Local News: Texas A&M Students Stay Busy During Summer

Students Embrace Summer
Aggies tackle class, internships and globe trotting
By Connie Thompson

From the Texas A&M University Battalion

With the conclusion of spring semester finals and graduation, it's finally summertime in Aggieland. While some Aggies are swapping out their Nike shorts for business suits, others plan to embrace the tan lines their flip-flops will leave after a long day at the pool. The summer months are an exciting time for students, though they choose to spend their time in different ways.

For some Aggies, the summer is an opportunity to build-up the work experience section of their résumés. Katria Kendall, a senior history major, is spending the next two months in Washington, D.C., interning for the Republican National Committee.

"It's definitely a cool time to be interning with the RNC since the Republican candidates for the presidency are just beginning to announce their intentions to run," Kendall said.

She said that she would not know her responsibilities as an intern until she arrives Sunday but thinks she will be working fundraising events or constituent services. Other intern responsibilities include attending speaker presentations, luncheons, and other events with the RNC.

"I'm really excited to return to Washington, D.C., for a second summer since I interned on Capitol Hill last summer," Kendall said.

Her summer won't be all work and no play.

"I'm looking forward to seeing the Smithsonian and the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum again," Kendall said. "I'm also looking forward to seeing some of the things I missed last summer, like the Jefferson Memorial and Arlington Cemetery. Also, I'm excited about being in Washington, D.C., for the Fourth of July again."

During the summer months, some students choose to study or work abroad to gain an educational experience in a different cultural environment. Kristine Martin, a senior university studies major, is traveling to Ukraine to spend time with family and to learn what its like to live in a different country.

"While I am there, besides getting to see my sister, brother-in-law and niece, I hope to experience the different culture of the Ukraine, the different arts, clothing, music, people, foods," she said. "I love music and arts so being able to have hands on experience of it in a different country is an amazing opportunity."

While Martin will spend the majority of her time in the Ukraine, she said she hopes to travel to the Czech Republic for a few days to study and witness her heritage and culture.

Martin also plans to document her foreign excursions through photography.

"I also hope to take some beautiful photographs of the buildings, people, foods and environment," she said. "I am huge on photography and being able to photograph a place in a different country will give me more experience. I am incredibly excited to go."
Aside from the internships and traveling abroad, Aggies are using their summer to take classes. While some students choose to take summer classes in their respective hometowns, Annamarie Cowart, a junior biological and agricultural engineering major, plans to take her courses in College Station.

"I want to be able to focus on school and still have to chance to hang out with my college friends," she said. "I wouldn't get to do that if I spent the summer taking classes at home."

Cowart said going to summer school gives her the chance to accumulate more hours so she can take fewer courses during the school year. She said having fewer hours to worry about in the fall and spring semesters takes away a significant amount of stress.

"Aside from summer school, I really just want to hang out by the pool, relax and enjoy the weather," she said. "This will definitely be a summer to remember."

Published on Tuesday, May 31, 2011