Really Cool People

Since my last blog talked about cool events on campus and in the city I thought I would write one about cool speakers who have recently stopped by GW, or will be very soon.

Last week retired Admiral Thad Allen (MPA 1986) was invited to receive the Colin Powell Public Service Award.  As written in GW Today, "In his 39 years in the Coast Guard, Adm. Allen served in leadership roles during some of the country’s most challenging times. He was chief of staff of the U.S. Coast Guard after 9/11 and was the government’s point person during Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and the BP oil spill last April. Adm. Allen continued as national incident commander after he retired from the Coast Guard in May."  He spoke to students of his GW Alma Mater, the Trachtenberg School of Public Policy and Public Administration in the Jack Morton Auditorium.  His talk is a bit long, but I have attached the almost 2 hour video of it below if anyone is interested.



Another great speaker that is planning on coming is Jane Goodall!  The Jane Goodall Institute is hosting the Global Leadership Awards in Lisner Auditorium on October 11.  As part of the award ceremony Dr. Goodall is planning on speaking about her work and experiences.  For those who do not know, Dr. Jane Goodall has focused much of her life on the conservation of chimpanzees in Africa, specially Tanzania.  Her organization helps run a chimpanzee orphanage in Africa that takes care of young chimpanzees whose parents have been killed.  You can check out the Jane Goodall Institute's website at http://www.janegoodall.org/.
A great thing about this speaker is that JGI kindly provided GW with 300 free student tickets.  I am still trying to get my hands on one, but hopefully I will and I will be able to share the experience with you!

Finally, and sadly, GW's latest speaker was canceled.  Jimmy Carter was scheduled to speak at Lisner Auditorium last night, but due to his hospitalization he was not able to attend. :(  I am sure the GW community wishes the best to the former president for a quick recovery!

That's all for now!  Remember if you have any questions please email me at kwollner@gwu.edu!

Until next time...

Kim

Rallying to Restore Sanity (while Marching for FEAR!!!)

So we've all heard about Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert's competing rallies in DC, yes?  No?!  You haven't?  How???

Well if by some bizzarre chance you haven't heard of the march, it's Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert's response to Glenn Beck's (and Fox News', really) Restoring Honor rally, held at the Lincoln Memorial on the anniversary of MLK's "I have a dream" speech back in August.  That day was also GW's move-in day, so you can imagine that Foggy Bottom was in absolute chaos.  Tea Partiers everywhere along with students trying to move in with relative ease--it was pretty rowdy.

Here's a Huffington Post mention about the (somewhat violent!) goings-on on campus that day!

Stewart's announcement (I think there's an ad, sorry):

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
Rally to Restore Sanity Announcement
www.thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor Rally to Restore Sanity

The action starts around 00:30, really.  Or 2:00, depending on how you look at it.  Or 5:00?  But the entire video is well worth watching.  I would highly recommend it, especially since Stewart describes the event better than I could.

And of course, Colbert's counter-announcement:

The Colbert Report	Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c
March to Keep Fear Alive Announcement
www.colbertnation.com
Colbert Report Full Episodes 2010 Election March to Keep Fear Alive

Watch this whole one too.  It's just too good not to.

But it's all exciting, no?  I absolutely cannot wait for all the balanced as well as the irrationally afraid people to descend on DC and show that our numbers are just as strong and a little less crazy!  (Depending on who you ask, of course.)  If nothing else, it'll be a lovely autumn day of fun, comedians, and merrymaking on the mall!

Now you may be interested to know that I did in fact attend the other rally (purely as a spectator, I wanted to see the cast of characters present).  And it certainly was entertaining!  But this scene is definitely more my speed.  I'm counting down the days.

See you there?  Come on down!  Visit Gdub while you're at it!

Email me: ShireenS@gwmail.gwu.edu
<3 Shireen

The Social Network

Hi everyone!

Apologies for my blogging hiatus! There's so much to catch up on since my return to GWU from my year-long study abroad experience in London...so expect several updates coming your way by the end of this week!

Where there are a number of topics I want to cover for the next month or so; today I want to primarily blog about social networking and leveraging your own talents! Specifically, the film "The Social Network," which details the development and litigation actions after its launch. I won tickets to the advanced screening of the movie (comes out October 1st) through College Magazine (a tri-state college magazine) and had thoroughly great time. The film is raw and dark, but there were definitely moments of comic relief of which, as college students, can relate.


