Peer Leaders Program

Peer Leaders for First Year Seminars – FALL 2011

Every year a group of committed and involved students work with the faculty teaching the First Year Seminars. The following students have been chosen to serve as a “Peer Leader” for one of the First Year Seminars in the Fall semester, 2011. FEEL FREE TO CONTACT (via email) any of them if you have any questions or concerns - they are a great group of students who are looking forward to working with you in the Fall!

DAVID ALAN HUNTER

Email: M082308@richmond.ac.uk

David is a senior graduating in December of 2011. He is from Dallas, Pennsylvania, USA and this is his 4th year at Richmond. He is a Political Science Major with minors in Economics and History. He is a Resident Director and President of the Richmond International Society. He has won numerous awards at Richmond for his leadership and contributions to the community.

David’s words of wisdom for new Richmond students: Watch your money, it goes 3 times faster than you think, enjoy the park, and take your time while you’re a freshman, the later years go by quickly so enjoy your freshman year. Being a freshman is one hell of a risk (between being in a new place with new people doing a new thing) but it pays off.

SHANNON FANE-HERVEY
Email: sbfaneh@aol.com

Shannon was born in South Africa but she moved to Massachusetts in 2000. Her father is English and she is a loyal rugby supporter of the Springboks and looking forward to the 2011 Rugby World Cup. Her major is International Relations and her minor is History. She works as a tour guide in central London on Friday/Saturday nights and on Sunday morning.

Shannon’s advice to new students:

Seek the Unknown: London is a fantastic place for site-seeing and is full of tourist places. However, there is a whole other side to London, the parts of the city that are not explored. Be daring and find those out-of-the-way places. Walk down an alley way, get off at a random tube stop, or just take stroll with no particular destination. You’ll be amazed at the places you’ll find.

Travel, at any cost: London is located in such a way that getting out of the country and going to the rest of Europe is easy and relatively cheap. A train ride to Paris or Brussels, a short flight to Ireland or Spain or Italy. Europe is at your fingertips and it’s too precious a chance to miss. Travel now before being tied down by a 9 to 5 job. Enjoy life and get friendly with another culture.

Time and Money: Time management is key to doing well at university. It’s not high school anymore. Teaches are not going to be on your back about papers and exams. It’s all on you so be keep important dates in mind and work ahead of schedule. University life will suck you dry before you even know it if you don’t handle money well. All those entrance fees, cab fares, and drinks add up really quickly. Set yourself a money limit for each week or month…

RACHEL FEATHERSTUN
Email: Rachelfez@comcast.net

Rachel is a Psychology major (she loves her classes) and always tried to get the most out London from the moment she arrived. She became involved in competitive cheerleading and swimming/water polo teams and this summer, she is doing an internship in Shanghai.

Rachel’s words of wisdom:

The first year at Richmond is such a learning experience! Don’t get down on yourself if it takes a while to feel comfortable in your daily routines. University life is a lot to transition into, and the fact most people here are choosing to do it in a whole new country definitely makes it a little tougher! There will be “good London days” and “bad London days”, and gradually, you will learn to love the city you have moved to.

Explore London and get involved with something outside of the University. Find a community away from Richmond that allows you to branch out into another part of London. I competed with a competitive cheerleading team all the way in East London my first year and it forced me to leave the campus and explore the underground system, and all sorts of different areas. In doing so, I became familiar with the city outside of the uni and was able to meet people who grew up in London and who are still now, in my final year, very dear friends. Make the most of your time in London. Feel free to contact me over the summer!

HANNAH ORLOFF
Email: hannahorloff@gmail.com

Hannah is her real name but her friends call her Annie. She grew up in Chicago and this summer she is interning at a business magazine in Shanghai. An International Relations major and a Political Science minor, her love for travel is what sparked her interest in IR.

Hannah’s Advice: come to Richmond with an open mind and take advantage of the amazing professors, activities, and opportunities the school has to offer. Find the balance between studying and enjoying life in London. There is time for both. London has so much to offer, make the most of your time while living in this amazing city. Don’t limit yourself to going to the same places over and over. Go to the markets, try new restaurants, and meet people from all over the world. Four years at Richmond goes by fast so make the most of every moment.

JACOB PRITCHARD
Email: jacob.pritchard@students.richmond.ac.uk

Jacob is another very successful student who has been active in the Richmond International Society and is a Resident Life Advisor. An IR major and Political Science minor, he understands the importance of Peer Leaders and student opportunities to talk to their peers – and get involved.

SARAH PITMAN
Email: pitman.sarah@students.richmond.ac.uk

Sarah is a die-hard red sox fan (Boston!) and originally applied to Richmond as a Communications major but changed to History, especially loving the pre-historic eras ranging from the dinosaurs to ancient civilizations. Lately she has become fascinated with environmental issues and is currently the recycling officer for The Green Project at Richmond. She enjoys modelling and wants to join the US Army after she graduates.

Sarah’s Advice:
First of all, enjoy your first year and the freedom of being away from home. Explore London, make friends not only with Richmond students but with some of the locals as well. Richmond is a safe area and the people are friendly. Richmond offers plenty of opportunities to explore other countries, so take advantage of those opportunities but don’t lose sight of why you are here: to receive an education that will secure your future. Figure out what your priorities are so you can find the perfect balance between school work and partying. Unfortunately prices are high in the UK, depending on the specific exchange rate you use. So be careful with how much you spend, especially on nights out.

You are going to hear all of this during orientation but if you have any more questions, or just need somebody to talk to, I’ll be glad to help in any way. Feel free to contact me. Good luck and see you in September!

SASKIA THERES

Email: s.theres@hotmail.com or f103208@richmond.ac.uk

Saskia is a trilingual Psychology major (she speaks fluent German, French and English) who attended the American School in Tunis and has become familiar with many different cultures. She has participated in the Psychology club and the MUN but learned that at Richmond, completing the assignments and aiming for good grades takes priority over “chilling.”

Saskia’s Words of Wisdom: If you write an essay or test and you get a bad grade, don’t be negative. There are worse things on earth and next time try harder. Remember to learn from both the positive and negative - ‘this too shall pass’. Before you know it University WILL be over and it may seem as though it were yesterday that you had your first day. Be adaptable and organized.

ERBI AGO
Email: Erbiago@richmond.ac.uk

Erbi is a Political Science major and a Theatre Arts minor. He has been involved in numerous events – both social and academic related – and is known for his PR skills.

SHARI MACIEJEWSKI
Email: sharijewski@yahoo.com

Shari, a Communications major, worked as a student library assistant and was a founding member of “The Club”. She has just completed her first year at Richmond so the “ins and outs” of being a first year student are fresh in her mind.

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