Blog #4: Eurospring

Gain Credits While Expanding Your Horizons On Life In Europe

Trade BSU Classrooms for An Oxford Dorm

During the spring semester here at Bemidji State University, students get the opportunity to see the world and earn credits. Eurospring is an overseas study program that allows students to attend class and also see the world’s sights. Wycliffe residence Hall in Oxford, England, will host our students and Minnesota State University Moorhead students for five before sending them to continental Europe for their life experience.

View from Rhine Cruise

Take from http://bsueurospring09.blogspot.com/

Traveling to Paris, Lucerne, Florence, Orvieto, Rome, Venice, Salzburg, Munich, Dachau, Nuremburg and Heidelberg these students will broaden their perspective on life as we know it, experience different cultures, languages, economic perspectives and learn how everything is done on a different level. As one BSU student said, “It will change your life. Every inch of this trip is worth everything you are leaving behind here in the States.”

WyCliffe Hall, Oxford

Taken from Google Images, Eurospring search

Associate Prof., David Smith, of the Business Administration department, will be this year’s BSU’s Academic Director “Many people think it is a lot of money, but the qualities that you will gain out of this experience are astronomical.”  He said, “Dr. Chapman is a genius and will teach you so many vital things that will broaden your perspective on life.” He wishes every student had this opportunity.

According to the BSU Web site, the cost of this year’s program is approximately $7,000; however, that includes transportation, room and board and all other costs except for personal spending money. BSU Journalism Prof. Louise Mengelkoch, who has directed the trip a number of times, pointed out that you could never do such a two-month trip to Europe on your own for that price. “Also,” she said, “your semester is only two months long when you’re on Eurospring. You can work to save up spending money until mid-March when you leave.” This is not your typical day of class here at BSU. The cost of this would be about $115 a day; this is what the $7,000 is used for. You will also need money for personal spending.

In order for you to be a participant on this trip you must have at least a 2.0 GPA, and have your entire freshman credits completed. Along with getting your tour of Europe and England you will obtain knowledge from courses that are given at the campus at Oxford. These courses include Influential Women in the Middle Ages; Politics and Law in Medieval Europe; Science, Alchemy, and Invention; The Knights of King Arthur; Romance East and West; Art and Architecture; and Music and Culture.

Being able to have this experience under your belt as a graduate from a highly established University such as Bemidji would be something to be proud of when you write out a resume.  Finishing your fall semester in the beginning of December you would have some time to think a little about your decision. Leaving in the middle of March there is time to work or to get all your things situated in your own life for your travels. One of the employee’s at the admissions office said, “This would be a huge advantage because you could work more and earn money for your trip, since you need some extra money for personal spending.”

While on Eurospring, you will enjoy viewing performances, museums and get to see artifacts such as the Stonehenge. Having this on your dossier would look pretty impressive to certain employers. Not only are you gaining credits for college but you are gaining a life experience that you could never find anywhere else. Once you look over the brochure and Web site, they will show you everything you need to know and give you the perfect outlook on this experience.

Blog #3: Obituary (not real)

Brent Brattlof, found underneath 60’ of snow at the base of Alaskan Mountain Range, Dies at age 52.

Brent Brattlof, long time CEO of the new world organization “Powder Packs,” was what looked to be like a week-long back-country hike, gave him the vision of how he pictured his life ending. Not having any cares in the world he was always looking for adventure, no matter what form in took; he loved every second of it. Died in an avalanche that was heard across the globe as the largest avalanche of the decade.

The company “Powder Packs” took a long time to break through to the world but he found a way of doing it. With his past in Sales and Marketing he found a way to understand and know what the public wanted and he gave it to them. Getting his degree from Bemidji State University he sought after the hotel industry for quite some time. Realizing that his passion was the mountains he headed west and starting from scratch brought fourth one of the largest back-country gear industries across the globe. Dealing with the United States was the easy part for his company, eventually he was so well known that he branched out to the rest of the world and became the only seller from America to have products and businesses in every continent.

Mr. Brattlof, born in Kirkland, Washington, of a mother he does not know, was adopted at 6 months of age. To his new parents Dr. and Mrs. Brattlof. Both parents deceased in a tragic plane accident while flying to Hawaii for a business conference about 20 years ago.  At age 3, Mr. Brattlof finally made it to his home in Park Rapids, Minnesota. There he lived out his childhood and remained there until he was 19. Throughout his childhood in Park Rapids he became quite well known for certain behaviors along with disliked for his attitude towards his town that he no longer enjoyed being in.

Starting out after graduating High School at Park Rapids Area High School, Mr. Brattlof headed north to Bemidji, where he received his degree in Business Administration and Marketing Communication. During his time here he traveled a little bit, and moved to Colorado to obtain some life experience as a Ski/Snowboard Technician. Coming back to Bemidji in 2009 he continued to go after his degree. Another little bump in the road sent him to the oil fields in North Dakota where he worked for Nabors Drilling Co. and was there for a year. After this experience was over he decided to obtain his degree, graduating in 2014. Upon graduation Mr. Brattlof became the head Sales leader for the Hampton Inn, making his mark in the Advertising world he started to think bigger. Getting a few letters of recommendation he moved to Denver, CO. and worked for a Hilton Hotel and headed the Sales team there. 2022 Mr. Brattlof left the Hilton organization and started his own business, Powder Packs.

Marrying the beautiful Lilly Matheson shortly after graduation in 2015 Mr. Brattlof seemed to have all the things a man could want in life. Knowing that everything was in place there were no worries in any aspect of his dream life.

Given the gift of life in the year 2005, to a beautiful son Mayson. Mayson became well known around the area and was married to his wife Coreen MyFeld in 2030. They gave Mr. Brattlof three grandkids; Joselynn, Riley and Xander. Mr. Brattlof’s son now is the owner of the company he left behind and is making sure all the necessary requirements are being fulfilled. Being given a multi-billion dollar company is no easy task but he seems to be doing the job perfectly.

 One of Mr. Brattlof’s close friends William Ryan said “he will be missed, and everyone’s world has become just a little darker because of this tragic loss.” Not accompanying Mr. Brattlof of his back-country trip Mr. Ryan is living life to the fullest as Mr. Brattlof would have wanted. “That should have been me in this article with him” Mr. Ryan said just as he was exiting our lunch meeting.

Mr. Brattlof is an only child and survives through his son Mayson, Mayson’s wife Coreen and their kids Joselynn, Riley and Xander. There are no other parties in which need be mentioned with Mr. Brattlof’s decease.

Blog #2: Letter to the Editor

To the Editor: RE: “Park Rapids man turns junk into riches; Donates bicycles to area children in need”.

When I was a young boy, going to daycare was so much fun. I got to play with my friends, meet new ones and play with new toys in a new place. Going over to Sharon and Tom Condiff’s house was a new experience every day, but the memories that make me smile now are of the times when grouchy old Mr. Condiff yelled at us for reasons I do not remember and having to sit in time out, anywhere from 1-10 minutes. We all thought it was torture, because we were kids and hated discipline, but it did us good. And now that I am a father I can see there it was all coming from. This article made me chuckle. Everything from then to now I understand a lot more from going to daycare and being scared of him, to going to church and becoming friends with him. He is an amazing man and I commend him for doing what he is doing. I remember my mother selling him our old van; he came back to us a few weeks later letting us know that we just needed a few parts to fix it and it ran like a champ. I can see where, and why he loves to tinker; all of us guys do! He is an amazing man and I wish him all the best. Mr Condiff, keep up the tinkering and putting smiles on our future faces.