Meet Our Students...

Name:	Eric Allen, '03
Major:	Undecided
Hometown:	Lancaster, PA
Activities:	student government; intramural ice hockey team; downhill ski instructor at an area ski slope; hiking; mountain biking
Quote:	I work part-time as a ski instructor during the winter, and I was having trouble picking my last course for the semester, until I just happened to glance at the service internship for course credit program that St. Lawrence offers. This winter, through the local Big Brothers/Big Sisters group, I started a program where children in the local community who might not otherwise have the chance can learn to downhill ski. I want to help underprivileged and children from single-parent homes to get the same enjoyment out of skiing that I have. I've set up the whole ski program on my own; it's been a real unique experience. I'm planning on taking a few kids every week to a local ski area and working with them, teaching them to ski. I'm really fortunate because I have been able to combine my interests into a structured class; I never imagined I'd be able to get credit for teaching someone to ski. Of course, it's more than that though; the planning, coordinating, and papers I write on my experiences keep me pretty busy, too. College is great in a lot of ways, but primarily because it helps you to learn what you can and cannot tolerate. Because you spend so much time with your friends and others living around you, I think you gain deeper understanding all around-about yourself and your friends.