Benefits of Studying Languages Abroad

There is often much reluctance from students to go and study abroad; however there are many obvious advantages to studying languages in other countries, making it an experience that many students should take if given the opportunity. Not only do most Colleges offer years abroad, but students do also have the chance to take their entire University career across the world if they wish to, which is not something everyone knows about when deciding where to further their studies. Especially when taking a language as your major, situating yourself in that particular country and immersing yourself within their culture can really enhance your understanding and learning. We all know that over the last few years Colleges have been filling up, and filling up fast to say the least. Spare places in Colleges across the country are becoming incredibly difficult to come across, so with institutions filling quickly to the brim why don't language students consider the higher education opportunities around the world? In many aspects, it simply makes sense to take your chosen language studies abroad, to learn French in France or Spanish in Spain.

Standing Out, On Your Own Two Feet:

Most importantly, studying abroad looks amazing on a CV and will enhance your later job prospects and possibilities, as studying abroad will make you stand out as an ambitious and driven individual. Firstly, it is a great conversational topic with future employees as they will most definitely be interested in your experience, what it has taught you and how you can bring what you have learnt into future work. Employers will see the time abroad as a true sign of independence and initiative, proving you have the ability to cope on your own in unfamiliar surroundings, while learning at the same time.

Learn and Travel:

Learning abroad will also give you the once in a lifetime opportunity of travelling while studying at the same time; a chance not many people decide to take up. You’re obviously not tied to the city where you are attending your classes, but you have an entire new country to explore. This is an excellent advantage for language students, as you’re skills and knowledge will be consistently put into practice. Navigating yourself around a foreign country will really enhance understanding of the language, and interaction with the locals will only enrich and develop conversational technique. It will also highly increase your ability to become fluent in your chosen language, quicker than you think. Depending on where you decide to go, you may also have the possibility of visiting nearby countries, ensuring that you gain the best cultural, historical and educational experience.

Money

Making sure that you are prepared for this experience is essential. Studying abroad doesn’t have to be any more costly than studying at home. You’ll just need to make sure you’ve done your research and your math. Remembering the all-important things from accommodation costs and tuition fees, to varying living costs and exchange rates. Many Colleges have overseas campuses, which are likely to have accommodation and tuition costs that are no different to studying in the US. But if you just have a look around, there is plenty to help you. From seeing if you are eligible for financial support, to shopping around for the best book deals and supplies. Don’t let the thought of money put you off at all; as it is likely that you’re only major costs will be the travel to actually get there. But anyone who has done it before will agree that it is worth it.

TEFL

Teaching English as a Foreign Language courses can be taken all over the world. But it is a wonder why all students don’t take themselves to another country to complete the process. After all, it seems a much bigger jump to take all education in your home country and to then to try and look for your first job abroad. As you will be living in a non-English speaking country, it only makes sense for you to take this as an opportunity to begin setting up your new life in a new country.

As long as you have the money for accommodation and living costs, there is nothing stopping you from going out there weeks or even months before your TEFL course to really immerse yourself with your new surroundings. It will then become a much easier transition when it comes to taking on this very intensive four-week course, and eventually your teaching career. You will be able to become accustomed to the culture and way of life in the country you have decided to go to, which is often seen as the biggest challenge of moving abroad, as every single country has its very own unique culture and set of values.

 

By Jennifer Mann.

PTC prepares for tonight's record-setting graduation ceremony

With more than 200 students graduating in the 2012-13 academic year, Pine Technical College is preparing for its largest graduation ceremony in the college’s 48-year history. The ceremony will be held tonight at 7:30 p.m. in the Pine City High School gymnasium.

A combination of 215 degrees, diplomas and certificates will be awarded this year, and ceremony guest speakers include Lori and Traci Tapani, sisters and Co-Presidents of Wyoming Machine – a longtime PTC supporter and partner in economic advancement.

“Tonight's ceremony promises to be a momentous event, as we celebrate the accomplishments of our graduates,” says PTC President Robert L. Musgrove, Ph.D. “During the ceremony, we recognize our graduates, highlight our tradition, college pride, and community spirit. We are so proud of our students and graduates, and we look forward to celebrating their achievements,” Musgrove adds.