It's funny how Mark Zuckerberg (Founder of Facebook) was able to launch such a massive social networking tool from his Harvard dorm room. The viral growth of the site and company was unforeseeable and it's absurd to think that just a few people were able to launch such a disruptive, niche product.

While the creators of Facebook might have been from Harvard and had an incredible family pedigree, it is not to say that students from across the country are not launching or developing innovative ideas. Zuckerberg became so successful because he monopolized and leveraged his talent of coding/computer programming. I have several friends who have created small start-ups and micro-financing organizations because they determined doing "xyz" was their passion. While not everyone can develop a massive product like Facebook, we can most certainly try to create something that can positively impact the communities which we care about.

Tom Braslavsky of the GW Hatchet (campus newspaper) also gives a fresh account of how Facebook has become an inherent aspect of our lives: Tom Braslavsky: Facebook down, college students out? - Opinions

About Me (Take Two)

I decided to take a page from the book of Kim (fellow blogger, check her out!) and re-introduce myself to those who weren't necessarily checking out the GW Admissions blog last year.  Ya know, cause there's potentially a new audience and all!  So here goes, and I love to talk about myself so this could be QUITE a read for y'all:

... Hey guys!  I'm Shireen, and I'm a Sophomore in the Elliott School.  My major is Middle Eastern Studies, and I'm double-minoring in Religion and Criminal Justice.  Yeah, I don't know what I'm going to do with that, either.  Probably save the world like the rest of you!  HAH!  Sorry, that makes me seem like a pessimist.  I guess I am, in a sense, but at the same time I definitely think that I could find a solid job with the government or even in the non-profit world.  We shall see!  I'll keep ya posted.  And YOU CAN CHANGE THE WORLD.  Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.  Respek.

Along with Kim, I'm on the e-board (e for executive) for Voices for Choices, the pro-choice & sexual health awareness group on campus.  I think it's an issue area that is particularly important in DC, and on college campuses in general, plus I'm a staunch liberal, so I was destined to be impassioned about all that jazz.

Now as I said, I am a liberal, and I believe that politics is important.  One of my favorite quotes is, "We regard a man who takes no interest in public affairs not as harmless, but as useless" (Pericles).  However, I don't buy into that partisan junk that virtually dominates modern political discourse.  I'm a registered Democrat for sure, but I respect, admire, and *sometimes* even support Republicans--as long as your argument is valid and has factual basis, I can't discredit you.  I'll certainly disagree, but I'm all about agreeing to disagree.

I don't really feel like writing more, considering I've kinda done this before, so here's the link to my past blog about myself: I did the digging so you don't have to!!!

Questions about anything?  GW-related or otherwise?  Coming down to DC for the rallies (which I intend on blogging about in the near future...) and need a place to stay?  Email me!!!  ShireenS@gwmail.gwu.edu

<3 Shireen

Note:  It's probably not a good idea for me to extend offers of lodging to strangers.  I therefore have to rescind that statement.  Sorry, folks.

Interesting Events

Last week it may have been hot and muggy, but that didn't stop the numerous events outside!

First there was the GW Safety Expo.  This brought numerous safety oriented GW Departments as well as city organizations such as DC Water, DC Department of Health, and many others together to teach student, faculty, and staff about staying safe in DC.  The information was super helpful and the swag was cool too! There were band-aids, chapstick, sunscreen, and many more useful things to pick up.  You able to go around a create a safety kit just incase an emergency happens.

On the same day, Clinque Fresh Faces Tour made a stop on campus as well.  You were able to register, get your makeup and hair done and then take a picture all for free!  It was really cool to see how they set up Kogan for this event, it looked something like....

It was a great break in the day to sit back and let someone else make me look pretty.

The National Book Festival was also this weekend.  I wen to see Jonathan Foer, author of Everything is Illuminated, Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close and Eating Animals.  He was super interesting and I cannot wait to finish his book!

That is all I have for now.  Hope everyone is having a good week! If you have any questions please email me at kwollner@gwu.edu!

2010: A G-Dubs Jobyssey Part 2

To whom it may concern:

Thank you for taking the time to speak to me today regarding employment with your agency. Our conversation was enlightening; I laughed, I cried, it was even better than Casablanca. I was especially interested to hear about the work you have done making America a better-ventilated place. As per our discussion at the career fair, I am submitting my application for employment, along with my resume and a brief writing sample representative of my academic writing.

