What is it like working at a BUNAC Summer Camp in the USA?

Anya Gomulski, a student at Loughborough, has written about her summer spent at a BUNAC Summer Camp USA: photo2

Although the prospect of a long summer vacation after months of gruelling revision and exams seems appealing, often the months can be wasted away with nothing to show for them, when the summer draws to a close. It was the thought of this that led me to begin researching once in a lifetime summer opportunities; it was then that I discovered BUNAC’s Summer Camp USA programme.

Having watched Parent Trap hundreds of times, the idea of spending my summer at an American camp seemed so exciting and after a very quick application process I had been placed at a camp in Upstate New York called Camp Loyaltown.  The great thing about going through BUNAC is that everything was arranged for me. This included my first nights’ accommodation in New York and my flights. This meant that, whilst I was busy worrying about deadlines, the stress was taken away and I had an amazing summer awaiting me, once the deadlines were over.

During the application process, BUNAC had quizzed me on my talents and interests.  This meant I was able to spend my summer teaching ceramics as well as doing sport with my campers.  The camp I was placed at was a camp for individuals of all ages who had severe mental and physical disabilities. My cabin was largely women, aged 30-50, who suffered from conditions ranging from schizophrenia to severe learning difficulties. As you can imagine, the summer was indeed a challenge but an extremely rewarding one.

My typical day consisted of assisting my campers in day to day tasks from getting dressed to showering and activities such as swimming, athletics and horse riding.  I also taught ceramics followed by an evening activity such as a disco. It was so much fun and every day posed new challenges and learning curves. The great thing about the summer was that not only was I spending it in America and making new friends, I was also doing something that gave me such amazing transferable skills. Although the summer was a challenge, it was a fantastic experience, which has since helped land me placements as well as a job!

photo4Once my time at camp ended, my VISA allowed me time to travel the USA! Having made new friends at camp, we travelled all over America from New York to Miami and then decided, during a hurricane, that we would take a cruise to the Bahamas. All paid for with my summer earnings, meaning, that the summer paid for itself. I was back in time to have a while at home, in England, before returning to Loughborough for another year to commence, with the most amazing summer and lifetime experience behind me.

I would definitely recommend anyone to make the most of their summer and gain skills and memories that will stay with them for life. For more information, check out:

www.bunac.org/WCALoughborough

 

Mentoring Opportunity for Female Students

Visible Women Connects (VW Connects) is a new social network and e-mentoring platform to help young women advance in their careers by connecting them with mentors in male dominated industries.

Become a mentee to gain invaluable support and insight.

Join the network, get connected, #VWConnects

To get involved, visit vwconnects.com or email hello@vwconnects.com

Commercial Awareness workshop – led by Unilever

Commercial Awareness is something that employers are looking for in their potential employees. Do you know what it is and how you can acquire this?

If you would like to know more, book for a workshop led by Unilever, a global employer, who are behind many UK leading brands.

Unillever will also be able to tell you about their business and the Future Leaders programme.  Recent graduates will be on hand to answer any of your questions and tell you how to proceed from application to interview.

Monday 18th November, 6pm – 7.30pm.

Book online at Careers Online

City law for ethnic minorities

If you want a career that challenges you daily, gives you early responsibility and puts you at the forefront of decision-making, then the legal profession is waiting to hear from you!
At this exclusive two-day event you’ll be able to network with representatives from all levels within top City law firms, take part in real business activities and legal case studies, and get a unique insight into the legal sector. You will also meet graduate recruiters and develop the essential skills and interview techniques needed to apply for vacation schemes and training contracts.

INSIGHT INTO MANAGEMENT – NOW OPEN TO ALL UNDERGRADUATE YEAR STUDENTS!

Give your career plans a boost by signing up for the Insight into Management course  Thursday 11 April – Saturday 13 April 2013.

This intensive course run by the Careers and Employability Centre during the Easter vacation is for all undergraduate year students from any course.  You will work in teams on a number of business games and skills exercises run by graduate employers, alongside 75+ other students and several graduates working in management roles for major companies.

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Workshadow Scheme 2013

Applications for the Workshadow Scheme 2013 are now being accepted, offering access to over 135 work experience placements/visits for 2nd year undergraduates who are studying in the following schools and departments:

  • School of the Arts, English and Drama
  • School of Design
  • Department of Economics
  • Department of Information Science
  • School of Social, Political and Geographical Studies
  • School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences

For more information visit the website – http://www.lboro.ac.uk/service/careers/experience/workshadow/index.html

Apply by 9am 28th January

Google Scholarship worth € 7,000 for disabled students – DEADLINE APPROACHING!

Apply by 13th January for your chance to receive a € 7,000 (or equivalent) scholarship from Google for the 2013/2014 academic year.

http://www.employ-ability.org.uk/internships/google-europe-israel-scholarship-for-students-with-disabilities-2013/146/

EmployAbility are working with Google to offer disabled students a fantastic scholarship opportunity. To be eligible, candidates must be:

  • A student enrolled in a Bachelor’s, Master’s or PhD programme (or equivalent) in 2013/2014.
  • Enrolled at a University in Europe or in Israel. Citizens, permanent residents, and international students are eligible to apply.
  • Studying Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Informatics, or a closely related technical field.

Transport & Logistics Week

In cooperation with CILT and LSU Velocity the Civil and Building department have invited companies to present themselves and their undergraduate/graduate schemes to increase the awareness of logistics and transport companies, but also to help students to get contacts through the network sessions and establish a link between the industry and the students

The details of the week are outlined below:

Date: 12th November 2012 

Time: 6.00pm – 8.00pm

Location: Civil & Building Engineering Department, Room: RT 040

Topic: Understanding what Logistics is from a providers point of view.

Host: Dr. Tim Ryley

Guest Speakers: DB Schenker, Damco, Ceva Logistics

Afterwards – Networking Opportunity with Coffee & Tea

Date: 14th November 2012

Time: 6.00pm – 8.00pm

Location: Civil & Building Engineering Department, Room: RT 040

Topic: Different types of Supply Chains

Host: Nigel Foot

Guest Speakers: Office Depot, British Telecom, Royal Mail

Afterwards – Networking Opportunity with Coffee & Tea

Date: 15th November 2012

Time: from 7.30pm

Location: Amber Rooms

Occasion: Meal to socialise and network

Date: 16th November 2012

Time: from 10.00am

Location: Loughborugh – Birmingham

Occasion: National Express Tour (LSU Velocity members only – please contact s.vulturius-11@students-lboro.ac.uk for more information)

We are also available on Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/YourLinkToTheIndustryTransportLogisticsWeek

For any questions please email either s.vulturius-11@students.lboro.ac.uk or s.-redfern-11@student.lboro.ac.uk.