Project 4

For project 4, I think publicizing on Israel and all the positive aspects it holds is so important. I know throughout the semester, I have pushed Israel onto many of my responses but, it has been such a positive and strong role in my life that I grew a passion for it and now love to write about it. I would like to hold a booth in our Memorial Union, where people could come over and ask any questions, about Israel, different programs that Israel offers to high school students, to post graduate students. I would like to pass out any pamphlets or brochures about the country and the programs that are offered, so others, Jewish or not, can see how amazing the country is and how much one can grow from their time there. I know many think of Israel as a desert, or a war fighting country, filled with danger but, those are all assumptions...Israel is a beautiful country filled with gorgeous sites, mountains, beaches, historic landmarks, as well as shopping centers, the clear blue ocean, and excellent Middle Eastern food. I want to publicize this because I hate hearing people talk about Israel in this negative light, when it has done so much for me as a person, and want everyone to see what it has to offer.

It's Official!

It's official! In September, I will be returning to Israel to participate in a 6 month internship! I am so excited! It feel so good to know what I will be doing within the next year or so, and being in Israel, is just an added bonus. I loved my years in college, URI has been so great but, I am definitely ready to move on, and start the next chapter in my life. I know that my next adventure that I take on is going to be so incredible that I sometimes don't believe it. I realize how fortunate I am to have this experience, and to be able to go back to Israel for another 6 months. I explained to my parents how comfortable I felt there, that I belonged, and miss that feeling. It's hard to describe but in a way, I feel like I grew out of RI, and am ready for something bigger. Being here my entire life, makes it difficult for me to grow into the person I want to be, and I know when I return to Israel, my maturity and growth will only continue and I cannot wait. Warm weather, great friends, amazing scenery, and the comfort of being back in Israel, it cannot come soon enough.

Amazing Weekend

My friend from URI was brave enough to buy tickets to see the Day Glow performance at UMass this weekend and since one of my best friends from my study abroad program goes there, she offered me to join her in the roadtrip to Mass. My other best friend from abroad was playing a rugby game close by, so seeing the two of them was absolutely amazing. It made me feel complete again, I could just be myself and laugh. I do love my friends and life at URI but, my close friends from abroad understand me, they get me, and I miss that. I was so excited to tell my friends that the internship in Israel that I was hoping to participate in is official, I'm going! I am so so excited to return, I know it is going to be an amazing experience but, nerves definitely run through my body  but I know it will all turn into excitement and happiness.

Back To School

Being back to school, having April right around the corner, makes you realize how fast the semester is flying by. Senior year is dwindling down, and now I am at the homestretch. April is right around the corner and I am eagerly awaiting the warm weather. I have never been a winter person, and being away from July to January, in an extremely warm and beautiful place, only made me love the summer sun even more. I know all the work is going to be thrown at me soon and the projects will start stressing me out but, knowing at the end of the semester, it's all over, does give me some ease. I am so excited to graduate and start the next chapter in my life but, I am going to miss my friends and all the fun memories I have made over the years.

Informative Genre

For my informative genre, I decided to write and research about same sex marriage in RI. It has been a constant struggle for our state to have this bill passed and I feel as though being educated on the topic is important, especially to those who are anti-same sex marriage for religious purposes. I am all in favor of people believing in their own opinions however, being hypocritical only hurts their argument and makes it difficult for others to take them seriously. I am strictly going to provide statistics according to RI and marriage. Showing how many divorces happen in RI, will show that religion doesn't keep them together and should not be used against same sex partners from getting married. I feel a need to write about this because I have many friends who are gay or lesbian, and are dating amazing people. If they decide in the future, they want to spend the rest of their lives together, then I hopefully will be able to witness the beautiful ceremony that they all deserve.

Introduction

Hey Everyone!
  
     My name is Shayna, and this is my first time blogging or anything, so it is going to take some time to get use to this. I am a senior at the University of Rhode Island and will be graduating in May, with a Communication Studies degree. This past summer and fall semester, I went abroad to Israel and the experience was life changing. The culture I adapted to, the scenery I was exposed to, and the people that I was fortunate enough to meet, completely changed my outlook on life and the person I want to be. After graduation, I have a summer job already in place and then I am seriously looking into returning to Israel in the fall, for another few months, participating in an internship. I hope it all works because I miss Israel every day. Being from Rhode Island my entire life, it has made me a sheltered young woman but, being across the country was unbelievable and I now know that I am not done yet with experiencing new adventures.