Friday, September 16, 2011

nín hǎo - 您好 from Beijing!

The following note was received from our VP Angel Pérez this past Monday, September 12th, 2011:


I just wanted to let you know that I made it safely to Beijing. All went smoothly(except for the trials of getting all those view books here...
but they made it).

I landed Sunday night around midnight (it's now Monday morning). The folks from the Pitzer study abroad center here are taking me to lunch (and some Pitzer students will join me), then it's off to the races! The program begins with a big fair and info session tonight and then we visit high schools each day and put on a big evening event at hotels. We also have a big event at the American
embassy that includes time for Chinese media to interview us.

It's going to be a busy week, but all very exciting and great for Pitzer.

Cheers,

Angel

Angel B. Pérez
Interim Vice President for Admission and Financial Aid





Thursday, September 8, 2011

How Many Viewbooks Can You Fit in a Suitcase...

1,000!!!

Angel B. Pérez, Interim Vice President for Admission and Financial Aid, packs 1,000 Pitzer Viewbooks for his trip to CHINA!!!

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Travel Season=Mileage Points



Ever wonder how admission counselors do all the traveling they do? Mileage points obviously! No but seriously, admission counselors spend days, weeks, sometimes months away from family and friends as we hop on one plan after another. There have been times when I had forgotten what time zone I was in because I had been traveling for so long. It's great in the beginning (especially for new counselors), but if we don't take care of ourselves on the road... it can be a lonnnng fall travel season.


That's why I make the most of my travel. This is a time for me to step away from the office and take advantage of the opportunity for self-reflection and a much needed break. Now I am not saying that travel in the admissions world is all fun and games (but you can include some of it when appropriate), but fall travel allows many of us to step out of our comfort zones, take the road less traveled, get lost because of wrong directions from the GPS (believe me it has happened to us all), experience exciting new places and most importantly, spread the message about our respective institutions.


This will be my second year on the road and I am more than excited! The first time around new admission counselors make mistakes (I mean come on we are all human) and we learn what worked well... and maybe what did not work so well. This fall (or this weekend actually) I will be visiting some familiar places (Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, Washington, etc.) and some new places as well (West Los Angeles, San Fernando Valley, along with Santa Barbara & Ventura Counties).


So wish me luck as I finish packing for my first trip of the season (HOTlanta... I mean Atlanta!). I can assure you that the core values of Pitzer will always be my "guiding light" this travel season. From all of us here at the Pitzer College Office of Admission: HAPPY TRAVEL SEASON... TIS THE SEASON (well a different season at least).