Category: Sara

Sara H: Reasons why everyone should join AdLab or at least think about it!

1. Real-world experience and clients

You get to work with real clients and operate as a real ad agency to gain experience. Some clients that AdLab has worked with are Chobani, Asics, Celebrity Cruises, Bose Automotive, and even some great Boston-based ad agencies like Comm and Hill Holiday. The work we do for clients is real and it is so rewarding to see it all come to life during our presentations and when the client implements the work.  

2. Great teamwork and friendships

AdLab is a student-run ad agency and is the largest in the entire country. There are still faculty advisors always there to help but the students is what makes AdLab special! Our VPs and Directors work together to help produce the best possible work for the client to see and make sure our students are learning and are putting their best foot forward. The teams you form in AdLab will be people you work with all semester and some will even become your close friends because everyone is there to learn, work hard, and have fun!

3. Work on advertising skills 

There is a spot for everyone in AdLab whether you are a creative, a strategist, someone who likes to be organized, or someone who likes to talk to people! Our teams are made up of students with all different backgrounds in life and in advertising and it allows us to all learn from each other. As someone who is on AdLab Eboard right now and has been a strategist in AdLab in previous semesters, I can say it has been one of the best learning experiences I have gotten to be a part of. I have gained so many skills and improved on others as well. 

I hope you enjoyed my ode to AdLab and decide to join!

Sara H: Reasons Why I Think Everyone Should Study Abroad

1. You could meet some of your best friends 

I went into my study abroad program in London knowing only one person and I came out with a new set of best friends. Most study abroad programs are mixed with students from BU and other universities across the country so you can meet people you would have never met on campus or at other schools. 

2. You get to learn a new culture or maybe even a new language 

Since I studied abroad in London I did not need to learn a new language but I had friends who studied in non-English-speaking countries that got to learn a brand new language and expand their skills. I learned to know and appreciate a whole new culture while being in the UK and traveling to Europe. The times people eat dinner are different, the food they eat, the way they work, and so many other things. The pub culture was brand new to me and was something I ended up loving while in London. One thing that was super crazy to me was that they don’t really drink iced coffee there, and coming from the US where we love iced coffee and I am a huge Dunkin’ fan, not having iced coffee was a shock for me. 

3. You get to travel a lot and for cheap 

Skyscanner will be your best friend for good and cheap flights. The beauty of being in the UK or Europe is that you can get flights to so many cities for a good price. I will warn you that traveling can get very tiring and you shouldn’t feel pressured to travel every weekend or very often. Some of the places I traveled to were: Dublin, Edinburgh, Paris, Brighton (in the UK), Malaga, and Madrid. 

4. COM gives amazing opportunities and has many specialized study-abroad programs

As an advertising major, I had a few options for study abroad programs that had major-specific classes available. The London Internship Program provided me with the opportunity to take classes and have an internship in another country. It was really easy for me to find classes that fit into my schedule and that I needed for HUB credits so that I was not behind in credits or classes needed for my major. I also had the opportunity to network and make great connections through my internship and I got to learn a lot about the difference in work culture and the type of work in the advertising industry. 

Sara: Top 10 Reasons to Study Abroad

I confess I have been a bit of one-track mind lately, and so I apologize for this gushing blog post in advance.  But, wherever you find yourself in your college career please do this one thing: make time to go abroad! I know it can be difficult to work in when there’s so many requirements to tackle but take it from someone who is overloading on credits for two semesters just to make it happen, its worth it.

The last six weeks I have found myself in London and I am completely in love.  So therefore, I present to you a totally buzz-feed style list of ten convincing reasons why you should go abroad (sorry for the lack of gifs illustrating exactly how you should feel).

1. Meeting New People-Not everyone from your program will be from BU necessarily and even if they are, chances are on a campus this big you’ve never even seen their face in a crowd before. There are loads of new people you might never have met otherwise. If you’re lucky enough they just might become your best friends.

2. Easy Travel- With inexpensive trains, planes and buses to take you to wherever your heart desires, it’s so easy to see other cities and countries while you’re abroad.

3. The Food- I personally believe the best way to get to know another culture is through your stomach, or maybe that’s just because I’m a foodie wannabe. But in all honestly, trying new foods has been one of my favorite parts of being abroad.

