

Hopefully we will see a new iPhone soon. Apple has a lot on the line. With the ever-urgent media and iPhone hungry consumers, Apple needs to deliver the next big thing. Times have changed and with Samsung and LG producing some of the best devices in years, this competition seems to just be heating up.

Carpe diem. Seize the Day.

I’ve always *tried* to live by these words—which is why I have them tattooed on my wrist. Take my advice—seize as many opportunities while you’re in college as you can, because once you’re out, everything changes. Go on trips, apply for internships that seem impossible. Immerse yourself in personal projects to further your experience within your field before you’re thrown into the real world.

Once you’re out of college, you’re going to need as much ammunition as you can muster when you hit the job market.
So what’s life after college like? To be honest, it kind of sucks. If you’re lucky like me, you have a 9 to 5 job, which is awesome, but then again, if you’re like me, you’re also working a second job on the weekends to make a little bit of extra money to prepare for those accursed college loans that’ll be rolling in come November.

That’s why you need to seize the day—once you graduate, there’s no more fluffy summer vacations—no more planning for fall and spring break trips to outlandish places. After college, your main agenda is finding a job that either pays well or a job that’s an entrance into your chosen field. If you’re lucky, maybe you’ll find both, but don’t expect jobs to just fall into your lap.

When I graduated, I had an over-zealous look on life and what was unfolding before me. I was so sure that, even though I was prepared to look for several months, I’d have the opportunity to apply for a handful of jobs and get call backs from at least a couple. News flash—it doesn’t work that way.

Most of the jobs posted these days for virtually any field, not just journalism, communications or new media, have a litany of expectations that most college grads can’t live up to. The first of those is the ultimate crusher of dreams. “A minimum of 2-3 years experience in the [insert your professional field here]or related field is expected.”

Did you know that most prospective employers don’t consider a two-year internship to count as experience? I learned the hard way. Even at my job, a colleague told me that when he goes through resumes, he usually tosses aside the resumes that list graduation dates as being within the last year. It almost makes you want to omit the date altogether from your resume.

So what am I doing about this? How am I coping, you ask? I’m applying to at least five positions every week and playing the waiting game. Don’t sell yourself short—I’m not. I’m not afraid to apply for positions that request two years experience, because in my mind, I have it. I just have to carefully word the cover letter.

Ah, cover letters. There’s a hidden art in playing yourself up to the HR representative who will be reading them. Don’t hesitate to brag about your accomplishments, however small you might think they are—you never know what might spark the interest of an employer.

Here’s a final piece of advice. Utilize CareerWorks. If it wasn’t for Becky Campbell, my resume never would’ve gotten me the internship I’ve been at since the summer of 2010. And, of course, seize the day. Go on trips, network and make some lasting memories. You never know what doors might open while you’re out exploring the world.

No matter who you are, it’s important to make the best of your summer! Here are some ways you can have fun and keep busy over the sunny summer break.

1. There are a lot of summer jobs out there that only exist to provide students like us with an easy way to make money while we’re home. Go out and get one! You’ll be earning money instead of burning through it, AND you won’t have a chance to completely destroy your sleep schedule by sleeping until 2 p.m. every day. That way, when you come back to school, you won’t be walking to that 8 a.m. class with your eyes closed.

2. Make a list of things you’ve always wanted to do to improve your life but never got around to and go out and do some of them. It’s called a summer bucket list. Pull out that list of books you’ve always planned on reading. If you’ve been meaning to start working out, find out the hours at your local gym. If you want to write the next Great American Novel, start writing on a daily basis.

3. Summer is a great time to get out there and start giving back, too. Soup kitchens and food drives. Nursing homes. Animal shelters. Different church organizations. They’re always looking for more volunteers. You’ll feel better about yourself. You’ll be doing good things for people who need it. (And, as a bonus, volunteer work really boosts up your resume.)

4. Road trip! Gas prices may be ridiculous, but it’s worth it. Whether it’s with your friends from home or your friends from Seton Hill, plan a trip, jump in the car, and go. You’ll make memories you’ll never forget.

