COM Ambassador Blog

Rachel: Deciding to Apply to Go Abroad

When I first looked at schools, abroad programs were not on my list of priorities. I looked for schools with active student bodies, internship opportunities, and engaging professors. You know, all the usual, positive things and things that BU has.

It wasn’t until I got to BU that I realized going abroad is something people actually did. In fact, it started to seem like the norm for COM students. After talking to some people and bringing it up with an advisor, I started to consider my options. Was abroad really for me?

The more I thought about it, the more sense it made and the more excited I got. Not only would I be able to explore the world but I would get to do it while taking classes. I looked at the programs and talked to some of my friends that went abroad to help me solidify my decision.

That’s when I decided I would go for it and apply to the London internship program. I talked to an advisor about the best track to take and which major to go abroad for (I’m PR and Journalism, so it made sense to pick one to focus on). How could I go wrong? I would be taking classes, doing an internship, and they speak English in London! I told my family my plan and how excited I was, and they were mostly supportive.

I live really close to BU (about 45 minutes away), so being in another country would really be stepping out of my comfort zone. I also was planning to go abroad in the fall semester, so I would be missing Thanksgiving and a lot of family members’ birthdays. Most of the time while I was considering to apply, I was excited and ready to go, but occasionally I got a little flip in my stomach about missing so much back home.

Now, the time is almost here to submit my application, and I know for sure this is something I have to do. When else in my life will I get the same opportunity? I have the application on my computer and am actively filling it out. All I have to do is get an advisor to sign off for it, send it in, and hope to be accepted. It was a tough decision to decide to apply. Sometimes if I think about it too much I get a little nervous, but the nervousness never out weighs the excitement.

Jen: Twenty Years, Twenty Lessons

Last Friday, I turned twenty years old.

That is the strangest sentence I’ve ever typed.

In the days leading up to my birthday, I felt I like I was have an almost-quarter life crisis. What have I done? I have never won the National Spelling Bee, I haven’t starred on a hit Disney Channel show, and I haven’t even seen The Lord of the Rings Trilogy (I know. I’m sorry).

Though I wasn’t a child prodigy or even a teen one, I have done and learned a lot.

Here are twenty things I’ve learned in my twenty year life time:

It’s better if you do something earlier than later.
It’s better to known up to being late than make a dumb excuse.
Unsweetened, black iced teas will help power your day when sleep isn’t enough.
Watching a movie can cure any bad feeling.
Major in something that will make you happy instead of making your family happy.
Sometimes, being your own quirky self is better than being like everyone else.
You will never be as cool as Mick Jagger, but you sure can dress as cool as him.
Being by yourself sometimes is better than being surrounded by people.
Nap often.
You’re going to fail and you will get better.
Cape Cod has the best warm lobster rolls.
Go to that weeknight concert (unless you have an exam or work the next day).
Care about people as much as you would care for yourself.
Having a venting session once in awhile is the best kind of detox.
Drink as much water as you can.
Make great things.
Each day, find something that will make you laugh.
Know when to be serious and know when to be goofy.
Know when it’s time to leave and go somewhere else.
You are your own person. You have your own life. Stop trying to compete with the people around you.

Obviously, being twenty years old, I haven’t cracked the surface. I still have a lot to learn. So for now, instead of focusing on the things I didn’t do, I’m going to focus on the things I’m going to do...like figuring out when I’m going to go back to Naco Taco for their plantains and tostones.

“If I turn twenty, that means I can have twenty tacos...right??”

Sam: Why I take a one-second video every day

It’s come to that point in the year where writing “2016” on paper ceases to be awkward and it becomes more and more apparent that time is flying by. I just officially declared my major (Yay! Journalism!) and I’m looking for a summer internship, but sometimes it still feels like I never even graduated high school. Well alas, time slows for no one, which why I decided that this is my semester to record each day and hack into my memory instead of blankly watching my youth escape into the ether. Who wants to look back at college and only have documentation via Snapchat or Instagram?

