Guest of the week: Zanele

In my efforts to showcase Valpo to you, I have decided to ask current international and transfer students to "guest" on my blog. My hope is that their stories and experiences will help you decide if Valpo is the fit for you!

My first guest blogger is Zanele who is our full tuition transfer scholarship awardee for Fall 2008. Zanele is an impressive student and I am sure if you get to know Zanele, you will quickly see why she was given this tremendous award! And now, I offer you Zanele:

About Me
I am originally from Johannesburg, South Africa. I have been in the United States for a little over five years, and lived in Indiana the whole time. I just graduated from Ivy Tech Community College this past May with an Associate degree in Computer Information System-Database Administration, and now my major is Computer Science and Mathematics. I enjoy volunteering, helping others especially those who are less fortunate. I am very excited and looking forward to my years at Valpo!

My first two weeks at Valparaiso University have been overwhelming with enthusiastic students and helpful faculty. Ever since I got here, I have never felt out of place or as if I did not belong.

I love all my classes because I have a good communication link with my professors. They take time to help and to get to know me. The professors’ also have after-hours sessions and assistant teachers for us to ask questions or furthermore explain what they taught.

There are a variety of student organizations to get engaged and to be connected with, in the university. I would like to admit that I have a few in my list and some of them include the international student organization, the student senator, Ballroom dance and the worship team. At the moment I have not joined any of them because I am still becoming acquainted with the campus buildings and the locations of everything. I have met new friends from Macedonia, China, Mexico, Liberia, Ukraine, Chicago, and many more from other countries.

There is always something for everyone to do such as volunteering, sports, special lectures, panels, speeches, plays and/or concerts, bible classes, and also ballroom dancing which is one of my favoriteJ

I am very proud to be a Valparaiso University Student!

Are you on facebook?

Did you have trouble waking up this morning? I sure did; the change in the weather really makes me want to curl up in front of a fire and just relax! I think I am getting my first cold of the season (yah!)...I can't seem to get warm...

I want to hear from you - what is the first thing you did this morning at school to get ready for the week? I will share with you what I did - walked around the office asking all the staff what they did this weekend :) I got to witness the creativity of our counselors as a couple of them turned the furniture around in Nikki's office - watch out, I am sure she will get you back! :)

Now that I am caught up on everyone's social life, I am making some headway on a list of perspective international student names...and getting ready to start a facebook group for those of you who are interested - it is Wanted: more international students at Valpo!

For those of you that are transfer students - don't worry - I have not forgotten about you - your new group is I am transferring to Valpo! I look forward to hearing from you all anytime!

Later....

In the beginning...

Hello from Valpo!



My name is Jennifer Smolnicky and I work with all of the transfer and international students here in Admissions. One of our counselors (okay, her name is Megan and she always has great, new ideas) suggested that we try this blogging concept as another way to stay in touch with you all. This has the potential to be great but only if you read it and comment!


Here's my promise to you - I will write at least once a week and give you an idea of what is going on here in the office, where I am traveling (mostly local, but a trip to China is planned for October) and more importantly, give you further reasons to consider attending Valpo.

So, stay tuned as I learn to do this (you should probably know that I am a bit challenged with new technologies, I just got a cell phone 2 years ago :) and I hope to hear from you or meet you soon on campus!


Until then...

Jennifer