On April 1, Obama spent his first full day as America's President in Europe, and this was no April fool's joke.
He spoke with leaders of big European and Asian countries about how to deal with the financial crisis. That things need to be changed is clear, as the economic situation seems to get worse and worse.
Although big plans are in the making, it will probably take a long time before true progress will be noticeable. In the mean time, we all need to handle it the best we can. Not only the big leaders worry about the economic recession though. It also affects students at Green River.
The amount of tuition fees that students pay to attend college is big, not even including the books they have to buy. How do they get the money they need in times when it's hard to get a job?
19-year-old Criminal Justice major, Cheresa Ulrey confirms that getting a job is not easy these days. She started at the college last fall, while working for 40 hours a week. That's how she could afford to pay for her tuition fees and books.
However, in the first week of winter quarter she lost her job. She looked for over two months before she finally found a new one. In the mean time, she had to borrow books from others, because she couldn't pay for all the books she needed.
Ulrey's financial situation made it unable for her to take classes at Green River this spring. Now she's saving up money to come back in summer, because she definitely wants to get her degree. She hopes to get Financial Aid soon.
"Financial Aid would really help me, I hope it works out," said Ulrey.
Running start student Ashley Dillinger is graduating high school early, intending to help her mother out soon. Dillinger's mother lost her job when companies started cutting back on arts. Supporting arts is not the highest priority in times of economic recession.
For some students, the economic situation is not that problematic. Running start student Hannah Bradford, 18, seems to be blessed. She's been teaching in a children's gym for a while now. Her parents pay for the costs to go to college.
As an owner of a fast-food chain, Bradford's father actually benefits from the economic situation. People are spending less money than before. As a result, they consume more inexpensive fast foods nowadays. "The recession actually works out the opposite for us," concludes Bradford.
19-year-old Vadim Manchik, majoring in Business, has been looking for a job for about a month now. According to him, there is a lot of competition these days.
"Before, I could apply for a job and get an interview anytime," says Manchick. "Now the situation is a lot more competitive."
Luckily enough, his parents saved up some money for him to start at the University of Washington next fall. For both Manchick and Bradford, getting Financial Aid is really helpful. And although it doesn't cover all the costs, every little bit helps.
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