Succeeding in the American University

Succeeding in the American University

A workshop for International Graduate StudentsSchool of Interdisciplinary and Graduate StudiesGraduate Student CouncilPresentersDr. Beth Boehm, Professor of English, & Interim Dean of the School of Interdisciplinary and Graduate Studies

Amber Carrier, Doctoral candidate, Biology, Arts and Science, & President of Graduate Student Council

Nurcan Durak, Doctoral candidate, CECS, Speed School, & Information chair of Graduate Student Council

Shyam Bansal, Doctoral candidate, Pharmacology & Toxicology

Shyam Sharma, Doctoral candidate in English, & Research Assistant, SIGS

School of Interdisciplinary and Graduate StudiesGraduate Student CouncilO U T L I N ETransition: Learning New Things

Interaction

Transfer: Building on Past Knowledge/Skills

Interaction

Beyond the workshop

School of Interdisciplinary and Graduate StudiesGraduate Student CouncilDiscussion 1Introduce Yourself and Share an ExperienceIntroduce yourself to one person sitting next to you: name, country, interest, etc.

Talk about an experience or idea regarding academic culture at UofL which you found interesting, confusing, or simply different.

School of Interdisciplinary and Graduate StudiesGraduate Student Council

TRANSITION Part 1School of Interdisciplinary and Graduate StudiesGraduate Student CouncilEducation as a Cultural ConceptKnowledge, education, and learning are conceptualized differently by different cultures.

For example, students read and often do assignments before coming to class in American universities, but they usually do so after class in many other countries.

School of Interdisciplinary and Graduate StudiesGraduate Student CouncilWarning!Cultures overlap: differences are not always clear.

Globalization of higher education has blurred cultural/national distinctions in concepts.

Different disciplines within American university may have very different academic practices.

Academic concepts/practices in different cultures are not better or worse: theyre just unique.

School of Interdisciplinary and Graduate StudiesGraduate Student Council

-Shyam SharmaSOME FEATURES OF AMERICAN ACADEMIC CULTURESchool of Interdisciplinary and Graduate StudiesGraduate Student CouncilLearning is creating new knowledgeStudents are not just considered as learners but also as producers of new knowledge. Students need not wait until they become experts, or reach a certain age or position, before their ideas and opinions begin to be considered knowledge.

That perspective is seen in classroom practices and student-teacher communication.

School of Interdisciplinary and Graduate StudiesGraduate Student CouncilLearning is student-centeredGraduate classes involve seminars or discussions facilitated by the teacher.

Teachers may only ask Socratic questionsseeming to not know the answerin order to allow students to be better involved in their learning.

School of Interdisciplinary and Graduate StudiesGraduate Student CouncilLearning involves critical thinkingStudents must be critical thinkers.

They are expected to contribute to existing body of knowledge by challenging and complicating itnot just expected to learn what is out there.

They can offer personal response, criticism and analysis of texts written by experts.

It is also okay for students to intellectually disagree with teachers or colleagues.

School of Interdisciplinary and Graduate StudiesGraduate Student CouncilStudents must be self-directedEspecially at the graduate level, students are expected to be self-directed scholars.

You decide what courses you take and how you relate them to your professional goal

You normally choose your own topic for papers/projects

Normally, institutional requirements dont affect your choice of interest/specialization very much.

School of Interdisciplinary and Graduate StudiesGraduate Student CouncilWriting is considered a process of learningWriting is considered both a tool of expression and a process of learning.

Conventions are different in different departments.

But its good to learn about general issues. thesis statement, topic sentenceorganization, transition, flow

Use Writing Center services: http://louisville.edu/writingcenter

School of Interdisciplinary and Graduate StudiesGraduate Student CouncilResearch is a crucial part of education Research is at the heart of learning in most disciplines.

Research doesnt mean merely finding and reporting what the experts have said/found.

It means exploring an issue of your interest and contributing to it, often challenging or updating the existing body of knowledge on the subject.

School of Interdisciplinary and Graduate StudiesGraduate Student CouncilResponsibility is essential in researchBecause ideas are owned like property, students must always acknowledge who they belong to.

Using ideas without proper acknowledgment is called plagiarism.

It doesnt matter whether a person plagiarizes intentionally or unintentionally, its still plagiarism.

School of Interdisciplinary and Graduate StudiesGraduate Student CouncilNew languages, skills, technologiesLearn the language of the discipline.

Learn new learning styles/skills.

Learn new technologies

School of Interdisciplinary and Graduate StudiesGraduate Student CouncilStudents meet with their professorsStudents visit professors to seek individual help.

If you dont understand an assignment, or anything, make an appointment and meet with your professor.