Some great places to consider that won’t completely empty your wallet: New York City, Hershey Park, Ocean City, or Conneaut. Go shopping in China Town. Enjoy the wild roller coasters and water rides in Hershey. Get some sun down on the beach.

Or if you’ve got bigger plans in mind, there’s the West Coast, Florida, or even the less popular and often underappreciated East Coast. Everyone knows what waits for you in California and Florida, but what about Newport, Rhode Island? From the moment you arrive until you leave you will see sailboats wherever you look, regattas in progress with colorful spinnakers unfurled, and the sailors themselves, dark from the sun and rugged-tough the way that a body-builder will never be. Tour the famous mansions, go on a thrilling cliff walk, and then enjoy a cruise on the water.

Hello – nǐhǎo (knee how)
My name is – wǒ jiào (wah jiaow)
Thank you – xièxiè (Shi-e Shi-e)
Wonderful – tai hao le (thai hao lah)
China – Zhōngguó (Joong gwah)
America – Měiguó (May gwah)

“I have seen some of the great wonders of the world, but what I will never forget are the amazing people I spent my time with. The people I met and my fellow Griffins really made the difference.” – Maria Gallina

“What I will remember most about our excursion to Beijing will be the awesome individuals we befriended and the amazing sites that we were fortunate enough to visit. I will also remember the food we tried such as scorpion, esophagus and octopus.” –Kellen Homer

“I will remember a number of things: how well they have preserved the Great Wall, the Palaces and Parks, and how oppressed the people are and how much they all want change.” –James Tenburg

“What I’ll remember most about China will probably be the communication. Even though we didn’t speak their language and often times they didn’t speak ours, it didn’t stop us from making friends. We’d make hand gestures or just say random Chinese words but somehow we’d understand each other. Especially the lady at the supermarket. The only Chinese word I ever said was fifteen, but she’d always smile when she saw us.” – Krysta Berg

“A year from now what I will remember the most about China is our visit to the Great Wall and my experience of climbing it to the highest point. It was truly an awe inspiring moment to realize that it took thousands of workers to build the Wall so many centuries ago. I will also remember the Chinese students and people who we met as they were all extremely dedicated to their studies and their work.” – Frank DeChellis

“From my time in China I will remember the people and the food.” –Kristin Duklewski

“I will always remember the wonderful feeling of belonging and adventure. I think I’ll find myself halfway across the world sooner than I expect. We had an incredible group who made each day memorable. The International Music Festival in Beijing was a fascinating cultural experience that I will remember.” – Giannina Gonzalez
“China was an amazing experience! The group had to immerse itself in a new culture and adapt to it. One thing I would never forget is the language barrier when we try to communicate with taxi drivers.” – Lehelt Soloman

“Visiting Beijing, China was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made,” said senior Maria Gallina.

Professor of history, Dr. John Spurlock traveled with the group. This was Spurlock’s second trip to BUU.

THE COURSE
Students took a three-week course in Intensive Chinese, SCN 115, taught by a native Chinese speaker.

Another course that was part of the trip was City Study Experience, SHU325. Students studied different elements and topics of the city and composed an experiential finding composition. Students composed a final paper on a topic of their choice based on personal and academic sources.

Chinese classes were supplemented by cultural courses such as gōngfu (Kung Fu), Chinese calligraphy, Chinese painting, knots and paper cutting.

Classes were taken on BUU’s campus. Students had the opportunity to integrate themselves with the student body by attending campus activities.
Beijing Union University also gave all SHU students BUU student identification cards.

Romanized characters are very different from Chinese characters and SHU student IDs were not very clear to attendants.

“It was very helpful to have school IDs from BUU, we were able to easily get discounted tickets and entrance fees,” said junior Kellen Homer. “Getting a school ID really validated the experience and made me feel like part of the university.”

EXPLORING THE CITY
Excursions throughout Beijing took place during the week and on the weekends.
Excursions included Tiananmen Square, The Forbidden City, The Great Wall, The Summer Palace and Bei Hei Park.

Beijing is not only the capital of China, as it has long been known as the middle, the heart of China.

