Make Campus Your Home

COMMUTE WITH CONFIDENCE THIS FALL

Sponsored by TRANSPORTATION AND PARKING SERVICES

As the Cal Poly community returns to campus this fall for the 2021-22 academic year, Transportation and Parking Services (TAPS) would like to invite everyone to come back safely, come back sustainably and come back together. TAPS has been working hard to create convenient and sustainable options to get around SLO and back home without a personal vehicle. Here are the top five: 1. TAPS has your Thanksgiving and winter break trips home covered. Book a seat on Mustang Express starting

Sept. 14 to get across California on five safe and direct routes.

2. Cal Poly is home to 7,252 bike racks. If you ride your bike to class, you will not have an issue finding free parking. 3. SLO Transit rides are free with your

Cal Poly ID. San Luis Obispo’s busing system has convenient stops all around town. It’s dependable, easy and free! 4. No need for your own car when there’s

Zipcar. Students who are 18 or older can rent a car by the hour, with gas and insurance included. Go shopping across town with roommates or head to the beach for the day. 5. Commuter students can register as a carpool and share a parking permit with up to two cars on the account.

This is a great way to save money, limit the cars coming to campus and cut personal carbon emissions! Help do your part to promote sustainable transportation on campus. Sign up for one of Cal Poly’s commuting options to save time, save money and decrease carbon emissions.

VISIT COMMUTE.CALPOLY.EDU.

TAPS has been working hard to create convenient and sustainable options to get around SLO and back home.

Mustang Media Group

STUDY ABROAD: TAKING YOUR EDUCATION OUTSIDE OF THE CLASSROOM, CITY, AND STATE

by TESSA HUGHES

After a year of lockdown and travel restrictions, do you dream of bigger and better places outside the confines of your bedroom? Or San Luis Obispo? Or even the state of California? Well thanks to Cal Poly Study Abroad programs, these dreams can become a reality next year.

“Study Abroad is an opportunity for students to learn in a global context, whether major-specific courses or general education courses. Seeing issues (and oneself) from different points of view adds a richness and complexity to academic and personal pursuits and growth, and can inform significantly professional work in the future,” Cal Poly Study Away Coordinator Chuck Petranek said.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, study abroad programs for 2020-21 were suspended, however the International Center is working to help students plan for programs in fall 2021 and in 2022. Save the date! In October 2021, the International Center will host a Study Abroad Fair where students may learn more about study abroad as well as virtual international experiences. The fair will be in hybrid format with an in-person event scheduled for October 14, 2021 on Dexter Lawn and information sessions about specific programs held thereafter.

With study and internship programs abroad as well as virtual international opportunities, “students can develop cross-cultural communication skills, gain perspectives of what it may be like to study, live and work in a different country and build their resumes,” Petranek said. “Additionally, if students would prefer to stay closer to home, the International Center also supports students in participating in the National Student Exchange (NSE). NSE allows students to exchange to other US institutions, including those that are in US Territories, and also with institutions in Canada.” In a typical year, nearly 1,500 students study, intern or conduct service learning abroad or engage with international group trips. Cal Poly ranked second in the nation among master’s institutions for the number of students it sent abroad in the 2018 to 2019 academic year. To research the programs that best fit your needs, a list of all offered programs is available at www.studyabroad.calpoly. edu. Students who plan on studying abroad during their time at Cal Poly are advised to start planning their trip approximately one year in advance. “First-year students should visit the International Center during their first quarters at Cal Poly to get the process started. While first-year students aren’t eligible to study abroad until the completion of their initial year at Cal Poly, they are able to study during the summer after their first year. Students who work with us early on are often able to pick from the most diverse suite of programs to get the best fit for their personal interests, academic goals and progress towards graduation. So get connected with us early! We’re looking forward to working with you,” Petranek said. The International Office can be reached via email at abroad@calpoly.edu or by phone at (805) 756-1477. To stay updated on the status of programs, students and families are encouraged to monitor travel information by country on travel.state. gov or cdc.gov. Cal Poly-specific updates are available at abroad.calpoly.edu.

Study Abroad is an amazing opportunity for students to learn in a global context, whether it be major courses or general education courses.