Emailing is a good way to ask for a time.

School of Interdisciplinary and Graduate StudiesGraduate Student Council CULTURAL DIFFERENCES

School of Interdisciplinary and Graduate StudiesGraduate Student CouncilFormalityTeachers and students generally have a less formal relationship in the US.

Some professors may prefer to be addressed by their first name.

Do not generalize. Formality and distance depends on the personality/preference of individual teachers.

School of Interdisciplinary and Graduate StudiesGraduate Student CouncilProfessionalismLEARN ABOUTBody languagePrivacy and personal spaceGender relationshipsCollaboration with colleaguesTime management (skills)How to socialize with colleagues and teachersWhat people dont talk about, etc

School of Interdisciplinary and Graduate StudiesGraduate Student CouncilSchool of Interdisciplinary and Graduate StudiesGraduate Student Council-Amber Carrier-Shyam S. BansalDepartmental Differences and Their Influence on the Graduate Experience

School of Interdisciplinary and Graduate StudiesGraduate Student Council

School of Interdisciplinary and Graduate StudiesGraduate Student CouncilDepartmental Culture DifferencesInfluence attitudes of graduate students towards other graduate students, towards research and to some extent influences their goalsMajor determinant of work related stress: Higher expectations result in more stress

Each department has its own climate and cultureSchool of Interdisciplinary and Graduate StudiesGraduate Student CouncilExperience is discipline-specificLaboratory experienceSupport (financial and social)Degree RequirementsRelationshipsTeaching load

School of Interdisciplinary and Graduate StudiesGraduate Student CouncilDifference in Financial SupportTeaching assistantshipsCommon in humanities and social sciences, also seen in Science and Math departmentsTeaching load/responsibilities differ among departments

School of Interdisciplinary and Graduate StudiesGraduate Student CouncilDifference in Nature of WorkResearch assistantships common in social and hard sciencesResearch assistantships may require more time on mentors project than on studentsFellowshipsUsually do not involve research or teaching responsibilities, so students can focus on their own projects

School of Interdisciplinary and Graduate StudiesGraduate Student CouncilDifference in Nature of workNo teaching is required in Health Sciences Departments

Graduate Research Fellowships are provided through the IPIBS program

Extensive involvement in lab research work is expected

School of Interdisciplinary and Graduate StudiesGraduate Student CouncilDifference in Social SupportLab setting often has more of a detached, employee-employer type relationshipRelationships with advisors and faculty vary in humanities and social science departmentsLab setting also encourages more intra-lab interaction rather than inter-lab or interdepartmental.Humanities and social science graduate students perform research more independently

School of Interdisciplinary and Graduate StudiesGraduate Student CouncilDifference in Social SupportIn health sciences departments:Both personal and professional relationship with mentors Lab provides a platform to share your thoughts, views with other lab membersProvides a much broader view of your field of interest Lab members play an important role in learning and trouble shooting your experiments

Participation in weekly seminars encourages interactionSchool of Interdisciplinary and Graduate StudiesGraduate Student CouncilDifference in Degree RequirementsSTEM disciplines are often more regimented in their programMove students through as cohorts Humanities and Social Sciences are more open endedLonger average length of degree Some differences based on sub-disciplineSchool of Interdisciplinary and Graduate StudiesGraduate Student CouncilDifference in Degree RequirementsAverage time for a PhD in health sciences is 4-5 years including MS earned along the way

Departments like Microbiology & Immunology dont need a thesis for the MS but others like Pharmacology & Toxicology require one

2-3 research publications in peer reviewed journals is expectedSchool of Interdisciplinary and Graduate StudiesGraduate Student CouncilSchool of Interdisciplinary and Graduate StudiesGraduate Student Council-Nurcan DurakEverybody has a different JOURNEY!!!

School of Interdisciplinary and Graduate StudiesGraduate Student CouncilWhy did I come to the US?To be a great researcher,I am on my wayTo collaborate with researchers from different backgrounds,To attend more conferences,The travel budget was tight in my country.To have life experience abroad,To meet people from all over the world,To travel in the US.

Why did YOU come to the US?School of Interdisciplinary and Graduate StudiesGraduate Student CouncilFROM DIFFERENT CITIES in the US

SAN DIEGONEW YORK CITYBOSTONPITTSBURGHSchool of Interdisciplinary and Graduate StudiesGraduate Student CouncilWhat is Success?Is it GPA? Is it the number of papers you published?Is it the experience you are gaining at this school?Is it extra-curricular activities?Is it the job you are craving for after graduation?Is it the money?Is it the fun? Is it the number of girlfriends/boyfriends or number of beers you drank ?SET YOUR DEFINITION OF SUCCESS AND STRIVE TO ACHIEVE IT!!!School of Interdisciplinary and Graduate StudiesGraduate Student CouncilWhat do you want to be when you grow up? DECIDE NOW!!!A Researcher???