“Beijing is the capital of one of the most dynamic countries in the world, and at the same time it has been the capital city of five Chinese dynasties stretching back to the Roman era,” said Spurlock. “Everywhere you go in Beijing, something is happening that will shape the world we live in. But, you also quickly find monuments from past centuries.”

Places like Tiananmen Square, The Forbidden City and Beihai Park are all located in the middle of the city.

“The Forbidden City was enormous and Bei Hai Park, which is right next to the Forbidden City, had a lake. It was crazy to think that it was all in the middle of Beijing,” said Gallina.

A GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE

Beijing is the capital of one of the most dynamic countries in the world. It has been the capital city of five Chinese dynasties stretching back to the Roman era. Everywhere you go in Beijing, something is happening that will shape the world we live in. But, you also quickly find monuments from past centuries.

“Walking through the streets of Beijing felt safer than walking through New York City, Greensburg, and any other place I’ve visited,” said Gallina.

Beijing is a fairly safe place to visit. Travel guides all state that the city itself is not threatening.

“The people were so friendly and helpful, there was very little threat,” said Gallina.

Although one should refrain from trusting strangers, especially in a foreign country, China seems to offer a bit of exclusion. The atmosphere is very vibrant and with so many people around there is little opportunity for crime to go unnoticed.

Pickpocketing is common, as is theft. The two crimes,however, are crimes of opportunity and are preventable.

LOCATION
Beijing Union University is located on the fourth ring road in the city of Beijing. Beijing has four rectangular roads circling the city.
Bus and subway stops close to campus made visiting any part of the city very easy.

“I thought the subway system was extremely efficient. Even during the crowded peak hours, there was a system in getting on and off the train,” said Berg.

The subway system in Beijing is one of the best in the world. It is also very cheap. A ride to anywhere in the city is less than one U.S. dollar. All signs in the subway were in both Chinese characters and pinyin, Romanized Chinese.

“I was initially nervous about using it but the transfers are really easy even though they’re in another language.” said Berg, “They use scan cards that work for the subway, bus and the taxi cabs. I hope the US will eventually head in that direction!

Beijing Transportation Smart Cards cards are free, reloadable cards that can be used on nearly all forms of transportation. Even in taxis. The cards also work in some supermarkets, expressways and coach buses. The card just needs to be placed near a sensor to be read. The card gives users a 60% discount on subway and bus rides.

“The students found ways to pursue their special interests using resources available to them, new friends, helpful colleagues at BUU and public transportation,” said Spurlock.

CONNECTIONS
Student ambassadors from BUU quickly bonded with SHU students and took them around a day after arriving at Olympic Park. The ambassadors helped SHU students with the subway and the local bus routes.

Students from SHU quickly made friends from all over BUU. As English speakers, SHU students were a hit at a weekly meet up called English corner. English corner is a meet up of English speakers and Chinese students studying or hoping to practice their Chinese with other English speakers or Chinese.

Some students from SHU hope to continue their study of the Chinese language.

Beijing Union University was very accommodating to the group from SHU.

“We continue to try to build programs that will benefit both universities,” said Spurlock. “As part of the exchange, a BUU student, Gao Yue, will attend SHU in the fall, and we hope for other students in coming years.”

In just three weeks it seemed as though the students from SHU made a very positive impact with BUU students and BUU itself.

The group from SHU worked very well together and made the most of the trip. The group visited dozens of locations around the city and made the most of each day. The students seemed to make friends wherever they went.

I will remember the instant camaraderie felt between all course mates the most,” said Homer. “It is full of amazing experiences and memories.”

Are you?

Seniors, by now you’ve probably been looking for jobs for some time, desperate to find anything to help you pay back all the bills you’ve undoubtedly accumulated during your academic career. Some of you are looking into grad school while others are thinking of joining Americorps.
Some student athletes might be fortunate enough to move on to professional teams like our most successful athletes have in past. And yet, here we are, a week from graduation and we’re burnt out. I don’t know about the rest of the class of 2012, but I’m ready for the real world—I hope it’s ready for me.

