success in and out of class

Success In and Out of ClassSuccess In and Out of Class

An Orientation Seminar for

Graduate Studies in America

(M.B.A., M.S., M.A., Ph.D.)

好的開始就是成功的一半


Sponsor:Sponsor:Reference Room for Study Abroad

Taipei Municipal Library

Lecturer:Lecturer:Stuart Bullington ( 柏寧恆 )

International Students Inc.


More About Me:More About Me:Stuart Bullington ( 柏寧恆 )

M.S.C.E., 1991University of Washington

Seattle, Washington

Research Topic:Research Topic:

Finite Element Modeling of Fracture

in Reinforced Concrete

The Opportunity:The Opportunity:

• Prepare for your future career by:– Earning your graduate degree from an

American school (M.B.A., M.S., M.A., Ph.D.)

– Learning how to do research and publish

– Gaining practical work experience

• Grow and learn:– Become a more independent and mature

person

– Learn another language and culture

Study in AmericaStudy in America

The Challenge:The Challenge:

• Totally new experience• Unsure about what to expect• Concerned about speaking English• Worried about money• Worried about the challenge of

graduate-level studies• Afraid of failure


Today’s Goals:Today’s Goals:

• Help you prepare for this new experience• Share practical advice about:

– what to expect in America– how to adjust quickly– how to save money – how to improve your English– how to be successful in graduate school

• Fear Confidence


OverviewOverview

• The American Environment– Arrival and getting settled

– Long-Term adjustment to America

• The University Environment– Sources of help for international students

– Getting off to a good start

• Q&A Session

The American EnvironmentThe American Environment

• Arrival and Getting Settled1. Applying for Your American Visa

2. The Flight to America

a. What to arrange in advance

a. What to arrange in advancea. What to arrange in advance

• Notify School of Your Flight No. and Arrival Time• Taiwan Passport and American Visa• Packing and Shipping• Airport Pickup• Temporary Housing after Arrival

– Start planning 2-3 months before departure

– Possible sources of help:

• International Student Office

• Chinese Student Association (CSA)

• International Students Inc. (ISI)






b. What to take with you

b. What to take with youb. What to take with you

• Entry Papers: Passport and Visa• All Documents Sent by Your University• Traveling Cash and Traveler’s Checks• Credit Cards and ATM Cards• Birth Certificate• Financial Documents• International Driver’s License• Medical and Dental Records• Professional Records• Letters of Recommendation• English Translations of All Important Documents


b. What to take with youb. What to take with you

• Extra Passport Photos • Insurance Policies • Inventory of Items in Your Luggage• Household and Prescription Medications• Laptop Computer• English-Chinese Dictionaries, Other Chinese Books• Paperback Textbooks in Your Area of Study• Extra Pair of Eyeglasses• Small Cultural Gifts from Taiwan• Photos of Your Family and Home

2. The Flight to America2. The Flight to America






3. Arrival at the Airport


• Immigration: Passport and Visa CheckImmigration: Passport and Visa Check

– You will receive Form I-94 (arrival-departure record)

– Your “admission number” will be entered on Form I-20

– I-20 AB (pages 1 and 2) will be removed and sent to your school

– You retain I-20 ID (pages 3 and 4 of I-20) as proof that you are legally admitted to the U.S. as an F-1 student

3. 3. Arrival at the AirportArrival at the Airport

• Baggage Claim• Airport Pickup

– Meet your party– Taxi or Super Shuttle

• Go to Temporary Housing• Call or E-Mail Home

Soon After Arrival:• International Student Orientation• Registration







4. Long-term Housing: On Campus or Off?

4. Long-term Housing

On Campus: DormitoryOn Campus: Dormitory

• Advantages– Close to or on campus– No need to buy food or cook meals– No need to buy furniture or appliances

• Disadvantages– Potential for major conflicts with roommates– Noisy – All food served is American food– Students must move out between semesters

4. 4. Long-term HousingLong-term Housing

Off Campus: ApartmentOff Campus: Apartment

• Advantages– Live with roommates you like– Don’t have to move out between semesters– Can use the kitchen to cook your own food– Usually quieter than dorms

• Disadvantages– Must sign a lease agreement– Might be far from campus– Probably will have to buy some furniture– Have to spend more time shopping, cooking, washing

dishes and cleaning the apartment








5. Applying for American Identity Cards

5. American Identity Cards

Social Security CardSocial Security Card• Required before you can:

– Apply for a driver’s license– Open a bank account– Work– Pay income tax– Apply for a credit card

• Apply at a Social Security Administration office– Passport and visa– Birth certificate (certified English copy)

• Memorize your Social Security number• Alternative: Taxpayer ID Number

5. 5. American Identity CardsAmerican Identity Cards

Driver’s LicenseDriver’s License• Required before you can:

– Drive or buy a car– Write checks– Use a credit card

• Apply at the State Department of Motor Vehicles– Apply for Learner’s Permit or use your international driver’s

license– Take driving lessons from a driving school– Apply for car insurance

• Alternative: Photo ID Card

5. 5. American Identity CardsAmerican Identity Cards

Driver’s License: To Drive or Not to Drive?Driver’s License: To Drive or Not to Drive?

