If there is one thing the state of Colorado and it’s institutions of higher education understand and appreciate, it’s the value of creating spaces for culturally diverse people to come together, as it breeds creativity, quality interaction, and transformative educational growth opportunities for all involved!
Downtown Denver alone maintains a population of almost 30% ethnic minorities and the state’s demographics include a significant Hispanic influence (largely Mexican in ancestry), as well as a sizeable Asian-American influence (primarily of Mongolian, Chinese, Filipino, Korean, Japanese, and Southeast Asian descent). Additionally, the international student population is proactively sought after by most Colorado college campuses and continues to grow annually. For example, this year alone, international students from 130 different countries around the world came ready to begin studying amidst the beautiful Rocky Mountains at UC Denver!
International students studying in Colorado bring a fresh and novel perspective from which they can share their unique experiences and enrich classmates’ learning and growth, a well-known fact that Colorado’s university admissions’ representatives firmly believe in. As Colorado University President Bruce Benson put it, international students studying in Colorado, “enrich campus life and classroom discussions, and enhance the global environment of UC Denver.”
Equipped with this solid foundation in the power of cultural diversity and interconnectedness, university admissions’ representatives in Colorado are proactive in offering a warm welcome and plenty of helpful resources to assist international students with their transition to the American education system. Some of the services available to international students studying in Colorado include (but are not limited to) immigration and cultural adjustment advising, issuance of immigration documents (such as authorizations and certification letters), advocacy for international student issues on campus, educational workshops (on topics ranging from orientation to employment and travel opportunities), sponsorship of international student organizations, and plenty of cultural and social activities to help build strong networks of peer support for international students studying in Colorado from all around the world.
Posted on January 21st, 2011 by InternationalStudentGuru
Why should I get a credential evaluation if I want to study abroad?
If you are planning to study in the U.S. or Canada, you probably have a good idea of what goes into the application process: the standardized tests, the application forms, the essays and statements of purpose, and the (yikes!) financial documents. However, even all of that information may not be enough.
Colleges and universities receive applications from students all over the world, and their offices may not be equipped to thoroughly evaluate your academic documents and coursework from your country of education. So how do you make it easy for admissions officers to understand your academic qualifications and determine where you might fit into their program? This is where a credential evaluation report can come in handy.
There is no official U.S. or Canadian government office that evaluates academic credentials. Some colleges and universities evaluate international academic credentials in-house, while others will utilize a private organization. If your school’s admissions office does not already recommend a credential evaluation service, the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (naces.org) is a good place to research an established agency that will best suit your needs.
For higher education, most academic institutions recommend a “course-by-course” evaluation. When selecting a credential evaluation service, it is best to seek out an organization that includes in its report details about the length of your program of education, course descriptions, whether or not your institution is accredited, and verifies the authenticity of your documents. An added benefit is to receive a grade point average (GPA) that provides the U.S. or Canadian equivalency of your coursework, since many international universities do not provide this. Finally, a course-by-course analysis provides your education’s equivalency (bachelor’s, master’s, PhD, etc.). The evaluation report is then sent directly to the academic institution(s) where you would like to further your education.
In addition to helping admissions officers better understand your qualifications, a credentials evaluation is equally important to you as a student. The report shows what courses and electives may be transferable, saving you time and money. Knowing your GPA and how your education fits into a program’s requirements will help you identify the best schools to apply to. Students from countries that offer a three-year bachelor’s degree (such as India) may be able to immediately qualify for a graduate program in the U.S.
(World Education Services (WES) also offers the option of storing your verified documents and evaluation report indefinitely, making it easier for you to pursue a master’s degree, a doctorate program, or even employment in the future. If you think you need to store your documents for ready access, you may want to explore the WES International Credential Advantage Package (ICAP).)
As a prospective international student, going the extra mile to present your academic credentials, along with the other important preparations, puts you in a better position to determine where and how you want to further your education and to pursue these educational opportunities with confidence.