At the start of the semester, I downloaded an app called 1SE, which stands for 1 Second Everyday. The premise is that I take a one second video every day and upload it onto the app, which has a calendar showing every day of the year and whether or not I shot a video for a specific day. I programmed the app to send me a notification once in the morning and once at noon, so I always remember to shoot my mini video. I’m no Film & TV student (to my FTV roommates’ disappointment), but the app is very easy to use and my iPhone 6 shoots video quality that, in my eyes, definitely does the job.

Since using the app, I take time from my day to reflect on the best clip to use. Sometimes it’s a clip of a super-exciting win at a hockey game. Other times, it’s just my co-editor at my newspaper making coffee. Some videos are memories I never want to forget, like sharing a Green Monster frappe at Tasty Burger with my best friend or FaceTiming my little sisters, who are back home in Indiana. Other videos are just simple moments, like friends blowing out their birthday candles or footage of the puppy who visits my office on occasion. No matter the quality or importance of the video, I appreciate taking the time to make my day memorable. Not to mention, I’ll have a really cool six-minute video by the end of the year, which is a pretty big return on a very small time investment.

As a journalism student, I’m constantly looking for opportunities to tell the stories of others in the community. But by stitching the little moments of my life into a single, continuous chronological movie, I am creating a personal narrative of my BU experience, which is chock-full of memories I definitely never want to forget.

Emma: New Semester, Newfound Love for My Planner

Hi everyone! My name is Emma, and I am so excited to be one of the new COM Ambassadors. The whole process of becoming a CA has helped me fall even more in love with COM, but today I want to give a shout-out to my other true love: my planner.

Before, you scroll down or look up a video of goats in pajamas (the Internet is a wonderful thing), just hear me out. With the first two weeks of class under your belt, the spring semester is officially in full swing, and if you’re anything like me, it’s going to be a busy one. But in no way does busy have to mean bad! And one of the best ways to ensure that, is by getting organized.

This is where your planner comes in! Before you contemplate destroying your syllabi and taking a series of denial naps, grab a pen and try to map out your schedule.

With your planner, you can keep track of class times, assignment due dates, club meetings, professors’ office hours, and cool COM events in one, accessible place. Sure, a ten-page paper may seem overwhelming at first, but when you have all of the components of your schedule written down, it’s easy to see where you have time to work on it, even if it’s just 20 minutes a day. Then, you can space out the workload and see when you can drop in and ask the professor for help, if need be.

Also, writing things down really holds you accountable. Assignments and obligations are always there as soon as you open your planner, and only you can make them go away by finishing/acing them. It is so satisfying to finally get to cross off a major final project or presentation from your planner. More importantly, when you look back in your planner on a nearly impossible week, it just acts as another reminder that you are a rock star and can do anything.

And, sure, if you are more tech savvy than I am, you can do all of this on your phone and/or laptop. But then if you do that, you don’t get to pick out a planner with a super awesome cover design, which, I argue, is possibly the best part. Frankly, you will be missing out.

It is a brand new semester full of opportunity and great achievements to be made. Just don’t forget to try to stay organized, break down assignments little by little, and seriously make time for that video of the goats in pajamas. That one is a no-brainer.

All I can hope is, that by the end of the semester, you and your planner will have started a love affair of your own.

Claire: If You Aren’t Involved in BUTV10, This Is Why You Should Be

https://vimeo.com/91764902

If that awesome and inspiring video didn’t get you pumped then let’s see if I can.

BUTV10 is Boston University’s student produced and managed television station. Our programming includes news, drama, science fiction, sports broadcasting, and even a cooking show. If you aren’t interested in the creative side of television students can be involved in our Marketing, Programming, or Graphics department.

What is so special and unique about BUTV10 is that you do not need any experience to get involved. Students can simply go to butv10.com, find a few shows that they are interested in, and e-mail the Producers directly to get involved.

I got involved in BUTV10 as a freshman. First I worked as a research assistant, then as the show liaison on the management board, and now I am continuing my work with the management board as the general manager.

