Studying Abroad Adventures, Educational and Fun!

One of the greatest experiences of my college career has been studying abroad in Sevilla, Spain. Studying Spanish was something I knew I wanted to continue while at Penn State and revisiting Spain was high on my priority list. I decided to minor in Spanish and make studying abroad part of my plan. Penn State has endless possibilities when it comes to studying abroad. There are so many countries and programs to choose from and there are multiple fairs and information sessions so you can find the right fit for you. 

I decided to take classes for my minor while abroad, however, you are more than welcome to take engineering classes abroad as well. This choice usually is made depending on whether you want to learn in another language other than English and/or possibly stay at school an extra semester. I chose to study abroad for my Spanish minor so I took classes about the culture and history of Spain in Spanish and will be staying an extra at Penn State. I know not everyone is thrilled about having to pay for an extra semester, but to me the experience was priceless.

If you are not sure if studying abroad is for you, there are plenty of opportunities to get more information, but be prepared to start researching and applying a year before you want to go. Don't rush and really take your time when deciding if this is the right choice for you. I started planning Fall of my sophomore year, my application was due the spring semester, and I went Fall of my junior year. Although I had second thoughts about leaving all of my friends behind for three months, there is no better time to go abroad and travel than right now! 

While abroad, I was able to visit many other cities in southern Spain on weekend and day trips. I was also able to go to Gibraltar, Morocco, Portugal, England, and Scotland! Being abroad was the most challenging and exciting experience of my entire life and I am a changed person after going. Not only did I become fluent in Spanish while there but I now know I can conquer any challenge! 

Megan Barr is a super-senior in Industrial Engineering and the Spirit Lead for WEPO'13!  To read more about Megan visit her WEPO Profile: http://raindancer45.wix.com/ladyengineers#!megan-barr/c1vyr

Finding a Balance in College

Coming into your freshman year at college can be a very exciting experience, but it can also be very overwhelming.  You are out on your own, you have new freedoms, but you also have new responsibilities.  As an engineering student you will hear the saying “sleep + social life = bad grades, social life + good grades = no sleep, and good grades + sleep = no social life.”  This does not have to be the case, though.  Balance at college is very important too much of one thing can result in a lack another.  To ensure that we can have all three parts of college it is very important to plan ahead.

Unlike high school, you don’t have teachers and parents to make sure that you get all your work done.  This is now solely your responsibility.  However, if you make a schedule and study all throughout the semester you can also have fun.  Scheduling out what you have to do every week, and writing done when everything is due is a big help to your success at college, but you can also schedule fun activities and naps.  Naps become a big part of most college students lives.  Naps ensure that even if you don’t get a full night sleep, you will not be overly tired during the day.  Power naps are amazing, they reenergize without taking away too much time to do work.  Scheduling also can help you plan when you want to do something fun.  If you know when you are doing something with your friends, like a dinner or a movie, you can plan to get all your work done before than.  Going out to have some fun also can help with studying, sometimes taking a break and giving your brain a rest is the best thing for you.  Having a schedule can make your college life a whole lot easier, but make sure you do not schedule everything last minute.

Procrastination is the easiest trap to fall into, but getting behind in a class will really hinder your progression through the class.  Waiting until last minute will cause you to loose sleep, and it will stop you from being able to have fun.  Procrastination will also cause stress, which is the last thing you need.  Stress will stop you from sleeping at night; it is a college student’s worst enemy.  Not doing your work when it is first given to you was ok in high school, but in college it will be your undoing.

College is a great experience, and it is even better with some balance.  Study hard, get some sleep, but also don’t forget to have fun.  These will be some of the greatest years of your life, so make sure you enjoy them!

Leatrice Spiewak is a junior in Mechanical Engineering and a Mentor for WEPO'13!  To read more about Lea visit her WEPO Profile: http://raindancer45.wix.com/ladyengineers#!leatrice-spiewak/c26s

Staying Healthy in College AKA Avoiding the Freshman 15

Everyone's heard of the Freshman 15, that little extra pudge people seem to come home with after being off at college and being responsible for their own health and well-being. It can be tricky to stay in shape and keep you body running at 100% with the craziness of classes, homework, meetings, and everything else going on in your new college life. Here's a couple things to keep in mind this semester so you don't get an F in health.

