Q: What is Kiva?

A: Kiva is an online, international nonprofit based in California. It’s mission is to connect people by lending money in efforts to reduce poverty. This is accomplished by providing loans to the underprivileged who are typically excluded by financial service providers. By lending as little as $25, anyone can help a borrower start a business, go to school or even to access to clean energy.

Q: This is our chapter's first year having an official philanthropy. Why is important that we dedicate ourselves to one set cause and why Kiva?

A: By supporting one specific organization, we are able to develop a relationship and make a larger impact. A portion of the money our fraternity raises will be donated to Kiva itself in order to financially support the organization, while the rest will go towards a borrower of our choice. 100% of the money lent to a borrower on Kiva goes towards funding the loan. Through supporting individual borrowers, the brotherhood is able to directly witness where their money is being used. This money will then later be repaid and recycled back into the process. The goal is to continue growing the fund over the years so we have the ability to support more borrowers around the world.

A: This is the first semester that the Beta Upsilon chapter supported a philanthropy, and this relationship will continue to develop over the next few years. Since this money will continuously be recycled back into Kiva, the goal is to grow the fund and support more borrowers around the world. I anticipate the fund should double each year and that is why it was important to support one specific organization. It will be imperative for the brotherhood to continue its education on global poverty and spread awareness on this issue. Half of the battle is convincing people why they should care. Teaching the brotherhood how poverty affects people’s lives will have a more grounding impact than solely financially supporting the organization. I anticipate for this to be a main focus over the next few years.

3 Language Barriers
Interning abroad can come with a few challenges, a main one being the language barrier. Surprisingly, while I interned abroad in Melbourne, Australia, I encountered more language barriers than I was expecting. They speak English, right? So there should be no problem communicating... I learned I was wrong to expect that.

 Aussie Slang/Culture. If you have ever met an Australian, you might think they are speaking a whole other language at times. The amount of slang that is part of their culture is amazing compared to other cultures I have encountered. A tip for anyone traveling to Australia: everything is shortened, and more often than not words will end in “o”.
Some of the phrases and words I had to learn were:
“Servo” – gas station
“Brekkie” – breakfast
“I’ll suss it out.” – I’ll figure out what’s going on.
“Fair Dinkum” – true, real
“Arvo” – afternoon
International Coworkers.
One of my projects was editing the white papers for the company before reprinting them to send out to potential clients. In order to make the required changes on the digital documents, I collaborated with the Head of Design, who was from Venezuela. Since his first language was Spanish, a lot of the grammar and changes he encouraged me to explain to him to improve his english. This added a bit of a challenge since it made me second guess the changes that we had. However, it did help with my Spanish, since we often times compared the English grammar with the Spanish grammar.
Besides this, I was able to discuss the differences in culture that varies with my Venezuelan, Puerto Rican, English, and Greek coworkers. Many lunches were spent discussing the differences in our childhoods and how some of us were familiar with some brands, while others weren’t because of our differences in cultural background.
Digital Marketing Lingo.  Considering I hadn't yet taken a marketing course at that point, I knew coming into my internship that I was going to have to learn a lot about Digital Marketing.
My first sales meeting had me lost because of all the acronyms: SEO, CVO, UX, CPC, KPI, SERP and many more. Although I had heard of some of these phrases, due to the fast pace of the company, I knew I had to become more familiar with each acronym. Luckily, my company gave me access to Digital Marketing Certification courses online that allowed me to familiarize myself with the content.
Importance?
I learned a vast amount about Digital Marketing, but that could have been learned at any company around the world. An international internship allowed me to learn even more about how business is conducted differently in Australia and how to communicate with people from all around the world. Each internship has the opportunity to learn even more than expected, it is just up to the intern to find those aspects.

As we’re transitioning back to school it’s easy to become overwhelmed. Here are some tips to get you started on the right foot!

