Sarah's Stories

Hey there! I'm Sarah, a 3rd year at Northeastern University. I'm an English major with a double minor in International Affairs and Criminal Justice. I give tours, I stay up late to read for fun, I'm on a mission to find the best cupcakes in Boston, and a mildly obsessive Boston sports fan. I can't wait to share all my NU adventures! Any questions? Ask away!

[northeastern-kaitlinbeegle]

The Northeastern Starter-Pack, aka Rain Boots and Business Suits

[northeastern-sarahpease]

I miss the Boston fall (and apple cider and apple cider donuts and pumpkin coffee and I could go on and on) but it's hard to beat this view that's right in my backyard. Plaza de Espana is my favorite place to watch the sunset in Sevilla!

[northeastern-kaitlinbeegle]

Northeastern, the autumn weather looks good on you 😍

[northeastern-sarahpease]

I miss these colors!

[northeastern-sarahpease]

Hi Sarah, This is Nisreen from EMSA. We wanted to send you a quick email-- what's the best email address to reach you? Thanks!

[email protected]

[northeastern-sarahpease]

Hi! I am applying to Northeastern for the upcoming fall and I was wondering if the co-op program makes it more difficult to graduate in four years than it would be at a university that doesn't involve a co-op program. If you are working for 6 months, when do you make up those classes you didn't get to take during those months?

Hi there! That’s awesome, I’m so glad to hear that you’re applying! If you want to graduate in four years, you can absolutely do so and still participate in up to 2 co-ops. There are several ways to make up for the classes that you won’t be taking during those periods. The first option is through AP classes or any college credit courses that you took while still in high school. I have a roommate who took 4 AP classes in high school, and received credit for all of them, which means she was essentially a semester ahead, and that’s a semester she didn’t have to make up through option two, which is summer classes.

Our summer semester is split into summer I and summer II, which means that if you’re on co-op spring and summer I, you can take classes summer II, which will help compensate for the classes you missed while on co-op. Students can take up to 2 classes for each summer session. I wouldn’t say that it’s more difficult to graduate in four years, but it is definitely different than the traditional 4-year path, which is why we have a 5-year option is well. However, I know a ton of people who are doing 1 or 2 co-ops and graduating in 4 years, so it’s absolutely possible and there are so many advisers who work with you to figure out the best path for your plans as well!

Best of luck, and let me know if you have any more questions! 

[northeastern-sarahpease]

A Day in Spain

Most people who study abroad (myself included!) are guilty of talking about all the amazing things that they do on the weekends, like traveling to Paris or buying last-minute flights to London. I should probably stop now before I get carried away. That being said, some of my favorite moments of study abroad have come from the ordinary daily life, and that is the part that is not talked about as frequently. So today, I’m here to bring you a peek into the extraordinary ordinariness of a day in Spain.

  Depending on the day, I get up for my first class at either 9:00 or 10:30. Unlike Northeastern, which is conveniently located right in the middle of the city, my university in Sevilla is outside of the city center. By metro, it’s a half hour from my apartment, but I decided to rent a bike (fun fact: Sevilla is the 3rd best city in the world for biking!) and so it’s a 20-25 minute bike ride. This also helps me feel better about the massive amount of bread and gelato that I eat here. (In case you think I’m exaggerating, I had three ice creams yesterday. It’s a problem).

  I go to class until either 1:20 or 2:50, and then it’s time to come home for lunch! At first, it took some getting used to since Spanish people eat so much later, both for lunch and dinner, but now it’s not strange at all to wait until 3:30pm for lunch. My senora works during the day, so she makes lunch in the morning and leaves it either on the stove or in the fridge for me and my three Spanish siblings to eat whenever we get home. The two 10-year-old girls usually get out of school right around when I do, so we eat together and then play Mario Kart or watch TV before my favorite time of the day: siesta!

  Siesta has become less of a thing in parts of Spain, but in Andalucia in the south, it’s still very relevant. Even if I didn’t want to take a nap in the middle of the day (but really, who wouldn’t?), most businesses and shops are closed between 2-6. This is the hottest part of the day, and especially in summer, being outside during that time is not enjoyable at all. Now that it’s getting cooler, more businesses are open, but for the most part, tradition holds.