Should I be able to assist you with any questions related to my application, please do not hesitate to contact me. Thank you again, and I look forward to hearing from you soon,

Adam S. Humayun

---

So, the above is a skill they call "following up", which I didn't know existed until about two weeks ago. So, props to the Career Center people for swooping in with that info when I greeted their question about follow-ups with a blank stare and a slack jaw. The GW Career Center, in all seriousness, is a good service we have here for students across all majors (though Business majors have their own separate Career Center as well), and I wish I'd discovered it sooner. The staff's professional, informed, but friendly, and their system for dealing with people is quite efficient.

I would consider myself a job-search neanderthal, liable to be edged out into extinction at any point by the better equipped pre-hominids waving their House of Representatives intern ID cards around everywhere. But enough self-pity and facetious resentment; let's move on to... moving on.

What I got out of the Fall Career and Internship Fair, held last Tuesday in GW's newly-face-lifted Smith Center (an athletic facility reserved for varsity sports use most days) was a number of great meetings, contacts and pointers about where to go next. I also discovered the conundrum that might well be the crux of my job search: experience.


(Scene: Smith Center Last Tuesday. I talk with recruiters among crowds of overly well-dressed students in thousand-dollar suits.)
Recruiter: So, what experience do you have?
Me: Well, I've been working for the last two years at GW's Office of Undergraduate Admissions. My tasks have included interacting with customers in person and over the phone, as well as staffing events and entering data.
Recruiter: Oh, ok. Thanks, nice meeting you and good luck!
Me: Wait, you're just sending me off like that? What about my GPA and writing skills?!
Recruiter: Nah, bro. Why would we hire someone for an internship at a research institution who has no experience interning at a research institution?
Me: How am I supposed to get any experience if you won't hire me?!

Disclaimer: This conversation didn't happen, at all. However, it could have. And isn't that just as important?
(The answer, of course, is "nah, bro.")

The point is, I have to find some way to boost my resume and prove that I have the chops to make it in the rough-and-tumble world of unpaid think-tank interns.

Next time on "2010: A G-Dubs Jobyssey": my five-month plan to bolster my resume.

Questions? Comments? Counter-resentment to throw at my class resentment? E-mail me at ash1290@gwmail.gwu.edu.
--Adam

My Bolt Blog!

I forget if I already did a blog about Bolt Bus, but if so here's a new one, since it'll be annoying for you all to try to find that one.  For all of us.  I just don't feel like sifting through old posts... (lazy.)

I promise I'm not being paid by Bolt or their parent companies or subsidiaries, I just really love them!  And I think this information would be REALLY helpful for those coming from the NYC area down to DC.  I take Bolt for almost every trip home, and when I don't take Bolt, it's almost always because I'm driving with family.

Bolt is based out of New York, and they go from their NYC stops (two right by Penn Station and the other in SoHo) to Baltimore, Boston, Philadelphia, and DC.  I haven't taken Bolt anywhere but the NY-->DC line, but I plan on doing all of them eventually for weekend trips.  The stop I get off at in DC is right by the Metro Center station, which is ideal and close enough to campus that you could really walk home from there as long as you don't have a bunch of bags.   I did it once with bags--bad idea.  There's also a Union Station stop, and one in Greenbelt, at the end of the Green Line (metro).

I realize the stops aren't ideal for everyone, but for those of you who live in the NY/NJ/CT area, Bolt could be an asset!  And I know there's a bunch of us at GW from the tri-state.  Or if you're looking to take a weekend trip sometime during the semester, you can just jet up to the Big Apple for the weekend!  Whatta dream!

Now I haven't gotten to the best part of Bolt yet:  There are ONE DOLLAR TICKETS!!!  That's right!  $1!!!  The thing is, not every ticket is a buck.  Only the first (one way) ticket purchased is a dollar, and after that it goes up by relatively small increments--the most expensive I've seen is $25 I think. Which really isn't bad at all considering transportation costs these days!  I've gotten the $1 ticket at least 4 times that I can remember, and usually if I don't get that my trip costs about $10-$15 each way, which is still re-he-heeally good.  And every 8 trips you buy (one way), you earn a free one!  I've already earned 2.  Just make sure you sign in before you purchase!

And if you're afraid of the stereotypical "bus folk," don't worry about that, either.  Most of Bolt's customers are college students and yuppies.

