bates-learning « WordPress.com Tag Feed

Photos from El Camino de Santiago

Bateslife — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 11:07:16 +0000

Check out some excellent photos Jake took to capture his 32-day Journey across El Camino de Santiago HERE.

Jobs with the Appalachian Mountain Club

Bateslife — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 11:02:06 +0000

"The number of Bates students that worked in the AMC and RMC huts this summer is astounding. So astounding that the college’s magazine commissioned one of its students to traverse the White Mountains to photograph all the Bates students/alumni working there. I ran away to the mountains for my 22nd birthday because I wanted to do something special, free, and it was the only available day I had to drive out to New Hampshire. It seems like all my friends have cool jobs this summer, but working in the AMC or RMC huts are the most sought after for any outdoorsy college kid." Read more about Graham's birthday weekend as he visits friends working for the Appalachian Mtn. Club HERE.

My first days with The Institute

Bateslife — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 10:50:36 +0000

"...Mr. William Keyes, the President and Founder of the Institute noted to us that we represented some of the best and brightest minds in this nation. He told us he was most concerned about “not what we going to be (careers), but I’m concerned about who we going to be.” He was interested in making sure that this program offered an addendum to our social conscious and will mold us into fine gentlemen who overly concern themselves with our world’s most pressing issues." Read more as Anthony recalls his first influential days in D.C. at the Institute for Responsible Citizenship HERE.

Roadtrip

Bateslife — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 10:41:39 +0000

"I have just started packing for my junior year at Bates and it still feels fresh. I’m a little nervous, very excited, and imagining my new room just off of Frye St. It’s been startling to realized that I am half-way through my Bates career, but the level of excitement has been comparable each year. In fact, the excitement has risen." Read more as Naima looks back upon her first two years at Bates, while simultaneously looking ahead to her final two years in college HERE.

The Institute for Responsible Citizenship

Bateslife — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 10:35:00 +0000

"I recently completed the first summer of my two summer leadership program for Black male college students called, The Institute for Responsible Citizenship www.i4rc.org. Every year, the Institute selects twenty-four of the most promising Black male college students in the nation, who posses great talent and capability to be a part of their program. Members of the Institute, take classes in government and economics, intern at various locations in the nation’s capital, and are treated to meetings with several individuals who work in both the private and public sector." Read more as Anthony reflects back on his incredible summer at the Institute for Responsible Citizenship HERE.

How does one define productivity at the end of an era?

Bateslife — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 15:33:45 +0000

"I won’t forget this experience when I return to Bates to continue my academic life. I strongly advise that before you beat yourself up over not being “productive” enough, that you reevaluate what productivity means to you. I believe now that it can’t necessarily be quantified or measured by tangible objects like money and such regardless of what our lovely American culture would have us believe. And perhaps the next time I can’t get a paper in on time I’ll make a powerful argument about how the skewed notions of productivity are engendered in due dates and because of that they oppress me." Read more as Steph defines her own measures of productivity while looking forward to her "Batescoming" HERE.

Back in NY...

Bateslife — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 12:40:46 +0000

"Being home and preparing to head back up to Maine naturally makes me think of the end of the summer when I will be heading north for my sophomore year at Bates. It is only a few short weeks now before I am back on campus, setting up my room, and preparing for a full load of classes. I get more excited everyday." Read more as Paul looks forward to his second year at Bates HERE.

TGIS

Bateslife — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 21:04:40 +0000

"Thank goodness it’s Sunday. This weekend has been incredibly hectic. All of a sudden, I found myself spending Friday and Saturday rushing from one job to another with barely enough time to feel my legs weaken. I just finished my Sunday brunch shift at the restaurant and officially have some time to breathe." Read more as Naima recounts her hectic summer work schedule HERE.

Cleanliness is next to Buddha-ness

Bateslife — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 20:58:54 +0000

"...She explained that one need just to accept where one is at the time and attempt to make one’s space beautiful (whatever beauty means to the individual). This last part struck me and I thought back to moving into my tiny single in Frye House for winter semester this past year. Some good friends helped me make my space a little more homey and comfortable and it made an incredible difference. I can’t stress enough how important it can be to create a nice space for yourself especially when it comes to dorm living." Read more as Steph discovers the importance of her newly clean space and what it means to her HERE.

A Pilgrim Comes Home

Bateslife — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 18:31:40 +0000

"After 32 days of travel across Northern Spain on foot, I arrived at Cape Finisterre, so named because of its root words, finis and terra, which indicate that this spot is the end of the earth. And, as the Western-most point on the European continent, it was long thought to be just that. A fitting place to end a month-long westwardly walk." Read more as Jake recounts his many lessons learned along the Camino HERE.

Makin Bank

Bateslife — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 11:56:40 +0000

"Aside from working, I’m wrapping up my last week of summer school. This class has been a huge force in inspiration and planning for my hopeful future in the world of journalism. It’s also broadened my interests to public relations - understanding PR makes a better journalist. It is one of the reasons I decided to contact the Lewiston Sun-Journal, and I’ve also done extensive research on internships." Read more as Naima balances summer work with planning her next 2 years at Bates HERE.

HMI

Bateslife — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 15:53:57 +0000

"So my junior year of high school, i attended a semester long program in Leadville Colorado. Its called High Mountain Institute: Rocky Mountain Semester. This experience essentially changed my life in many ways and helped me look at the world differently. Rocky Mountain semester gives junior students a chance to spend 4-5 months in the mountains of Colorado , canyons of Utah and Wyoming. It combines rigorous academics with backpacking." Read more about Charlotte's many friends and connections through HMI and Bates HERE.