4. New Perspective- It’s easy to judge other cultures from afar but once you’re standing in the middle another country where you don’t speak their language, I guarantee any preconceived notions you might have had will be erased. And bonus, you’ll also probably gain a new love for your own home.

5. Personal Growth- It takes a lot of courage to put yourself in a completely unfamiliar environment for months but once you do it, you find yourself growing as a person in ways you never thought possible.

6. Getting a Break From Your Normal Routine- Because who wants to be on the same general schedule every day of their college career?

7. Unique Resume Boost- In some programs you get to intern while you’re abroad which is something not everyone can say they did and will definitely set your resume apart from other students in internship and job interviews.

8. The View-  From the top of anywhere, over any city- go on the London Eye, go to the top of the Duomo in Florence, climb up a hill to the castles in Lisbon and appreciate the view. No matter where you go, looking over an entire city is so captivating, its life changing.

9. TRAVEL- oh, I already mentioned this one? Well, I think it deserves to be mentioned again

10. Why not?- The best reason of them all. You’re young! What better time to see the world when college has already allowed you to perfect the balance of minimal sleep and maximum productivity.

 

Please feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions about going abroad or need any help with the application!

Cheers,

Sara

Sara: Baby It’s Getting Cold Outside

It’s starting to get cold in Boston and chances are you’re mentally preparing yourself to start hibernating for the winter. It’s pretty easy from here on out to return home from classes, stay inside and drink hot chocolate/coffee/ your hot beverage of choice instead of adventuring around the city. BUT I’m here to try and steer you away from that mindset because although the city gets cold, Boston doesn’t stop! Welcome to the approaching winter season all you Californians/ Floridians, where we still function regardless of what wrath Mother Nature brings upon us.

Don’t let your adventurous side stop just because of the chill! Here are some great events happening around the city in the coming months that I look forward to all year:

-Ghost Tours in Salem, MA

Now through Halloween

-Ice Skating at the Frog Pond on Boston Common

mid November

-Boston Christmas Festival & Gingerbread House Competition

Nov 8-10 at Seaport World Trade Center

-Christmas at Newport Mansions

you have to take a trip to Newport, RI for this but it’s worth the drive!

(this is a tour through the Mansions, if you’re into history you’ll love it)
starts November 23

-Faneuil Hall Christmas Tree Lighting

(also check out BLINK! Light show)
November 23

-Boston Ballet Nutcracker

November 29- December 29

-Boston Pops Holiday Show
Boston Symphony Orchestra

December 4 -24

-First Night Boston- Boston’s celebration of the new year

December 31

(Am I jumping the gun by talking about Christmas before Halloween has even passed? Maybe…)

 

Sara: De-Stressing with Audrey and Muffins

Reading through the last few posts on this blog I am definitely sensing a pattern--COM is a bunch of amazing, lovely people who are all the biggest overachievers. While most days we think we can do it all, other days seem to be a little less manageable. I personally have taken on 5 classes, an internship, the vice president role of COMSA and the committee head of a PR advanced committee and boy does everyday feel just as insane as the one that came before it. But as busy as most days are,  I try to take a little time to myself. So, now as we all start to get into the routine of being back at school, I thought now would be a perfect time to share with you all the top 5 ways I have found work the best to de-stress.

1. Watching a favorite movie or listening to music from your favorite band

I will be the first to admit that this is my go to activity that seems to calm all my worries in life. Just the other night I came home from class and put on Breakfast at Tiffany’s. If Audrey can’t fix your problems, then who can?

2. Getting yourself organized

It’s easy to get overwhelmed when you’ve taken on more than you think you can handle. However, the best way to deal with this problem is to keep organized! I’m a list-maker who can’t get through the day without making at least 2 or 3 lists. Laugh at me if you must, but these lists help me keep organized- I know exactly what I have to get done each night for the next day to run smoothly which helps eliminate unnecessary stress day-to-day.

3. Grabbing a friend for an adventure in Boston

I try to do this at least once during each school week. Sometimes it’s easy to forget that we’re not JUST students. Somehow getting out into the city and exploring a place I have never been to before helps me keep my schoolwork in perspective and still have some fun.

