When transfer trips don't go as planned (cue the thunder sound effects now)

As the transfer coordinator, one of the greatest parts of my job is getting to actually take students to the school where they are wanting to transfer.  Many times, our students don't have the economic means (hello rising gas prices) to be able to take off a day and go to another college campus.  This is where the TRiO program, and more specifically, me in the 15 passenger van (Whoop whoop!) come in. 

On Thursday, April 21st, I got to take a group of nine students, all female, nonetheless, to visit the University of Central Arkansas.  Since Legally Blonde: the Musical, just happened to be playing on campus that evening, we planned for a late afternoon tour, dinner on campus and the show.  My cute students showed up in pink (per my request for the show), girly shoes, with their hair and makeup done.  Then...the weather simply did not cooperate. 

Curvy roads plus empty tummies caused us to be 20 minutes late for our tour, and upon arrival at the Office of Admissions, the rain was in a torrential downpour.  Gladly, our transfer admissions officer had an office set of umbrellas, and all was not lost, except for all of those cute, spring shoes my ladies were wearing.  On our walking tour, (Yes, I'm attaching pictures) my students did get a feel of what attending UCA would be like, even what it would be like on a dreary, rainy Thursday, when no one wants to be in class.  My students were thrilled to see the on-campus Starbucks, just outside the library. 

After eating on campus in the cafeteria, we trudged back to the van...still in the rain...past the animals gathering two by two....to go to the show.  The show was, of course, fabulous, and a great way to end our transfer trip.  Another bonus about TRiO is the exposure our students get to cultural events, events they would otherwise not be able to afford. 

My happy, sleepy group climbed back into the van for the foggy ride home with very positive thoughts of transferring to UCA.  The moral of the story is always always always pack your rain-boots and plan for a long (but happy!) trip.