Now I am a second semester Junior and planning to go abroad for the entire of my senior year, which means that this is my last semester with BUTV10 (tears). As I reminisce about my time with BUTV10 I realize how much it shaped my time here at BU.

BUTV10 is honestly one of the most amazing student groups at BU and if you have any interest in media you should definitely get involved. As I prepare to leave Boston it makes me sad to think that some students go through their time at BU without being a part of BUTV10. That’s so sad!!!

L.E.: The best part of my sorority experience

Being from Florida, I was pretty familiar with the idea of Greek life. I knew that Greek life was not as popular at BU as it was in the south, so I didn’t feel obligated to go through sorority recruitment. When I got to BU, I met so many amazing and inspiring women who happened to be involved in Greek life. I learned that the Greek environment at BU was much different than in the south. Once it became time to sign up for recruitment, I decided to go through the process because most of my friends were signed up and I thought that it would be a great way to meet more COM and non-COM friends that were girls (most of my friends at that point were guys in COM).

The recruitment process is extremely physically and emotionally draining. I had to wake up early and head to the Marriott Copley to spend the majority of my weekend visiting different sorority rooms and having a lifetime of conversations with different girls. After a few identity crises and deep thinking, I finished the recruitment process and awaited Bid-day (the day you find out which sorority offers you a bid for membership).

There are 10 amazing sororities on campus, which makes recruitment SO challenging. However I felt that ADPi was the best fit for me. What I didn’t know at first was how much an impact that my sorority was going to have in my life.

I don’t have enough space to cover all of the great aspects of being in a sorority, so I want to focus on the one that has had the most profound impact on me: sisterhood. Through ADPi, I gained a home filled of so many girls that inspire and support me daily.

This year I am living in a suite with 5 other girls, 4 of them being in my sorority. Before we decided to live together our primary connection was our sorority, we’re all in different schools and are involved in different activities. However, it’s only the beginning of spring semester and these girls have already impacted my life in such a positive way.

In a busy and stressful work week, I know that when I go home I have an amazing support system that is always there for me. I know that if I ever need advice or someone to vent to, there will always be someone there for me. The memories we’ve made are endless and the love and joy that my roommates have poured into my life is immense. I’m already dreading the end of the year and the fact I won’t get to live with them forever.

The best friends that I have gained through my sorority extends beyond my roommates, as I have made so many relationships that I know will be lifelong. Whether it’s needing to talk to someone to talk to at 2 AM, an intern or guest for my radio show, or someone to watch a movie with, these girls have always been there for me. In my college experience this far, there is nothing I am more thankful for than the best friends that I have made here. Friends who constantly inspire me and remind me of who I am and the type of person that I want to be.

My best advice for girls who are any bit interested in recruitment is GO FOR IT! I was never even planning on accepting a bid and if I didn’t take that chance of going through the recruitment process then I never would have met some of my best friends. Greek life is filled with incredible women that work to better the world around them. Whether it’s through philanthropy or friendship, being in a sorority is a great opportunity to mold you as a person and enhance your college experience.

The picture above is from a sisterhood event and below is my roommate and I on our big comfy couch

Roommates + Sophie + Emily for a birthday celebration:

Claudia: Graduation (Friends Forever)

Senior year is filled with finishing up requirements, killing the game at your internship, going abroad to LA or DC, applying for jobs, and trying to remain calm as graduation quickly approaches. You have to perfect a few meals so you don’t starve without the dining hall and you don’t burn down your apartment. I should put out a disclaimer: I am NOT a Senior. I’m a sophomore and have another exciting two years at BU.

So then why am I freaking out about graduation? Because three of my closest friends (Matt, Kevin, and Ben) are GRADUATING.

If you had asked me at the beginning of my freshman year, I would have been shocked if you told me that some of my closest friends at BU would be two years older than me. But it’s true. So thank you WTBU, BUTV10 and COM Ambassadors for introducing me to three of my favorite people.