1. Keep priorities straight

YES you are here to get a great education, and you will, but you have to keep yourself healthy to get the most out of your days. If you are coming down with the flu, sleep deprived, mal-nourished, or stressed all the time, it will be hard to concentrate and keep yourself motivated and thinking positive. From there it's a slippery slope to Lazyville :(

Keeping yourself healthy doesn't have to take extra energy, just a little prioritizing. Keeping a good balance of exercise, sleep, and nutritious food in your crazy schedule will pay off when you have the energy to do your best. Take care of yourself first, and then you'll be able to take care of everything that comes your way.

2. To get a gym pass, or to pass on the gym?

Speaking as someone who did a semester without a gym membership, and one with it, I'd say it's worth the extra money. My first fall semester I figured I would just run outside to keep in shape, which I did, until it got cold and gross outside. My roommate practically lived at the gym, so I gave it a shot spring semester and definitely got my money's worth. Some friends and I went to a lot of the classes together (kickboxing, and calorie killer were our favorites) , and it was nice to be able to go de-stress at the gym whenever I wanted no matter what it was like outside.

P.S. the best hours to go are early morning when it's not crowded!

3. Hit the gym while you hit the books

Sometimes people get a gym pass and then hardly end up using it because they have too much work to do and not enough time in a day. Well guess what, you can study and work out at the same time! My roommate and I would often read for chem while on the stationary bikes, or go through flashcards while we did the treadmill or other cardio equipment. When my body is focused on pedaling or running, my mind can focus on what I'm studying so I don't get as distracted, and end up getting a work out too. It doesnt work for everyone; Some people would rather just dedicate a certain time every day to exercise, and that's great too! But if you are a multi-tasker or can't stay focused at the library, try this. Everyone else at the gym is in the zone and getting something accomplished, so you will feel motivated to do the same.

4. Take advantage of the nice weather

As you may have heard, the nice weather won't last forever around here in PA :(   So while it's still nice (and especially at the beginning of the year when you're not swamped with work yet) get out and explore! My favorite way of getting to know my way around campus and downtown was to go running, but you can walk around with the roommate and  explore the Arboretum and the woods/trails behind it too before the cold sets in. You may find some really cool places, and get exercise while you're at it!

5. Walk to class

This goes along with the previous tip. Penn State is a big, beautiful campus... use it to your advantage! Even if your class is all the way across campus, it probably won't take more than 15-20 mins to walk depending on your pace, which really isn't that bad. Leave a few minutes early and enjoy the walk, solo or with a friend; getting fresh air always cleared my head before or after a rough class or quiz. Some days I would walk almost 5 miles without even realizing it. Save the CATA busses for a rainy day; you can walk to Thomas or Hammond faster than the bus gets there anyway!

6. All You Can Eat ≠ Eat All You Can

The dining commons at PSU are buffet style, but beware of overfilling your tray just because you can. I liked going to the commons with a group of friends because it was a good way to see each other, I don't like eating alone in my room, and it felt more like family dinners back home. You spend more time catching up with people you care about than wondering if you really want to go get a third helping of soft serve and a West Cookie for the road... It's better to keep some snacks around for late nights and long days than it is to stuff yourself at the commons anyway.

7. There's an App for that

If you've got a SmartPhone, hit up the App Store to help you keep yourself healthy. Here are my recommendations (all free of course): Dining@PSU has the menus for all the commons, and calories for each thing being served that day. Speaking of which, if you count calories, use Lose-It to list out whatever you've eaten  that day, it can be surprising! When you want to burn off some creamery ice cream, use iRunner or Run+ to keep track of how much you have run or walked. The CATA app shows where all the busses are so you know if it's worth waiting 15 mins for the next blue loop, or if you should just walk. And at the end of the day, SleepTime monitors your sleep so you know how much good rest you're really getting and will wake you up when you are in light sleep mode so you're not as groggy.

Rachel Perini is a sophomore in Mechanical Engineering and a Rover for WEPO'13!  To read more about Rachel visit her WEPO Profile: http://raindancer45.wix.com/ladyengineers#!rachel-perini/c9hl