  After siesta, I’ll do a little homework, and then go out with friends to sit at the bar or explore Sevilla. Since large families live in small homes, it’s not at all typical for people to go over to each other’s houses. Socializing here happens outside of the house, so any time we meet up, it’s at a park or a bar or a café. Mondays and Wednesdays, I tutor three little Spanish girls in English, which is so much fun because they’re adorable, and I love teaching them and doing their homework together. Their whole family is so nice, and they live right around the corner from me so it’s an easy walk!

  I’ll come home and hang out until dinner around 9:30pm, and either do homework, watch TV, or go back out to hang out with friends. Some nights we do more exciting things, like go to a futbol (soccer!) game, or find free concerts by the river. Days are busy and full, but I love every second of being here in Sevilla.

  I miss Boston and Northeastern, but I’ve found lots of things to do here to make me just as busy as I would be at home. I fully believe everyone who said that study abroad is the best experience of your college life. Northeastern has so many opportunities for students. If there’s one thing that I recommend you do in your time here, it’s study abroad.

  I’m off to go out to this multi-cultural fair that’s in one of our parks this month with my friends. There’s food tents from over 50 countries, and last time we went I tried zebra. For the curious, it tasted like really chewy steak. We’ll see what adventures we embark on tonight.

[northeastern-sarahpease]

Hi Sarah! I am a senior in high school and am hoping to attend Northeastern next fall! I love everything about Northeastern and am especially interested in the co-op program, but i do have some questions about it. Where do you live whilst on co-op, and does Northeastern help you find somewhere to live? Also, how long does each co-op last for? Thanks!!

Hi there, so glad that you love Northeastern as much as I do! Co-op is definitely a unique and incredible experience - it’s why I picked Northeastern! 

If your co-op is in the Boston area, you are more than welcome to stay in your living situation, whether that’s on-campus or off-campus housing. My first co-op I lived in an on-campus apartment that I’d been in the previous semester, and for my second co-op I stayed in my off-campus apartment since we had a 12 month lease!

If you go somewhere else for co-op, sometimes the company you will be working for will find you housing. If they don’t, Northeastern has an entire office (Co-op Connections!) dedicated to helping students working away from the Boston campus! In some places, like New York, with a high concentration of co-op students, there are NU-owned buildings you can live in. If not, they’ll help you search for an apartment or other place to live while you’re there.

Most co-ops are six months long, but there are certain ones that can be shorter (usually a two-month or four-month co-op) to account for the more difficult scheduling of certain programs.

If you have any other questions, let me know! I hope to see you at Northeastern next year :)

[northeastern-sarahpease]

19 Reasons New England Does Fall Better Than Anywhere Else

If you're looking for fall foliage anywhere but New England, you're doing it wrong.

I couldn't be happier with my adventure abroad, but wow do I miss pretty much everything on this list! Fall is my absolute favorite season in Boston, especially on Northeastern's campus, and I'm so sad to be missing it. 

[northeastern-sarahpease]

Game of Thrones comes to Sevilla!

Cool (and by that I mean amazingly awesome, but I'm trying to downplay how much I'm freaking out because I'm a huge nerd) event of the day: the Alcazar of Sevilla closed the gardens today for the next few weeks so that Game of Thrones can shoot there.

Since the Alcazar is one of my all-time favorite (and most beautiful!) places in Sevilla, the temptation to play paparazzi and get a sneak peek at Season 5 is prettttty strong. Updates to follow!

http://winteriscoming.net/2014/09/29/dornish-are-coming-schedule-of-seville-closures-for-filming/

[northeastern-sarahpease]

Stories from Sevilla

I also have a separate blog for all my study abroad adventures, so feel free to check that out if you want more pictures, stories, etc. from my life in Spain! 

http://storiesfromsevilla.blogspot.com.

[northeastern-sarahpease]

Before You Go: Study Abroad Tips

I have loved every second of my study abroad experience in Spain so far! Even today, when a huge thunderstorm is making going outside pretty unlikely, I've gotten to relax, read a little, and go through the (many, many) pictures I've taken so far. It also gives me time to take a break and write for you guys! Today I decided to write down a few things that I wish I had known, or thought more about, before I crossed an ocean!

Make sure that all the classes you will be taking abroad will transfer back to Northeastern. Even if it it's a class you might possibly consider taking, you should get it approved by the study abroad office. Nothing would be worse than taking a class here and finding out you won't get credit for it at NU.