The beginning of this year was great. The thought of my friends “growing up” and leaving me was not a major concern. Graduation was months away. We had plenty of time to hang out, reminisce about old times in Warren (even though I was in high school when they lived there), and watch Holes. We don’t share the same A and C tower memories (either way, B Tower is where it’s at) and we aren’t the same age, but I’d like to think — since we’re very close now — we would have been friends since day one.

As the semester went on, we’d crash each other’s radio shows and spend hours in each other’s dorms (I practically lived in South last semester) watching movies and old episodes of Pop Showdown (specifically the ones with said best friends). Finals hit and then suddenly, poof, Kevin graduated and entered the real world. This has been a difficult transition (more for me than Kevin). I keep inviting Kevin to my 10 pm radio show (Pop Cultured - check it out) only to be disappointed when Kevin reminds me that he can’t because of work (at the MA Health Policy Commission) the next morning.

Ben would then jokingly (?) yell “HE’S DEAD TO US” anytime Kevin was mentioned. We would cry it out, but then listen to showtunes or talk about TV to make us feel better. Now Ben’s getting ready to enter the real world too as the law school acceptances roll in and I scream Legally Blonde references and lyrics at him.

And now Matt (AN ECON AND STATS DOUBLE MAJOR WHO IS ALSO GETTING HIS MASTERS IN ECONOMICS!!!!) is fully immersing himself into the Film and TV world as we finish producing our show (“Entidaled” coming soon) while interning at PBS and preparing for the real world.

And I just sit here (still finishing my Freshman/Sophomore requirements) in awe, so happy for these guys. They’re starting the real world and are already killing the game. And although I am a little upset that they’re “leaving me,” I’m so excited for these last few months at BU with them and what lies ahead.

*Cue Vitamin C’s Graduation (Friends Forever)*

So long story short, I wanted to write this (super sappy) post as a thank you note of sorts, but to also remind everyone that there are so many amazing people at BU and don’t be afraid to look outside your grade for friends. You never know, some of your best friends could be rising Seniors.

And if you need any help find your own Ben, Kevin, and Matt, then I suggest watching Pop Showdown.

Here’s Ben & Kevin (http://www.butv10.com/shows/pop-showdown/#vid=114385753) and Matt (http://www.butv10.com/shows/pop-showdown/#vid=87701598) on Pop Showdown! for your viewing pleasure.

Disclaimer: this might get very sappy.

Matt, Ben and Kevin,

Thanks for agreeing to be friends with “The Girl Who Didn’t Know You, but Added You on LinkedIn When You Were Abroad,” “The Showtune-Obsessed Girl Who Was Probably Too Intense at the First WTBU Meeting,” and “The Freshman Co-EP that You Tutored in Econ and Who Also Kept Bothering You While You Were Editing CO-ED.” I don’t know what I would do or where I would be without you guys.

Chris: My Answer to “How Was Abroad?”

It's been a week since classes have started and as I start to settle in back in Boston, as I stroll up and down Comm Ave. I run into people I haven't seen since May and automatically get the same question, "Oh my gosh! How was study abroad?" Depending on who's asking, I have a few prepared statements:

1) "It was great!"
2) "It was so much fun, I'm still really tired from it!"
3) "It was good, but it's nice to be back."

You pretty much get the picture there. In casual conversation, I still haven't really put into words what a great experience going abroad was, so this is pretty much what I really want to say about the experience, having been back in the states for a month:

Going abroad was one of the best experiences I've had throughout my academic career. The BU internship program itself allows students to have a great balance between work as well as immersing themselves into the abroad experience. Having been bit by the travel bug many years ago, my main focus while in London was seeing as many places as I could, therefore, over the course of three and a half months, I was able to visit nine different countries and gain a much better perspective.

Whether I was in London, the Netherlands, Germany, or the Czech Republic, I was always being challenged to step out of my comfort zone. From small things like learning how to cook or finding my way through the small and winding streets of Prague, I was constantly learning and in my opinion improving as a person, while doing so. However all of this is mute if I was only that way for a three and a half month period, now the challenge will be to carry on that way while I'm back in Boston, or wherever life takes me after I graduate in May.

