Summer in Spain: Mehrab's work with the Atlantis Project

Mehrab Ahsan is a junior from New Hyde Park, New York majoring in Biochemistry. He is currently spending 3 weeks in Spain shadowing doctors and learning about a foreign health care system. He gave us an update of how he is spending his time abroad!

Atlantis Project

I'm part of the Atlantis Project and it's basically a program where I'm shadowing doctors in hospitals in Toledo, Spain, watching various surgeries which I wouldn't be able to see in the United States! I get to see how the Spanish healthcare system works, as well as the fact that I'm teaching doctors how to improve their English in biweekly sessions.

Segovia 

Spanish Paella

Streets of Segovia 

Alongside all of that, I've made friends with everyone in my program and have been able to travel around lots of places in Spain like Madrid, Segovia, the ancient Roman city of Spain, and have experienced all the awesome things that the Spanish culture has to offer.

True Life: I'm part of Greek life

Sheila Springer is a senior from Alameda, California majoring in Theater Arts. She shares her experience joining a sorority as a first year student.

Hofstra University has seven sororities, nine fraternities, and ten multicultural fraternities and sororities. As a rule, first semester freshmen are not eligible to join Greek life. Any semester after that, full-time undergraduate students with a GPA of 2.3 or higher can take part in recruitment to join one of the chapters here on campus. 

Each organization serves on a council - Panhellenic, Inter-Fraternity or Multicultural Fraternity Sorority Council. Greek life participates in a number of events around campus including, but not limited to Relay for Life, Homecoming, the Leadership Conference, multiple Community Service events, Greek Week, Information Sessions and more!

I am in Alpha Phi, one of the sororities on campus. I joined second semester of my first year. In high school, I never thought I would be in a sorority. In fact, when I called my parents to tell them I was going out for recruitment they were extremely surprised. I took a risk not really knowing what Greek life fully entailed or if I would like it. I can confidently say that the risk was worth it. My life would not be the same without Alpha Phi. I have met some of my closest friends and have had some of the best moments of my college career with these women. And this isn't limited to my organization - in every organization I see dedicated members who are committed to service, education, philanthropy, community, leadership, and brotherhood/sisterhood. I am proud to represent Alpha Phi and Hofstra Greek life and I encourage everyone to check it out, you may find your home away from home.

WRHU takes home 1st place

Over the weekend, WRHU (Radio Hofstra University) members and Pride Guide Juliana Spano took a trip up to Saratoga Springs, NY to accept 1st place in the Bill Leaf Memorial Award for Best Regularly Scheduled Local News program.

WRHU's Newsline is a 30-minute live newscast that airs weekdays at 5:30 PM. The best newscast is submitted every year to the New York State Associated Press Association.

Juliana Spano at the AP award ceremony.

WRHU was also ranked #1 college radio station in the U.S. by The Princeton Review. Listen to WRHU anytime with our live stream!

Meet this summer's Pride Guides: Laura Bennett

Name: Laura Bennett

Hometown: Great Neck, New York

Major: Physics and Biochemistry 

Year: Junior

1.  Why did you apply to be a Pride Guide?

I wanted to recreate the great experience I had here at Hofstra when I attended Admitted Students Day.

2.  What is something most people don’t know about you?

I’ve lived in five different countries. China, Taiwan, the United Arab Emirates, Brunei and here!

3.  What is your favorite stop on tour?

I love showing the monkey-puzzle tree!

4.  What advice do you have for incoming students?

Always take advantage of free food. 

True Life: I’m part of WRHU (Radio Hofstra University)

Juliana Spano is a junior from Smithtown, New York majoring in political communications.

                         

True Life: I’m part of WRHU (Radio Hofstra University)

Being part of the radio station has given me tons of experience. I have been able to interview celebrities and community leaders, report at various events, and produce my own news show. It’s given me amazing networking opportunities as well. I frequently go into the city to meet with professionals. The cool thing about our station is that you can virtually do whatever you want. We have a plethora of different music shows, including classic rock, top 40, and even polka! If you are interested in sports, you can report on our Hofstra games as well as the Long Island Ducks and New York Cosmo teams.

Personally, I have interviewed local politicians such as Rob Astorino and Bruce Blakeman. As a political communications major in the School of Communications it has given me an exponential amount of experience in the field. As a host for the morning show, I have to have weekly interviews to air and discuss current events. It has really increased my teamwork, leadership, and time management skills. I encourage anyone—no matter what major—to get involved!

10 ways to make the best of New Student Orientation

Next week is the first New Student Orientation session! Cristina Vintimilla '17 shared a few tips to make the best of your first three days living on campus.

1. Play musical chairs 
Sit at random tables during meals. Everyone is there to meet new people and make friends. Don’t be afraid to be the first one to introduce yourself.

2. Be nosy 
Ask questions. You’re probably tired of asking questions or you’ve asked all of them on campus tours. But now that you’re on campus for three days, more questions might pop up.

3. Hang out 
Walk past the common room in your residential hall and hang out with the students there. Don’t lock yourself in your room the whole night!

4. Try the food
You’ll have an opportunity to try out Hofstra’s food. Take advantage and taste what our dining halls have to offer.

5. Be a social butterfly 
Get to know all the orientation leaders, not just yours. Every OL represents Hofstra in a different way. Chat with more than one and you might find out some cool things they have to offer.

6. Say yes to everything
Go to every optional event. You’ll meet more people and you might get free food! (Tip: college students love free stuff.)

7. Be an adventurer
After you create your fall schedule, walk around campus and get a head start on creating short routes.

8. Get lots of sleep 
One of best parts is the free time to stay up late but don’t stay up TOO late or else you won’t have enough energy to enjoy the next day.

9. Get connected 
Be sure to get people’s numbers and social media accounts to stay connected over the summer.

10. Be yourself
College is a fresh start and you’ll have four years to have the best experiences of your life. Be yourself and everything will go just fine.

Are you an incoming first-year student excited to visit for Orientation this summer? Let us know what you're looking forward to in the comments!