There's another company with similar rates, Megabus, but I've never ridden with them, so I don't really have much to say, I don't want to speak without experience.  Do your research, though!

https://www.boltbus.com/
http://us.megabus.com/

I love reader emails!!!  ShireenS@gwmail.gwu.edu
<3 Shireen

2010: A G-Dubs Jobyssey

On the morning of Monday, August 30, I woke up in my great new dorm room to the first full day of my junior year of college.

I promptly realized that I'm way behind where I visualized myself being at this point. One of the biggest draws for me when I came to GW in 2008 was the internship and employment opportunities afforded to those in the D.C. area.

What I didn't anticipate was actually having to, you know, look for a job.

So long story short, I got caught up in schoolwork, and student organizations, and social life-- a lot of the things that make college so much fun-- and neglected the search for things that could make my experience here even better. This might be classic case of "letting the good become the enemy of the best."

Luckily, one good thing about G-Dubs is that it offers many resources for finding meaningful work. I just got back from my second visit in three days to GW's Career Center, where I got some great guidance on my resume and other good advice on the campus job fair I'll be attending next Tuesday.


There are a number of great opportunities on campus for employment. Here are a few, easily digestible:


Federal Work-Study (FWS): Like my current job at GW's Office of Undergraduate Admissions, these jobs subsidize the employment of student employees by participating employers. 75% of your wages are paid out of you FWS award, which is given to students with financial need based on their FAFSAs submitted to GW's Office of Student Financial Assistance when they apply here.
FWS jobs are great, since your employer can sometimes afford to keep you on beyond the hours you could have originally had--since the taxpayer picks up the tab for 75% of your wages. That said, pay doesn't tend to be spectacular, and you do have to be a FWS student to participate. FWS jobs on campus, like mine, also tend to tough to get unless you know where to look (the Career Center).


Part-time Jobs: This is a job and it is part time. That is all.
...
Not really. Would I do that to you? (It would be unprofessional.) The important thing to remember about these is that they pay, and they're in high demand. However, in the D.C. area, there's an enormous variety of potential employers who will be willing to take students on: everyone from the political parties to think-tanks, government agencies and retail chains are hiring every semester.


Full-time Jobs: If you can hold down a full-time job and still attend school full time, you are a beast! (This is a good thing to be.) While you'll definitely earn some $$bills, it could be challenging to keep your GPA up, not to mention difficult to qualify for most full-time positions without a diploma in hand. My understanding is that some places will hire before graduation, so if this is your kind of thing go for it.


Internships: This is like a job, only less prestigious and sometimes it doesn't pay. However, the great thing about these is that you aren't expected to actually know how to do the job you are technically assigned to. (This is what I'm aiming for right now, preferably with some kind of research-focused organization.) 


Volunteer Programs: Less structured than internships, these offer great opportunities to use your free time constructively. Given the wide income disparities within D.C., there are many ways to give back to the community that hosts us (and, in doing so, to become part of it yourself). One of the most popular is the elementary-education support program "D.C. Reads"; I've known a lot of people who have had great experiences doing this. GW also offers various community service programs, and we have a number of student organizations here which also do community service.


Look out for more on this over the next few days as I work more to prepare myself for my own job search. In the meantime, if you'll excuse me, I have a thirty-second self-congratulatory "pitch" to practice in front of the mirror.


Questions? Comments? Deep, unexpressed GW-related convictions trying to burst out of your subconscious? Let me know at ash1290@gwmail.gwu.edu.


--Adam

My First Semester Senior Year

So the novelty of the semester has already worn down, but I am getting through the days just one at a time. I thought you would all like to hear about all of my classes, I have a super wide variety this semester!

SMPA 145W- Editorial and Persuasive Writing
This is a class I am taking for my minor.  We read editorials from the Washington Post, Washington Times, and New York Times before every class.  Then we talk about the pieces and read our own work.  This is a great way to learn about how other people write and how we can improve our own writing from our peers!

HLWL 109- Human Sexuality
This is a super interesting class.  As I have explained before I am a part of Student Global AIDS Campaign and Voices for Choices, so this type of class falls right in line with my interests of learning about the human physiology and anatomy.  We are reading this really well written book called Bonk! by Mary Roach.  This woman is amazing and has done so much research!

PSC 146- US Foreign Policy
This class helps me fulfill a requirement for my major/focus.  We started off with George Washington's Farewell Address and we are now looking at the idealist and realist views of US foreign policy.  It is interesting to see how one line of a speech can be construed into so much.  My professor also makes a point to have discussion in the class, despite being a larger class and that is definitely super helpful!