It’s hard to believe that we’re going to have to start paying for our education. The smart ones who found additional scholarships outside the ones SHU graciously provides will walk out of college virtually debt-free, ready to spend a year traveling without worrying about monetary repercussions. And then there’s the rest of us. Get ready for the long haul—some of us will be paying college loans back for years. Regardless of what type of loans you have to pay, keep in mind that your school loans are the best ones to pay any extra money towards. Basically, pay off any loan with a higher interest rate first. So, really, pay off your credit cards first, and then your student loans, because guess what, they’re not going anywhere. And if for some reason you choose not to pay, be prepared to have your wages attached.

To avoid this, call your banks and express your concern that you can’t make a huge payment right out of college. Most of them will be understanding and work with you to find an acceptable payment plan. The great thing about low payments is that you can always pay off extra per month, which deducts from the principle and lowers your interest accumulation.

For those of you who aren’t sure what to do now, keep in mind that you have six months following graduation to get your affairs in order before you have to start paying back your school loans. Quite possibly the hardest part about graduating and finding a job is determining if you can actually afford to work at a prospective company. For example, let’s say you take a job in Pittsburgh and live in the surrounding suburbs, whether it be good ‘ol Greensburg, Irwin or even Monroeville.

Be prepared to make a hard decision.

You’ll either need to move to Pittsburgh or get ready to sit in heavy traffic for upwards of an hour and a half to and from your workplace daily. Keep in mind that you’ll need a vehicle, which could add a car payment into the mix. Couple a car payment and apartment rent to school loans and living expenses, and you’ll realize that you’ll need upwards of $40K to survive on your own.
Even if you live at home with your parents, you’ll still be forking over a lot of cash each week to fill that car tank, and in case you haven’t been paying attention to gas prices, we’re still hovering just short of $4 per gallon. Even a super efficient car only gets so far without needing a refill.
Even though the future is scary, it’s super exciting to know all our hard work and dedication is finally paying off. We’ve done it—who thought four years could move so fast? I hope you made the best of your time here and good luck with all your future endeavors! So long SHU, it’s been a great ride.

I like to think of our group as the SHU equivalent of the 1980s cult classic, “Breakfast Club.” Comprised of two “white and nerdy” professors (Geoff Atkinson and Diana Hoover), one food service director (Darren Achtezhn), one graduate turned part-time art department employee (David McGhee),three seniors more than eager to graduate (Catherine Goetz, Nicholas Sterner and myself) and three sophomores who were just “lovin’ life” (Cody Burch, Emily Franicola and Jacqueline Yanchuck).

During our week in NOLA, we volunteered one day for a local chapter of ARC, a non-profit organization dedicated to aiding “people with intellectual and developmental disabilities,” and four days on a Habitat for Humanity work site where we worked alongside a future homeowner and 25 other volunteers.

“The most rewarding part of the trip was meeting Cesar, who we were building the house [for] and knowing that everything I did, no matter how small, helped him own a house he otherwise may not have been able to buy,” said sophomore math major Jackie Yanchuck.

At first glance, our deeds may not seem like much, but every little bit makes a huge impact on the NOLA community.

I cannot begin to convey the emotional toll this journey played on each of us. Although we shared countless inside jokes and laughter, our surroundings often brought us back down from our natural highs. At times, I felt slightly guilty for my happiness when I was surrounded by poverty.

And yet, even with suffering, the French Quarter—the heart of NOLA–was as lively as it ever has been. Local talent, ranging from musicians to jugglers to live statues populated the streets. One day in the French Quarter and it was clear to all of us that the citizens of New Orleans have no plans of giving up hope of complete restoration.

From the moment we entered the city and its outskirts, we could see remnants of the hurricane’s damage. Diana Hoover, advisor of the Griffins @ Work Club and assistant professor of chemistry, pointed out that many of the large grassy sandlots positioned right next to houses were once structures as well, but in many cases, the owners had no means for renovating their properties.

For David McGhee, graduate and studio art technician, the most humbling aspect of our journey was witnessing development in progress within NOLA. Before the trip, McGhee questioned why the citizens of NOLA were not back up on their feet.

“After seeing the area and talking to the people who live there, I understand that it is not a matter of just starting again but building a completely new society and that does not happen over night without the help of others,” he said.

