I am here at MIIS getting a dual degree in International Education Management (IEM) and Public Administration (MPA). This is my second semester here, so I’ll have one more year on campus and then a semester abroad for my IEM practicum. With this degree I will pursue my dream career in study abroad and service learning, connecting people all over the world for social change.

My family lives here in Monterey and I’m originally from here. After graduating from college last May, my boyfriend and I moved in with my family and our dogs—it’s been a lot of fun! A typical day in my life is filled with studying and going to class, working with Institute study abroad in the Center for Advising & Career Services, hanging with friends, and riding my bike around beautiful Monterey. This summer I’ll be back in Chicago, near where I went to college (yay Lake Forest!), interning with the marketing department at IES Abroad. If anyone will be in the area, I’d love to get together and share our MIIS tales!

Photo credit: Dan Previte, Flickr Creative Commons

When: ’til May 31

Where: Casa Fuente 443 (Enrollment Office)

To commemorate National Foster Care Month this May, the Institute’s Enrollment Office, in collaboration with Peacock Acres, is hosting a backpack and personal hygiene drive.  Bring a new or slightly used backpack or any of the basic necessity items listed below to CF 443 between May 1 and May 31 and help provide these youth a sense of dignity and security while in foster care.  Each backpack will also contain a personal note of encouragement and support from Monterey Institute staff members.

Ideas of items to contribute:
· A new or slightly used backpack or duffle bag

· Deodorant

· Hairbrushes

· Personal hygiene items

· A small stuffed animal

· Toiletry bags

· Toothbrushes and Toothpaste

· What you might have wanted when you were a teen!

Bring your items to sell or come with your cash to purchase. Any and all MIIS community members are welcome to participate.

How it works:

If you want to sell, sign up here.

• Do not bring large items!
• Take pictures of your furniture and coordinate pick ups on your own.
• You must take home anything you do not sell.
• Sell at your own risk! Keep an eye on your valuables.

Logo designs can be ANYTHING, but please utilize the Student Council motto and/or mission in your logo.

For help, you can also look to the MIIS Branding Guide or MIIS Color Codes.

Submit your design here!

Rules:

• Deadline is Monday, May 13th
• One submission per person
• Logo formats can be: gif, jpg, png, bmp, tif, psd

The winner will receive a $100 Visa Gift Card!!!

Student Council Motto:

“Define your solution”

Student Council Mission:

“Fostering a multicultural environment conducive to meeting the needs of the MIIS community.”

The winning design will be selected by the current Student Council and announced Wednesday, May 15th.

I discovered the Monterey Institute almost a decade ago when I was stationed up the street at the Defense Language Institute. I got out of the Army in 2009, and coming full circle I made my way back to Monterey to attend MIIS. Thanks to the Yellow Ribbon Program I’ve been able to fulfill my dream of studying international policy at the graduate level.

A bit of a non-traditional student, I am married (this weekend is actually our 7-year anniversary), I have two dogs and two cats, and I don’t live actually live in Monterey near campus. Each morning my two corgis, Watson and Bentley, wake up me up around 6 am ready to start the day. After feeding them and packing a lunch for my wife, I see her off to work around 7:30 am. Every other day I’ll then work out for an hour or so, usually doing circuits of bodyweight-type exercises such as pushups and pull-ups in my apartment, along with some cardio. Around 9 am I’ll tire the dogs out playing fetch at a park up road,   then while they sleep I’ll shower and really start my day! By 10 am, I’ll put my nose to the grindstone and work on homework throughout the afternoon/evening and drive to campus as needed to attend class. Evenings I’ll catch up on Game of Thrones or maybe watch some classic episodes of the Twilight Zone before heading to bed and starting it all over the next day!

Interested in what the StuCo’s up to? Want to be a part of the conversation? Follow us on Facebook!

https://www.facebook.com/MiisStuCo

When: Thursday, May 9, 12 PM-2 PM
Where: Holland Center

Still freaking out!? STOP! Come and relax and play with some of our four-legged friends from the Animal Friends Rescue Project in Pacific Grove. Student Services will be hosting a puppy room on campus on May 9th from 12:00 to 2:00. Animal therapy can give you a mental boost just in time for finals. Don’t miss this chance to make a furry friend!

When: Every Monday and Wednesday @ 4:30 PM -5:30 PM
Where: Z Club Fitness on Pacific Street

Don’t forget free Zumba classes at Z Club Fitness on Mondays and Wednesdays from 4:30 to 5:30! Exercise can help you sleep and improve your mood, both of which are very important for making it through finals. Ease your stress and have fun with Zumba!

When: Tuesday, May 7, 12 PM – 2 PM
Where: Digital Learning Commons

Freaking out over finals? Take a break from studying and group project and come to the Digital Learning Commons on May 7th from 12:00 to 2:00 for a massage. Massage therapists will be available to help you relax so that you can start your finals feeling calm and focused.