Abroad in Florence, Italy! #FSUAXOSummer

Michelle Moore is currently studying abroad in Florence, Italy with FSU's Broad Curriculum program! 

Michelle says, "I've always wanted to study abroad especially in Italy. I decided to go for 6 weeks this summer and I didn't know anyone else in my program. I ended up loving both of my roommates and everyone I've met so far. I've been to Fiesole, Siena, Bologna and Pisa. This weekend I'm going to Rome and I've booked trips to Croatia, Lake Como, Switzerland, Milan, Cinque Terre, and Amalfi Coast. The food is amazing and I'm going to be really upset when I have to go back to eating American food because I've had pasta and gelato everyday. I'm taking 2 classes and they're both a lot more interesting than I expected because we get to wander around Florence and learn about culture, rather than just sitting in a classroom for 3 hours. I still can't believe I'm here and every single place I've visited so far is breathtaking."

Michelle in Fiesole, Italy

Where in the World is AXO?

~AXO ABROAD~

@ Cape St. Vincent

Marisa Mallon and Allie Smith spent the summer abroad in Spain taking courses about food, society, business communication, and multinational business opporations.

"One of the best days we had was when we went on a catamaran in Javea Spain. It was sponsored by FSU and we spent the day in the sun on the boat and then went cliff diving near the beach.

Another great thing was when we had a pot luck dinner with a group of other Panhellenic women. We went to the market and then we all made something and ate dinner out in the "riverbed," a park in front of the study center.

It was so fun having Marisa with me! We were friends before but now I consider her one of my really close friends and an even closer sister. It was so nice having someone there that I knew I could rely on and have a good time with. She is one of the sweetest, most kindhearted people I have ever met. I had a blast with her!!" 

                                                                              -Allie 

"My summer studying abroad in Valencia, Spain was an unforgettable, life changing experience. I took Financial Management of the Firm and Multinational Business Operations with amazing professors that ensured I enjoyed my experience not only in the classroom, but outside of the classroom on our numerous field trips.

It's hard to pick just one favorite experience from my studying abroad trip... I woke up everyday and walked past a beautiful basillica, cathedral, riverbed, markets and so much more. I tried my best everyday to do as the Spaniards do... Including indulging in their daily "siesta" in the afternoon!

While I was abroad, I had the opportunity to travel to many places, including: Barcelona, Xativa, Javea, Prague, Lagos, Palma de Mallorca and Paris. Out of all of these places I travelled to, Prague was my favorite. Prague was absolutely beautiful with the traditional red roofs on each building, the St. Charles Bridge and the castle always somewhere sight.

The friends that I met on the study abroad program were what made the experience all the better. I opened myself up to new friends and adventures and I was lucky enough to have a sister by my side through it all. Being abroad and traveling with Allie was amazing because I had the opportunity to get to know her that much better! Allie and I were always together, whether we were studying at a cafe, shopping, exploring or going out on the town. I am so lucky to be able to share the memories of Europe with not only my great friend, but sister!!"

                                                   -Marisa 

@ Castell De Xativa

Beta Eta Love and Loyalty Scholarship Winner!

Congratulations to Diana Davenport- the recipient of the 2013 Beta Eta Love and Loyalty Scholarship. Below is a an informal progress report of her studies and activities. She is truly a model of a Real, Strong. Woman....

-Human Resources Management and Business Management double major
-Leadership Certificate through FSU (as many credits as a minor)
- Chapter Relations and Standards Board Executive Member
-FSU Greek Conduct Board Member
-FSU Student Conduct Board Member
-2 Year Dancer in Dance Marathon
-70 hours to the community last semester with the Leadership certificate, volunteering in an urban garden with underprivileged children in Frenchtown, a "food desert" community
-Study Abroad Participant London Summer 2013
-3.45 GPA

She is now entering her major area of study for the School of Business and will be taking Marketing, Business Law, and Organizational behavior to name a few classes she will be enrolled in in the fall. She hopes to enter the business world after graduation and pursue her MBA shortly after.

In her own words

" the scholarship has allowed me to focus on my studies this semester and less on how I am going to afford school. Because I plan to partake in further studies after my undergraduate degree, I aim to be as frugal as possible during my undergraduate years so that I will go into my MBA debt-free. I am so blessed to have Alpha Chi Omega sisters who understand this need and have given me the opportunity to receive assistance from the organization who has already given me so much. My sisters at Florida State are my support system, my family, and my strength; this scholarship has shown me there are sisters who I have never had the opportunity to meet who are giving me even more support than I could imagine. The bond of Alpha Chi Omega extends far past your chapter, college, or state. It is seen in across the country in every generation and in every heart it touches. The love and bond of our sisters enables us to extend helping hands to those in need and I cannot wait to be able to extend the same opportunity to sisters in the future. "

Thank you to all of the alumnae and Alpha Chi Omegas that have contributed to the Beta Eta Love and Loyalty fund.