1. Buying Textbooks

As a proactive student hoping to arrive prepared on the first day, it may seem convenient to order your textbooks ahead of time directly through the university bookstore. That being said, there are typically much better alternatives and waiting to purchase books typically pays off. ​

​The university bookstore usually only carries the most current version of books, which usually end up costing hundred(s) of dollars more than a previous version that has almost the exact same information. Historically, the bookstore has ran out of many ordered books due to the high volume of orders, which then requires students to wait for their items and provides no added benefit to ordering their books prior to the start of the semester. Sometimes professors don’t even use or require a textbook but the university may require them to post a recommended book. If you find out a book is in fact needed for the course, renting textbooks is the almost always the best investment due to the low resell value, particularly of binder/paperback versions. If you need an access code for online portions of the course, it may be necessary to purchase a new book. In this case, I would recommend exploring sites like Amazon, Chegg, etc. in order to compare options and find the lowest price. Many of these carriers have next day or 2 day student shipping, so do not worry about any delay.

       2. Electives
The University of South Carolina has an immensely diverse course offering. Many people become fixated on the classes required to fulfill their major and minor degrees, without realizing the incredible array of interesting electives. I highly recommend that at some point in your college career, you take an additional fun class. These classes are typically only 1 credit hour and take place only once a week so fitting it into your schedule should be doable.  Electives can range from Yoga and Fencing all the way to a Craft Beer course. With such a variety, you’re sure to find an elective of interest.

       3. CLEP Exams
Scheduling courses can become increasingly difficult as you complete various major & minor requirements. Many students do not find out until its too late about the great opportunity that CLEP Exams offer. CLEP Exams are designed to test a student’s knowledge of a specific course’s material in order to determine whether or now they will be allowed to place out of the class and still obtain the credit for completing the course. The process is extremely straightforward as you simply register to take an exam on the CLEP website: www.CLEP.com and then can borrow or purchase a book to study and prepare. There are roughly 23 different CLEP exams available and there is a testing facility on USC’s campus where you can actually complete the exam. These exams can free up a lot of room in your schedule and allow you to earn credit for subjects you already have mastered.

       4. Student Discounts
Many students aren’t aware that student discounts are frequently offered at retailers and food vendors. Take advantage of these savings while you’re a gamecock! Some examples of stores with student discounts include J Crew, Banana Republic, Apple, Dell, Fedex, etc. Even the university bookstore offers a percentage discount on fan apparel after a gamecock win!

       5. Campus Involvement
You’ll hear this a million times, but truly take it to heart – get involved on campus. Joining organizations at USC allows you to create a sense of home here on campus and fully integrates you into the gamecock community. The university holds several welcome events, organization fairs and information sessions to inform students about the many organizations and groups available. Student organizations can help you create a sense of community here in Columbia and to be a part of something larger than yourself. Here is a calendar of some current campus events: http://www.sc.edu/calendar/uofsc/.

       6. Local Volunteer Opportunities
It’s easy to get overwhelmed by the events and activities around campus but it its extremely important to continue giving back to your community. Many students dedicate tremendous amounts of time volunteering in high school, only to come to college and suddenly stop. Many student organizations are dedicated to service, and even various nonservice organizations have a philanthropic or service component. Whether it’s through a student group or individually, volunteering will allow you to make a lasting impact beyond the USC campus and is sure to better your perspective and overall college experience.

       7. Peer & Professional Mentorship
Mentors are key during this period of transition. College is a time where you are making decisions that can affect the rest of your life so having people to guide you along the way is imperative. It is best to seek out mentorship opportunities early on in your college careers. While there are some structured programs that the university offers, more common than not, mentors end up being people that you have encountered in your day-to-day life that you admire. Your new mentorship relationship can begin with a simple phone call, thank you note, or informational interview request. You can also have multiple mentors. For example, a peer mentor might be extremely valuable if you hope to learn from their internship experiences or leadership involvement in a club. A professional mentor might be a college or professor   with years of industry insight that can help you navigate your career trajectory. Don’t be intimidated to seek out these types of relationships because in all mentor-mentee relationships, value is created and shared among both parties involved. The mentee gains helpful advice based on real-world experience, and the mentor gains a fresh perspective.

       8. Study Spots
We are extremely fortunate to have a campus as gorgeous as the one USC offers. During your first few weeks back on campus, make an effort to explore the area. Instead of solely studying your room or the library, seek out unique study spots where you can relax and concentrate. Some common study spots are Cool Beans Café, the Thomas Cooper Library and of course, the Horseshoe. Other more unique spots include the roof of Gambrel, the State House fairgrounds, and the park beside Patterson Hall. Find your place on campus!

