A Fun Time Speaking to Students at My Home By the Sea

The third week of January was a very busy week for me. I had the opportunity to travel to Maryland and Virginia for both work and play. I had a lot of fun spending time with family and friends celebrating President Obama’s second inauguration and celebrating my friend’s birthday while in Maryland. I also had a chance to see more friends in family during my brief time in Virginia. Although I love my family and friends and really enjoyed the celebrations of President Obama and my friend's birthday those were not the only reasons for my trip. I stay in contact with my former Spanish professor/ advisor, Dr. McRae so a couple of weeks before my trip I let her know that I was going to be in the Hampton Roads area and asked her if I could share my study abroad and language learning experiences with some of her classes at my alma mater, Hampton University. She loved the idea so we solidified the logistics and I was all set.

I had an amazing time speaking to Dr. McRae’s Spanish classes. It was such a pleasure to speak to my fellow Hamptonians about the study abroad and language learning experiences that I had as a Hampton University student as well as the study abroad experiences that I had post graduation. The students were genuinely interested in the conversation and asked some insightful questions. I could tell that some of the students have a keen interest in studying abroad so I was glad that I could help foster that interest.

As a Marketing and Spanish double major I made sure to stop by the School of Business to see some of my business professors. I had the opportunity to visit one of my favorite marketing professors, Dr. Sonja Mitchell. One of the lessons that many of my Hampton University professors including Dr. Mitchell instilled in us was to always be prepared and ready for any opportunity that presents itself. It is not often that I visit my professors and not be asked to do something, share updates, etc. Visiting Dr. Mitchell was no exception. Dr. Mitchell’s Marketing Research class started 15 minutes after I stopped by her office to say hello. While I was giving her my update on what I had recently accomplished and what I am currently doing, Dr. Mitchell asked if I would speak to the students in her next class. There was no way that I could say no so I gladly obliged and what an awesome experience it was!

I truly enjoyed speaking to the current marketing students, many who will be graduating in May. I tailored my topic a bit to include how I use my marketing degree in my chosen career path. I spoke about my blog, “KoMiSa’s World” and incorporated studying abroad and language learning into the conversation. Many of the students had great questions about studying abroad and the various options they could pursue as a student and once they graduate from Hampton University. 

I have spoken to many students in various schools and organizations but there is always something extra special when I speak to students from my “Home By the Sea” Hampton University. I am instantly reminded of the graduates who came back to speak to my classmates and I when we were students. I know how impactful their stories, experiences and interactions were to us. To know that I may have a similar impact on the current students makes every experience that I shared that much more meaningful. Not only have my experiences enriched my life, but they allow me to give back and make a difference in others’ lives as well.

The icing on the cake are the emails that I have been receiving from the students that I spoke to in both the Spanish and Marketing classes. I am honored that the students see the value in my experiences and my advice. I was truly blessed during my matriculation at Hampton University and thankful that I can now be a blessing to the current students.  

A huge thank you to Dr. McRae and Dr. Mitchell for allowing me to speak to your students. 

KoMiSa’s Thoughts: You never know when you will get the opportunity to share your experiences with others so when you get the chance take it. Whether it is speaking to a class like did or speaking to one person, the experiences that you share can often be the inspiration/motivation that the other person needs to continue on their journey through life.

Hasta el proximo vez,

KoMiSa

Sharing My Love for HBCUs

This past Tuesday I had the opportunity to speak at the Malcolm Bernard  Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Fair. It was such a great site to see so over 40 HBCUs in attendance as well as the many high schools who brought their students.

Anyone who really knows me knows that I am a proud HBCU alumnus and take every opportunity  to share my experience being an HBCU student at Hampton University. When I chose Hampton University I knew that I made the right decision but I had no idea of the blessings that were to come. At Hampton University I not only excelled academically but I  met some of the greatest friends I could ever ask for. It gave me the opportunity to connect to some of my cousins who lived in the city of Hampton and to meet other cousins who graduated from Hampton University and were working there when I was a student.

Hampton University was the place where I learned about the various study abroad opportunities and greatly increased my desire to travel and experience other cultures first hand. The family atmosphere that is fostered, which is common in many HBCUs, and the relationships that I have built with some of my professors, faculty, and fellow alumni are still strong to this day.

I have earned additional degrees at other universities both here and abroad, but there is nothing like the feeling that I get when reminiscing, visiting and/ or sharing my amazing experience attending an HBCU.

Choosing a college experience is an important decision. You want to choose a school in which you feel that you can excel academically, build a strong network, and enjoy all that college life has to offer. I received that and more attending an HBCU. Although I did not attend the Malcolm Bernard HBCU Fair when I was in college I am glad to know that it is a resource for so many students today. It was a pleasure to have been a speaker for the past two years. Interacting with the students and having a dialogue with them gives the degree I earned yet another dimension to inspire and help others. I look forward to participating again next year.

For more information on the Malcolm Bernard Historically Black College and University see the link below.
www.hbcu-cfnj.com/

For information on Hampton University see the link below.
www.hamptonu.edu/


Hasta el Proximo Vez,

KoMiSa

It's Never to Early to Start Talking About Studying Abroad

Yesterday, I had the opportunity to go to my former elementary school Central Elementary School, which has since expanded and been renamed the Rosa Parks Central Community School to participate in  their Career Day. Since my passion lies in working with students and studying abroad I jumped at the chance to plant the seed early about this educational option with the elementary and middle school students that I spoke with. After all, it is never to early to plant the seed and introduce the students to a potential educational opportunity. I spoke to three fourth grade classes and one seventh grade class. The students blew me away, especially the fourth graders. They were truly engaged in what I was sharing with them. In one of the classes the students continually had their hands raised to ask me questions, to answer the questions that I asked them to foster dialogue and to share what they learned. When my time was up they did not want the discussion to end and neither did I. They even asked for the website to this blog so they could read it. Ms. Formus’ fourth grade class, if you are reading this entry this is a shout out to you and the other students that I spoke to during career day.

I had a wonderful time sharing my passion for studying aboard with all of the students. It was an added bonus that I had the opportunity to speak to the current class of my 6^th grade teacher, Mrs. Tynes who now teaches a great class of fourth graders. She had no idea I was coming to career day so she was pleasantly surprised. It was such a blessing to be able to come back to my elementary school and give back to my former teachers and let them know that I used the educational foundation that they helped to cultivate to become the person that I am today.

Thank you the Assistant Principal, Kirstin Riddick for inviting me to Career Day at Rosa Parks Central Community School and giving me the opportunity to share my passion for studying abroad with the next generation of students who will one day study abroad. Thank you to all of the teachers and students for opening up your classrooms and being so welcoming and engaging. 

KoMiSa’s Take Away Thoughts: We are blessed to be a blessing to others and my experiences studying abroad and sharing that passion with students at Rosa Parks Central Community School allowed me to do just that. Seize those opportunities to give back while sharing your passion and you too will be planting a seed and blessing others with the passion and knowledge that has been ignited and cultivated within you.