School Spirit
This week is GSU’s homecoming week. Different events are planned throughout the week, giving students the opportunity to show their school spirit. For me personally, school spirit isn’t about winning competitions. It is about having pride for my school. I am proud to go to Georgia Southern and I know that I will always hold onto the memories I have made here.
Guest Speaker: Richard Bailey
Richard Bailey spoke to our class via SKYPE last Thursday. Richard has worked in Public Relations and teaches PR and Business relations at a school in the United Kingdom. He mentioned that in order to do PR, you must have some basis of communication. He discussed with us the differences between our country compared with others, most countries do not have the access or the exposure that the U.S is lucky enough to have. He talked about the top nation and how it changes with time. In 1909 Great Britain had an empire that was bigger than any before, it was the top nation during that time. Then World War 1 happened. Now the U.S is considered to be the top nation, it is expected that China will be in the future. The purpose of Richard talking to us about the changing top nations, is because we need to realize that thing change, power moves and changes location.
He pointed out how lucky we are, as Americans, to live in democratic country. Countries have to achieve certain things before they can have a democracy like the U.S. Freedom of Speech is one important aspect to achieving a democracy. It is also important to have an educated, literate population. This was the people can vote and have the knowledge of who they are voting for.
His lecture ended with reaching the global market through the media. How would you go about trying to reach a global audience? It is difficult when not all places have T.V. or internet access like we do. As an International PR practitioner, these are the things you have to think about.
Curling up with a good book
When I have a chance to read books purely for enjoyment I usually like to read a book series. This way the story can continue for a while longer and while each book in the series is connected to each other the main story line for each one differs. After the first Twilight movie came out into theaters last fall I picked up the first book of the series and couldn’t put it down. I quickly had all four read, they are now some of my favorite books to read. When I was younger and in middle school I loved the Harry Potter books. They are very imaginative and I loved how the series finally ended when the last and final book in the series came out a couple of years ago. I also love any book written by Cecily Von Ziegesar. She has 3 separate book series that are currently being written and I enjoy each series. There is nothing better than curling up under a blanket with a good book.
Halloween 09
Halloween is approaching, and I can not wait. It is one of my favorite holidays. I think one of the reasons I love it so much is because with it also comes the transition from summer to fall, which is one of my favorite seasons. I also love all the tradition that the holiday brings. Traditions which include, pumpkin carving, apple cider, and watching young trick or treaters go from house to house. I hope that everyone enjoys this Halloween and has a safe holiday!
The Dream Job
For this week we were asked to blog about our dream job. My ideal job is to be an event coordinator. I would also like to specialize in weddings. Ever since I was little I have always loved to organize and host a variety of things. I love to design from scratch and watch as the result’s progress into something incredible. I think that it is very important to have a job that you love to do. I know that if this type of work would be something that I would enjoy getting up for every day. It would rarely even seem like work, because it would be something I loved to do.
Best performer at GSU
If I could pick any performer to come to Georgia Southern and give a concert it would be Britney Spears. I know that many people don’t like her or think that she can’t sing, but her concerts are not just about singing. I was lucky enough to see her last concert she gave in Atlanta and was very impressed. Her show is more of an experience. It is her ‘Circus’ tour and so the show was based around a circus theme. Not only did the concert feature music that made you want to stand up in your seat and dance, but it was a combination of that, incredible choreography, stunts, acrobats, magical illusions, and amazing special effects. It was an amazing experience and one that I think would appeal to everyone for one reason or another.
My Favorite TV show
This week’s blog topic is to discuss our favorite television show. My favorite show to watch is ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy. The series began with a group of surgical interns at a hospital located in Seattle. The show follows that group of interns as they learn and head towards their medical careers. tThe show features unusual medical cases that come in and out of the hospital each episode. The surgeries performed are interesting to watch even though it is fictional. However, the show is not just about medical procedures. The main focus is the lives of the interns, nurses, and other doctors. Romances between employees are what really keep the attention of viewers. It is a drama series that I just can’t seem to get enough of. It is now the 6th season and complications between the employees and their personal lives are more twisted than ever. I don’t think I could ever get tired of watching this show, or at least not while it is still so interesting.