The public is encouraged and welcome to attend in support of the graduates. A cake and coffee reception will follow the ceremony in the common area at PCHS.

PTC's Student Senate and Student-Parent Success program serve up fun at "Spring Fling"

Pine Technical College's Student Senate and Student-Parent Success program hosted and sponsored PTC's Second Annual Spring Fling last Friday evening. The event drew more than 200 students, staff, faculty, and their family members to the college's east lawn for games and a barbecue dinner, catered by Nicoll's Café.

"The Spring Fling is a special event to celebrate everyone's hard work throughout the year, and it marks the culmination of another academic year," says Laureen Williams, Director of the Student-Parent Success program. "It provides an opportunity for everyone to showcase their campus to their family members and, since it coincides with Finals Week, this event allows everyone to let off some steam, eat some delicious barbecue, and have some fun together in a no-stress environment," Williams adds.

All student clubs participated in the event by either organizing and hosting a game-station, or by assisting with planning the event. Games included a ring-toss, a bean-bag toss, fishing, remote-controlled robotics, and more. Additionally, attendees were able to pose in a photo booth and capture the event on film. All games, food, events, and prizes were free to attendees.

"We are pleased with the participation and turnout," says Tim Soderbeck, Student Senate Parliamentarian. "The Spring Fling is a big hit because of everyone involved in pulling it together. I'm already looking forward to next year's," Soderbeck adds.

PHOTOS at top, from top-down:

1. The event gets underway with set-up.
2. Event staff, Student Senate Parliamentarian Tim Soderbeck and Student Senate Secretary Morgan Richardson, monitor the event.
3. A family tries their hand at the fishing game.
4. A child operates a robot via a remote-control, with assistance from computer programming student Zach Ellingson.
5. A family tries their hand at the ring-toss game.
6. Children visit the Student-Parent Success program table and choose a few free books, with assistance from Laureen Williams, Program Director.

PTC welcomes Diana White to lead Advanced Manufacturing Education grant efforts

Pine Technical College welcomes Diana B. White, M.S.W., to the Office of Strategic Initiatives. White will serve as PTC’s Advanced Manufacturing Education (AME) Grant Manager, implementing and managing the college’s newly-acquired U. S. Department of Labor grant, focused on filling needs and opportunities within the advanced manufacturing sector in East Central Minnesota and beyond.

“We are so pleased to have Diana; she will drive our AME activities going forward as we continue to grow and expand,” says Stefanie Schroeder, Dean of Workforce and Economic Development. “Her experience and background in public policy, public budgeting, and altogether researching, writing, and acquiring grants, on top of her experience working with students and institutions of higher education, will support our commitment in serving our current and prospective manufacturing students, as well as the larger college community related to our manufacturing sector,” Schroeder adds.

White brings more than twenty years of administrative experience developing and managing programs for federal, state, and county governments, as well as nonprofit social service and workforce development organizations. Specifically, White’s professional background includes substantial experience in researching, writing and managing grants; most recently, in 2012, White managed a U. S. Department of Labor Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) grant which focused on training incumbent workers for the wood products manufacturing industry, and, White implemented programming related to a College Ready grant, focusing on preparing historically underserved students for success in college.

White holds a bachelor of science (B.S.) in education/communicative disorders, from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, a master of social work (M.S.W.) from Eastern Washington University, Cheney, and White has completed coursework toward a Ph.D. in public administration and policy from Portland State University, Portland, Oregon. In addition, White is an entrepreneur and owned her own small business for more than six years as a silversmith; today, White enjoys attending art festivals where she sells her own original works.

PHOTO at top: Diana B. White, PTC Advanced Manufacturing Education Grant Manager.

Annette Weaver, Child Care Aware staff member and mom, shares the importance of early learning and “star ratings”

Eleven years ago, when my first bouncing baby boy was getting ready to enter kindergarten, I thought I had everything all figured out. I was a working nine-to-five mom, and things were going along just fine. My job was great, and my son was even better.