A Teaching Position???

Other jobs (at industry)????

ACT ACCORDING TO YOUR DESIRE!!!

School of Interdisciplinary and Graduate StudiesGraduate Student CouncilYou are not a SLAVE here! Dont study 20 hours per day!!!You are HUMAN BEINGS under STRESS, LONELY and HOMESICK.Make some GOOD friendsEAT WELLEXERCISEENJOY LOUISVILLE http://louisville.edu/rso/gsc/faq.html

School of Interdisciplinary and Graduate StudiesGraduate Student CouncilDont be a stranger. This is your school too!!!Graduate Student Councilhttps://louisville.edu/rso/gsc/home.html/Student Activity Boardhttp://louisville.edu/studentnews/calendar/monthRecreation is FREE in this campusGame Room at SAC BILLIARD, TABLE TENNIS, etc..GYM, SWIMMING POOL, TENNIS COURTSDVDs at libraryMusic School Free Concertshttp://louisville.edu/music/Floyd theater Almost free movies

School of Interdisciplinary and Graduate StudiesGraduate Student CouncilRelax through your hobbies

School of Interdisciplinary and Graduate StudiesGraduate Student CouncilMy Experiences with the CoursesSchool of Interdisciplinary and Graduate StudiesGraduate Student CouncilIf you are a regular student, you will succeed!!! Dont worry!!!Took three courses each semester.Even though courses were not so difficult for me, there were lots of Assignments , Quizzes ,Projects, Project ReportsExamsIf it is a group project, share the load, prepare time schedule, communicate your team members.

School of Interdisciplinary and Graduate StudiesGraduate Student Council24 hours was not enough!!!Last month of each semester was like hell!!BUY AN AGENDA or PALM PILOT to manage your time!STICK to your agenda!CONCENTRATE on the task and complete it in time.DONT PROCRASTINATE too much.DONT SPEND too much time ON FACEBOOK or MSN.

School of Interdisciplinary and Graduate StudiesGraduate Student CouncilSome more tipsBefore taking any course, do some research about the professor and the course. Attend all the classes.Dont be late.Print lecture notes, take notes during the class.Present your results effectively.75 minutes of a class require some chocolates, coffee, candies.

School of Interdisciplinary and Graduate StudiesGraduate Student CouncilSchool of Interdisciplinary and Graduate StudiesGraduate Student Council TRANSFER Part 2

School of Interdisciplinary and Graduate StudiesGraduate Student CouncilCream of the cropMost international graduate students accepted into U.S. universitiesare the cream of the crop from their home countries. (Virginia Gongalez)

The question is how you can transfer your past knowledge, skills, and perspectives and build upon those resources to achieve your academic goals here in the US.

School of Interdisciplinary and Graduate StudiesGraduate Student CouncilCapitalize on your strengthsRecognize what knowledge, skills, and perspectives from your academic backgrounds you can best draw upon.

Then consider what new areas and what learning styles you will need to focus on.

Build upon your strengths.

School of Interdisciplinary and Graduate StudiesGraduate Student CouncilShare your ideasLet your teachers and colleagues know about your strengths.

Do not be frustrated when you occasionally encounter misunderstanding.

Consider this: the only solution to learning how to function in a Western classroom is for these students to change their educational philosophy -Kris Torkelson, a researcher specializing in international students)

School of Interdisciplinary and Graduate StudiesGraduate Student Council You are the worlds best intellectual resource!

School of Interdisciplinary and Graduate StudiesGraduate Student CouncilDiscussion 3Building on your strengthsWith a partner talk about some of the knowledge, skills, perspectives, and experiences that you bring from your academic and social/cultural background.

Discuss how those resources will help rather than hinder your success.

E.g. your past job/degrees, learning style, tech skillsSome of us will report the discussion with the whole group.

School of Interdisciplinary and Graduate StudiesGraduate Student CouncilBEYOND THE WORKSHOP

3School of Interdisciplinary and Graduate StudiesGraduate Student Council Continue to Learn about LearningANDMake sure to take a copy of the little book US Classroom Culture and the brochures/bookmarks

Access the slide and handout from Blackboard organization Academic Orientation.

Make use of discussion forums on Blackboard.

Participate and share your experience next year.School of Interdisciplinary and Graduate StudiesGraduate Student CouncilThank You!School of Interdisciplinary and Graduate StudiesGraduate Student Council