The International Student Blog

Shrills of amused screams echo through the air as a roller coaster whips around a bend and skyrockets upward, only to drop its unsuspecting riders back down its steep track. This could be any rollercoaster at one of Virginia’s theme parks. Forget traveling to Orlando, Florida for fun rides, international students studying in Virginia can escape their academics and easily take a day trip to one of Virginia’s amusement parks.

International students can take a break from the historic sites of Williamsburg Virginia or just their studies at the College of William and Mary and venture off to Busch Gardens Williamsburg. With over twenty rides, Busch Gardens Williamsburg is European themed. Originally named Busch Gardens: The Old Country, students can visit England, Scotland, Ireland, France, Germany and Italy. Animal encounters featuring eagles, wolves and Clydesdales, among other animals, are available.

Cool down at Busch Garden’s Water Country USA with more than ten slides and attractions.

Just north of Richmond, the capital of Virginia, King’s Dominion is the perfect place for students studying in Virginia to seek hair raising thrills. Kings Dominion attracts over 13 million visitors a year with over 60 rides and attractions. The Anaconda was the first looping coaster in the world that showcased an underwater tunnel and the 4,210-foot Dominator is the longest floorless coaster in the world. Volcano, the Blast Coaster, is the only coaster in the world to shoot you straight out of a raging volcano at speeds over 70 mph.

Like Busch Gardens, Kings Dominion also has a water park, Waterworks, complete with waterfront cabanas, rafting rides and slides.

When walking along the 28 feet wide, thee mile long boardwalk in Virginia Beach, you are bound to come across the Virginia Beach Amusement Park. Located across from the boardwalk’s only pier, the Amusement Park is more like a carnival. Prices of rides vary and all day wristbands are available.

The University of Florida has increased internationalization giving students the opportunity to open doors around the world.  What started with 300 study-abroad students in one year, has now turned into more than 2,000 study abroad students this year alone and the international efforts do not stop there according to an article in the Gainesville Sun. This year thirteen UF students have won the Fulbright award, part of a US government sponsored program that allows students to gain hands-on experience teaching or conducting research in a foreign country. There are over 155 countries around the world that participate in the Fulbright program and there have been approximately 310,000 participants in the program since 1946 according to the US Department of State.

The University of Florida has embraced internationalization, and has selected it as the 2014 university renewal of accreditation theme. In an effort to spread the theme the university has hosted international fairs and speakers. UF has also branched out by adding international studies as a major, an addition that has been sought after for some time. The international studies program allows students to either study abroad or complete a research project that involves their region of study in their senior year.

The benefits of internationalization at the University of Florida reach beyond the campus, one clear illustration of this is seen through the Peace Corps. The University of Florida was ranked second in the top large universities producing Peace Corps members in 2011. UF provided 97 members, second to the University of Colorado at Boulder that provided 117 members.

If you would like more information regarding how the University of Florida increases internationalization you can find it by visiting the Gainesville Sun.

The year is coming to a close and the New Year is arriving! To help make it easier to find the information to study abroad, International Student in 2011 made numerous improvements online.

Here are a few things we have done for our international students in 2011:

- iPhone App – This year we introduced our iPhone app. Online viewers can now access International Student from their phones and learn about studying in the USA . Read about each state, learn the college application process, find out about financial aid (including international student loans and scholarships), and much more!

- Increased Facebook Presence – Not only is International Student one of the most popular destinations online, but so is our Facebook page! This year we have reached over 6,000 likes. We also introduced the Scholarship Sunday weekly post, which will help you finance your education overseas!

- Video Contest – This year also featured our 6^th annual International Student Video Contest, and it was bigger than ever! The grand prize this year was $4,000 where viewers could vote on their favorite video. We had more video submissions this year than ever before – and the quality of the submission was amazing. It was difficult to narrow down the list to the twelve finalist, and even harder for our judges to ultimately choose Jonathan Moore as the winner. This contest starts each year in September, so if you want to be the winner in 2012, don’t forget to enter!

- Improved USA School Search – Searching for the right US college or university is now easier with our Concierge Service which provides your information to schools looking for students just like you! We also added our state guide for all 50 states so you can learn about where you want to study in the US. For those of you who are looking for more specific information about a specific field of study such as law, business or engineering, you can now research your interests in the Study Guide section as well.

- Featured School – We also partnered with colleges that are specifically looking for international students like you. Featured School profile includes more in-depth information about the school and also student profiles so you can see what actual international students are saying about the school. You can contact these Featured Schools and request more information from their profile as well.