4. Going for a run/to the gym/ working out in general:

I’m a big fan of this one because I’m a big runner. There’s nothing quite like lacing up your sneakers and hitting the esplanade. It’s the perfect time of year to hit the pavement as it starts to cool down so there’s really no excuse! Not to mention that working out gives you endorphins…which make you happy…and happy people just don’t kill their husbandsroommates.

5. Baking!

Ok so not everyone might like this one but take the opportunity to do something you really love that is completely separate from school life.  Find your happy place! Mine just happens to be in the kitchen. Check out these heart-shaped vegan pumpkin muffins I made this weekend!

Sara: Surviving Transfer Student Orientation

Hello all! I hope everyone is having a fantastic summer and looking forward to the fall semester ahead in Boston, I know I certainly am. In fact, I’m already dreaming of Red Sox games, cozy scarves and pumpkin flavored everything. I know I shouldn’t be wishing away summer but hey, fall is my favorite.

Shout out to all the new transfer students coming into BU this year! A year ago I was in your exact position and I know I wasn’t exactly looking forward to going through another college orientation. But I will say it was well worth the experience, I met my best friend and now current roommate and it really helped me to get my feet on the ground and get my transfer credits taken care of before school started. I also walked away with a great mantra that Dean Elmore, our Dean of Students, shared with us. He quoted Howard Thurman saying, “Don't ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.”

This really stuck with me because it made me feel in the right place at the right time. There’s nothing better than feeling like your decision to leave a school was the right one. It is not easy to transfer schools and it takes courage to make the leap of going to a new school. So basically what I’m trying to say is take a deep breath because you’re in great hands.

That being said, I came in as a transfer student last year knowing I wanted a career in the entertainment field and soon after I realized this dream, I read Dany’s blog post- a fellow COM ambassador and transfer student- about her amazing internships in LA for the summer. That really lit a spark in me and I swore to myself that this summer I would be interning in Los Angeles. Being someone who lives and breathes the awards season December-February, I feel so grateful to find myself in my dream internship at The Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences. I have had the best experience and I know this never would have happened if I hadn’t come to BU.

My biggest piece of advice to transfer students coming in is to not be afraid of your dreams. Don’t feel like you’re already behind just because you’re coming to a new school as a sophomore or a junior. You still have time to figure out what makes you come alive and go do it. The best part is, there are so many people here who will go out of their way to help you make your dreams a reality.

So enjoy the rest of your summer, bond with some fellow transfer students at orientation and get ready for a great fall semester!

 

Sara: Fiding Your Core & Being Human

One of my favorite parts about COM is all of the guest speakers we are spoiled with on a daily basis. And I mean spoiled rotten. Just last week my public relations teacher brought in one of his friends who worked for the Today Show and he had some great stories about working in the industry. To say the least, it was awesome. The alumni of COM embrace the “pay it forward” attitude and I could not be more grateful for this.

Last week, I attended a panel of young alumni called “Hollywood 101”. There were four panelists who came from different backgrounds, some were Film & TV majors during their time at COM and others were Journalism majors, but they were able to present a collaborative front on what is was like for them to transition from BU to the “real world”.

Although I found the discussion interesting, one thing really stuck with me and it had nothing to do with making it big in Hollywood. Very often as college students with all the ambition in the world flowing from our hearts, minds and fingertips, we get completely caught up in our own heads. We forget to think about ourselves as just people, instead on focusing on ourselves businessmen and women.

Two of the panelists talked about how there are times in life where you just need to sit down and figure out what matters to you. When we’re too busy figuring out our next profession life move, I think this is easy to forget. We are eager to take every opportunity we are given without first asking ourselves whether these opportunities are actually helping us reach our long-term goals or even just helping with to better ourselves as human beings. All your long-term goals don’t have to be career-based, make sure you think about all the aspects of your life and the things you want.

Kristyn Ulanday, a Boston based freelance photographer, filmmaker and producer, identified this self-reflection as finding your core. She said figuring out what you’re made of really helps you figure out what you want and what you believe in. I loved this idea so much that I wanted to share it with all of you! I think this time in our lives should be about finding our individual cores, and figuring out what things we truly care about. What better time to do it!

So, as the semester winds down and finals gear up remember to take a deep breath. Everything is going to work out! Everyone finds success, although not in the same ways so try not to compare your triumphs to those of others. Just remember to think of yourself as a human being who needs time to figure out everything this crazy world has to offer!

Love,

Sara