I love work. My job as a student assistant for the Stony Brook Office of Undergraduate Education provides unique insight into the field of higher education in a great working atmosphere. I've been there for about a year now, and it really feels like I'm part of the team. The information I have learned from the office has made an impact on my undergraduate career, and is already beginning to affect my plans for graduate school and beyond. 

I also work as support staff at Stony Brook Child Care Services with children up to age three. Though my career aspirations lean more towards higher education than early childhood education, I can no longer imagine being at Stony Brook and not working there. I may have only started this past January, but the bonds I have developed with the children make me feel as though I've been working with them all their lives. The job is fun, and there is never a dull moment.

Now, what exactly does this have to do with Alaska? Well, when I'm over 3,000 miles from Stony Brook University, I won't be able to work at either job. Although I will be welcomed with open arms upon my return, it still feels like the end of something. When I get back to the office, a couple of my coworkers and dearest friends will have likely graduated. When I reenter the child care center, some children will have moved up and new faces will have appeared. 

This sounds negative, I know, but it's a topic that just surfaced while sitting behind my desk in the office. Having studied abroad in my junior year of high school, I know what to expect in terms of homesickness. However, I didn't have a job at that time in my life. I don't know what to expect in terms of work-sickness (if that's even a thing?). Yes, I will have classes and extracurricular activities, but what will my down-time be like? Though I will certainly try, it is unlikely that I will be able to fill every spare second with adventure. It will be in the quiet moments that I most miss work--even the less glamorous parts, like shredding stacks of paper or changing diapers. 

For now, I will just keep working. I will think of Alaska every now and again. I will think of all I will miss. But I will also think of all I will experience, and those thoughts will be the ones that reassure me. There is so much positivity radiating from my upcoming NSE semester, that I cannot bare to think of the few negatives for more than the time it took me to write this blog post. This opportunity to go to Alaska is rare, so I know to take advantage of it while I can. Things may be different when I return to work, but a semester at UAA is worth being absent for the change.

Now November is here, and the waiting is over. Progress has finally been made! In the last two weeks, I was given my ID number, university email address, and access to view available courses. Yesterday, I even got a phone call from the housing department to let me know they have received my application and have a good idea of where they will place me. Last, but certainly not least, at 4:00 this morning (which was midnight Anchorage time), my enrollment appointment began and I was able to register for classes.

As far as housing goes, it looks like I will be placed in the Main Apartment Complex (MAC). This is not set in stone, because other options may open up, but this is likely where I end up. According to UAA's website, "[the] six-building Main Apartment Complex, known on campus as 'MAC,' is located just west of the residence halls and offers apartment-style living for students. Each apartment has four single-bedrooms, plus a kitchen, bathroom, living room, and storage area." Not that any of you needed to hear all that, but I'm just so excited! It sounds great.

Another good piece of information regards departure: I know when I'm leaving! Well, sort of. I haven't bought my plane ticket yet, but I'm planning to take off on January 11th, accompanied by my dad. I can't move in until January 14th, but we're planning to take a few days to explore Anchorage. In exactly two months, I will be moved in and starting classes. I can't wait!

Speaking of classes, I did mention that I was able to enroll earlier today. The classes I'm taking are:

All of the classes seem extremely interesting, and many are clearly unique to UAA. If you couldn't tell, I am particularly excited about Dog Mushing--honestly, how cool does that sound? Now that I've enrolled, everything seems so official. It may have taken a while to get to this point, but now it's moving at lightning speed. I will be arriving at University of Alaska Anchorage in no time! Wow, I am so beyond ready for this.

And to my fellow students; I hope this padlet will provide some inspiration to create your own NSE journey. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity, so visit their official website to see if you're eligible to participate.