Pennypacker: Freshmen in Science and Engineering Special Living Option

One of the biggest worries for incoming freshmen is dorm life.  Will my roommate and I get along?  Will my floor be super loud every night? Is my dorm too far away from classes? Is there really enough room for my shoe collection?!  These were all worries that I had upon choosing where I would live.  I had a rather unique experience coming in to dorm life, given that my twin sister was also coming to University Park.  We had decided that we didn’t want to live together so that we could branch out and meet new people, but we were also worried about having random roommates.  My Mom suggested that we both apply for FISE, a special living option for Freshmen in Science and Engineering.  It is located in East Halls in Pennypacker, which sits right on Curtin Road.  I’ll admit that I was quite skeptical about the situation initially.  My continuous thought was of the engineering stereotype.  Everyone is going to be weird and nerdy.  What if I don’t get along with them and don’t make any friends?!  Despite my initial concerns, looking back, I have to say that choosing to live in Pennypacker was one of the best decisions I made freshman year!  There were so many benefits, in my opinion, in choosing this special living option over just any random dorm.  I encourage all incoming freshmen (guys or girls!) to consider the FISE Special Living Option.  Here are the biggest reasons why:

Living with Engineers

One of the biggest highlights for me about living in FISE was that I was surrounded by engineering and science students.  Now, you may be thinking that it sounds slightly boring, but it was quite the opposite!  Pennypacker dorm is co-ed by floor and generally houses students from diverse cultural backgrounds, so I met a wide variety of people. Some who focused on their studies, some who didn’t, some members of the Blue Band, some sorority women, some student athletes, some foreign students; and that was just the girls on my floor!  We were all able to connect and bond quite quickly over our shared classes and workload.  I became instant friends with the girls on my floor as we had so much in common. 

Getting help to tackle those Engineering classes

The best part about living in Pennypacker was that I had SO much help for my classes.  No matter what class I was taking, I knew there was another girl on the floor that had the same homework that I did that could help me if needed.  We even had a routine going first semester where on Thursday nights, when our online chemistry quizzes were due, we went around the floor helping each other get 100’s.  I know it would have been much harder to get through my tougher classes if I didn’t have the help and support of my 7^th floor Pennypacker girls!  Also, exclusively to Pennypacker, there are PA’s (Program Assistants) and in-house tutors available to help you throughout the year.

Getting the East experience without the complete East experience

Coming into freshman year I knew I wanted to live in East Halls.  However, I wasn’t sure if the environment would be too much for me, given that I like to focus on my studies.  Pennypacker proved to be a perfect balance!  I was able to live with all freshmen in East, but was not subjected to loud neighbors.  Whenever I had an exam to study for, there were several girls on the floor studying for the same exam, so we never had a problem with noise while we were studying. 

Meeting your best friends

As the first semester progressed I found myself hanging out with the same few Pennypacker girls the majority of the time, and they became my best friends at Penn State.  Next semester we are all living together and scheduled the majority of our classes together.  Living in Pennypacker allowed me to meet other girls that have the same interests and aspirations as I do.  We bonded immediately at the beginning of our freshman year journey, and shared many laughs, tears, and great memories along the way.  As corny as it may sound, I know that I will be best friends with those girls all throughout college, if not longer, and we would never have met if it weren’t for FISE!

http://science.psu.edu/diversity/fise-house/FISEHouseBrochure.htm

The link above gives a more in depth explanation on FISE and gives you directions on how to apply.  If you’re interested, make sure you complete both steps; the preference selection on eLiving and the online form + essay.

I wish all of you girls the best of luck in college preparation and cannot wait to meet you at WEPO!!

For the Glory(:

Jessica Smith

Jessica Smith is a sophomore in Architectural Engineering and a Rover for WEPO'13!  To read more about Jessica visit her WEPO Profile: http://raindancer45.wix.com/ladyengineers#!jessica-smith/cf5v

5 Tips to Living with a Roommate

Roommates. They are a part of the college experience that all freshmen must endure. Some find the idea of living with a roommate exciting, while others are nervous. Some choose to room with a friend from high school, someone they met before school starts or someone random. It does not matter how you end up with your roommate because the experience is still the same. I personally decided to be given a random roommate my freshman year. Looking back, I do not regret this decision.  I learned a lot about living with someone else. I'm here to tell you 5 tips about living with a roommate because for most, you have never shared a space with someone 24/7.

1. Talk to your roommate before arriving to campus.

This may seem ridiculous but I have a friend who never talked to his roommate until they both arrived on campus. However you should talk to your roommate. This is the time to get to know them as a person so you are not strangers when you get to Penn State. It is also a time to talk about who is bringing what for the room. If you don't you will end with two of everything like my friend, unless you want two TVs.

2. Set ground rules.

This is important to do within the first few days of arriving to campus. Your RA will give you a roommate agreement that gets you and your roommate talking about common situations that might come up. This is extremely important to take seriously because it will lessen tension and arguments later on during the year.