Furthermore, as a senior in college on his way out to you, a prospective student interested in COM; make sure you do the same wherever you go. Step out of your comfort zone, learn about the things you enjoy and that make you happy because that'll set you up for success in the future.

Alex: A Californian’s Guide to Winter

As someone who had always lived in sunny Southern California and had never experienced a winter that dropped below 50 degrees during the day, my first winter in Boston last year definitely came as a shock. As I reflect back on my freshman year winter, I think of some of the many mistakes I made the first time around and how to beat winter this year.

Here are the 5 things I wish I had known for my first real winter:

Your toes don’t have to be/should not feel frozen
I wish I had known that while you MIGHT be able to survive winter with just Hunter rain boots and a couple pairs of thin socks, it doesn’t mean you should! Snow boots aren’t always necessary but some thicker socks would have definitely decreased my worries of losing toes to hypothermia.
Don’t be afraid to dress like the little brother from A Christmas Story
If you’re like me and have a low tolerance for cold temperatures, it’s better to look like a giant marshmallow than to be miserable and freezing. If layers upon layers makes for an easier walk to class than I’m all for it!

3. Watch your step.
This is a direct reference to the slippery metal death traps on the BU Bridge.

4. Fleece-lined _____.
Fleece-lined tights, fleece-lined gloves, fleece-lined hats, fleece-lined flannels….the possibilities are endless! These are real game changers.

5. Don’t spend your entire semester indoors.
Some spots in Boston look the best with a layer of snow. You go to school in one of the most beautiful cities in the world so bundle up and go explore it.

Jimmy: Fellow Film and TV Majors, Listen Up: Indie Cinema in the Greater Boston Area

First and foremost, welcome back to another semester at Boston University! It’s great to meet up with old friends, readjust to the frigid cold, and return to the old, familiar BU landmarks we all have come to know and love. However, I wanted to take this blog post to discuss my favorite place OUTSIDE of the campus and in the city of Boston itself (well, technically Cambridge)

Showing films since 1953, The Brattle Theatre in Harvard Square is a non-profit, independent organization that dedicates itself to showing quality content. As their website states:

“The Brattle shows the best in classic, cutting-edge, foreign, and art-house films. We also show first-run films and new releases of classic films, but our specialty is a repertory programming format consisting of films from a particular director, genre, or subject shown over the course of a week, or on the same weekday throughout the month.”

As a repertory theater, The Brattle will have weeks where they showcase a collection of films that fit a certain genre or theme. For example, in late November, they showcased an “Authors of Noir” series where for a whole week you could go see black-and-white classics such as Double Indemnity and The Maltese Falcon. In December, they had a week dedicated solely to New German Cinema Director, Wim Wenders and his body of work.

My first experience with the Brattle was in late September when they were premiering a new movie by my favorite filmmaker, Charlie Kaufman (writer of Being John Malkovich, Eternal Sunshine of The Spotless Mind, among others) as part of a film festival. Not only was watching a phenomenal movie in a beautiful, historic theater an amazing experience, afterwards, they invited everyone present at the screening to a local restaurant for free refreshments and conversation about the film. I even got a chance to talk with the manager of the organization and hear his perspective on the movie which was really cool.

But Jimmy, I neither speak German nor am interested in artsy-fartsy independent film! What’s in it for me?

Good question! While a good deal of their programming is dedicated to showcasing niche/foreign films, they often showcase new premieres and old classics for fun. For example, check out some of the listings from their most recent calendar.

-A recap of this year's’ Oscar contenders such as The Revenant and Mad Max: Fury Road

-A special screening of Labyrinth in honor of David Bowie’s passing

-A Valentine’s Day screening of The Princess Bride

-A double feature of Magic Mike and Magic Mike XXL

Whether you want to venture out of your comfort zone and see something new or revel in a personal favorite, The Brattle Theater celebrates the joy of watching movies of all types: something every COM major can relate to.