Learn a new language, break out of your academic routine, travel, and make new friends. Studying abroad can expand your worldview. Megan Parker, Senior at The Illinois Institute of Art-Chicago who went to Milan, Italy this previous quarter, stated, “My outlook on life has completely changed. I see things differently and think about things differently. I have also gained a lot more knowledge about the fashion industry that I can apply to my education and occupation.”

Often the biggest reason why people do not study abroad is not desire but finance. Financial aid, scholarships, and loans are ways to pay for a trip overseas. Creative ways to fund a study abroad trip include: contacting the local media for help, contacting companies you or your parents work for, hosting a garage sale or auction, or having musicians friends host a benefit on your behalf. The Illinois Institute of Art in Chicago provides students many opportunities to travel abroad. Students are currently in Paris and Engelberg. Trips to Milan, Italy and Strasbourg, France are available for all majors; in addition, fall 2008 offers opportunities for Culinary Arts including a trip to Engelberg, Switzerland.

If a whole quarter is too long to be away from your life in Chicago, you may want to consider one of the three-week study abroad opportunities and start an independent study to then finish next quarter for school credit. These trips include an Adventure in Italian Art and Architecture, Vive el Arte Espanol, ll Mondo di Modo Italiano, A Photo and Design Tour of Britain, La Cucina in Umbria, and 2008 Culinary Olympics/A Taste of Belgium.

If you want a chance to try to immerse yourself in another culture and have the time of your life, stop by the Academic Advising department and see Sandrine Onyeise, Director of Academic Advising. E-mail her at sonyeise@aii.edu or call 312.777.8620.

With summer slowly approaching, it is time to revamp our closets. We focused on fashion shows and television, and we have been glued to fashion magazines praying for summer. But how do we incorporate these trends into a wardrobe we can afford, you ask? It is quite easy; you just need to take the time and effort to search! ‘Discounter’ is a scary word for many fashion students. However, if we are afraid of lower priced stores, how can we afford to stay in tune to latest trends? I promise you that you can!

When shopping for discount clothing I advise you to start with some names that you are familiar with. Macy’s and JcPenney are known for great sales. Be prepared to rummage through the racks without help to find something good. Once you have become accustomed to rummaging, you are ready for the real challenge. On my journey to find “the perfect outfit under $100,” I found that Target, Forever 21, Payless Shoes, Charlotte Russe, and JcPenney were the most helpful since each had their own unique style of clothing for me to choose from.

Forever 21 can be overwhelming; with clothes scattered throughout the store unorganized. I managed to find a few trendy pieces that are relatively low priced and look amazing together (Retro Flower Jacket $27.80 and Sheer Peasant Tee $22.80). When looking for great accessories for a good price, I strongly suggest Forever 21. At Payless Shoes I found the perfect shoes to accompany the soon-tobe outfit in as little as five minutes (brown toned sandals $16.99). A low-priced tank top to finish the outfit was a synch, a tank top ranging from $5.99- $12.99 at a local Target Store. Charlotte Russe has a great assortment of separates too. If you search, you can find pieces on great sales. These beautiful brown high waist shorts fit great, look even better, and only cost $22.99. Be sure to diversify by mix and matching items from different stores. After totaling the purchases, excluding accessories, this outfit costs $98. 57.

My advice would be to know exactly what you are looking for and how much you are willing to spend before leaving your house! Dig in; do not be afraid to try something new. Take a chance; you never know what you may find!

Fabulous clothing shifts from hangers to dresser arms, onto the slim bodies of fashion models, through the dressing area, and across the stage. The designs of many hard working Chicago designers are the focus of the night, but I’d like to give some attention to the girls in black who were backstage. Dressing events are like candy to the fashion marketing and fashion design students at AI. A last minute call had me rushing into black shiny leggings, a scoop backed black t-shirt, a black thrifted mini dress jumper, and my grandma’s old low-heeled black pumps. I jumped on the train and sped down Michigan Avenue to a Columbia College fashion show. Backstage with me were at least five other AI fashion girls dressed to kill in nothing but black.

Health insurance is one complex subject that almost requires a PHD. People have to figure out deductibles, PPOs, and co-insurance plans.As a college student, it is very difficult to think about health insurance when juggling full time classes, jobs, and bills. Often times, health is a factor that comes to mind last. Emma Murphy, a sophomore at AI says, “Health insurance isn’t that important to me right now-it’s too expensive and when I do get sick, I wait until I’m on my death bed in order to find a free clinic.”

In Chicago there are, however, a few ways to get around not having health insurance. Throughout the city, there are free health clinics that do offer basic procedures and some that offer specialty care. Community Health is a free clinic located on 2611 West Chicago that has been around for 15 years and offers health care to people who are uninsured and fall below the 250% federal poverty line. Students can find out if they are eligible by calling 773-395-9901. Pacific Garden Mission Clinic is also available for free health treatment, their location is 1458 South Canal Street, and can be reached at 312-492-9410. Also, instead of flocking toward convenient remedies like we often do, webmd.com offers helpful insights. When dealing with home remedies, people should execute caution since they may be harmful. Tips regarding home remedies should be cross-referenced on multiple websites or confirmed by a pharmacist in a local drug store, like CVS or Walgreens.

As a society, health is placed last in comparison to partying, working, or studying because of financial reasons. Until we obtain a career job, it is good to know that there are free health clinics and home remedies that can help relieve colds, runny noses, and headaches.

Available to A.I. students is a student medical insurance program sponsored by the National Collegiate Underwriters & Administrators, Inc. See http://secure.visit-aci.com/ai for more information.