 Some things to talk about:

• Bedtimes. My roommate and I were complete opposites when it came to bedtimes. One of us was early to bed, early to rise and the other was late to bed, late to rise. Though our sleep schedules were opposites we made it work. We would utilize the study lounges, library, and our desk lights when the other was sleeping.
• Visitors. This can mean anyone, friends, boyfriends, siblings. Talk about who you feel comfortable with sleeping over and who you don't. Talk about times of the day when visitors are allowed to be in the room. Also set a signal that you both are aware of incase alone time is wanted.
• Borrowing things. Some people don't mind you borrowing something without asking, while others would like you to ask. Talk it out with each and see how the other person feels. Also remember just because someone says yes once doesn't mean that always applies. So make sure to ask each time.
• Chores. Yes there are chores in college. The garbage can won't empty itself, the carpet won't vacuum itself, and the microwave can't magically clean itself. The chores that need to be done are simple enough to complete within little time. Talk to your roommate and divide up who is responsible for what and how often the task is expected to be completed.

3. Don't keep your emotions bottled up.

When living with someone for 24/7 sometimes the littlest habits start to get on your nervous. Don't wait until you can't take it anymore. Learn to be open with your roommate and be able to talk about things. If you keep your frustration inside it will cause you unwanted and unnecessary stress. The sooner you talk things through, the better. Just remember to be polite about it because chances are your roommate doesn't know their habits bother you.

4. Don't expect to be best friends with your roommate.

Coming into college I had the preconceived vision that my roommate and I were going to best friends, hang out a lot, and do fun things together. This was not the case in my situation but I realized I benefited from this. By not being best friends with my roommate, I had to go more out of my way to make new friends. I found friends in my building, in my classes, and through the clubs I joined. This is not to say that my roommate and I hated each other. We were roommates and got along great, we just didn't become best friends. I am telling my experience with my roommate not to scare you but to give an example that if things don't work out, you will still find many good friends at Penn State.

5.Be considerate

You are now sharing a single room with someone else. You need to be considerate of each other. This is now both of your homes until the end of the school year and you both need to feel comfortable within the space. Sometimes alone time is needed and you need to be considerate of that.

I hope these few tips help make living with a roommate a little less scary. During your freshman year you find out what qualities you like and don't like within a roommate. That will help make future roommate choices easier.

P.S. For all of those wondering when you will find out your roommate and where you will be living for the fall, those are posted on eliving in late July.

Emily Pringle is a sophomore in Industrial Engineering and is a Rover for WEPO'13!  To read more about Emily visit her WEPO Profile: http://raindancer45.wix.com/ladyengineers#!emily-pringle/c226e

Keeping organized with planners

Hey Ladies! My name is Sarah Masters. I am a sophomore in Engineering Science and I am going to be a Rover for WEPO 2013!

When you come to Penn State, there will be a billion and one things going on! It will definitely be overwhelming at first, but being prepared before hand can make things much better!

Keeping track of when things are due and when activities are happening is very important. One of the great tools that can help keep your weeks organized is a planner. This past year, I actually carried two daily planners with me in my backpack. One planner I designated to homework and assignment due dates. I used the other planner to keep track of other extra curricular activities. This system helped me keep track of everything at once and gave me a good overall picture of what my week was going to look like.

It is very important to write down and keep track of when assignments are due in each of your classes. One of the main problems I had when I started school was figuring out when different assignments were due in each of my classes. In most of your classes, you will have to look at the syllabus to find due dates and dates of your exams. It’s good to write these deadlines down ahead of time, right when you get the syllabus, because then nothing sneaks up on you.   

You will also probably get involved with other clubs and activities outside of your classes at Penn State. A planner can help you keep track of these activities too. One piece of advice is to write down all of the activities that are going on, even if two conflict with each other. This way, if one gets canceled or ends early or something, you still have the information written down for the other activity.

Keeping organized with a daily planner can take some of the stress out of your freshman year. Also, it is very rewarding to check off the assignments you get done and the activities you participated in. If you keep track this way of what you do each week, then you can adjust how you spend your time depending on what works for you. Over all, I believe that the $5 expense of buying a planner is nothing compared to how beneficial it can be!

Sarah Masters is a sophomore in Engineering Science and a Rover for WEPO'13! To read more about Sarah visit her WEPO Profile: http://raindancer45.wix.com/ladyengineers#!sarah-masters/cwrn

Sign up for EON (Engineering Orientation Network)

Hi ladies!