Need to Drive Don’t Need to Drive1. International Driver’s License 1. Apply for Social Security Card

2. Apply for Social Security Card 2. Apply for Photo I.D. Card

3. Buy a Car

4. Apply for Liability Insurance (depends on which state you are in)

5. Take Driving Lessons

6. Apply for Driver’s License

- Take Written Test

- Take Driving Test








5. Applying for American Identity Cards

6. Should You Buy a Car?

6. Should You Buy a Car?

Buy a CarBuy a Car• Advantages

– Live anywhere you like– No need to depend on public transportation– Travel around America during holidays

• Disadvantages– Must have a driver’s license– Need to find a parking space– Owning a car is expensive (> US$300/month)

• Initial cost of buying the car

• Pay for liability insurance

• Pay for gasoline, oil changes and other maintenance

• Pay state license fees

– Have to sell it when you leave

6. 6. Should You Buy a Car?Should You Buy a Car?

Use Public TransportationUse Public Transportation• Advantages

– Saves a lot of time and money– No need to get a driver’s license

• Disadvantages– Must live near bus routes or other transit lines– Makes shopping difficult– Bus schedules may not match your schedule– Not practical in most American cities

Note: Use the bus. American taxis are expensive!

Conclusion:Conclusion: Whether you need a car or not depends on your location.


• Arrival and Getting SettledArrival and Getting Settled7. Money, Banking and Financial Issues

7. Money, Banking and Financial Issues

• American Money—CoinsAmerican Money—Coins

Penny

1 cent

Nickel

5 cents

Dime

10 cents

Quarter

25 cents

Dollar

$1.00

1 cent = 1 ¢ = $0.01

1 dollar = $1.00 = 100 ¢ = 100 cents

7. 7. Money, Banking and Financial IssuesMoney, Banking and Financial Issues

• American Money—Paper CurrencyAmerican Money—Paper Currency

Commonly-Used Bills: $1, $5, $10, $20

• Estimating ExpensesEstimating Expenses• Check estimates on your I-20 or IAP-66

• Use the worksheet provided

COST FOR ONE YEAR (2000-2001 estimates)COST FOR ONE YEAR (2000-2001 estimates)

• Tuition and Fees $3,500 - $25,000

• Room and Board $4,000 - $12,000

• Books and Supplies $500 - $1,000

• Health Insurance $400 - $1,000

• Personal Expenses $1,200 - $3,000



Transferring Funds to the U.S.Transferring Funds to the U.S.

• Traveler’s checks (American Express, etc.)

• ATM transfer (Cirrus, Plus, Accel, etc.)

• Bank check (cashier’s check, money order) from a U.S. bank in Taiwan

• Wire transfer (electronic transfer)

Note: If you transfer more than $10,000 in currency, money orders, checks, or traveler's checks when you enter the U.S., file a Form 4790 with U.S. Customs. Banks are also required to report all cash transactions more than $10,000 to the Internal Revenue Service, or IRS.

7. 7. Money, Banking and Financial IssuesMoney, Banking and Financial IssuesOpening a Bank AccountOpening a Bank Account– 3 kinds of financial institutions:

Banks Savings and Loans Credit Unions

– 2 kinds of accounts:

Checking Savings

– You will need to open a checking account• REQUIRED for paying bills• Documents you may need when you open your checking

account:– Social Security Card

– Driver’s License or Taiwan Passport

– Bill or other evidence to show your home address

• Ask about interest rate and minimum balance requirements

7. 7. Money, Banking and Financial IssuesMoney, Banking and Financial IssuesOpening a Bank AccountOpening a Bank Account– Writing Checks:


Debit CardsDebit CardsA special kind of ATM card:

– Open a checking account and ask for a debit card

– Card usually bears the VISA symbol

– Can be used at some locations (grocery stores, etc.) in place of checks

– Money transfers directly from your checking account to the store



8. Health Care and Health Insurance

8. Health Care and Health InsuranceHealth Care in America is ExpensiveHealth Care in America is Expensive

So…– Try to avoid seeing doctors in America– Don’t go to an American hospital– Get medical care before you leave Taiwan– Take extra eyeglasses with you– Take medicines with you– Exercise and take care of your health

Buy Health InsuranceBuy Health Insurance– Health insurance is available from your university– Compare policies: low cost = high deductible = high risk




