Is 10-15 minutes really enough time in a 2 to 3 hour graduate class to get some food, pick up a coffee and relax at the same time? For many students, this is not enough break time because it does not allow students the opportunity to get to know another. This is how the MPA Extended Breaks was formed.

The goal of the MPA Extended Breaks is to allow students more time during breaks (30 minutes total) to meet other classmates and get to know each other outside the classroom. The Extended Breaks last only one week per quarter. And the MPA Student Association officers change the theme every quarter. For Winter Quarter 2010, the Extended Breaks theme was "What Classes Are You Taking in Spring." This gives students who might not know another a conversation starter.

 
The MPA Student Association hosts the Extended Breaks every quarter for one full week. We would like to extend a special thank you to the Graduate Student Council for providing us with funding, so we can provide food and light refreshments for the MPA graduate students.

-Tyson Lin, MPASA VP/Treasurer

Culture shock is not an adequate description of the lifestyle adjustments necessary to survive Seattle weather after living in Southern California for 25 years.  I love Seattle, and I’m lucky to be here, but I only own one rain jacket, I miss my Rainbow Sandals (my toes miss sunshine), and my hands have been cold for five months straight.  Despite all this, my adjustment is on the upswing.  I’ve come to appreciate the sun breaks and 50(+) degree-days.

The graduate school experience has held up its end of the bargain too.  I love being a student and if possible would have stayed in undergrad for another 12 years and graduated with a quadruple major.  One thing I quickly learned in graduate school was the individual responsibility for learning.  Taking classes without tests makes it easy to skip reading and maintain good grades, but I’m not going into debt for another piece of paper with a school seal on it.  The depth and breadth of our learning is ultimately our responsibility, and with it our future.

My weeknights belong to Loyola Hall, my weekends to the Journal of College Student Development, and someday soon, when the temperature rises, the sunshine will belong to my toes.

Adam Serafin – College of Education – Student Development Administration ‘11

The sport of soccer (or football, as it is most widely known) excites and captivates the attention of millions of people around the world. It is a sport that unites people from many different countries, cultures, and beliefs. It is truly a unifying movement. 

Being from Colombia, soccer has always been a part of my life. Growing up I remember playing soccer during breaks at school, after school, and in the weekends. I remember watching the Colombian national team play in the 94, and 98 World cups as I commented on the action with my father and friends. Soccer is something that has brought a great share of joy to my life. Having the opportunity to experience the successes and failures of my favorite teams along with family and friends connected us in an especial way. 

Now, as a professional in the Seattle area and as a student at Seattle U I am again able to enjoy that interaction. A group of friends and I get together to play soccer every Saturday. Rain or shine we show up at the specified time, all ready to get started with the game. There are people from Turkey, India, the US, and different countries in Latin America, Europe, and Asia. We all have different responsibilities, but when we step on the soccer field those concerns are left behind and we enjoy an awesome game of soccer.  

Something that sets the city of Seattle apart from other parts of the US is the immense passion that most people have for the sport of soccer. When the Seattle Sounders FC team came together, the excitement around this region was spectacular. I was present at the inaugural game, and I’ll never forget how thousands of strangers became united by the common goal of supporting the team and seeing it succeed. Furthermore, having the opportunity to see the team play against world-renowned teams such as Chelsea and Barcelona FC was an amazing experience. This year is going to bring the potential for greater success for the Sounders, as they strive to improve on last year’s performance, and participate in their first continental tournament, the CONCACAF Champion’s League. 

Additionally, this year is going to bring the excitement for soccer in the world to new heights. The World Cup will take place in Africa for the first time in its history, and is sure to be a competitive and captivating event. Millions of people around the world are going to tune in to watch their favorite teams compete at the highest level, and will enjoy the whirlwind of emotions that is the game of soccer.

Blog post by Juan Sebastian Oviedo – College of Science and Engineering