Do your research on whatever city you will be living in. You definitely don't want to be "that American" who has no idea whether your country is a republic or monarchy, or who the king is. You'll also be able to understand the local culture much better if you have an idea of the history and traditions they have. It's definitely worth an hour or two on Google so that you know what you're getting into.

If it's at all possible with your program, stay with a host family. Even though I've only lived with them for three weeks, deciding not to live with only other American college students was one of the best decisions I could have made. My Spanish has improved dramatically, and staying with my Spanish family has given me opportunities to see the local culture that I never would have had if I'd stayed in an apartment with other Americans.

Pack light! I am the worst at over-packing. The. Worst. But if you're going off on a semester-long adventure, don't bring everything you own! You'll be able to buy most essentials in department stores where you're going, and no matter how much you tell yourself you won't go shopping (ahem - me, yesterday) you'll end up buying things throughout the semester. Get creative with packing so you're not sweating it out at the airport worrying about whether your bag will make it.

Try not to plan everything out. I'm also super guilty of this one. I want to know when, what, and where everything will be happening. But you'll have a much more enjoyable experience if you let what happens, happen. It's great to have a list of places to visit, but don't be afraid to agree to that weekend trip to Portugal that sounds like a lot of fun, even if you hadn't planned on going. You'll make great memories in some unexpected places.

Write things down. Whether you want to journal, blog, or keep track of your memories some other way, you'll definitely want to have some way to look back on your experience. I have a friend who made a Twitter specifically for her time abroad - whatever works for you! 

I saved one of the most cliched tips for last, which doesn't mean it's not true and applicable! Try. New. Things. For example, yesterday I tried bull's tail (surprisingly good). Studying abroad is an experience full of different and exciting opportunities - take advantage of as many of them as you possible can!

Studying abroad is a fantastic opportunity, and Northeastern has so many incredible programs to fit with anyone's interests and program requirements. If you end up here, it is at the top of my list of things you should do during your time here! If you have any questions, please feel free to send me a message and let me know. Happy Sunday! 

[northeastern-sarahpease]

Hi! I was a bit confused on the NUwave stuff. I was trying to figure it out, and the website says that its not in all the dorms. Is NUwave like the wifi on campus? and does that mean that there isn't wifi in all the dorms?

Hi! NUwave is our wireless network, yes. As far as I know, and I may be wrong since I didn't live in a residence hall last year, all residence halls have NUwave in the common rooms, but it's not guaranteed that you will have wifi in your own individual room. If someone who lived in a res hall last year knows the answer to this, please chime in!

[northeastern-sarahpease]

is it common for northeastern students to become friends with or meet students from other schools in the area like boston college, mit, harvard, berklee?

Very! Boston is the quintessential college town, and it's so easy to meet students from other colleges. My best friend from high school goes to BC, so I have met a lot of friends there through her, but even so, there are plenty of activities and places for college students in Boston where you are able to meet students from other schools!

[northeastern-sarahpease]

Hi Sarah! I'm a Malaysian student that is thinking of applying to Northeastern U and I was wondering, why do you love it here? What makes you so happy to be at this university? Also, is it really diverse there? :)

That's awesome, I'm so happy to hear that you are interested! Oh man, this is hard because I love so many things, but I'll focus on two. First of all, I love Northeastern because it feels like home. I truly feel as though I belong when I'm on campus, and between my friends, Boston, and all of the support Northeastern offers, I am so comfortable there. Second, I love the flexibility of Northeastern. Rather than try to make you conform to a certain program or expectation, Northeastern encourages you to create your own path, and then they'll do everything they can to help you achieve that vision. You have the freedom to dream of anything you want, and the support to make that dream a reality. I have yet to have someone tell me that I can't do something I want to do, but instead explain the possible ways that it could be achieved. Obviously, some things aren't plausible, but I've never felt like I couldn't come up with a crazy, unlikely idea and see what happens from there. 

I also love more finite things like co-op, living in Boston, the great classes that I've taken, the awesome organizations that I belong to, etc. In my experience, it's very diverse! We have a steadily growing international student population and my roommate freshman year was from China! It's so easy to meet people from different cultures and backgrounds, which is another thing I love.

Let me know if you have any more questions, and best of luck!

[northeastern-sarahpease]

Hi Sarah! I'm not from the East Coast and Boston is a long ways from home but it is still one of my favorite cities. Would you say most people at Northeastern are from the area, or is it fairly diverse? Also, have you done any co-ops and is the co-op process competitive?