This guest blog post was written by Alli Rodenhauser and Jyothi R. from WES. You can visit their website for more information about the credential evaluation services they offer.
Posted on January 17th, 2011 by InternationalStudentGuru
In a moved welcomed by many in the international education field, the Obama Administration issued a press release on Friday easing the restrictions in place for those wanting to travel to Cuba for Academic reasons.
Highlights of the release include:
The President has directed that changes be made to regulations and policies governing: (1) purposeful travel; (2) non-family remittances; and (3) U.S. airports supporting licensed charter flights to and from Cuba.
These measures will increase people-to-people contact; support civil society in Cuba; enhance the free flow of information to, from, and among the Cuban people; and help promote their independence from Cuban authorities.
Although the news was widely welcomed, it has met with strong criticism from the Cuban Foreign Ministry for not showing any real interest in improving relations between the two countries. In a statement e-mailed to foreign journalists, the Ministry says the easing of travel restrictions announced Friday by Washington only benefit “specific categories of Americans and does not restore the right to travel to Cuba for all American citizens, who continue to be the only ones in the whole world who cannot freely visit our country.”
Hopefully as time progresses, we will seen further easing of the travel restrictions to Cuba in the coming years.
Posted on January 12th, 2011 by InternationalStudentGuru
We have had a number of requests from students who are looking for scholarships and asked if we could post some awards on here that are available to international students. Of course, there are literally hundreds of different scholarships out there that are available to international students – and really the best advice we can give you when searching for awards is to spend as much time as possible and to search, search, search!
To help you get searching yourself, check out these resources we have created which will set you off in the right direction:
As you can see there are many scholarship opportunities available, not all scholarships will be appropriate for you, however there will most likely be something available and just from a bit of time and work searching online and using the resources available to us we could find a good starting list here.
If you want to get searching here are some places to start:
Posted on January 7th, 2011 by InternationalStudentGuru
We are lucky enough to have a guest post from Nareg Seferian, who wrote this for the VOA’s Student Union. We found it insightful, funny and a great viewpoint on American cultures. We hope you will all like it too!
If there is one word that I think gives some sense on what things are like in the United States, it is “diversity.” America has the wide range of racial, ethnic and religious diversity that it’s known for, but there are also a wide variety of lifestyles and opinions in this country. These also form identities to some degree, and groups rally or coalesce around such aspects of society as clothing, music, slang, the arts, or politics.
What you wear and who you are
That’s not to say that such diverse methods of defining identity do not exist in other countries, but in Armenia, for example, they are mostly marginal phenomena. In fact, what really got me interested at first in this question of subcultures is the recent trend of police targeting “emos” in Armenia. I did not even know what emos were when I first heard about this, so I spoke with a couple of friends at college and did some research online to discover more about this group. It turns out to involve adopting a certain style of music and clothing, which is very expressive and angsty (there also seems to be some documented correlation between emos and self-harm, but why they are being so seriously investigated in Armenia remains a mystery to me).
Although I can’t say I can confidently point out specifically emo music and clothing, I have noticed the way music and wardrobe define various subcultures here in the U.S. The manifestations of those two elements stand out very clearly in the hip-hop world.
B-boy Culture
I had the great pleasure of attending a “b-boy” dance contest event in Santa Fe, New Mexico a little over a year ago. B-boys and b-girls – breakdancers – are part of hip-hop culture, but hip-hop, as I found out, is an umbrella term that includes many sub-genres of music and dance.
The movies often portray gangs or violence as being associated with hip-hop, but nothing could have been further from the truth at this event I attended, which had moms bringing over their kids for the junior b-boy dance championship, as the older participants cheered on and supported the next generation of dancers. I was really impressed to see eight-, nine-, ten-year-olds move and contort their bodies to the music, to say nothing of the older dancers matching balancing acts to the rhythm and the beats in the background. It was truly a cultural experience to witness it.