Guest Speaker 9/24
Last week in class we had a guest speaker from South Korea come in and speak with us. She began her lecture by giving us facts about her home country. I learned several things about the area that I hadn’t known before. She also spoke to us about global diversity and provided different statistics comparing different regions. Some stats that I found interesting included the fact that only 1% of the world population has a college education. Facts such as this really make me feel lucky to have the opportunity that I do to further my education. Another poll said that 50% of the world population suffers from malnutrition. She showed us the difference in the percentage of areas were immigrants that moved to the U.S xame from. Foe example in the early 1900’s only 1% of immigrants came from Asia, by the year 2004 that number increased to 25%.
She also spoke to us about general acceptance of other cultures. The fact that although something may seem different to us, we should not judge it as being weird or unusual. We have customs that seem odd to people from other places too. But it is important to keep a respect for other cultures. It is through a mutual respect that beneficial relationships can be made amongst different cultures.
I thought that our speaker did an excellent presentation. She was a good speaker and was able to keep the attention of her audience throughout her speech. I found the information she provided us with to be enlightening and left with me with a better understanding of her homeland and how our country is viewed from an outsiders opinion. I enjoyed our speaker and would suggest her as a speaker in the future.
Personal Interview
For my International PR class we has to interview a non U.S citizen. I interviewed a friend of mine named Morten. He is from Denmark and moved to the U.S with his family at the age of thirteen.
1. How do the media operate?
-In Denmark media is transmitted mainly through the T.V and radio, but mostly T.V.
2. How effective do you think this method is?
- I think it is effective but in Denmark, if you have basic cable you only get 2 channels. This means that there is not much of a variety on T.V. However, these 2 channels do provide the most important coverage.
3. What is your view of global business?
- I think that it is positive because when you are conducting with other countries business workers can find the cheapest and most effective way to do things.
4. What do you think about relationships formed through global business transactions?
-I think that it is good to form these relationships, but it can be difficult because different countries have different laws and policies that influence decisions.
5. What are some of the biggest differences you noticed between Americans and the Danish?
-I think that in the U.S people care a lot more about religion than the do in Denmark. Another difference is the number of cars and the availability of them. In Denmark, I only have one friend who owns his own car. Here every friend I have owns one. They are also a lot cheaper in the U.S.
6. Is public relations a major that you are familiar with in your country?
-Yeah, but it is not a very popular choice to study. It isn’t mentioned very often.
7. What are the most popular majors people in Denmark study in college?
-The main ones are political science and economics. Danish media is not as interactive as American so it is not viewed as important.
8.How did you feel initially about being a part of a different culture?
-At first I was pretty timid and nervous. I didn’t know the social norms and how to ‘properly’ interact. But after I got here I realized that Americans were very accepting.
9. What advice do you have for an American seeking employment in your country?
-I would say you should be open to new ways of living. Even though both our countries are western cultures we are very different societies. You should be yourself and keep your values, but also accept the culture your living in.
10. What pretense did you have about Americans before you moved here?
-I thought they were arrogant. I thought Americans didn’t care about the rest of the world because they didn’t need to.
Obama’s case for health care reform
The question this week was whether or not we believed Obama’s health care reform was good or bad. I really don’t think I know enough information to say whether it is good or bad. I need time to see how his plan is going to play out. I want to support the president’s decision, and while I do think some of his ideas on the issue are good, I also disagree with some of them. Parts of it seem a little hazy. Such as when he said that illegal immigrants would not benefit from his proposals. I don’t think that they should. However, other politicians have accused Obama’s reform proposals of benefiting illegal immigrants such as when he says that no one will be denied care. Doesn’t that mean it will include everyone, including illegal immigrants? I do think that his ideas of “security and stability” are good. The idea of it applies to help both those who have health insurance and cover those who do not. I think I am going to need to pay more attention to his reform propositions as they develop to really get a stronger opinion of whether I agree or disagree.
