Sunday, April 14, 2024
IT IS THAT TIME OF YEAR
IT'S SNOWING AGAIN IN RENO AND IT'S TIME TO CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS!
It's amazing how quickly time passes. I've been asking countless people, "Can you believe it's December?" to which I get a response of "...Yes, I can." But it can't just be me, right? Are you telling me the last time I saw my immediate family was a year ago? Are you telling me... that there is snow again ? It seems like nothing, but simultaneously, everything has happened in the capsule of a year. And once again, it's the Christmas season. Bright lights, cold, and Mariah Carey's "All I Want for Christmas is You."
Although this time it's different.
Spending the holidays in a completely different country, much less cultural, is like opening a box of chocolates; You never know what you're going to get! I once spent Christmas in Japan, and it turned out that they don't go crazy there, unlike in the Philippines. My family prepares a good amount of decoration, enough to make you feel the Christmas atmosphere and have nice photos for your memory.
This year in the United States, I started feeling the holidays as soon as the week-long fall season ended and winter arrived like a wrecking ball. Yes, my downfall this year lasted a week and then the skies dumped snow storms mercilessly. What's stranger, despite having lived in the United States for a year, is that the Christmas decorations only came out after Thanksgiving !
Christmas in the Philippines
I guess one of the reasons I was surprised is how we Filipinos start preparing for Christmas around the time “ber” is in the month…yes, September. We started preparing in September. All the parols (star lanterns like the photo below!) come out of their boxes and are now the center of attention for all the goodies that will be sold. Filipino singer Jose Marie Chan and his rendition of "Christmas in Our Hearts" becomes the national anthem of every mall (we have a great mall culture). Of course, plus all the houses are already decorated with Christmas decorations... three months... before the holidays.
Our Christmas Eve begins with a Catholic holy mass at 9 pm, followed by a quiet wait until midnight, unless you are about eight years old, then Christmas Eve dinner with the family before distributing the gifts under the tree. At the feast you will find good old ham, Filipino spaghetti and barbecue, buko salad (a delicious coconut fruit salad) and, of course, rice. The morning after Christmas Eve starts quite late, most people are simply giddy with the gifts they received.
Christmas in America
As for the United States, Christmas is more low-key. More like Filipinos just exaggerate. People are reserved, and it is more solemn than festive. The image of diversity also comes into play. It's a part of American culture that I love; You can be who you are and believe in whatever you want, and you have every right to do so. That being said, not everyone goes crazy with decorations.
It is also more difficult to celebrate collectively since most people are very independent. But that means you can enjoy a nice vacation without extra “vacation work.” On the other hand, holiday gatherings are more prominent, like the potluck we'll be having, my university 's Diversity and International Students Center and Office , along with party games like White Elephant - it brings back the nostalgia of the Christmas spirit.
IMPROVE YOUR ENGLISH WHILE PURSUING HIGHER EDUCATION AT ASU
"Over the past 40 years, we have served students from more than 160 countries, coming from countless backgrounds and experiences" - John Deal, Associate Director of Global Launch
As one of the largest universities in the country, ASU is of interest to students around the world from places such as Japan, Saudi Arabia, Colombia, Indonesia, South Korea and more. The purpose of Global Launch is always to ensure that international students are equipped to not only meet the school's expectations, but also to succeed in their respective
“I was inspired by any type of different culture and rapid technological advances, and a few months ago, my university in Indonesia offered me to attend the immersion program at ASU. I like the quality of the teaching because it is different from the teaching style I have had, and the content of the class never bores me, because it forces us to continue doing critical thinking, and that is what I like!” Sierady said.
Ryan enjoyed ASU because of the comfortable environment, good educational system, and the ability to learn more about sustainability. Ryan also enjoyed his visit to the Thunderbird School of Global Management and because of this program, Ryan is interested in studying Global Management in the future.
JOB OPTIONS FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS IN THE USA
We know you may have a couple of questions about how you can work and study while at a US university. We've compiled some of the most frequently asked questions we get from international students.
Can I work in the USA while studying with the F1 visa?
This is one of the most frequently asked questions by international students. Gaining work experience, along with a degree, can be incredibly beneficial to your career goals. But also, studying in the US can be incredibly expensive. Therefore, finding legal employment can be seen as a beneficial “return on investment” after completing your degree program.
Fortunately , with the F1 student visa, international students can work off campus after completing their first year of studies . Employment with the F1 visa is Curricular Practical Training and Optional Practical Training. So what is the difference?JOIN OUR VIP LIST OF INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
CPT is a part-time job while you study your degree program. Think of CPT as an internship, intended to further your education. CPT may or may not be paid, but must always be related to your program of study by a connection to the curriculum.
Optional Practical Training (OPT)
OPT is a full-time job, available to students after completing their degree program . Think of this as the ultimate goal that your degree has prepared you for. International students can apply for regular jobs in the US and can legally work full-time for up to 12 months. Some degree programs that are considered STEM will allow additional time for OPT.