PSC 112- State and Urban Policy Problems
This is the first Political Science class that I have taken that is not focused on the federal government.  My professor is this amazing guy who has worked in health care policy since the 1970's when it wasn't as popular as it is right now. We are learning about the relationships with local, state, and national governments.  It is super interesting.

FA 015- Wheel Thrown Ceramic
This is actually my most difficult class.  Our assignment right now is to make 10 good cylinders.  And trust me it sounds a lot easier that it is.  Today I was actually able to make 6 cylinders (granted I think I can only use 2 or 3 of them, but hey, I am making progress.)

I am looking forward to learning a lot this semester! And I am pretty sure all of my professors are ready to teach it!  Hopefully I will be able to take pictures of my pieces in ceramics soon to share!

If you have any questions please email me at kwollner@gwu.edu!

Kim

Ready, Set, GO!!!

Wow.  The past three weeks have flown by so fast.  School is going well and this week is exciting because clubs like College Democrats and the International Affairs Society are just beginning to start up.  For the launch of the College Democrats, they hosted the soon to be Senior Senator from Alaska, Mark Begich.  The International Affairs society invited an Ambassador over and they are having social events like a trip to Ben’s Chile Bowl.  Ben’s is a local favorite on U Street and has been visited by the first family and the Sarkozy’s.

I believe that I am in a unique position to relate to all the seniors out there who feel like there is simply too much to do in the college admissions process (law school for me).  I am taking the LSATs for a second time on October 9^th and I finding time to really sit down and study is always a struggle, but I know that making it a priority is essential.  Likewise, keeping up with schools and extracurricular activities is also important.  This is a stressful time, but as the essays begin to get written and recommendations begin to come in it will become much more interesting.  Luckily, law schools get back to you within three weeks of when you submit so the waiting period is not too long.  This is a good time to mention that GW has multiple early admissions periods and if you know with certainty that GW is where you want to end up I strongly suggest going that route. 

As always, if you have any questions feel free to email me at pwaters@gwmail.gwu.edu!

OR, just leave a comment, and I’ll make sure to get back.      

Oooooooooooooooooohm

So remember I was taking Yoga?  Maybe you do, maybe you're a first time reader, maybe you really don't care!  But I'm taking a Yoga class (under exercise & sports activities on Gweb), and I love it.  I have to go to the Vern every Monday around 3:30, but it's fine because I travel with my bud who's also in the class, and I like the downtime of just riding through g-town and VA and seeing the river and greenery.

I took yoga last year through school and liked it enough, but for the most part, I was ambivalent.  I was happy I did it, but not during class time, only afterwards, you know?  This one's different, thankfully.  Last year I did Kundalini yoga and this course I THINK is Hatha.  I'm liking it much better.  Ask me what the difference is and I really couldn't tell you, all I know is I'm happier in this course.  And Kundalini stresses breathing?  Eh... yeah.

Professor Thompson is very relaxed and realistic about expectations for the course, and he stresses how no one should push themselves into a stretch or pose if they just can't do it--so you don't feel pressured to be a contortionist!  Very helpful.

I have only had 2 classes so far since last week was Labor day, but I already know I'd recommend this course to anyone!  Take Yoga with Douglas Thompson!  It's a great work out and stress reliever and an optimal way to get flexible!

The one catch:  I AM SO SORE RIGHT NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!  Aghhhhhh so bad.  I will say it's kind of a good pain.  Kinda.  But from the hips down and the shoulders out my body is CRYING.

So take the class!  If you dare...  Hehehe.  No but really though.  Totally worth it.  Promise.

