Happy Halloweeeeeen!

Our office is getting into the spirit of Halloween this week with spooky decorations and lots of sweet treats dotted around. We took part in a pumpkin decorating event where my colleagues and I voted for the best/most scary looking pumpkin.... we also gorged on countless handfuls of sweets and chocolate. Isn't that what Halloween is all about anyway? We all received a mini pumpkin gift as well. Who say's Thursday afternoons in the office were dull?!

 My little Northeastern Pumpkin!

 Our pumpkins.

Sweet Halloween treats in shops around Boston.

It was our mission to experience a true 'American style' Halloween while in the states, after all we are only here for one Halloween. We bought four large pumpkins at Haymarket and spent the evening carving them and making pumpkin soup with the insides. We also attended a Halloween party at my roommates' colleagues' house dressed in our spooky costumes. Good fun was had by all and it was definitely a night to remember.

 

SpooOOoky Zombies

American's certainly know how to celebrate Halloween!

Boston Strong

Throughout the streets of Boston there are numerous tributes to those who were injured or tragically lost their lives during the Boston Marathon bombings on April 15th, 2013. The Boston Marathon is a huge part of every Bostonian calendar. The annual event takes place on patriots day and is the world's oldest annual marathon. The event attracts spectators in their thousands, approximately 50,000 each year gather on the streets of Boston to show their support for family and friends running the marathon.

3 people were killed and an estimated 264 were injured in April's explosions. Boylston Street was turned into a mass crime scene and there was wide spread panic and fear among spectators. This tragic event has brought Boston's community together showing their respect and support for the victims of the attack. The logo for Boston Strong is plastered over trains, shop windows, newspapers, bus stops and so on. 

 Boylston Street Memorial.

It has been interesting for me to walk through the streets and take in all the tributes and support for the 'Boston Stong' appeal. I sat at home in Scotland watching this news unflod on Sky News in April feeling slightly anxious as I was due to fly out to Boston a few months later and thinking why Boston... just my luck.

Ribbons tied on a railing on Boylston Street with messages showing respect and support for the victims of the attacks.

BOSTON STRONG!

The Power of Social Media

The use of social media, Facebook, twitter and blog forums have become such a huge part of our every day lives. It's hard to imagine life without them nowadays. The 'iPhone trend' has grown significantly in the past few years and people are able to stay connected and network 24/7 on their smart phones, tablets and laptops.

Social media is an effective and powerful marketing tool and is integrated into so many business' marketing strategies. Companies are able to reach a world wide audience by advertising their brand on a Facebook or twitter profile or on their own website. This can have many advantages for the company. A much wider audience can be targeted in the hope of eventually creating a world wide presence. Creating a profile on different social media items allows a company to describe their product/brand with pictures, written information, videos etc. creating their own image and 'personality'.

Northeastern's website facilitates communication with students from all over the world. We also have several other social media platforms creating a huge online social network connecting students, staff and alumni.

The two programs that I work with have Facebook pages which are used as a method of student recruitment. Our Facebook page allows us to advertise our programs and highlight exciting upcoming events and opportunities. This helps to increase awareness of Global Pathways and American Classroom. Students are able to stay connected with each other and staff members 24/7.

Glasgow Caledonian University Global - NYC Campus Opens!

Glasgow Caledonian University is expanding it's presence across the globe. Last month over 200 guests joined Chancellor Yunas at a reception to celebrate the opening of our GCU campus in New York.

This is an excellent opportunity for the university and opens so many world wide connections, networks opportunities for students. GCU will be able to work closely with partners in NYC creating an impact academically and socially.

We have recently booked a trip to New York in December, I am hoping to make a visit to our new GCU campus.

Global connections!

'America Runs on Dunkin'

Monday morning. As I type this blog post I am sitting on the train with VERY sleepy eyes on my way into work. ZZzzzzzzzz..... The 6:15AM alarm calls during the week have been tough over the past 3 months. When it comes to the weekend I try my best to sleep in to catch up on some sleep. Although, we are always cramming as much into our weekends as possible and so this sometimes proves difficult!

One thing that helps perk me up in the mornings is a Dunkin coffee... Medium hot black please! Until now I have always really disliked the taste of coffee, but, ever since I've moved to the states I drink coffee daily. I'm becoming more American as the days go by!

'America runs on Dunkin.'