We did all the normal things I thought parents were supposed to do: we sang the ABCs and 123s; we could name all the colors of the rainbow; and, altogether, my child was brilliant! And, I was the best mom he could ask for!

Our happiness came crashing down only a few short weeks into kindergarten. The school was calling to report there were problems with my child. He wasn't fitting in. He wasn't ready. He was behind. Each year the problems got worse. We had individualized education program (IEP) meetings regularly, as he was placed in special classes. But, there was nothing technically “wrong” with my child; he simply didn't do well in school from Day One.

Apparently, I did not prepare him for kindergarten. It’s a tough critique to take when you've worked so hard. You look at your child and think he's just as smart as every other child his age. At that point, I didn't even know what they meant by “he’s not ready.” He knew his letters! He knew his numbers!

And then, my second child came around, and I thought, “This child will be ready!” After all, I had five years to learn with the older one. Between a full-time job and working on my bachelor’s degree, I still managed to focus my energy on getting him prepared: letters, numbers, colors, shapes – now, I had it right! And, yet again, the phone calls started. I thought, “What was I doing wrong? Was it possible I had failed twice?” I felt defeated; how was I going to manage two children who are falling behind in school?

Now, with my firstborn a high school junior and finally off IEPs but still struggling, I've realized that I didn't do anything wrong; I just didn't know what to do right. I had no idea of all the factors involved in preparing my child for kindergarten, and, even if I had the time between jobs, school, and life, I'm not sure I would have been able to get them ready. No matter how hard we worked, they were always behind.

With my third child who is now three, I know how important it is that while I am working, he is learning. I simply cannot fit an entire day of learning experiences into a three-hour evening, no matter how hard I try. I get home about 5:30 p.m., and between dinner, homework, bath time, and life, there is no way, as a working parent, that I can teach my child what he needs to know. I have to rely on my child care provider to help me.

Getting ready for kindergarten isn't all about learning ABCs or 123s, and having years of experience behind me, I now know part of that learning relies on creating a nurturing environment where he feels safe and cared for. It’s about him having the opportunity to socialize and to play. It’s about him getting enough rest. It’s about him having opportunities to create and explore. And, it’s also about the ABCs and 123s.

For these reasons, my youngest is currently enrolled in a four-star Parent Aware-rated program, and, as a parent, I can't even begin to describe the peace of mind it brings. Every day, I can see his excitement, I can see he is learning, and I know with their help that my child will be kindergarten-ready. I also know if he is behind in any area, they will communicate with me, and together, we prepare him.

While it may not be encouraging to hear that 50 percent of children are not prepared for kindergarten, for me, it came as a kind of relief. I realized I wasn't alone and many other parents also must feel like they are failing. The truth is, many parents continue to struggle, year after year, trying to get their children up to speed, not realizing it may never come.

It is my belief each and every child deserves the chance to be ready. With the help of Child Care Aware and Parent Aware programs, preparation is more streamlined, more comprehensive, and less stressful for parents. Each and every day, the child care professionals teach my child new things, and this is so important to both me and my child. Quality child care professionals are irreplaceable.

- Annette Weaver, Pine Technical College/Child Care Aware of Minnesota Northeast

Are you interested in using Parent Aware to find quality child care? Call 800-890-5399, or visit www.parentawareratings.org. Also, if you live in Pine County and have a child between the ages of three and five, you may qualify for up to $4,000 in financial assistance for placing your child in a Parent Aware-rated program.

PHOTO at top (L to R): The Weaver family; Austin, Annette, Cole, and Tobias.

Grant program assists families in accessing early childhood education

Pine Technical College continues to work to distribute nearly $134,000 in the form of scholarship money to qualified families wishing to enroll their three- to five-year-old children in recognized early childhood programs. PTC was awarded the funds from the Minnesota Department of Education last fall, and to date, the program has awarded 20 Early Childhood Education scholarships for children in Pine County and beyond.

“Providing access to high-quality programs to our region’s youngest learners offers all of us our best chance at eliminating the achievement gaps that plague nearly every education system,” says Wendy Walburg, Child Care Aware District Director. “This grant program works to offer children a better academic foundation, and as a result, the stage is set for future and long-term success,” Walburg adds.

