JohnZecy
Summer 2010
Greece
This past summer of 2010, I studied abroad in Paros, Greece for two months at an institution called Dikemes University. I knew that I wanted to study abroad in Greece ever since I first went in high school in 2006. My family is Greek-American and I've always wanted to improve my Greek in the classroom, but KU doesn't offer any Modern Greek curriculum, only Ancient. Studying abroad turned out to be a great alternative to taking a class that KU doesn't offer. One of the greatest appeals of this study abroad experience for me was that I would go in not knowing anyone. I have amazing friends, but I like stepping out of my comfort zone and meeting new people. Flying 6000 miles by myself definitely took a toll mentally and physically, but it was entirely worth it.
Greece was an incredible experience in that while I was able to relate to some of its customs, I was able to enjoy those that we don't experience in the United States. Life on Paros and many of the islands is much more relaxed than the busy lives that most of us lead. My classmate said it best when she said that in the US, we live to work whereas in Paros, they work to live.
I stayed along the coast for the entirety of my trip, so I ate fresh fish everyday. Needless to say, I now can't look at shrimp and calamari in Kansas the same way. Staying in Greece is like literally living in a postcard. I tried to take pictures of all the views and scenery, but I still never felt like I could capture what I was feeling. I just had to be calm (which is no easy task for me) and enjoy it. I did some island hopping to other islands like los and Santorini, while also staying with a friend in Athens. I did everything I wanted to do from cliff jumping to snorkeling. I'm Greek Orthodox, so one of the things that meant a lot to me was being able to go to services at a church on the island that was first built by St. Constantine over 1600 years ago.
I developed long-lasting friendships with both my classmates and the natives of Paros. Once I got a little more confident with my Greek, I had numerous conversations with many of the natives. The friendliness and welcoming of everyone on the island made me feel at home. If you are able to, I would whole-heartedly recommend studying abroad. It has proved to be a valuable part of my education that I wouldn't trade for anything.
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BY ANGELIQUE MCNAUGHTON amcnaughton.kansan.com
Michelle Compton, student development advisor of Union
For Student Union Activities, the event-planning organization on campus, it's been a record-breaking kind of year.
programs, said more students than ever before, especially incoming students, were participating in organizations like SUA.
"Because of that, we've allowed ourselves to take on more committee members than usual," Compton said.
At 96 students, including leadership roles, membership is at an all-time high for SUA.
Molly Iler, the vice president of SUA and a senior from Summit, N.J. said the organization was ecstatic about the number of applications this year and for the first time had to stop accepting new ones.
Chad Buffington, a senior and committee member from Kingwood, Texas, said hed always known about SUA when he decided to join. "I've been familiar with
it and my two roommates were in it anyway," Buffington said.
Rachel Anderson, president of SUA and a senior from Manhattan, said the increased applicants and diversity of the members enabled the organization to reach more students.
"The more perspectives we have
SEE SUA ON PAGE 3A
CLUBS
Jiu Jitsu Club brings in MMA fighter
BY KELSEY RICHARDSON krichardson@kansan.com
The KU Jiu Jitsu Club recently hired professional Mixed Martial Arts fighter and Kansas native Tyler Stinson, also known as "The
Evolution," to teach boxing and MMA.
MMA
Stinson, a
25-year-old from Winfield, began his professional MMA career in 2006, according to the site wiki. cagenotato.com.
"His stand-up and boxing is just amazing," club president Shawn Kaylor said. "We're paying him to come in and teach boxing and MMA because he is one of the best in Kansas." Stinson has a 16-6 winning record and was invited to the Bellator welterweight tournament.
— it is open to both students and non-students.
Different types of jiu jitsu, such as Brazilian and Japanese, are practiced on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday from 5 to 7 p.m. in the Mixed Martial Arts room at the Ambler Student Recreation Fitness Center. The MMA and boxing portion with Stinson meets every Friday from 5 to 7 p.m.
"We had a couple of girls come in last semester, so girls are welcome," Kaylor said. "You don't have to be a student to join, as long as you can get an ID for the rec."
Members of the KU Jiu Jitsu Club met Stinson through training with him in different gyms in Kansas.
"It's great for any kind of self-defense."
Chris Clemmons, Lansing senior, started the club in November of 2008, and it currently has close to 45 members. Anyone can join
SHAWN KAYLOR club president
The KU jiu Jitsu Club teaches members life skills that are necessary for self-defense, and it also provides an alternative workout option.
"It's great for any kind of self-defense. If you get put in any situation where you need it, it's definitely good to have it," Kaylor said. "It helps a little bit with self-confidence, because you know you can handle yourself if you need to."
The club will host a tournament at the Ambler Student Recreation Fitness Center on April 2. Students can contact Shawn Kaylor at skaylor@ku.edu if they are interested in joining the club.
Edited by Brittany Nelson
VOLUME 123 ISSUE 96
Aaron Harris/KANSAN
Shawn Pieschl, a freshman from Overland Park, and Edirin Aghaghovbia, a sophmore from Lagos, Nigeria, practice techniques during Jiu Jitsu practice Monday afternoon.
LAWRENCE
RAIN
Heavy fog canvased Lawrence Wednesday
BY CHRIS HONG chong@kansan.com
Douglas County dispatch had no reported accidents as of 1:30 p.m. today. Kimberly Qualls, public affairs manager for northeast Kansas department of transportation, said that a few accidents were reported on nearby highways, but she did not consider that unusual.
"Not anything super heavy like what we relate to ice storms and snowstorms." Oualls said.
Despite heavy fog in Lawrence this morning, there was no increase in reported accidents in the area.
- Reduce your speed - and watch your speedometer. Fog creates a visual illusion of slow motion when you may actually be speeding.
Qualls said she estimated the visibility on the highways to be no more than a quarter mile. But Qualls said that she observed only half the drivers using their lights while she was on the highway.
She added that southwest Kansas experienced much worse fog and traffic incidents. Douglas County is no longer under a weather advisory.
Edited by Jacque Weber
- Avoid crossing lanes.
2.
- travel with the driver's window partially open.
Listen for traffic.
- If your car is disabled or you can't continue, pull well onto the shoulder and turn off lights. Move away from your vehicle.
- Drive with lights on LOW beam. High beams will reflect off the fog, creating a "white wall" effect.
- Consider postponing your trip until the fog lifts.
TIPS TO STAY
SAFE ON THE ROAD
45
Source: California Highway Patrol
CAMPUS | 3A
Law students required to make up missed classes
Regardless of a snow day, law students must take 700 minutes per credit hour, which requires them to make up any missed classes.
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