Lewis University has some of the highest placement rates for CPT and OPT employment with our international students. Our reputation for excellent education means that employers are looking for Lewis students to work for. But also, the campus is located near the city of Chicago, which has many employers specifically looking for international students to work.
UNIVERSITY PROFILE OF THE MONTH: UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS AMHERST
Liberal mecca in cosmopolitan, picturesque western Massachusetts, UMass has strong study abroad programs and an international atmosphere. In addition to the resources of a large research university, it offers easy access to private Amherst, Hampshire, Mount Holyoke and Smith through the Five College Consortium.
The University of Massachusetts Amherst, one of the nation's leading universities with more than 150 years of tradition, offers students a wide variety of careers, extracurricular activities and social opportunities in a premier city, along with a robust tuition program. honorary. UMass' membership in the Five College Consortium makes it a good choice for students who want to take advantage of the extensive resources and programs of a large research university while still savoring the small-college atmosphere and intellectual rigor. of four elite private schools, all without the need for large budgets.
UMass' sprawling 3,000-acre campus is centered around a pond filled with ducks and swans, while architectural styles range from colonial to modern. The school is located on the outskirts of Amherst, a city that combines the energy of a bustling cosmopolitan center with the charm of an old New England town, while adapting to university life. The UMass library system is the largest of any public institution in the Northeast. The campus is experiencing a wave of new construction, such as the Physical Sciences building, which offers flexible laboratories for research teams, and the 70,000 m² Isenberg Business Innovation Hub, with classrooms and a business analysis laboratory.
UMass offers more than 110 bachelor's degree programs, with management, engineering and computer science among the most prestigious. Psychology, public health sciences, biology and computer science are the most popular majors. Nursing, accounting, finance and sports management also receive praise. Students who want to stand out from the crowd may consider the interdisciplinary major in social thought and political economy, or the bachelor's degree in individual concentration, a self-designed specialization. The Exploratory Track program places undeclared freshmen into one of seven academic advising tracks, based on the interests and academic strengths demonstrated in their admissions applications.
UMass offers 400 study abroad programs in more than 65 countries around the world and sends 22% of its undergraduate students around the world. The Student Business Center offers one of the most imaginative programs at UMass, allowing students to staff and manage nine campus businesses, learning to work as a team and professionally resolve conflicts.
Academics at UMass
The intellectual and political climate at UMass is extraordinarily fertile for a large state university, and the school lends considerable research power to the Five College Consortium. This special partnership allows students to attend UMass and take courses (at no additional cost) at the four other schools in the consortium: Amherst College, Hampshire, Mount Holyoke and Smith. Typically, 30% to 40% of the approximately 5,000 courses offered through the consortium are taken at UMass.
Students with a higher academic profile have the possibility of opting for a program associated with UMass that has great prestige: Commonwealth Honors College . Through this program, students from different disciplines benefit from courses that invite them to critical thinking, expand their creative potential in very small classes completely focused on research methodologies, without giving up all the advantages and resources of a large university.
"The faculty has responded to the demands of serious students by challenging us to learn how to succeed." 28% of university students participate in practical research with faculty. Most courses are taught by full professors, although some of the larger courses are divided into smaller sections with graduate assistants; Overall, 50% of undergraduate classes have fewer than 20 students.
"We have nerds, jocks, theater buffs, hippies and future CEOs," says one senior. 76% of university students are residents, while 7% come from more than 80 foreign countries. The university has created cultural centers on campus, which offer activities and support to students from different backgrounds, but racial equity remains an issue, students report. “There are always rallies to ask for better programs and aid for minorities,” says a senior.
Student Life
UMass has one of the largest housing systems in the country. 63% of students stay in seven residential areas. The Residential First-Year Experience assigns first-year students to live/learn with peers who share common interests and experiences. On the other hand, the dining services receive good reviews. A senior student comments: “The campus is very self-contained, so I have felt safe there even late at night.” The 'UMatter' program at UMass works to address issues of bias, sexual assault, hazing, high-risk alcohol use and other community challenges.
UMass offers “a very broad social life,” says one student, with several dormitories, off-campus parties, and about 500 student organizations of all kinds. «Most of my social interactions occur on campus during my extracurricular activities. On weekends, we frequent the restaurants and bars in downtown Amherst, which is a lively, albeit small, college town,” says a chemical engineering student. Both on and off campus, alcohol policies are strict and enforced; Off-campus parties are usually registered with the university. The Fine Arts Center brings nationally renowned theater, music and dance performances to campus year-round. A free public transportation system allows for maximum mobility, not only between the Five Colleges, but also to nearby cities, which have a number of exceptional bookstores.
Nestled in the Pioneer Valley and surrounded by the Berkshire Hills, Amherst is close to good skiing, hiking and canoeing areas. It is also 90 miles west of Boston, 150 miles north of New York City, and 25 miles south of Vermont and New Hampshire.