Summer Camp Food...

Bateslife — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 20:55:38 +0000

"At Bates we have chicken patties every Saturday for lunch. At camp we have chicken patties once a week too (although here they are called ‘chicken bombers’), The ‘bombers’ are the one food that truly reminds me of food back at Bates. It makes me miss the new dining hall and the delicious food that we are lucky to have every day." Read more about Paul's longing for Bates food HERE.

Gonzo

Bateslife — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 17:44:35 +0000

"As I resist the rock and roll lifestyle of “Gonzo” journalism, I’ve looked at other options. I realized I may end up writing for a cheese magazine for three years before I infiltrate the staff list of a general circulation magazine - and I hate cheese. It’s going to be a while before I have the opportunity to work for one of the publications I read on a regular basis, but I’m willing to work my way up to that point." Read more about Naima's budding journalism career HERE.

Amandla! in Review 2007-2008

Bateslife — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 17:15:17 +0000

"As we move forward as an organization, we will continue to hold true to the mission that our founders envisioned. And with your continued support, we will further the cause of promoting Black cultural awareness on this campus, continue to forge Black student support systems, and provide a forum for people on this campus to express ideas concerning the African Diaspora." Read more as Anthony reflects back on his year as Coordinator of Amandla! HERE.

First Week at Camp...

Bateslife — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 02:04:23 +0000

"Camp has been beyond great. The campers in my tent are all friendly, helpful, funny, active kids from all over the world. Teaching the campers baseball and soccer has been a lot of fun. It can be a bit challenging when the kids only want to play games and not work on skills and do drills but other than that working with the kids has been a blast. They are energetic and willing to learn." Read more about Paul's first week as a camp counselor HERE.

Big Plans

Bateslife — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 10:56:09 +0000

"So this week I finally contacted the Sun Journal (Lewiston’s newspaper) about any type of internship they might have in the fall for an aspiring journalist. There’s no internship program - but what’s even better is that the woman on the other end of the line explained that I would be able to freelance for the paper..." Read more about Naima's gregarious job pursuits for next fall, all the while loving Chicago in the summer and keeping herself entertained HERE.

The Bates Connection

Bateslife — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 10:42:04 +0000

"You always hear stories about how helpful Bates’ alumni networks can be when searching the job market, but I never thought it was true. Yet, this summer I put the Bates’ alumni network to the ultimate test. As, you may have gathered from my previous posts, I am living in Portland this summer in a house with 5 other Bates students and am working part-time for Bates." Find out how Graham scored a second summer job through the Bates alumni network HERE.

On the Open Road...on Foot

Bateslife — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 16:04:58 +0000

"El Camino de Santiago brings a brand new meaning to the concept of a ¨road trip¨for me. As I mentioned in my last post, I´m right now traveling across the entirety of Northern Spain on foot along the ancient pilgrimage road that leads to Santiago de Compostela. The city holds the remains of Santiago, or Saint James, one of the disciples." Read more about how Jake found Spain's El Camino de Santiago through Bates HERE.

I'm Competent. Wow, thanks Bates.

Bateslife — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 15:42:53 +0000

"My education in general but especially my three years at Bates has helped me become a more engaged thinker. I’ve been encouraged to question what I’m exposed to, which is often a difficult thing to do. I am also given the space to draw connections for myself which is enjoyable and exciting. So whether I’m typing a paper on the performance of gender or staring at an industrial sized salad spinner, I am confident in my ability to navigate the task at hand. And living in the real world makes me realize that this is a valuable skill that not everyone possesses and I should be grateful. Which I am." Read more as Steph realizes the many ways in which Bates has prepared her for the real world HERE.

Bates Short Term

Bateslife — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 14:19:56 +0000

"This short term I took a course called the Ethics of Care in Philosophy, which examined issues that focused on feminist ethics. I enjoyed the course; it heightened my knowledge on birth and women’s rights. Bates philosophy professor Dr. Susan Stark, who teaches the course, is also great." Read more about Anthony's array of endeavors during Short Term HERE.

Desire for the "Real" World and Bizarre Animal Encounters

Bateslife — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 14:29:20 +0000

"Now that I have moved in to my second week at Upaya, things seem to be falling into place and I’m beginning to feel as if I have been here a while. I had my first experience of desperately pining for the outside world when I got pix messaged (a picture sent via phone text for those of you unfamiliar with the lingo). Now the only people who usually pix message me are my parents like my mom sending me a picture of my old elementary school or something. So imagine my surprise when I find it’s from my Bates bestie who is with other Batesies in a nice summery place doing friendly summery things." Read more about Steph's balance of being with only her thoughts, visits from wildlife, and infrequent yearnings for the "real" world HERE.

I've been chanting. Yes, chanting.

Bateslife — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 13:52:53 +0000

"Hi all. I apologize for the lack of posts over the past few weeks as I have been relishing my short time at home and preparing for my Hoffman Fellowship that requires two months away doing pre-thesis research. Currently, I am at Upaya Zen Center and Institute in Santa Fe, New Mexico practicing (which means sitting zazen, which means meditation basically) and doing pre-thesis research (of course)." Read more about Steph's experience living in the Upaya community and her summer of pre-thesis research HERE.

End of First Year...

Bateslife — Wed, 28 May 2008 18:20:04 +0000

"I can't believe my first year at Bates is over. The year was incredible. I met tons of new people, learned more than I could have imagined, and took advantage of as many activities and events as was possible. I can't wait until next year when the college journey continues. Until then check out my new updated ‘Pictures from Bates‘ page which is now more organized and should be much easier to navigate." Read more as Paul looks back at his first year at Bates HERE.