My name is Ellen Fagan, and I’ll be a junior in Industrial Engineering in the fall.  I am so excited to be a Mentor for WEPO’13!

First of all, I would like to congratulate all of you on your acceptance to Penn State.  You are all brilliant!  I know you’re probably overwhelmed with signing up for all of these orientations, but I’m going to add another “don’t miss” to your list – EON!

EON (or the Engineering Orientation Network) is an orientation for ALL freshmen engineering students (the guys, too).  This is a one-day orientation (morning and afternoon) on the Sunday before you start classes.

I have been involved with EON for three years, as a participant, a Mentor, and now a Head Mentor.  EON is a great program, and it gets better every year.   

Here’s just a few reasons why you should go to EON, too!

1. You’ll get another Mentor.  I’m sure some of you may be wondering why you would ever need two mentors, but you can never have enough people looking out for you.  Your mentor is an older student who has been in your shoes, and he or she truly wants you to succeed.  Your EON Mentor will have a different life experience than your WEPO Mentor (different major, hometown, clubs/activities, interests, etc.) and will be able to be a different resource for you.  I absolutely loved my WEPO Mentors, and I am still good friends with them, but they were Mechanical Engineering majors.  When I had a question about Industrial Engineering, I texted my EON Mentor because she was Industrial, too.
2. You’ll make friends.  Penn State is a big place, and the more friends you make, the more comfortable and “at home” you will feel, especially during your first few weeks.  EON gives you the opportunity to meet not only your group, but there is also an icebreaker session where you could potentially meet anyone at the orientation.  Between EON and WEPO, you’ll practically know everyone in your Math 140 class on Monday.
3. You’ll sharpen up your Penn State skills.  Things like learning the campus and the computer programs we use can be overwhelming.  You’ll be introduced to these things at WEPO, but once you get to EON and see them a second time, they’ll really start to stick.  Who knows? Maybe someone will ask YOU for directions on the first day of classes! 
4. You’ll have fun! Meeting new friends, learning about the greatest university on earth, and not to mention the free lunch and corporate sponsor giveaways – What’s not to love?!

I’m making it easy for you to register! Click here:  http://www.engr.psu.edu/eon/registration.html

I know you will all LOVE Penn State, and I’m so excited to meet all of you! Enjoy the rest of your summer!

Ellen Fagen is a junior in Industrial Engineering and is a Mentor for WEPO'13!  To read more about Ellen visit her WEPO Profile: 
http://raindancer45.wix.com/ladyengineers#!ellen-fagan/c1r8

The Perks of Supplemental Housing

Hi WEPO ladies! My name is Mimi Overbaugh, and I am a junior studying mechanical engineering at Penn State. This year I will be a mentor for WEPO ’13, and I am so excited to meet you all soon!

Within the next couple of weeks, you will be getting your housing assignment for your freshman year at Penn State. While it is exciting to finally know where your home will be for the next year, it can also be nerve-wracking if you receive a “supplemental” housing contract. Basically, supplemental contracts exist, because Penn State has to house as many students as possible. Therefore, they are required to use larger rooms in dorms to house 4-8 students.

During my sophomore year, I lived in a supplemental room.  I was really nervous to be living with 5 other women who had different majors, schedules, and lifestyles, but I decided to go into the situation with an open mind. If you find yourself in a similar situation, do not fret!! Here are some reasons why you should be excited about living in a supplemental room:

You have more space and are free to rearrange your furniture whenever you want.  When you get to your room, you will be surprised at how big it is. The layout and type of furniture (bunked vs. regular beds) vary from room to room and from building to building. However, I would suggest emailing housing when you get your room assignment, and they will supply you with a room layout so you can better plan for what to bring. Some of the rooms are 2 stories, with a lofted closet area, whereas others are one giant room. In my room, we each had a twin bed, a desk, a dresser, and there was a separate room for closets and microfridges. Once people moved out during the second semester, we had double the storage space! You and your roommates can also rearrange the furniture so that you each have your own personal space, which I found to be helpful (in double rooms, most of the furniture is fixed). Plus, if you participate in WEPO, you get to move into your room early, meaning you can pick the best spot.

