ssues & ideas EDITOR GAVIN FISHER THE VOICE, THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 2014 7 Langara prepares for summer Travel, summer jobs and co-op on the table for students after school comes to an end CHRIS SLATER and SUBMITTED photos Clockwise from above: Science student Lesley Miller is considering traveling this summer; Langara students on exchange in Italy (photo courtesy of Bruce Hanbury); Bruce Hanbury, coordinator for Langara’s Europe, Italy and London study abroad programs. Summer offers time to travel Langara instructors and students agree traveling gives life experience and benefits one’s education By CHRIS SLATER espite the weaker Canadian dol- lar, Langara students are mak- ing plans to travel this summer, gaining life and cultural experi- ences that can be hard to replicate in the classroom. Whether it is independently or through one of the college’s many study abroad programs, Langara staff and students agree that traveling pre- sents learning benefits that can’t be found at home. Bruce Hanbury, program coordin- ator for Langara’s Europe, Italy and London study abroad programs, said there are many benefits for students who partake in study abroad programs. Hanbury has been involved with such programs at Langara since 1974, and also runs art tours to New York Jobs and money on the minds of students as summer approaches Many students planning to work this summer to gain experience, pay back debt, and pay for tuition By LUKASZ JONCA s summertime approaches, some jos are trying to make mon- ey for next year’s tuition while others are trying to get back above the debt line. Whatever the reasons may be, many students are updating their resumes and preparing for interviews with pos- sible employers. Scott Peters, a geography student at Langara is hoping to transfer to SFU and Europe. He believes that through travel students are able to experience history and culture which a young city like Vancouver simply cannot offer. “For example, (a student) studying theatre. We have a minimal amount of theatre here. But we have theatre in London. We have theatre in New York. To take a student and immerse them in that theatre environment is spectacu- lar... it is much more impressive than it is to study it by a reduced image in a classroom space.” As for the weakened Canadian dol- lar, Hanbury believes it will have a small impact on the study abroad pro- grams. “Some subtle changes may be made, but that’s based on the administration of the program. I don’t think it'll affect the students as much.” English instructor Debra Scott, who next January. He is planning on taking three courses at Langara during the summer semester. During his time off he wants to find a part-time job to help pay the bills and keep everything in check. “Tm going to try and get something . ..in the tourist industry,” Peters said. “lve had some money saved aside from my last job, but it’s never nice to go close to zero in the bank account.” Student Aidan Royea is planning on taking a few courses this summer to have a head start for the fall semester. His advice to other students is to con- sider tree planting as a summer job. “Tree planting is a really good sum- mer job for students because there’s a few [companies] that are really open to hiring new employees and you can coordinates Langara’s gothic field stud- ies trip to the U.K., believes traveling is beneficial to student learning. “T think travel is a great education .. . it’s a really great life experience and learning experience.” Science student Lesley Miller has thought about visiting New York this summer. She recommends that stu- dents take advantage of their time off and experience a new place. “Tt’s something everybody should do, especially if you’ve been in one place a while. You should just get up and go. I think it makes your education a full package.” Student Esinu Gbolonyo is planning to spend two weeks studying African music and dance in Ghana. “You get to learn about other people’s culture. It’s life experience.” she said. make about 10 grand in the summer,” Royea said. Royea said he had previously ap- plied for tree-planting work through Heritage Reforestation Inc. According to Royea, they give great feedback on resumes and tips about getting hired. He also received a list of websites that review resumes and send them to dif- ferent tree-planting companies looking for seasonal workers. Jamie Noakes, instructor at Langara in the department of co-operative edu- cation said getting a summer job gives students several benefits. “Work experience is a great opportu- nity to connect with employers in the community during the summer time, have some fun, because there’s a lot of fun summer jobs that are out there.” JUNE travel — destinations REYKJAVIK, ICELAND Waterfalls, natural geysers, volcanoes and glaciers are all on offer. ISTANBUL, TURKEY Enjoy the city's warm, sunny weather, rich history and culture SACSAYHUAMAN, CUZCO, PERU Visit these stone ruins on June 24 for a celebration marking a day devoted to the Peruvian sun god. Source: Huffington Post Canada Langara’s co-op program offers students paid work in their field of study By EDRICK DUDANG Langara’s co-operative education de- partment held an open house during National Co-op Week March 17 to 19, giving students the opportunity to learn about co-op. Co-op is a program in which students enter the profession in their field of study while still enrolled in their cur- riculum. Students who participate in co-op work full-time in a company or institution and are paid. Laura Mc- Naught, who is doing a co-op with Lan- gara’s human resource department, said the purpose of the co-op program is to equip students with job experi- ence in their field so they can easily transition from post-secondary to the labour market. Co-op also helps em- ployers scout for potential employees. Co-op is currently only available to business, computer science and bioin- formatics students. McNaught said she loves working for the college because it gives her rele- vant experience for her future. “T want to be involved in human re- sources and a lot of projects they in- volved me [in] are working with peo- ple.” She also said Langara made her the volunteer coordinator for Student Em- ployment Day and the Ready, Set, Hire! Business Career Expo. Marketing student Eyren Uggenti is planning to do co-op this summer. He said he has never done co-op before and has already applied to five indus- tries for this summer. He also appreci- ates that co-op is paid. “T really don’t have that many forms of income,” Uggenti said. “I think get- ting a co-op is the right thing to do be- cause I need a stable income for a cou- ple of months so I could start paying my school [fees]. Uggenti praised Langara’s co-op pro- gram for its wide range of industries he can apply to. GAVIN FISHER photo Students are looking to fill empty pockets this summer.