Hey there! I'm so glad that you love Boston - I do, too! Out of my 4 roommates, only of us is from Massachusetts. I'm from New Hampshire, so I'm pretty close, but the others are from Long Island, Pennsylvania, and Chicago. I know a ton of people from California, Texas, Seattle, etc. so Northeastern is definitely not just an East Coast school! I have done 2 co-ops so far, and loved both of them. It is a competitive process, because it's meant to mimic the post-college job search process. You send out your resume, interview, and ultimately are accepted or rejected from a position. I don't know a single person who got an offer from every single company they applied to. That being said, it's so helpful in terms of refining your approach to cover letters, interviews, and the job process in general. I have learned so much about what works and what doesn't! That being said, 99% of students who want to go on co-op receive placements, even if it's not their first choice. So it is competitive, but it is also supposed to be a learning experience!

Good luck!

[quiksilwer]

Hello fellow nerds!

A new school year is approaching, and since I have to nail my A* this year I put together a masterpost with helpful links and tips that I have gathered throughout my school years. Good luck this year: you´ll do just fine!

1. Learn ´em languages

Learn terms and glossary in Quizlet.

Learn a language for free on Duolingo.

Learn a language for free on Busuu.

Oxford Dictionaries.

Games and fun activities for English learners.

Irregular English verbs.

2. Do your research

Google scholar.

Scholarpedia.

You can learn anything (KhanAcademy).

Didn´t listen in class? (Crash Course).

Simple Wikipedia.

Learn littérature without having to read it (SparkNotes).

Wolfram Aplha.

TED.

Open 2 study. (Online studying) 

Free college courses.

3. Learn how to write like a God

10 practical tips for writing better exam essays.

Writing an essay.

Harvard writing resources.

Writing application essays.

Writing a personal statement.

Genre characteristics.

Writing a literary analysis essay.

Answering essay questions.

Get feedback.

Bibliography maker.

What is the word you´re looking for?

4. Oh yes sweet reading

8 tips to remember what you read.

How to read Shakespeare.

Effective reading and note-taking.

How to take notes while reading.

Note taking tips.

170 free textbooks.

1000 free textbooks.

5. Get your studying and organization game on

Time Management

Get your school life in order with organization.

Reach your goals.

Goals worksheet.

Finding information on the internet.

Using sources.

Get a hold on mind mapping.

How do you learn best?

Sound without music (Such as cafes).

Make flashcards.

6. Stress and anxiety management because school is stressful

Coping strategies.

Stress reduction tips.

Stress relief for students.

Managing test anxiety.

Dealing with test anxiety.

Self help: Keeping calm.

Introverts in college.

Coping and calming down. N.1

Coping and calming down. N.2

Do nothing for two minutes. 

7. Go get ´em tests

Study skills for test taking.

Study tips for finals.

Multiple choice exams guide.

The seven days study plan.

15 steps to success.

How to prepare for a test.

Checklist for essay tests.

8. Classroom participation - because teachers love that shit

Active listening.

Classroom discussions.

Presenting projects in the classroom.

Preparation before class.

Participating tips.

9. Software and pages for us nerdy kids

Openoffice and Libreoffice.

Dropnote.

Google docs.

EverNote.

Prezi (Fore presentations.)

Calculator.

Grade calculator.

Grammar check.

Staying focused for Mac, Chrome and Firefox.

Plagiarism check.

Best apps for students masterpost.

Homework help.

10. Yo! Take some time to care ´bout yo´self

100 000 stars.

Workout masterpost.

Movie masterpost of masterposts.

Self-help masterpost.

8Tracks.

Learn and do yoga.

Voulenteer. 

Learn to play guitar.

The thoughts room.

Disney games because hell yeah.

[northeastern-sarahpease]

Happy first day of classes, Northeastern! 

[northeastern-sarahpease]

I'm back! After a long, amazing summer of working in Haiti, I began my new adventure of studying abroad in Seville, Spain for the semester! I've been here for about 2 weeks and now that I'm settled in (with wifi! Yay!) I will hopefully be able to keep all of you updated on the amazing things happening here. If you have any questions about studying abroad at Northeastern, or my program specifically, feel free to let me know! Later this week I will post again with more details about my life here.