Are hipsters cool?
It can be really hard at times to put one’s finger on what defines these various subculture groups. Many are fleeting or always evolving, others are specific to regions or to their eras. Some gain resurgence, others fold into more dominant movements. Unless you are a part of them, I find, you cannot be fully aware of all that they entail. And, as with many things, stereotyping and making sweeping generalizations are dangers to be avoided.
The word “hipster,” for example, entered my vocabulary recently. This group has nothing to do with hip-hop, but, in fact, associates itself with an alternative, indie lifestyle (whatever that might mean), Hipsters are also a kind of exclusive, snooty crowd, as far as I can tell, and have therefore ended up as the butt of a lot of jokes and ridicule based on stereotypes about them. Hipsters have a very defined cultural sensibility of which I can only ever hope to have merely the broadest understanding,, and Wikipedia is a good resource to get that kind of general idea.
The nerds of St. John’s
But my favorite subculture – and the one I’ve come to identify with the most – are the nerds.
We have a diversity of students at St. John’s College, but if there is one characteristic which is more or less shared by our student body, it is a tendency towards nerdiness. Due to our college’s unique “great books” curriculum, we have to love to read, after all.
A Dungeons and Dragons game in progress (Creative commons photo by Flickr user Chorazin)
For example, I remember a friend once telling me about a conversation over a meal in our dining hall about the technical feasibility of making lightsabers like those in the Star Wars movies.
Plus, many of our students are fond of role-playing games such as Dungeons and Dragons. If that’s something you haven’t tried as an international student in the U.S., I strongly urge that you do. It is the sort of activity which is truly an American innovation, impossible to pull off pretty much anywhere else, and if it is something which you find enjoyable, then it can really be a life-changing experience, no exaggeration.
These and many other subcultures are present in one way or another on campus, or more widely in the States, and so it is helpful to be aware of their existence. Interacting with such groups often turns out to be interesting for one reason or another. They can certainly enrich one’s experience in this country.
I cannot pretend to ever know enough about any of these subcultures, of course, particularly as they can get extremely nuanced even within any given group. Within the nerd subculture there’s an ongoing debate over using the term “geek” vs. “nerd,” and what characteristics make someone one or the other. I am still not sure which I am or which I’d rather be; all I can confess is that I am waiting for the day Harry Potter is included in our college’s required reading list.
Posted on January 5th, 2011 by InternationalStudentGuru
In order to study in the USA, a large part of the application process will be showing the consular officer at your visa interview your finances. You will need to show proof that you have the necessary funds available to cover the time you spend in the USA studying.
Your I-20 form, given to you by your school when you have been accepted, will include most of the information you need concerning your estimated cost of attendance at that school, and they are often very accurate. During your visa interview you will need to show the consular officer that you have enough funds to cover this amount.
However, the I-20 Form only shows the main lines (Tuition and Living Expenses) and does not provide any further clarification. Although these amounts are usually accurate, it is always advisable to create your own budget where you list out all the main items you think you will need. Its much better to do this before you come to the USA, so you can make sure you do not run short of cash once stateside.
To get started, here are a few things you will need to consider in your budget:
Tuition – set by your school
Rent/housing – can you find off campus housing cheaper?
Meals (board) – can you cook for yourself, or use the school facilities?
Health insurance – if you can shop around and find a cheaper alternative (if your school allows)
Books/technology fees – do you really need that new iPad? But think about what you will need computing wise
Transportation – if you live off campus, will you need to travel to school?
Communications – use skype, or low cost sim cards to lower your costs
Clothing/personal items – try and get new clothes before you leave for the USA
Family expenses – do you need to support your family?
