Hallo From Amsterdam!

Hey there, I’m Cristina Vintimilla. I was born and raised on Long Island and decided to stay here to attend my dream school, Hofstra University. I’ve been a commuter for the past three years and although I’ve never lived on campus, I like to say I’m pretty involved. One of my passions is working with international students and as a Hofstra Global Mentor I’ve been able to do just that. From JFK airport pick-ups to international orientation, I’ve met students from all over world that come to study at Hofstra University, and now it’s my turn.

Right now, I’m writing to you from across the world, Netherlands to be exact. Hofstra’s Amsterdam Exchange program is giving me a once in a life time opportunity to live in a new (beautiful) environment, challenge myself academically and socially and make unforgettable memories (Instagram photos) along the way.

                                     

Poffertjes (mini pancakes) are delicious!

What I’ve learned through several global studies courses at Hofstra is that due to technology, our world today is connected more than ever before. Companies can easily turn international, and employers expect you to understand how to work with different cultures. I believe an international education is the key to success.

I’m studying at Amsterdam University College (AUC) and it reminds me a bit of Hofstra. The class sizes are small and the professors are approachable, students even call them by their first names. The students in my class are not only Dutch, rather they come from all over the world to study at AUC. In every single class, at least six different countries are represented and having this kind of international classroom is a rare opportunity.

Holland loves Nutella too!

Overall, as you can probably guess I am having a great time. I’m learning in this whole new environment. I’m also able to explore a new city while traveling around Europe on the weekends. I’ve visited Dublin and have trips to Prague and Belgium booked for upcoming weeks!

O'Connell Street in Dublin, Ireland

We quickly learned the
"no bike, no life in Amsterdam" rule. 

Trinity College, Dublin

If you want to study abroad, there are hundreds of countries to choose from and Hofstra will help you along the way.  No matter what program you do, I promise you’ll have amazing stories to tell family and friends when you get back (if you even get yourself to leave).

Tips for Admitted Student Day!

With one Admitted Student Day (ASD) behind us and more coming up, we thought we would give you some tips on how to make the most out of your college visit!

1. Wear comfortable shoes

   You may not be walking miles upon miles, however a little bit of comfort can make all the difference in the car ride, as well as on tours!

   
   
   
   
   
   
   
2. Have some questions already prepared

   Knowing what you want out of college is important, and asking questions is the best way to see if Hofstra is a fit! Also, with all of the information you receive at an ASD, it's easy to forget questions in your mind so be sure to write them down.

3. Talk to professors 

   This will be helpful for two reasons. First, pick their brains and ask them questions about your field of choice. It will help you get some insight on if you are choosing the right major for yourself. Speaking with professors will also give you insight on what to expect in the classroom, and how the program runs.

   
   
   
   
   
   
   
4. People watch 

   Don’t worry about feeling creepy...people watching is one of the best ways to get a sense of a school. Seeing how people interact with each other and who hangs out with who will make it easier to get a feel for the campus community.

   
   
5. Balance time spent with parents 

   Even though they can embarrass us, we still cling onto our parents at these types of events. Start easing into spending time away from them by attending events intended only for admitted students. These events are also a great time to meet your potential new roommate or best friend!

   
   
6. Try to picture yourself on campus 

   If you are able to see yourself on campus, odds are it might be a fit! Try and see yourself on the quad soaking in the sun, eating in a dining hall, or studying in the library!

   
   
   
   
   
   
   
7. EAT THE FOOD!

   This one is a no brainer. You will be eating this food for the next 4 years of your life, so why not see if it’s, you know…. good? If you are anything like some of our Pride Guides, food is a deal breaker - and we do love the food here.

   
   
8. Talk to current students

   It’s great to hear from those who know about a program or the percentage of students who have an internship, but why not get to hear what it is like to be a student from, well, students? Chat up a student who is eating at the table next to you, or attend a student panel!

   
   
9. Trust your gut

   It may seem hard, but a lot of times your gut is trying to tell you something. If you are getting amazing vibes and are continuously impressed, Hofstra might be for you!

We hope that these tips make your Admitted Student Day run smoothly and that you enjoy your visit! If you are looking to attend a Hofstra ASD, here is the link to register: ASD Events

A Pride Guide's visit to DDB Group

Last Friday, I had the opportunity of a lifetime. I am currently a marketing major who is enrolled in an advertising class, which has made me consider pursuing the field. Not going to lie, I am also in the midst of watching Mad Men on Netflix and The Pitch for my advertising class, and both have kept the thought in my head. So when I received an email from the Dean's Business Scholars Program, of which I am a member, letting us know about a visit to DDB Worldwide, I was in. For some background, the Business Scholars Program is made up of high-achieving students with the aim to expose them to different areas of business through luncheons, company visits, and engagement with Executives in Residence. 