Beta Eta's Abroad

SO proud of the Beta Eta sisters who decided to study abroad this summer! Living life to the fullest :)

A Summer of fun Alpha Chi style!

 

 

 

As the summer comes to a close and we try to make these last few weeks count, we look back on a great summer and wondering how it was able to slip by too quickly. This summer was filled with laughter, sunshine, adventure, memories, and most importantly filled with a common bond we all have with one another, the bond of sisterhood. Here is a look at what some of the sisters of Alpha Chi Omega have been up to this summer. Enjoy!

 

 

 

 

*Some sisters enjoyed time studying abroad in Spain, England,

and even Italy while others spent their time hanging out with

friends and enjoying their time together both at home and in

Tallahassee. Sisters traveled near and far to be with one another

to celebrate many birthdays and to enjoy each others company.

Everyone seems to be really excited to get back to school!

LITB

Kendall

Alumnae Spotlight: Amanda DeYoung

Amanda DeYoung was initiated into Alpha Chi Omega in 2003. During her time at Beta Eta, she served as the T-Shirt Chair and was slated into the Warden position. She was also active in Homecoming events and participated in the 32 hours of Dance Marathon as a dancer her Senior year. Outside of Alpha Chi, Amanda was involved in the Fashion Merchandising Program at FSU and studied abroad during her Junior Year to Milan, Paris and London. She majored in Marketing and graduated in 2006.

Amanda now lives in the Atlanta, Georgia area and is working in Commercial Real Estate as a Commercial Property Manager, which keeps her extremely busy. She manages commercial properties on behalf of her clients with her portfolio including office buildings, large retail centers and industrial warehouses in and around the Atlanta area. In the free time that she can find, she likes to run half marathons, travel to new places, be outdoors and on the water and keep up with her puggle, Snoop!

She is involved in the local Atlanta Seminole Club and she is a Seminole Booster. She takes opportunities to get down to Tallahassee for a few games a year and never misses Homecoming. She even gets to a few away games each season. She remains great friends with many of her Alpha Chi sisters - including both her Big (Shanna Houraney, 01) and her Little (Katherine Elza, 04) - and they are fortunate to get away a couple times a year to take trips and see one another.

Amanda says, “When I joined Alpha Chi, I was joining a sorority...but what I got out of Alpha Chi became so much more than a sorority. The bonds and the friendships that came out of my years there gave me a solid foundation to become the person I am today.”

As an active member of Xi Omega Xi, Amanda was an integral part of the special event team for Xi Omega Xi’s 1st Annual Lucky Stars Reunion weekend in November 2010.

Alumnae Spotlight: Erin Pauley

Erin was initiated into the Beta Eta Chapter in 2002, as a sophomore at Florida State. Throughout college, she was active in the student chapter of Habitat for Humanity, serving for three years as the Director of Collegiate Challenge, an alternative/volunteer spring break program. Within Alpha Chi, she was the Community Service chair, enjoyed participating in Line Dance, running in 5Ks with her running buddy, Brittany Horwitt, and dancing in skits for Rush and Homecoming. In 2005, she graduated from Florida State University with a BS in Interior Design.

Upon graduation, she accepted a job at Franco A. Pasquale Design Associates in Tampa and relocated to St. Petersburg. She is still at that first job today, having been promoted to Project Manager in the high-end residential firm and in the last year, becoming a Florida Registered Interior Designer and a LEED Accredited Professional – which equals lots of letters behind her name, to show hard work and multiple tests! Over the past four years, she has been the acting City Center Director and Vice President of City Centers for the Florida Chapter of the International Interior Design Association, gaining valuable connections with designers in the state, as well as additional skills of managing events for over 400 members!

Erin feels very lucky to be surrounded with other Beta Eta alumnae in the Tampa Bay area, including her little sister, Jane King, and grand-little, Allison Parker. When she initially moved to Tampa Bay, Catherine Fly was the first sister and friend she contacted about the area and they still remain very close. She has also been fortunate enough to continue traveling (the bug started at FSU with study abroad programs) to other countries and around the US, including visits to sisters in other states!