       9.  Network
One of the most amazing aspects of college, and specifically a large state university such as USC, is the immensely large student body. Rarely will you have the opportunity to meet so many new people who all share a common denominator – their association with USC. Take full advantage of this! Make an effort to get to know people in your classes and the friendly faces you see walking around on campus. Networking with professors and building relationships outside of the classroom is also extremely important. Attend office hours so they know your name and ask for professional guidance and advice. Professors are incredible resources and they love to provide assistance to their students. Networking can also take a more literal form. Creating a LinkedIn profile is a great starting point to building your professional network. I highly recommend collecting business cards and storing them in a safe place where you can accumulate them for years to come. You also can create an Excel spreadsheet with names and contact information. Years down the road you will be extremely glad that you took the time to not only create this network, but also to maintain and cultivate these relationships.

       10. Join AKPsi
Joining Alpha Kappa Psi has been the best decision I have made since coming to USC. The guidance, support, and friendships that I have experienced through my involvement have altered my college career in ways I never imagined. The values of the fraternity: Brotherhood, Service, Integrity, Unity and Knowledge, aligned precisely with my own personal values and I can honestly attest to the organization’s commitment to furthering member development in all areas. Whether serving with fellow brothers at community service outreach events or participating in mock interviews and mentorship initiatives, Alpha Kappa Psi has truly pushed me to become a better individual and member of the community.

​by Brother Stephanie Isaacs

This initiative promoted not only safe fitness practices by helping brothers develop proper lifting techniques, but also created a unique avenue for our members to regularly communicate with the Chaplain. Below you’ll find some insights from Khris himself on the Chaplift program, and how it helped him find his greatness within AKPsi!


How did you get the idea to start this initiative? What was your goal behind it?
“Chaplift was my way of taking something I already did daily (working out, and usually with a friend), and incorporating it into the brotherhood. I wanted to use it as a way to proactively interact with brothers while leading a healthier lifestyle.”


What did your results look like?
“I had maybe 10-15 brothers join me throughout the year. Sam Zaritsky and Peter Yan came the most. It was cool getting to see the brothers in an environment outside of a purely social or professional setting.”

​
What advice do you have for current brothers and rushees when it comes to connecting passions to responsibilities?
“You should always keep some of your passions reserved for yourself. I made sure that with my workouts that I still took the time to workout on my own and keep up my physique. There's nothing worse than trying to share your passions with others and then losing it as a passion for yourself. But it is certainly worth sharing once you have found the right what to channel it.”

​
Khris now works as a Financial Analyst at Bank of America in Charlotte. Go Khris!

South Carolina Business Week is held each July at Presbyterian College in Clinton, SC. South Carolina Business Week’s mission is to contribute to the preparation of young adults for the business environment by introducing them to the principles of leadership, teamwork and the American free enterprise system while promoting self-reliance, individual responsibility and entrepreneurship.

“For whatever we lose (like a you or a me),
It's always our self we find in the sea.” 
― E.E. Cummings, 100 Selected Poems

The flow of water is resistant, patient and ever flowing. Alpha Kappa Psi teaches its members just that: to flow like water. Being a member of AKPsi encouraged me to be daring and just step into the waters. Literally, I travelled over 4000 miles across the North Atlantic Ocean and decided to gain unique work experience doing an internship in London.

This summer, I worked as a Marketing and Finance intern for a company called SportInspired. SportInspired is a social enterprise that fosters confidence and passion in young people through sport. This is done through running SportInspired Game Programs across the United Kingdom that are designed precisely to increase sports participation and inspire community engagement. My role in the company was to oversee and update the business management accounts while also assisting the marketing team through researching prospect corporate partners and offering appropriate CSR solutions. 

Through this internship I was able to combine my passion for sports and marketing and finance. I even had the opportunity to coach basketball to youth at some of our sport festivals. The biggest thing I got from this internship and my time abroad was gaining a better understanding of who I am as a person. Broadening my horizons, helped me to find a side of me that I never knew was there. I became friends with people I normally wouldn’t talk to and enjoyed activities I normally would find boring, even ate foods I normally wouldn’t try. AKPsi not only gave me the strength to step out of my comfort zone, but also tactics to maneuver around any obstacles in the way of me becoming the best me I can be. ​

by Brother Tiffany Banks