9. Crime: How to Protect Yourself

9. Crime: How to Protect YourselfCrime PreventionCrime Prevention• Avoid walking alone on the streets and in parking lots

at night• Ask local people where the high-crime neighborhoods

are• Don’t open your apartment door to strangers• Keep car and apartment doors locked at all times• Stay alert while waiting at bus stops





10. Communicating: Telephones, Post Office, E-Mail

10. Communicating

TelephoneTelephone– See “How to Get Phone Service” on new2usa web site

Post OfficePost Office– You cannot pay bills at American post offices—they are just

for sending mail only

E-MailE-Mail– Most universities provide e-mail accounts to students after

they register– Use web-based e-mail providers (Hotmail, Yahoo, etc.) while

you are waiting for the university to provide e-mail– Remember that most American computers cannot read

Chinese e-mails and do not have Chinese keyboards






11. How to Improve Your English Quickly


Helpful Tips:Helpful Tips:• People learn language from other people

– You will learn English only if you make friends with native English speakers

– You will not learn English if you spend all of your time with Chinese-speaking people

• It’s easier to learn in a cross-cultural group

• Apply to ISI for an English Conversation Partner

• Ask your Foreign Student Advisor about other opportunities to practice English with Americans







12. Tipping

13. Shopping on a Budget

14. American Weights and Measures

15. Weather and Climate

15. Weather and Climate


• Long-term Adjustment to America1. American Culture—It’s Not Taiwan!

1. American CultureIt’s Not Taiwan!It’s Not Taiwan!• Independence, self-reliance and individualism

– Privacy

– Extreme diversity

– Unconcern about other people’s opinions

– Grown children live separately from parents

– Intense competition in all parts of society

• High value placed on work and achievement

• Direct communication and honesty valued over harmony

• Preference for talking over non-verbal communication

• Respect for science and numbers, “facts”

• Interest in sports



2. Culture Shock

2. Culture Shock

The 5 Stages of Culture Shock:The 5 Stages of Culture Shock:• The Honeymoon

• Confusion, Frustration and Anger

• Learning and Understanding

• Finding Your Own Identity

• Re-entry Shock



2. Culture Shock

3. Making Friends with Americans

3. Making Friends with AmericansAdjust to the Culture:Adjust to the Culture:• Imitate how Americans greet each other:

– “How’s it going?” “Pretty good.”

• Don’t ask personal questions when you first meet someone:

– Avoid: age, money, marriage, health, politics

– Safe topics: work, school, sports, weather, hobbies

• Try to avoid direct “Why do you…” questions.

• Be careful about touching people when talking to them.

• When you want people to move, say “excuse me” instead of touching. • Be on time for appointments. Don’t be more than 10 minutes late.

• Don’t call after 9:30 pm.

• Ask permission before smoking. Expect to smoke outdoors.

3. 3. Making Friends with AmericansMaking Friends with AmericansAdjust to the Culture:Adjust to the Culture:• Wear shoes indoors when you visit homes.

• Go dutch at restaurants.

• Don’t give Americans hot water to drink.• Use one hand to pass out business cards, money, etc.• Don’t shout loudly near other people indoors.

3. 3. Making Friends with AmericansMaking Friends with Americans

Making Friends On Campus:Making Friends On Campus:• Try to make friends with American students who have lived

in other countries—they will understand your situation better

• Get involved in team sports

• Live in the international or graduate student dormitory

Making Friends Off Campus:Making Friends Off Campus:• International Students Inc. (ISI) (http://isi.fhl.net) offers

friendship with Americans both on and off campus:

– English Conversation Partners

– Friendship Partners

– Host Families (in some locations)

OverviewOverview

• The American EnvironmentThe American Environment– Arrival and getting settledArrival and getting settled

– Long-Term adjustment to AmericaLong-Term adjustment to America

• The University Environment– Sources of help for international students

– Getting off to a good start

• Q&A Session

The University EnvironmentThe University Environment

• Sources of Help for International Students

1. International Office/Foreign Student Advisor


• F-1 or J-1 visa questions• Employment• Transfer to another school• Adjustment problems• Income tax




2. Academic Advisor and Department Secretary


• Selecting courses• Departmental requirements• Problems with a professor• Problems with English• Changing majors• Registration procedures• Information about professors and research

projects• Academic problems





3. Sources for Financial Aid

3. Sources for Financial Aid– U.S. Government AgenciesU.S. Government Agencies

• National Science Foundation (NSF)

• NASA

• Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR)

• State Transportation Department

– Private IndustryPrivate Industry• Large Companies: Boeing, Microsoft, Exxon, etc.

