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

Success In and Out of ClassSuccess In and Out of Class

Sponsor:Sponsor:Reference Room for Study Abroad

Taipei Municipal Library

Lecturer:Lecturer:Stuart Bullington ( 柏 寧 恆 )

International Students Inc.

Regions of the U.S.Weather and Climate

Introduction Introduction and and

OverviewOverview

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

Study in AmericaStudy in America

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

Study in AmericaStudy in America

Preparing for Preparing for Departure Departure

What to take with youWhat to take with you

• Passport and Visa• All Documents Sent by Your University• Traveling Cash and Traveler’s Checks• Credit Cards • International Driver’s License• Marriage Certificate (in English)• Extra Passport Photos

What to take with youWhat to take with you

• Medicines that You Use• 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 Friends

After ArrivalAfter Arrival

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

Culture ShockCulture Shock

HousingHousing

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

Long-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

Health CareHealth Care

Health Care and Health Insurance

Health Care in America is ExpensiveHealth Care in America is ExpensiveSo…– 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

TransportationTransportation

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

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.

Driver’s LicenseDriver’s License

American 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

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

Telephones Telephones and and

UtilitiesUtilities

Home Phone

• Features – call waiting, Caller ID, call forwarding, voice mail, and many other features

• International Calls – phone cards, internet phone

Cell Phones

• More expensive than Taiwan (est. US$40/mo for a basic plan)

• Different phone system – only tri-band GSM phones will work in USA

• Usage different – free minutes include calls you make and calls you receive

• Know the plan – how many “free” minutes a month, when does night and weekend begin.

Utilities

• Electric

• Heat – electric, gas or oil

• Garbage

• Water & Sewer

• Telephone

• Internet

Internet

• Most libraries have internet service.

• At Home– Dial-up option– High speed options will depend on where

you live.

Money and BankingMoney and Banking

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

American Money -- Coins

American Money - Currency

$1, 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 ($2 rare)

Banking

• Savings Account – for saving money– Most savings accounts are statement accounts

• Checking Account – for writing checks

Banking Terms

• Deposit – add money to an account

• Withdraw – take money out of an account

• ATM card, Debit Card or Check Card – used to get money from an account via an ATM

• PIN – Personal Identification Number

• Minimum Balance – the smallest amount of money that you need to keep in an account to avoid service fees

Banking Terms (con’t)

• Bounced Check –a check returned due to insufficient funds

• Service fees – money a bank charges for certain transactions or services performed

• Statement – a report the bank sends regularly giving information regarding transactions

Elements of a Check• Check Number – This is a

sequential number that identifies which check it is.

• Payee – the name of the person that you are writing the check out to. Note the name needs to be correct so you might want to ask, “Who do I make the check out to?”

• Date – It is important that you use today’s date. If you post-date it (use a future date), the person cannot cash the check until that date.

• Amount – The amount is written both in numbers and in words. The numbers go in the box and the words go on the line.

• Memo – This is a line that you can use to make a note so you can remember what the check was for in the future.

• Signature line – This is where you sign your name just like you signed it at the bank when you opened the account.

• Account Routing Numbers – At the bottom of the check there are numbers that are routing numbers for the bank and the account number. You will not need to use these numbers.

Writing a Check

Shopping Shopping and and

Eating OutEating Out

Shopping

• Supermarkets or grocery stores

• Discount Stores – Wal-Mart, Target,

K-Mart

• Department Stores

• Specialty Stores

• Online– www.half.com – used textbooks

Eating Out

• Americans tend to order their own meal – don’t share meals.

• Tipping 15 to 20 percent of the cost of the meal.

• Going Dutch.

Making Friends with Making Friends with AmericansAmericans

American Culture

It’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

Making Friends with AmericansAdjust to the Culture:Adjust to the Culture:

• 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.

• 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 splash water outside of the tub in bathrooms.

Making Friends with Americans

Adjust 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.

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)

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

Success in the Success in the ClassroomClassroom

Tips for the American Classroom

• Read assignments before class• Preview materials• Turn in assignments on time• Review materials• Ask, if you have questions• Class participation (often part of the grade)

Giving an Opinion

• I believe• I think• I feel • I assume• I suppose• I suggest• It seems to me that• In my opinion

Disagreeing

• Yes, but

• I agree, but

• That may be, but

• You may be right, but

• I see your point, but

• I don’t quite agree. What about

• You have a point, but

Buying Textbooks

• http://www.directtextbook.com/

• http://www.campusbooks.com/

• http://www.classbook.com/

Please come to…

Explore American Holidays!

3 Meetings on Sunday afternoons:

June 12, 19, 26, 3:00-5:00 pm

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.