- Concierge Service Expanded to the UK and Australia – Last year was the launched of our Concierge Service here in the US. Simply by filling out your name, nationality, interests, and contact information this free service helps match you with schools all across the US – and now look for schools in the UK and Australia as well!

- Online Student Fair – This year we also partnered with Hobsons and CollegeWeekLive to offer online college fairs giving you the chance to meet with admission directors from over 80 universities in the US, Canada and Australia. This is a great service allowing you to meet advisors and counselors live, asking any questions you have without the expense of travel.

- Loans for International Students – Our partner at InternationalStudentLoan.com has launched a new loan comparison tool. Specifically designed to provide international and study abroad students with the opportunity to compare loans and lenders, the new system streamlines the process to find and apply for student loans and it is now also available on InternationalStudent.com as well!

We are open to suggestions, so if you have any ideas on what you would like us to see on International Student in 2012, please leave a comment or email us. As always, we are looking to help you with your international education experience. We are looking forward to 2012 and have many new and exciting features coming in 2012, so stay tune!

The United States has often been depicted as having a unique cultural character able to be described both as a “melting pot” and a “tossed salad.” America is a nation of immigrants with varying cultures, and the melting pot imagery is intended to capture the blending of those cultures to form another that is distinctly American. However, the melting pot imagery is tempered with that of the ‘tossed salad’ wherein despite being mixed, different cultures still retain their individuality. The cultural character of the United States is a blend of those two characterizations, and luckily for international students in Wisconsin, the state is a perfect microcosm of the nation in this regard.

The immigration and cultural diversity in Wisconsin go back as far as when early European settlements were being built alongside those of the long-established Native Americans in the region. The European immigration to what would become Wisconsin occurred in waves that were driven by various industries. From fur traders to miners to bankers and educators, early European settlers streamed into the area and established significant population and cultural centers. More contemporary immigration has seen substantial African-American, Hispanic, and Hmong populations flourish in the state. International students in Wisconsin will feel comfortable amidst the culturally-diverse populations of the state. Moreover, the cultural diversity in Wisconsin ensures that visitors from abroad will often be able to find many of the comforts of home—from their favorite fare to others who speak their native language!

Throughout its history Wisconsin has been a culturally-diverse mix of various peoples, and that legacy is upheld to this day through various cultural initiatives in the state. One such initiative that international students in Wisconsin may be able to take advantage of is the sister-state and sister-city programs in place through Sister-Cities International, an organization dedicated to fostering international connections and providing information and other resources for those traveling/studying abroad. Wisconsin’s sister-state and city relationships are with five different locales; Hessen, Germany; Chiba, Japan; Jalisco, Mexico; Heilongjiang, China; and Nicaragua. International students in Wisconsin that hail from any of these areas may have additional resources at their disposal when studying in the state and, at the very least, will have significant communities there awaiting them with some of the comforts of home! The legacy of cultural diversity in Wisconsin is alive and well, and international students in the state can expect a welcoming atmosphere in which to study!

New Year celebrations are major events all across the world and each country celebrates differently. In the US, most cities host public events to count down the seconds to the New Year. One city, in particular, is the most famous and that’s New York City. Every New Year’s Eve, up to one million people gather in Time Square to celebrate by watching the New Year’s Eve Ball Drop at midnight.

If you are in the US during New Years, watching the Ball Drop in New York may be the chance of a lifetime. Because it is such a popular event, there are a few tips to ensure you have a good view of the ball drop. Arrive early to get a good view since many people will start arriving in the early afternoon on December 31st.  There are many small events and musical performances to keep you entertain from the afternoon to midnight, check out this year’s New Year’s Eve schedule of events to see what to expect.

Because you will be standing and waiting all day, remember to dress comfortably and warmly since the weather is bound to become colder as you get closer to midnight.

Having friends with you can also help the wait go quicker, and it will also make the actual New Year celebration that much better. You will be around so many people crowded all together that there is no doubt that you’ll make some new friends.

Celebrating the New Year in New York City can be tiring. To sustain you while you wait for the New Year to arrive, bring food and drinks with you. Because you cannot save space, if you leave to get food, you may lose your spot. This applies even if you need to use the restroom, so be prepared before you arrive!

No matter where you are or how you celebrate your New Year’s Eve, we wish you a happy New Year!

Did you know that 21.5% percent of the international students that came to the US last year studied business and management? It’s no wonder, with businesses connected using technology and transcending country borders, international business is an important subject for many students seeking a higher degree.