Both Geoff Atkinson, assistant professor of mathematics, and Hoover were humbled by the similar experiences.

But there is hope. In fact, our crew stayed at a beautifully renovated middle school turned volunteer base camp known as Camp Hope. During our week long stay, we shared close quarters with six other schools, which accounted for over 150 students and volunteers.

One of the most influential aspects of the journey were the people, really characters, that we met along the way. Take Jafar for example, the young hippie in charge of the farm at the ARC facility who was so passionate about his work that he seemed to be in every area of the multi-acre lot at the same time. As a side note, he couldn’t seem to get his own background history straight, as he told three different members of our group three different locations where he was originally from: Minnesota, Oregon and Missouri respectively.

The two women in charge of our work site on Magnolia Street in the suburbs of New Orleans were truly inspirational as well. Nicole and Kerin, who were both in their mid-20s, were wise beyond their years. It was empowering to watch Nicole climb through the framing of the roof to reach the top rather than use the traditional method–a ladder. Moreover, the two, who, like Jafar, seemed to be everywhere all at once, were non-intimidating and would patiently explain job processes to all newbie workers, myself included.

Another man who remained dear to our hearts through the length of our stay in NOLA was Ed, affectionately nicknamed “Vernie” by Cat, simply because he had traveled alone from Vermont to donate his time and knowledge to Habitat for Humanities.

As I mentioned at the start of this reflection, SHU Crew doesn’t mess around. For Hoover, the most rewarding aspect of this journey is the opportunity to work with students. According to Hoover, she is “always very, very proud of our students when we work with Habitat for Humanity….We are there to work, we work very hard, and we usually don’t stop until the job is done or [until] someone at the work site tells us it’s time to leave!”

Hoover was a key player in the strength and dedication of our group. On day one, she broke her glasses when a stubborn branch released from the brush pile we were breaking down and smacked her in the face. Not only did the branch snap the right leg of her glasses clear off, it also scraped Hoover’s face just above the eyebrow, drawing blood. Did Hoover quit, admit defeat?

Negative.

After searching in vain for several minutes for the leg of her glasses, which was now hidden in the brush, Hoover grabbed a random twig and disappeared for a few minutes. Upon her return, we found her sporting what looked like a perfectly fine pair of glasses, complete with twig and tape. Talk about efficiency.

To give readers a better understanding of just how dedicated our crew is, just take a look at the images on these pages. We set out with a mission to change lives and in the process we also changed our own. During the week, we shared our experiences throughout the day during evening reflections. These ranged from choosing a single emotional word and applying it to an experience to moving through a rope maze blindfolded while being encouraged to raise your hand if you need help.

Each reflection, instrumented by Darren and two members of the group, were designed to teach life lessons and further our appreciate of the journey. The aim for the blindfolding was to limit our amount of stubbornness. For Darren, though, the reflection that sticks out in his mind most was the puzzle reflection conducted by Emily and himself. It exemplified successful team work. We “[worked] together on the bigger picture; everybody has something to contribute. And the missing piece—though we worked hard, the work is not done and that piece represents the work others will do,” he said.

To put it simply, the SHU Habitat for Humanity was quite possibly the best experience of my college career. Nick Sterner put it perfectly: “My biggest regret from this habitat trip is waiting until my senior year to go.  This trip is an eye opening experience that gives you a sense of accomplishment and creates strong friendships with those on the trip with you.”

Do yourself a favor and sign up for next year’s trip while there is still space available. It fills up quickly, mostly because word gets around that the trip is life changing and it definitely beats staying at home during spring break. The lasting friendships and memories developed over the course of our week in NOLA will forever hold a special place in my heart as well as the city itself.

If nothing else, this trip gives students the opportunity to visit somewhere new for a very affordable price. And, believe it or not, it’s actually fun to work for 8 hours on houses for Habitat. And, you’d be surprised how much free time we had for activities after hours. Some of our fondest memories were made hanging out in D-Man’s trailer during quiet hours. The days seemed to extend forever and by the end of the week, many of us were plotting ways to return as members of Americorps during the summer and after graduation. Yeah, it’s that life-changing. This is SHU Crew. We don’t mess around.