Studying in a foreign country...the possibilities are endless.

Last Tuesday, I attended a pre-departure workshop for study abroad students. It was an informative session conducted to prepare about 30 students for living abroad next semester. I am one of these students and I must admit...I'm not ready. I'll be studying at the University of Wales-Aberystwyth in Great Britain during Spring semester 2007. Although I am excited to spend a semester in Wales, I'm starting to realize how much I have yet to do. Granted, I have my passport and have selected a flight, but there are so many little things to think of like vaccinations, health insurance, housing, and whether or not I'll be able to plug my laptop in once I get there.

For those of you who are not familiar with UM's study abroad programs, there are many options. Think of it like this--if you have the mid-semester blues and all you do is dream of being able to just take a semester off and travel but you don't want to fall behind in your graduation plan there is hope. The perfect solution is studying abroad. I am going on a Partner Exchange, which means that while I am studying at Aberystwyth, a University of Wales student will be studying in Missoula. There are also opportunities through ISEP-Direct programs which you can learn more about through the Office of International Programs (OIP). Basically, next semester I will be living in the lush green Welsh countryside next to the Irish Sea and just a hop, skip and a jump away (or flight) from Paris, Madrid, Dublin and many other Western European travel destinations. After 3 1/2 years in Missoula, it will be a nice change of scenery and the best part is, I'll still be receiving credits and taking classes.

I chose Wales because I wanted a destination which would not require me to learn a second language, however, there are literally options to study all over the world. At the workshop alone, I heard from students who will be studying in Spain, Japan, France, Austria, Germany, Ireland, South Africa, Chile and even Ghana. That's right, we have an exchange program to Ghana. Who knew?

At this time last year, I hadn't even considered studying abroad. But after discussing the possibilities with some friends, I realized that this would be a once in a lifetime opportunity. Check out the OIP website, www.umt.edu/oip, or even go over to the office and get information about a country you might be interested in. Believe me, even though I haven't experienced it first hand yet, I'm quite certain it will be a highlight in your life should you choose to study abroad. Scout's honor.

Disclaimer: I was never actually a girl scout so technically 'scout's honor' is not a valid promise. Sorry.

Word on the Street: The Rolling Stones were in town...keep it on the down low and you didn't hear it from me

WARNING: This blog may contain sarcastic undertones. If you do not deal well with sarcasm, please navigate away from this page immediately. Reading on and taking this seriously could result in a loss of respect for the blogger. Something this blogger does not want to have happen.


In case you've been stuck in your room for the last few weeks prepping for midterms and being the studious student I know you strive to be, I have something to tell you. It's kind of a big deal and not a whole lot of people know, but...the Rolling Stones were in town. Shhh! It's true. I know what you're thinking, "What? The Stones? In Missoula? No!? Why didn't someone tell me?" Well, I apologize for the lack of advertisement on my part, but as I said, it's kind of been a hush-hush type of thing. No, it's too late for you, my friend, they are already in Regina, Saskatchewan for their next two shows (yes, that's right, Regina gets two shows....lame, I know). If you missed out on the biggest-event-to-ever-grace-Missoula-with-its-presence Wednesday night, don't feel bad. Apparently a lot of people didn't get the memo that the Stones were coming to town. That would be the only reasonable explanation as to why so many people were trying to jump the fences and sweet talk their way in to sneak a peak at these legends who shaped American rock during the British Rock Invasion.

You see, I was working for UM Productions security on the night of the show. You know the couple hundred people in bright yellow shirts you saw in and around the stadium on Stones Day ( <---please see TANGENT below)? I was one of them. I know what you're thinking; you're jealous that I got to stand by the stage for the entire show, or guard the dressing room, or escort the band from the Adam's Center to the stadium. I would be jealous of me too....if that had been the case. But instead I had the pleasure of holding down the fort by the porta potties. Yeah, baby. Nothing like being stationed by the line of nomad restrooms...oh the people those wandering outhouses see...aaah. Sorry about that, so back to the security post. I also got to open a fence for all the crew members going back and forth from their trucks into the stadium. It was interesting to see how many people travel on tour just to make sure the stage is set up and everything is ready for each show. After the show, a couple of the drivers showed me some pictures they took during the performance and offered to email them to me. We'll see if that actually happens. All in all, it was a good time. I at least got to hear the concert and other than the occasional fence climber/jumper, it was fairly enjoyable. I even got to see about 15 seconds of the last song, go me.

Another interesting tidbit about the show is that it apparently drew some celebrity fans to Missoula. Not that I want to drop names or anything but word on the street is that the following celebrities may, or may not have showed up in Missoula for this event of epic proportions: Rock Legend himself-Huey Lewis, Members of Pearl Jam, Wisteria Lane's own Eva Longoria, the man-Morgan Freeman, another rockin' band-Nickelback, Mr. Governor Brian Schweitzer, and our own local celebrity news anchor-Jill Valley.

Apparently they heard about the news of the Stones coming to town through the industry buzz. Like I said, if you were completely oblivious to the larger than life show that just passed through town, have no fear. You might still be able to catch a glimpse of the stage as it's being torn down. That's almost like being at the show....almost.

(TANGENT: Stones Day is the official new name for October 4th. It no is longer just a date. It has officially been deemed "Stones Day". For instance, if your birthday is on October 4th and someone asks you when your birthday is, you are now obligated to say, my birthday falls on Stones Day. Why? Because I said so! Gosh!)