Panamania: A Work Study's Excellent Adventure

For the next few weeks I, Carrie Bulgajewski, full time Business Admin. student, will be writing about my adventures in Panama.

"Panama?", you say, "How does that have anything to do with Loyalist College and the Career Centre?"

Well, it all started when I received an email (which, by the way, was sent to the entire student body) about an International Study Abroad Scholarship that the Awards Office had in their possession.

This Scholarship, sponsored by the Ontario Government, was put in place to allow students the opportunity to learn in a foreign country and gain valuable life experiences.

The stipulations were simple: choose an area of study, decide on a location, fill out the application and, if chosen, use the scholarship $ by March 31st.

If chosen for a scholarship, of which Loyalist was privvy to 7 this year, the student would be granted $2500 for 2 months abroad or $1250 for 1 month abroad.

At first I didn't think too much about the email, I just kind of glanced at it and then it was on to the next. Then, however, I ran into Joanne Farell, Loyalist College Awards Officer Extraordinaire, and she brought up the scholarship again.

I went home and started researching possibilities and came up with the idea of learning Spanish, something I've always wanted to do, but never had time for.

Then I started looking up different countries and ended up choosing, well, obviously, Panama.

I filled out the application and a couple weeks later I got the thumbs up that I was heading South.

Because I am a full time student, I had to negotiate my time away from class with my instructors. Each one gave me full support and loaded me up with assignments and flexible due dates to accommodate my away time.

I am also a Work Study Student in the Career Centre and decided to use this adventure as a resume builder.

So, here I am.

Check back for updates.

Ciao for now...