Personal expenses – personal hygiene products, etc…
Recreation and travel – cinema tickets, days and nights out, etc…
Taxes – make sure you are paying your taxes correctly (if you are earning)
You can also download the InternationalStudent.com Budget Help Sheet, which will guide you through some of the more common budget items you will need to think about. Of course, not all the items on the sheet will apply to you – but it will get you started:
Your school will also help you with finding out a lot of the information you need about their local area. Things like housing, electricity, etc.. will vary depending on where you will be based in the USA – so be sure to ask for guidance from your school when creating a realistic budget. They should be more than happy to help you with that type of information.
Hopefully this will give you a good starting point to get your budget up and running. If you need further help or advice, please be sure to visit our Study in the USA Budgeting Help Center for more information.
Posted on January 4th, 2011 by InternationalStudentGuru
The latest edition of the InternationalStudent.com Newsletter has just been sent out the door, and should be making its way to your inbox during the next 24 hours! This month we are focusing on:
Posted on January 4th, 2011 by InternationalStudentGuru
If you are a member of the International Student Facebook fan page, you would have noticed over the last few weeks that we have been asking students who are already studying abroad if they would like to be featured in our blog. The “International Student Profile” blogs that will be coming over the next few months will then feature these students, so that you can get some perspective about what it is like being an international student and studying abroad.
Our first student profile is Katherine Kiraly, a student from Brazil who is currently studying in Ireland.
Your full name
Katherine Kiraly
A brief bio about yourself – where you grew up, etc…
I am 25 years old, originally from Sao Paulo – Brazil. Studied Advertisement and Public Relations, used to do charity in animal rescue. I love arts and languages, I always wished to study abroad…So, Here I am!
Your home country/ country of citizenship
Brazil
Country you are currently studying in?
Ireland
What school/ university are you studying in?
Eurocollege and Dublin Business School
How long have you been abroad?
Three years
What course/degree are you taking?
Started with english course, preparatory for FCE Cambridge, then moved to Travel and Tourism, but I am doing another course as well, Diploma in Internet MkT.
What was it like during the first week you arrive in your host country?
It was kind of exciting and scaring! I didn’t speak english very well, then I’ve to get used to the weather, because its pretty cold in here, and its raining most of the time.But I can say that it was enjoyable, new things and place to visit, made many friends of diferent nationalities,
Have you encountered any problems while studying abroad?
No, just the fact that you are far away from home and missed my family and friends.
What has been your best moment while studying abroad?
Traveling around… I have got the opportunity to visit more than 20 countries, and I also can say that be living abroad opens your mind, and give you a worth experience, me for example, I learned english PLUS Italian and Spanish just living with people from these nationalities.
What was your biggest obstacle to studying abroad?
I think the biggest obstacle is the money, to effort studies abroad was quite expensive and also you have to be sure what you really you are looking for…time, price and place!
Would you recommend studying abroad and why?
Definitely yes! Rich and Worthing experience, learn a second language,maybe get work experience, make new friends, travel and visit places plus acquire independence as you are living away from home!
Ambitions for the future?
Keep studying! Will Start my Master in Media & Communication in Europe, then going back home try to work where I can keep speaking English often, that way I won’t loss it.
What advice would you give to fellow international students who are yet to study abroad?
Go for it! Because as soon you have this experience, more chances to be success in a career you choose!
Posted on January 3rd, 2011 by InternationalStudentGuru
As we head into 2011, a new year and a new school semester for many students around the world – we are looking forward to a year where we expect international student enrollments to increase even further both in the USA and around the world. As we reported a few weeks back, numbers in the USA are soaring, with China powering through to take the number 1 position from India.
To help you through the start of the school and new year, we annually create a blog post of helpful items for new and returning students – looking at financial aid options, changes in the online world and much more!
International Financial Aid
As the recession took hold in 2009, the options for international students dried up – loan programs closed and generally it was harder for students to obtain scholarships and other forms of financial aid. However, in 2010 there were signs of recovery as a limited number of international student loan programs opened back up and as we head into 2011 we are expecting to see more options open up and become available to students.