The Early Childhood Coalition is a broad and comprehensive committee representing Early Childhood Family Education, school district personnel, child development instructors, childcare providers, parents, public health organizations, city officials, chambers of commerce, business owners, and other community members involved in the education of children. The coalition has been instrumental in applying for the funding for Pine County families. The Early Childhood Education Scholarship program still has more than $77,000 to award – enough to assist about 20 more qualifying families.

Child Care Aware (formerly known as Child Care Resource and Referral), located on the Pine Technical College campus, is not only a partner, but is guiding and managing the scholarship program. Child Care Aware also is a part of PTC’s Employment and Training Center and serves 17 counties in Northeastern Minnesota. Additionally, Child Care Aware is working with Pine County providers in becoming rated in Minnesota’s new Child Care rating system, Parent Aware.

The grant program builds on the success of the state’s new Parent Aware program – a system that rates child care and early education providers on a one- to four-star ranking. The system’s goal is to help families find child care and early education providers focused on high-quality early learning and kindergarten readiness. The ranking system measures best practices identified by research that help children succeed in kindergarten and beyond. To inquire about the grant program, including for information regarding how to apply for grant assistance, call Child Care Aware, 320-629-5164 or 800-890-5399.

Instructor Stacey Foster nominated Outstanding Educator

Pine Technical College liberal arts instructor Stacey Foster has been named Pine Technical College’s Outstanding Educator based on nominations by students, faculty peers, and staff members. Foster is one of 36 across the state to have earned the title – the others having earned the nomination from their respective MnsCU institutions. Foster, accompanied by PTC President Robert Musgrove, Ph.D., and Dean of Academic Affairs Joan Bloemendaal-Gruett, Ed.D., attended a statewide ceremony yesterday that recognized all nominees from across the state.

This is the seventh year of the awards program, and the April 17 event revealed the state’s top winners who took home gold, engraved medallions and the prestigious title Educator of the Year – MnSCU’s highest academic honor. Evaluation criteria included teaching strategies and materials; content expertise; service to students, the profession, institution and the system; and assessment of student learning and performance. The winning four faculty members, selected from the 36 campus-nominated Outstanding Educators, included Andrew Aspaas of Anoka-Ramsey Community College, Dr. Alan Erdahl of Riverland Community College, Darci Goeden of Central Lakes College, and Susan Thaemert of Hennepin Technical College.

“These faculty members have all gone well beyond expectations to provide support to their students in achieving their academic goals,” said Clarence Hightower, MnSCU Board of Trustees Chair, while addressing the crowd at the April 17 event. “Student success depends upon the kind of faculty we have with us here; they teach creatively, they work to ensure successful student learning outcomes, they strive to create unique and lasting learning experiences, and they open students’ eyes to what’s possible in their lives as global citizens.” Hightower added.

Foster began her academic career at PTC in July, 2004 as the Executive Assistant to the President, and after earning her master’s degree in fine arts, Foster transitioned into a faculty role in Jan. 2008. Foster currently teaches ENGL 1276: College Composition, READ 210: Reading Strategies II, and ENGL 220: Writing Foundations II; plus, Foster will be teaching additional courses this fall term, adding ENGL 100: Writing Foundations I and READ 100: Reading Strategies I to her courseload.

Foster holds a bachelor’s of applied arts (B.A.A.) from the University of Minnesota – Duluth and a master’s in fine arts (M.F.A.) in creative writing from Hamline University. Foster’s hobbies include reading and writing original poetry, as well as writing creative nonfiction; some of which have been published in various literary media. Foster says she is honored to have been nominated as PTC’s Outstanding Educator.

“I am honored and humbled to have been nominated to represent PTC as this year’s Outstanding Educator,” says Foster. “The nomination means a lot to me, particularly because there are so many excellent instructors at PTC who take teaching very seriously. Plus, to share the stage with so many like-minded educators who are enthusiastic about teaching and maximizing students’ learning is wonderful – this awards event is about being a part of something bigger,” Foster adds.

Photo at top: PTC's 2013 Outstanding Educator, Instructor Stacey Foster.