Email me?  ShireenS@gwmail.gwu.edu
~~~Shireen

9th Anniversary

This Friday, I finished classes at noon and headed over to Metro Center, near where my uncle works.  From there, we drove out to his house in MD, picked up my aunt, my cousin, and another aunt, and we all headed up to New York for our annual long, tiring, highly-anticipated yet also much dreaded weekend.

Every year, my family attends the World Trade Center memorial ceremonies in Lower Manhattan.  It's harrowing, exhausting, and overwhelmingly depressing, but it's an obligation for us.  I don't think I could EVER miss a year of ceremonies.    

However, this year was particularly draining as 9/11 has been in the news more than in recent years.  It seemed as though people were forgetting it last year and the year before, but now all of a sudden it's at the forefront of all debates, which just made the tension higher and the emotions stronger for attendees.  Apparently there were protestors all around Ground Zero and Zuccotti Park, where the memorial has been held the past few years, but the NYPD and other staff at the event did a good job of keeping them away from where families and others attending the ceremonies would be--which is good, because if I saw any protestors near the site I probably would have clocked them.  While I'm very impassioned (I won't divulge what side I'm on, but you can probably guess considering my uber-liberal leanings...) I think that turning the anniversary of 9/11 into a day to protest and to wave signs and banners and shout snarky politically-charged sayings is REPULSIVE.  No two ways about it.

Yesterday's ceremonies also stood out for me because my cousin, Alyson, was one of the readers.  Each year family members are chosen out of a lottery to be given the chance to stand on the podium and read the names of those who died, along with the name of their own loved one.  In the past, I was a reader, and so were my mother and her two sisters.  It's such an honor to be able to read the names of those who were lost, especially when you consider that their families wait all year to hear that name called--so you have a huge responsibility to get it right.

While I don't think I have it in me to EVER spend 9/11 outside NYC, I feel a comfort knowing that throughout the year I divide my time between DC and NY, the two places that were directly attacked.  Ceremonies were also held yesterday at the Pentagon, with the President in attendance.  Vice President Biden was at the WTC, and the First Lady paid her respects in Pennsylvania.

Now I'm on the Bolt Bus heading back to DC (post on Bolt coming shortly...), after a difficult but fulfilling weekend at home.  It'll be relieving to get back to the district and back into the swing of things, but I'll also be a bit nostalgic for the feeling of camaraderie that mourning provides.  Sorry if this is too long and a downer and if y'all just feel like skimming, but these were things I just felt like getting out there, ya know?  

Be back soon, promise!

Also, emailing me has direct benefits.  Just ask Gina, our future new admissions blogger!

ShireenS@gwmail.gwu.edu

~~~Shireen

First of the Lasts

As you all begin your Senior year of high school, I am beginning my Senior year of college.  Scary. I know.

So I am writing this post to re-introduce myself to the new readers to the blog as well as give some general advise for our transposed lives we are in. (I am in your place exactly four years later, get it?)

As you have probably realized I am Kim, a Senior, studying Political Science with a focus in Public Policy and a minor in Journalism/Mass Communications. (I don't know if you can study anything with a longer explanation than that.) I am involved in the Student Association, Voices for Choices, Student Global AIDS Campaign, as well as House Staff.

This year is going to be one of the best years of your life.  You rule the school, know all of the teachers, and are looking forward to college.  Cherish these moments with friends.  You will soon be having your last homecoming, your last football game, and you already have had your last first day of high school.

Before Senioritis kicks in, it is important to do your research about schools to apply for (which I feel like I don't have to tell you if you are reading this blog).  But be sure to ask questions, visit, and take advantage of any contact with a school you can have.

Now I know that sounds intimidating, but it is actually a lot of fun to look at all of the crazy options for schools.  Who knows, maybe you never thought you would travel more than 3 hours from home and you will end up across the country.

I hope you return to read the blogs!  I will be sure to post interesting happenings on campus and document my senior year.

If you have any questions please email me at kwollner@gwu.edu!

Kim

The Global Language Network

As promised, here's a brief but hopefully useful explanation of the Global Language Network at GW!


The GLN is a non-profit founded in 2005 by a GW student hoping to expand the linguistic horizons of himself and his fellow students, and to share his talents with others.  The organization has expanded since then to offer over 50 languages (originally only 7) at multiple learning levels.


This semester, I hope to take Beginning Farsi through the GLN.  The catch is, if you register for a course, it's not guaranteed.  Some are more requested than others, so there's a lottery if more people than can be accommodated register for a course.  But that is usually for more popular languages like Spanish, French, German, etc.  But you can register for up to three at a time, so if you don't get your top pick, you'll surely get one of your top choices!


But the absolute greatest part of GLN courses is that THEY ARE FREE!!!  You pay a $100 deposit at first, but as long as you miss no more than three of the weekly classes, you get your money back!  It's fantastic!  FREE yet effective language courses right on campus!


Here's the info, try a course if you'd like!  What do you have to lose?


The GLN
Fall 2010 Schedule




I love reader emails!  ShireenS@gwmail.gwu.edu
~~~ Shireen