The downside, however, is that interest rates and underwriting criteria are still pretty harsh (meaning you’ll pay more in interest, and you’ll need a co-signer with really good credit). Also direct to consumer loans are still no longer available, meaning your school must certify the fact and the amount of your loan each year, so there is a lot less flexibility in the amount you can apply for and the speed with which you can get your loan.
If you want to get all the latest information about loans for international students, the International Financial Aid Blog is an excellent resource and certainly worth following. They post the very latest loan information, and new scholarships on a weekly basis – so follow them. Their posts also automatically appear on the InternationalStudent.com Facebook fan page – so you can find that information there also.
Staying Healthy
In previous years, there has been the SARS outbreak in Asia and the Swine Flu issue – all of which caused problems for many international programs and travelers with increased scrutiny to and from certain countries. Whilst there is some concern of a new outbreak of the H1N1/ Swine Flu virus in parts of Europe, there are no major issues yet as we head into 2011. Students are advised to take regular precautions and of course, never travel without adequate student health and travel insurance. For students coming into the USA, insurance is a requirement of your visa if you are on the J1 visa, and all schools will require you to have some form of coverage if you are on an F1 visa.
Keeping in Touch
Regular followers of our blog, will be aware of the changes taking place in the communications world. Calling cards are not as popular as they once were as a form of communication – and direction is turning to smart phones, internet calling services such as Skype and purchasing international sim cards. Skype and internet calling services are excellent, and for those with a good internet connection, you cannot do much better than that. However, we are finding most students want mobility – which is where international sim cards can come into play. They are cheap (typically about $30 per card) and offer great calling rates, a local number in the USA (or country of choice) and coupled with an international calling card, they can offer low cost international calls on the go!
Facebook is King!
Facebook is clearly becoming the number 1 choice for international students around the world. The International Student Fan Page has taken off, and with over 3,000 fans (and growing daily) its becoming a great place for all international students to talk to each other, post comments, and join in the talk with students from all around the world. We also still like Twitter, and its a great way for students to find new and interesting scholarships, check out our post on “Using Twitter to Find Scholarships” where we let you into the idea of using twitter to search for information, in this case a scholarship.
We hope 2011 is an excellent year for you all, and you can realize your dream this year, of studying abroad!
International students studying in Michigan might find a little taste of home in Frankenmuth, Michigan’s Little Bavaria.
Founded in 1845, Frankenmuth was settled by 13 conservative Lutherans immigrants from Franconia, now Bavaria,Germany after a German missionary named Frederick Wyneken wrote an appeal to Lutherans in Germany about the lack of pastors, churches and schools in Indiana, Ohio and Michigan.
Frankenmuth’s Bavarian-themed town draws over three million tourists annually who taste Bavarian sausages, beer from Munichand sauerkraut bread at Zehnder’s Restaurant and browse through over 50,000 gifts and trims at the world’s largest Christmas store, Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland.
Take a ride on the Bavarian Belle, a stern driven paddlewheel riverboat. Tours are one hour and offer a historical narration to its 150 passenger cruises.
There are numerous festivals in Frankenmuth that international students studying in Michigan would enjoy. During summer break go to Frankenmuth’s Bavarian Festival. Play games and shop vendors while German bands dressed in traditional garb play music. Make sure to get a good spot to watch the festival’s two parades while sipping on a German beer.
With the changing autumn leaves in the fall semester comes Oktoberfest. In 1996, Lord Mayor Christian Ude of Germany officially sanctioned the Frankenmuth Oktoberfest celebration, making it the only city outside of Munich to receive such an honor, according to the festival’s website. Frankenmuth then became the first city in the U.S. to import Hofbrauhaus beer, a brewery in Munich.
Going along with every college kid’s favorite theme, beer, gear up in the spring semester for the World Expo of Beer, which is Michigan’s largest international beer sampling event. Admission is for those who are 21 and up and you get a free souvenir mug.
Our first student profile is Katherine Kiraly, a student from Brazil who is currently studying in Ireland.