With so many different programs, however, it can be difficult to determine which program is right for you. If you plan to study business, there are some programs that allow students to have a truly international experience.

The University of North Florida, for example, has a GlobalMBA program that is attracting students from all around the world. Students spend four semesters at four different universities located in different countries. The first semester is in Cologne, Germany at the Cologne University of Applied Sciences. The second semester is in Warsaw, Poland at the University of Warsaw. The third semester is taught in Dalian, China at the Dongbei Institute of Finance and Economics, and the final semester is taught at the University of North Florida campus in Jacksonville, Florida.

By completing the collaborative study abroad program students earn a dual Masters degree, one in Business Administration and another in International Management and Intercultural Communications from both Cologne University and the University of Warsaw.

Many students looking to gain an international prospective while studying business will find this to be a unique MBA program in the US. If you are considering the pursuit of a master’s degree, definitely check out any collaborative study abroad programs available. Who wouldn’t want to get to travel the globe and earn a master’s degree at the same time? You can visit the University of North Florida’s featured school listing for more information!

Though there are many international students looking for things to do in Nevada, the average student may be searching for a source of income as well as an activity to fill their spare time; gem hunting and recreational mining is an activity for many Nevadans that combines both. Imagine being able to kick your feet over the ground and discover gems and rare, valuable stones and meteorites hidden just beneath the surface. Now imagine actually doing a little digging and finding huge chunks of treasured ore.

Massive veins of silver and other precious metals run throughout the state, and the ease with which these geologic wonders could be discovered are what lead to the mass westward exodus of prospectors and treasure-hunters that resulted in the founding of Nevada. The famous foundation of “The Silver State” upon a history of mining and gem hunting has managed to carve out a contemporary niche, and international students looking for things to do in Nevada will have no shortage of opportunities to take their turns at experiencing the thrills of this frontier past-time in a patron-friendly setting.

An international student in Nevada that is seeking a different experience than that offered by the Las Vegas Metropolitan Area may see gem hunting as a viable option. Offering more than the thrill of stumbling upon beautiful stones or meteorites, the activity can yield salable items with quite high values that can be traded immediately, as-is (often on-site or at a nearby jeweler) for cash. The increase in the number of regular enthusiasts as well as weekend-warrior “rockhounds” can be partially attributed to the lucrative nature of the activity and also the relative ease with which one comes by their bounty—turning the activity into a regular hobby that pays for itself for many rockhounds.

Moreover, whereas mining and gem hunting have been traditionally dangerous and arduous activities, the contemporary treasure-hunter in Nevada can take advantage of the safe and comfortable conditions and accommodations of today’s tourism-driven mining and gem hunting industry. However, for an international student turned rockhound who was hoping to prospect more traditionally there is still much open land available for casual daytime excursions into the desert in search of gold and other precious deposits.

Here is a list of helpful websites for international students in Nevada interested in trying her/his hand at modern-day treasure hunting, one of the premier things to do in Nevada:

• Nevada Gem – A list of mines and examples of pricing for finds.
• Nevada USA – A recreation website with relevant, useful links of things to do in Nevada.
• Rye Patch Place Gold District – An example prospecting trip and map of good prospecting locations.
• Treasure Hunting Wiki -Pay-to-mine establishment list.

There are so many exciting aspects of going abroad. With new food, new scenery, and new languages, there is a lot to look forward to! However, being thousands of miles away from friends and family can be hard. Your support system is suddenly an ocean away, which can be a very scary feeling. Thankfully, there are many great ways to keep in touch while abroad, so you can have the time of your life exploring a new country while still staying connected to people back at home.

Skype

Skype is one of the best ways to keep in touch with people. Not only can you chat, but you can also video call! As long as you and the person you are trying to reach both have the service, you can talk through the computer, with or without video. This is a great option because it allows you to actually see your friends and family, which makes being away from them a lot easier.

Care Package

Never underestimate the power of some good old snail mail! Sending the folks back home a package full of little momentos from where you are and a nice note is a great way to stay in touch! Sure, it may take slightly more time, effort, and money than a phone call, but it’s nice to have a personal touch on occasion!

Blogging

Blogging is such an easy way to keep in touch, and lets you reach a huge group of people at once. Anyone can quickly and easily set up a free blog using a service such as WordPress or Blogger. You can write about your day to day experiences abroad, and share pictures and videos.

