JAYHAWKS ABROAD
12 REASONS TO STUDY ABROAD THIS FALL
More Jayhawks study abroad in the spring and summer than in the fall, but there are a lot of great perks to studying abroad during the fall semester Here are a few:
1. New student activities. Just like KU, most campuses host a number of orientation events, welcome back activities, and social gatherings during the first semester of an academic year. This makes it easier to meet people and get involved, and you won't be the only newbie. Plus, you'll be able to take advantage of school-sponsored entertainment, and maybe even score some free food. (Head to schools in the Northern Hemisphere to enjoy this perk.)
2. More time to prepare. You'll have the entire spring and summer to get a passport, apply for a visa, get any necessary immunizations, and shop for the perfect backpack. Plus, you can spend those lazy summer days making travel plans.
3. More time to save. Spend this summer saving for your travels by working a summer job. More time to save = more money to travel
4. More time abroad. Students regularly come back from a summer abroad and wish they could have stayed longer. Spending an entire semester abroad gives you more time with your new friends, helps you become more immersed in the culture, improves your foreign language skills, and gives you more time to travel. (You could also go for an entire academic year!)
5. Less competition.
5. Less competition. KU wants all students to go abroad, but because
fewer Jayhawks study abroad in the fall, there are more exchange spots available, coordinators have more time to work with you, and there are fewer people competing for scholarships! This means you are more likely to get into exactly the program you want and you'll have a better chance at getting extra financial support.
6. Fewer tourists & smaller crowds. In the summer, many countries become crowded with tourists on vacation, making it harder to travel and see the sites when you are abroad. Nationally, more students study abroad in the spring. Studying abroad during the "off-season" means you'll get to experience life more like a local and less like a visitor.
7. More affordable. With fewer tourists, travel can be cheaper. Flights are often cheaper in the off-season, hotels and hostels will have more space, and even souvenir shops might discount their wares.
8. Local traditions. Just like the US, many countries have special holidays, festivals, and unique traditions during our fall semester. You might miss Halloween, but you could experience Diwali in India, Melbourne Cup Day in Australia, Oktoberfest in Germany, Cirio de Nazare in Brazil, the Historic Regatta in Venice, Les Festes de la Mercce in Barcelona, whale migration in South Africa, Bonfire Night in England, or the Moon Cake Festival in China.
9. Keep your career plans on track. You'll be back for the spring semester with plenty of time to find a summer internship or start the job hunt if you are graduating.
10. Holiday markets. In most historically Christian countries, the holidays are a special time to be abroad. Holiday markets start appearing early, and the holiday
decorations can give your host city a completely different atmosphere. Around the world, unique local foods, drinks, and traditions can make this a magical time to be abroad. Plus, you can get your holiday shopping done--no need to go with the gift cards this year, because you're sure to find meaningful gifts from the host culture to give your friends and family.
11. Better weather. In Europe, fall days are often clear and cool, and in Australia, South America, and Africa the days will keep getting warmer as time goes on. Plus,
you are less likely to have weather delays when flying in August or September than flying from Kansas in January!
12. You won't miss March Madness! You might miss the beginning of basketball season (don't worry--you can often watch the games online), but you'll be back just in time for the season to start heating up!
progress
progress Advancements toward an intramural championship between Mizzou were made over winter break and will continue throughout the semester. Marcus Tetwiler is working with a corporate sponsor to cover travel expenses and funding for food.
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Amelia Arvesen
PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY MICHAEL STRICKLAND/KANSAN
currency is making nasn in the limelight this week, thanks to controversy surrounding Charlie Shrem, the CEO of BitInstant, a popular bitcoin exchange website. Shrem faces accusations that he knowingly used the company to convert cash to bitcoin to be used on Silk Road, a black-market website shut down last year that is primarily used to purchase drugs. With attention like this across the media and the Internet, questions and concerns continue to pop up regarding this new, mysterious technology.
Bitcoin acts as a form of payment on the Internet, with buyers and sellers transfering
A new form of digital currency known as bitcoin has recently come into prominence. Only 21 million bitcoin exist, and 12 million are currently in circulation.
gets digger.
GRAHAM STEVENSON Leawood junior
professor Shu Wu said it's not a surprising development in the way we pay for things.
"Different forms of money and payment have been used historically," Wu said. "First it was stones, precious metals or even chocolate as money, so as technology progresses you start to see these different forms take shape."
how do you get bitcoin?
Many of the comparisons made for bitcoin are not to
How do you get bitcoin?
"People think of Bitcoin as a currency, but it's really more of a speculative commodity. It's sometimes easier for people to work with it when you think about it like this," said Walt Ohnesorge, a board member
cash but to gold, which is a precious, finite commodity, unlike money.
at the Lawrence Percolator, a nonprofit local art gallery that is the first business in Lawrence to accept bitcoin transactions.
There is a finite amount of bitcoin in the world, 21 million to be exact, and 12 million are currently in circulation. In order for a bitcoin to come
Those who mine bitcoit do so by solving difficult computer algorithms, almost like computer puzzles, to release the coins. Not just
into circulation, it must first be "mined."
CRYPTOQUIPS 5
OPINION 4
SPORTS 14
SUDOKU 5
CLASSIFIEDS 13
CROSSWORD 5
SEE COIN PAGE 7
All contents, unless stated otherwise, © 2014 The University Daily Kansan
Don't Forget
Groundhog Day is Sunday.
Today's Weather
Cloudy. 10 percent chance of rain. Wind WSW at 23 mph.
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