• Trade Organizations: American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC), American Concrete Institute (ACI)

– Foundations, Trusts and CharitiesFoundations, Trusts and Charities• Mostly for medical and pharmaceutical research

• American Heart Association, American Cancer Society

3. 3. Sources for Financial AidSources for Financial Aid• Types of Financial AidTypes of Financial Aid

– Fellowships and Grants

– Research Assistantships (RA)

– Teaching Assistantships (TA)

• How to Get Financial AidHow to Get Financial Aid– Understand how the money is distributed

• Research projects are funded by outside sources and managed by professors

• The purpose of providing financial aid is to complete research projects, not help students

• Professors in your department will decide who gets financial aid based on each student’s potential for success in research

3. 3. Sources for Financial AidSources for Financial Aid• How to Get Financial AidHow to Get Financial Aid

• Large, well-known state universities can provide more financial aid

• Ask your previous professors in Taiwan if they know any professors at your university in America

• Investigate and find out what kind of research projects each professor in your department is managing and how they are funded

• You should contact professors soon after the beginning of fall semester. Send a brief email introducing yourself, and a short one- or two-page resume as an attachment.

• Faculty will evaluate students during the first two semesters to find the best candidates for research


• Getting Off to a Good Start

1. Plan Your Coursework and Research Carefully


The Responsibility is Yours:The Responsibility is Yours:• It’s your responsibility (not your academic advisor’s)

to understand the requirements to complete your degree

• It’s possible to unintentionally choose courses that will not count toward your degree

• Your research topic will influence your choice of courses

• Think how your selection of courses fits your long-term career goals




2. Choose the Right Research Professor

2. Choose the Right Research ProfessorWhy You Need to Choose Carefully:Why You Need to Choose Carefully:• Financial aid (research grants and R.A. positions) often

depends on which professor you have

• Your research professor has the power to decide how long you stay in graduate school

• The cost of choosing the wrong professor:

– 2 to 3 more years in graduate school

– School expenses of more than U.S.$20,000 plus lost income over 2 to 3 years = U.S.$120,000 (NT$3,840,000)

• Some professors have heavy administrative duties that leave them almost no time to guide students. You might have to work alone without any supervision or help.

2. 2. Choose the Right Research ProfessorChoose the Right Research ProfessorHow to Choose:How to Choose:Spend time learning about the professors in your department

– Talk to other graduate students

– Look for professors who spend time with their students to help with their research

– Go to the university library and find the theses and disser-tations written by students in your department over the past 5 years. Compare theses written under various professors to see how their research topics and requirements differ.

– Find out which professors have grant money to fund R.A. positions and buy research equipment

– Try to take a class with the professor first before making a final decision




2. Choose the Right Research Professor

3. Understand American Classroom Behavior

3. Understand American Classroom Behavior• Arrive on time for class. Professors do not take lateness

lightly.• If you don’t arrive on time, if something happens, speak to

the professor after the class and explain why you didn’t. Make it a good excuse! Don’t do it often!

• Remember to go to class prepared: do your homework. Hand in all assignments on time throughout the semester.

• Participate in class discussions. Speak up!• Be aware that students are competing against each other.• Evaluations are made by professors throughout the

semester. Final grades are not simply determined by your score on your final exam.

Quizzes: weekly short exams.Exams: probably only 2 or 3 per semester, including the

final exam.Homework: often a major part of the final grade.




2. Choose a Good Research Professor

3. Understand American Classroom Behavior

4. Think Clearly About Your Goals

4. Think Clearly About Your Goals

My Goals while I am studying in America are to:My Goals while I am studying in America are to:

1. _______________________________________________

2. _______________________________________________

3. _______________________________________________

Main Point:Main Point: Study in America is an opportunity for personal

growth and change, not just a degree.

OverviewOverview

• The American EnvironmentThe American Environment– Arrival and getting settledArrival and getting settled

– Long-Term adjustment to AmericaLong-Term adjustment to America

• The University EnvironmentThe University Environment– Sources of help for international studentsSources of help for international students

– Getting off to a good startGetting off to a good start

• Q&A Session

Q&A SessionQ&A Session

1. Introduce the Panel


National Taiwan University:

歐陽明 - Department of Computer Science

戚樹誠 - Department of Business Administration

陳發林 - Institute of Applied Mechanics

Chiao Tung Bank ( 交通銀行 ):

楊正綸 - Assistant Vice President, Legal Affairs Department

Q&A SessionQ&A Session


2. Divide Into Discussion Groups

2. Divide into Discussion Groups

歐陽明 - Computer Science

戚樹誠 - Business

陳發林 - Science and Engineering

楊正綸 - Women in Graduate School

Thank You for Coming to:Thank You for Coming to:Success In and Out of ClassSuccess In and Out of Class

Reference Room for Study AbroadTaipei Municipal Library

Today’s Lecturer:

Stuart Bullington ( 柏寧恆 )

International Students Inc.

If you want a copy of today’s Powerpoint file, send an e-mail

with “Powerpoint” in the Subject line to:

[email protected]@ortv.com.tw