Ad campaigns from DDB

My friend Christine and I were off to Manhattan with the help of the Hofstra Shuttle and the Long Island Rail Road. After a quick breakfast break in Penn Station, we hopped onto the E train uptown to 5th and 53rd. Three blocks later we were in the lobby, waiting for everyone else to arrive. We piled into the elevator and headed up to the 11th floor. We were brought into a large conference room with the DDB logo on a large TV. We did brief introductions, and then Jennifer Novak, Global Head of Creative Talent Recruiting and organizer of the trip, introduced Keith Reinhard. Mr. Reinhard is an inductee of the Advertising Hall of Fame and has immensely impacted the advertising industry. Not only were McDonald's Hamburglar and State Farm's "Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there" his brainchildren, but he helped create one of the industry's largest networks, Omnicom, as well.  He answered a list of questions we had sent him prior to arrival and told stories from his experience. Not only was he well spoken, but you could really feel the passion in his voice when he spoke. Hearing about his favorite campaigns and his journey moved me and my fellow classmates, so much that we went over the allotted time because we had so many questions. 

We then heard from a few members of the DDB New York office; Senior Copywriter Tyler Kirsch, Creative Rachel Newell, and Account Lead David Reyes. They spoke to their roles in the creative process. Account Leads will get the information for a client such as target market and product details, and then give the creative team direction for the campaign. The Art Director will generally work with copywriters and creatives to start producing content and bring the idea to reality. Hearing about this process from employees was so beneficial as it was clear that they love their careers and have fun with what they do. This really resonated with me because all I want is to love what I end up doing. 

Open floor plan

Collaborative work stations, featuring a birthday surprise!

To wrap things up, we toured the Creative floor, which was changed to an open floor setting. This was done to encourage discussion among co-workers and have an environment where ideas are able to flow easier for collaboration. As we walked through, I noticed how the company culture can easily contribute to the love and passion DDB employees were expressing throughout the day. There were decorations on work stations, and there were board games and client products out to encourage brainstorming and increase product knowledge. Working in this type of culture, it was no surprise to see all the awards DBB has won on a shelf when I turned the corner. The visit came to an end with a group photo around Ronald McDonald, as well as a sense of reassurance for my future when I left the building. 

Student Involvement Feature: Liz Diana

Hi! My name is Liz, and I'm a junior at Hofstra University. I'm double majoring in Speech Pathology and Psychology with a minor in Cognitive Science. My involvement on campus includes being the philanthropy chair of Hofstra's local sorority, Alpha Theta Beta; the founder and current president of In The Lines; a Hofstra Pride Guide and a Resident Assistant of Constitution Hall. I know this might sound like a lot, and trust me it is! However, I get along with a little help from a really organized planner!

The lovely Constitution RA Staff

When I first came to Hofstra I brought all of my coloring books with me. This soon became a fun activity with my friends after classes. I decided that since everyone was enjoying coloring together I would start a club at Hofstra. It's called In The Lines. Doing so was easy, too! I gathered my friends together and we established an executive board and a constitution. After getting 15 signatures of interested members and a quick presentation as to how it will help Hofstra, the club was approved! I incorporated community service along with my love of coloring to create a club for Hofstra students to express themselves in a relaxing environment. Today, we go to nursing homes to color and participate at Hofstra events! 

Our visit to Atria Senior Living

A holiday-themed meeting

Joining Alpha Theta Beta, known on campus as AOB, my sophomore year was an unexpected, but overall amazing experience. I was unsure how I would like being in a local organization, but throughout my time in AOB I have grown to appreciate it. It is so cool to learn about our history and how we were founded from our alumni. Because we are the only AOB in existence, we get to create our history together! What's nice about being in a local organization is a lot of our alumni still live on Long Island and have a presence and relationship with our sisters.

My best advice for someone wanting to get involved is to be open to trying new things! If you have a passion for something, do it. You never know what you are going to like and enjoy! My other piece of advice is to pay attention to the resources on campus. Often times, we don't read the flyers posted or the weekly information emails. If getting involved is something you want, make it your point to pay attention to things going on right here on your campus!