WEPO'12

You get the chance to meet more people. When you live in a supplemental room, you could have up to 7 roommates, or as few as 3. Living with more roommates exposes you to people with different majors (since you will be spending a lot of time with your engineering friends!) and different backgrounds. You get to request 3 of your roommates, so chances are you might already know someone when you move in! Regardless of if you know any of your roommates, you don’t have to be best friends with them. However, friendships sometimes form in unexpected circumstances, so if you have an open mind and are willing to get to know your roommates, you can broaden your circle of friends.

You most likely will have the opportunity to leave your supplemental room for a double room at some point.  Because students transfer to different campuses, move onto their sorority floors, or move for other reasons, there may be openings in a regular, double room. If these openings occur, you will be notified by housing that you have the opportunity to leave your supplemental room. If you choose to do so, they help you with the move by letting you borrow a van and carts to transfer your belongings to your new room. If you decide that you like your supplemental room, you can also choose to stay, like I did. It is nice to know that you may have the option of moving out if you do not like your current living situation.

If some of your roommates decide to move out, you have a giant room for only a couple people.  If some your roommates decide to move out and take the option that I mentioned above, then you might have a giant room for just a few of you. There were originally 6 of us in my room at the beginning of the year, and by the second semester, we were down to 4 of us. Most of the time, my roommates were not there so I was able to have peace and quiet to get work done.

Remember, if you are offered a supplemental contract, it is not the end of the world. It could actually be a great experience, so make sure you go into the situation with an open mind. If you ever have any questions about living in a supplemental room or Penn State in general, feel free to reach out to me! I am so excited for you to begin your journey at Penn State!

Mimi Overbaugh is a junior studying Mechanical Engineering and will be a Mentor for WEPO'13! To read more about Mimi visit her WEPO Profile: http://raindancer45.wix.com/ladyengineers#!mimi-overbaugh/cifm

Service Learning

Hammond, Louisiana 

Are you interested in traveling? Do you have a passion to serve those in need? Do you want to use your engineering skills to help those less fortunate than you?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, listen up! There are so many opportunities to participate in service learning at Penn State, and personally, I think being involved in service learning is one of the most rewarding experiences. 

Service learning is a fancy term that means students are helping those in need while personally learning new skills by working on engineering problems.  Service learning can take place within the United States or in third world countries across the globe.  

There are several organizations at Penn State that work in third world countries.  One of these organizations is Bridges to Prosperity (B2P).  We just started a Penn State Chapter of Bridges to Prosperity in January 2013, so we are in the process of working on our first project.  We will be working in Panama to build a pedestrian bridge to help B2P in their mission to eliminate poverty due to rural isolation.  Our suspended bridge will provide access to healthcare, education, and market opportunities.  We will be working closely with the community starting this summer (August 2013), and then we will travel back to Panama in May 2014 to build the bridge that we designed.  There are so many ways to get involved, and no past experience or skills are needed.  Since we are such a new organization, we are all learning together.  So if you are interested in improving your communication skills, learning to work as a part of a multicultural team, planning trips to foreign nations, designing a pedestrian bridge, planning construction, or helping to fundraise, you should definitely join. 

Another organization that works abroad is Engineers Without Borders (EWB).  EWB is currently working in Baoma, Sierra Leone.  Our Penn State Chapter has completed a latrine project for the community and is currently working on completing a water sanitation project.  These projects are not only complex from an engineering point of view, but they are also complicated due to the location and lack of supplies, equipment, and skilled labor.  Since our chapter has been working with the same community for several years, they have built a strong relationship with the people there, allowing them to continue to stay in contact in the future. EWB works on a variety of projects, which allows students to gain valuable skills in a variety of different areas. 

In addition to working abroad, there are many opportunities to serve in State College and all over the United States.  The Penn State Chapter of EWB also works in the United States.  For the past three years, they have traveled during spring break to work with the Fuller Center for Housing.  I have had the opportunity to go to Georgia and Louisiana during spring break to work on building houses for underprivileged families.  Not only did I learn valuable skills, such as teamwork, homebuilding, and safety, but I also had a blast!

So if you don’t mind getting down and dirty, I encourage you to look into getting involved in a service learning organization at Penn State.  It might just change your life. 

Jen with fellow volunteers helping to
build a house in Lake Blackshear, Georgia

Jennifer Kearney is a junior in Civil Engineering. She is working for Johnson, Mirmiran, and Thompson (JMT) this summer in York, PA.  Jen is a mentor for WEPO 2013.To read more about Jen visit her WEPO Profile: 
http://raindancer45.wix.com/ladyengineers#!jennifer-kearney/c1ue3