Success 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 Class Sponsor: Reference Room for Study Abroad Taipei Municipal LibraryLecturer: Stuart Bullington ( 柏 寧 恆 ) International Students Inc.

Regions of the U.S. Weather and Climate

Introduction and Overview

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 America

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 America

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 America

Preparing for Departure

What 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

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 Arrival

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 Shock

Housing

Long-term Housing On 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: 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 Care

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

Transportation

Should You Buy a Car? Buy 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 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 License

American Identity Cards Driver’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? Need to DriveDon’t Need to Drive 1. International Driver’s License1. Apply for Social Security Card 2. Apply for Social Security Card2. 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 and Utilities

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

Most libraries have internet service. At Home –Dial-up option –High speed options will depend on where you live.

Money and Banking

Penny 1 cent Nickel 5 cents Dime 10 cents Quarter 25 cents Dollar $ cent = 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 and Eating Out

Shopping Supermarkets or grocery stores Discount Stores – Wal-Mart, Target, K-Mart Department Stores Specialty Stores Online – – used textbookswww.half.com

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 Americans

American Culture 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 Americans 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: 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 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: International Students Inc. (ISI) ( 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: 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 Classroom

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

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: Success In and Out of Class Thank You for Coming to: Success In and Out of Class Reference Room for Study Abroad Taipei Municipal Library Today’s Lecturer: Stuart Bullington ( 柏 寧 恆 ) International Students Inc.