Most international business programs have a requirement or at least an option to study abroad, so if you’re interested in pursuing a degree in international business you can take a look at some of the top programs in the U.S. Keeping in touch doesn’t have to be hard! With minimal time and effort, you can still stay connected to the people you miss back at home.

What are YOUR favorite ways to keep in touch?

Finding the love of your life while studying abroad sounds wonderful, but it seems like something that only happens in the movies. Sure, you might meet someone during your trip, but translating relationships abroad into something long-term can be extremely difficult, especially when there is an ocean separating you!

University of Central Florida student Kristen met her real life prince charming in February of 2009, when he was studying abroad at UCF from France. They had such a strong connection that neither one of them wanted to end their relationship when he had to return to France, so it didn’t. Over two years later, they are still going strong, so I asked Kristen to share her tips about relationships abroad, and how to turn a study abroad fling into the real thing!

Q: How did you and your boyfriend meet?
Kristen: We met through friends, and ended up talking a few times online. A few nights later we all went out, and the rest is history!

Q: How did you guys make the decision to stay together when he went back to France?
Kristen: After we came back from spring break in 2009, it was pretty official that we were “together.” I didn’t want to ask him to be official, because I knew he was going back, and would be surrounded by family, friends, and other girls, and I didn’t know if he’d want to be with me. We decided to see what happened, but two days before he left he said “I love you” to me for the first time, and he called me as soon as he landed in Paris. Pretty much right after he got back, we made it “Facebook official.”

Q: How did you keep in touch while he was overseas?
Kristen: Skype really, really helped a lot, without that I don’t know if I could have done it. We also sent each other packages occasionally, and basically talked on the phone all day…I ended up with a few $1200 phone bills. (eek!) Skype was the best though. Honestly, the distance made us so strong and close because all we had was trust and conversation.

Q: What is the best part about having a boyfriend from a different country?
Kristen: Things are always interesting! We get to travel and experience other cultures, and we really appreciate our time together. I’ve met amazing people from all over the world, and developed strong relationships with them which has taught me so much. Also, our relationship is so strong because of what we went through.

Kristen’s boyfriend came back to America after a year, and attends UCF with her. In the future, they see themselves traveling all over Europe and America, and possibly even living in Europe for a few years. Do you have any advice for successful relationships abroad?

The Green Mountain State is famous for a relaxed, socially progressive culture, with a mind toward local affairs and agriculture. This is, in part, due to Vermont’s having the second smallest population in the United States. The state is also the seventh smallest state in terms of total area. International students in Vermont will experience traditional American town hall democracy, which still governs local affairs. All of these factors contribute to Vermonters’ active political lives, and the state’s low crime rate—the second lowest in the nation! Moreover, these communal bonds are further enhanced by local farming and an environmental consciousness born of the state’s immense wilderness (over 70% of the state is covered in forest) and robust local agriculture (many companies like Vermont-based Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream rely on local farmers for their ingredients and are willing to pay more for such products to sustain the industry). This has led to certain economic criticisms of the state, and international students considering whether to study in Vermont who are pursuing business-related degrees should be aware that the state has been ranked in the lower half (32nd) of, “states in which to do business” by Forbes Magazine. This reality is mirrored in Vermont’s possessing the lowest gross domestic product in the USA.

However, international students in Vermont will see Vermonters’ local focus shine through by the fact that despite the lowest GDP, the state has also consistently had one of the lowest unemployment rates in the USA; Vermonters pride themselves in taking care of their own. Another perk of the close-knit, yet accepting communal fabric that those who study abroad in Vermont can look forward to is enjoying the state’s impressively low crime rate—the second lowest in the nation. Importantly, the small population and local-focus do not obscure global awareness or diversity. The government of Vermont has been ranked very highly in terms of its handling of local issues and issues global in scope, while receiving only an average rating in matters of future economic development. The local emphasis of Vermont is not to be mistaken for a fear of diversity as the state has a robust history with roots not only in early American culture (the first territory to be admitted to statehood outside of the 13 original colonies and the 1st to outlaw slavery—reiterating a law in place prior to becoming a state), but was also (earlier) home to French and Native American settlements; in fact, today, around 2.5% of Vermonters still speak French in their households. So, when considering whether to study abroad in Vermont, international students should become aware of what kind of experience they are hoping to have while in America, and what industry in which they would hope to work, upon completing their education. Vermont may be ideal for those interested in history, law, medicine, politics and democracy, agriculture, local organization, community activism, and outdoor recreation, while proving potentially lackluster for those seeking competitive business educations or consumer-driven environments and industries.