travel

Buck-I-SERV: The trip of your life

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Picture this: you’re hammering nails for a house you’re helping to build while under the sun in 70 degree weather in Florida; then at night, you’re sitting on the beach, sipping your iced tea, watching the sunset with fellow Buckeyes who have become your best friends.

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Building homes isn’t your thing? How about entering a urban middle school, building relationships with at-risk youth through one-on-one interactions, tutoring, playing a game of ball, etc., and getting rewarded by enjoying some southern soul food in the heart of Atlanta?

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You say you are more of an outdoors type? Let’s take a trip to Minnesota where you can serve as a camp counselor to youth who have been affected by HIV/AIDS, live in transitional housing, identify as LGBTQ, or have diabetes.

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Do you want to get far away from Ohio? Then head to Colorado to help prepare shoes that will be shipped out of the country to countries where shoes are a luxury.

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Now you’re doubting me and saying that there isn’t anything out there that can accommodate this, especially for college students. We go to The Ohio State University where there is something for everyone. To silence the doubters, YES, there something called Buck-I-SERV, where you can do exactly what I mentioned above and more! Now, I know you have some questions and concerns, so let me start addressing them.

What exactly is Buck-I-SERV? 

According to Buck-I-SERV’s website, “Buck-I-SERV is a weeklong, substance-free program centered on community service and civic engagement.” My interpretation: you get to travel to new places, see and experience new things with other Buckeyes all while helping the local community. These trips are offered during winter, spring and summer breaks and are typically 10-person trips, however, there are some that are 20- and even 50-person trips!

Wait, can I explore the city where I’m serving?

YES!!! This isn’t just a work trip (although, I wouldn’t call what you do there as “work”), it’s also a social trip! Go ahead and visit the local restaurants and attractions. Actually, you are required to explore the city and have fun! When I went to Atlanta, I tried my first ever chicken and waffles, a southern staple.  So before you say “well, I really want to go to the beach and I don’t think I can do that on a Buck-I-SERV trip”, think again.

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Where will I stay?

You aren’t living in the presidential suite at a Ritz-Carlton, but depending on where you go to, you will be living in anything from a hostel to log cabins, and even alumni homes! On my Buck-I-SERV trip, we lived in a church with three other universities!

This sounds expensive!

$200-$400 for a week long trip. No, I did not forget to add an extra zero on the end. Yes, they are that cheap. These prices include the ride to and from the service city, housing, site fees and also a small donation. Although you have to pay for food, you were already planning to pay for it when you were booking your $300 flight.

I’ve already visited all 50 states, so I don’t think there is anything for me.

Hahaha. Good one. For those of you who have been lucky enough to visit all 50 states, good for you, I’m still trying to get there. But I highly doubt you’ve been to Marysville, TN or Pocahontas County, WV. Even if you’ve been to places like Dallas, Boston, New York or Chicago, I’m sure the last time you went, you didn’t serve their community and see things you would have never seen by simply being a tourist. And if you want to be more adventurous, you can go serve abroad. In fact, for the 2013-2014 school year, there have been Buck-I-SERV trips to five different countries!

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Information overload!

I know, I’m sorry. I probably told you more in this one blog than you learned in your survey class. But fear not, if you need more information, go ahead and check out Buck-I-SERV’s website.

As I start to wind down this blog, I hope you give Buck-I-SERV a look when you are planning your future breaks. Be on the look out for the applications, and I promise you won’t be disappointed. Not to be cliché, but the memories, the people that you meet, and the experiences that you gain on these trips will truly last forever.

10 Reasons You Should Study Abroad Before You Graduate

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Okay, so we all know Ohio State is the best school on Earth. Obvi. We have amazing school spirit, a beautiful campus and a huge, fun, talented student body (maybe I’m a little biased but whateves). Being in such a fantastic place, why in the world would anyone in their right mind want to leave?! Well, I’ll tell you why. TO STUDY ABROAD.  There are so many reasons you should study abroad, but here are ten of them:

1. Experience a place that’s not, well, Ohio  (It’s out there people, I promise.)

There’s a whole big world out there waiting for you, where maybe they eat weird, but delicious things, or have cool sayings that you can use to impress your friends back home. Who knows. Listen…Do you hear it? The world’s calling.

2. Push yourself (I can totally figure out the subway system and how to speak German at the same time. Piece of cake.)

Making your way in a new country can be scary and uncomfortable, but there’s no better feeling than finally figuring out what that phrase everyone has been saying means or getting on the right bus for the first time because you KNOW where it’s going. You’re capable of way more than you think.

3. When else in your life will you have time to do this?!(I mean, why not now?)

College is a time of exploration, experimentation and independence. We are just starting to figure out who we are, who we want to be and how we fit in the world. If there’s ever a time to observe other worldviews, opinions and ways of living, it’s now.

4. Meet new people  (Heck, odds are they probably won’t even be from Ohio.)

Not only can you meet friends from the U.S. who are participating with you, but you can also befriend the locals! How fun! You can literally casually throw into conversation when you get home, “Well, my friend from Paris said…”.

5. See how others view the world  (You mean to tell me football isn’t a way of life here?)

It may surprise you that not everyone in the world wears Uggs or has seen the latest episode of Scandal. But so many different ways of thinking, doing and feeling exist in the world. Go explore; ya never know: maybe you’ll adopt some new habits (meditation? eating beondegi? The possibilities are endless.)

6. Adventure  (Wait…you eat what?!)

Why not let your adventurous spirit run wild for a while? Taste new foods, meet new people, venture outside your comfort zone. See the Eiffel Tower, the Great Wall, or the Pyramids. There is no time like the present and at the very least you’ll make some great memories to take home with you.

7. Be Independent  (For real this time, since we all know how you go home solely so your Mom can do your laundry)

No matter where you go, studying abroad will force you to figure things out on your own and be independent.  You might even have to cook your own food, omg.

8. Gain valuable experience  (looks great on a resume!)

Studying abroad will help you gain problem-solving skills, appreciate other cultures and grow in confidence. These are great transferrable skills for any future job, or just to be better at life.

9. Learn about yourself  (Who knew I was capable of  miming what flavor of gelato I wanted to that waiter?)

You probably already have a fairly good idea of what you’re good at, but did you know how good you were at navigating that incredibly confusing city? Or how well you could pick up Spanish in three weeks? You may just surprise yourself.

10. Appreciate what you have (Depending on where you go, you will never again take for granted not having to pay to enter a public restroom.)

Studying abroad in a foreign country, no matter where it is, or the standard of living there, will make you appreciate what you have.  Whether that be your family, friends, hometown, or college campus, you will come home more grateful for the blessings you have.

So basically what I’m trying to say is, GO STUDY ABROAD. Take one semester, or summer away from your normal comfortable routine and explore the world. You never know who you’ll meet, what you’ll see, or most importantly, what you’ll learn about yourself along the way.