The International Students Office: An Important Resource
(adapted from a NAFSA brochure for newly admitted international students)
At most universities taking international students, there will be an International Students Office. This office is an important source of information and assistance. (On some campuses, this office will have another name: the International Students Office, The Office of International Educational Services, or the International Center, for example.) The purpose of the International Students Office is to assist you, and you should visit the office when you have questions and concerns.
The person in the International Students Office you will work with most often will be the international student adviser (FSA). The duties of FSAs vary from one campus to another, but most advisers are responsible for providing assistance on immigration matters, coordinating all campus and community services available to international students, providing liaison with sponsoring agencies and foreign governments, and promoting interaction between international students and the university and local community.
International student advisers are willing to discuss matters with the students who come to see them, even very personal concerns or problems. All discussions with advisers remain strictly confidential. If the FSA cannot provide the help you need, you will be referred to an appropriate source of assistance. In order for the adviser to help you most effectively, it is important that you contact him or her when you first become aware that a problem might be developing rather than when it has become extremely serious.
International student advisers will help you in a variety of ways. Questions you have about academic procedures, expectations, and requirements can be discussed with the FSA. The FSA may also be able to tell you about community activities that will orient you to local lifestyles and customs and introduce you to community residents. Assistance is also provided on immigration matters including visa requirements and regulations, school transfers, extensions of stay, and travel outside the country, work permission, and practical training.
Note: Once you arrive on campus, you can also obtain valuable information by reading the school newspaper and other local magazines; looking at announcements on bulletin boards around campus; and talking with classmates, professors, and local residents.
Tips for Success
Ask advisors and instructors for help if you need it. Asking for help is not seen as failure, but is seen as responsibly taking initiative. Do not be hesitant or shy about signing up for professor's office hours. Teachers welcome speaking one on one, and even if you have no problems just to know you better.
Sit in the front of class - those who do tend to do better.
When possible, try to schedule your classes for the time of day when you feel good, so that you feel awake and alert in class.
Go to class, study groups, and meetings precisely at the time specified. Being late is considered disrespectful to your teachers and other students.
Submit all forms by the stated deadlines. Forms submitted after the deadlines are often not accepted, because it would be unfair to students who did follow the specified timelines.
When you meet with advisors and professors, get straight to the point. They usually have many appointments and responsibilities, so they must use their time efficiently.
If you cannot make an appointment, report back to an advisor, or do a class presentation on a particular day, always tell the advisor or professor frankly and speedily. Do not agree just to be polite.
If there is an emergency situation, and you cannot turn in a paper on time or make it to an exam, call your professor and let him or her know in advance. Usually an alternative arrangement can be made.
Recognize that you may need more sleep your first few months at the university, as you are adjusting to a new situation.
A Warning on Academic Misconduct
Beware! If you are caught cheating on an exam, using someone else's paper, or copying directly from a book without citing the source, you can be expelled from the university. If you are unclear about these rules, be sure to ask your advisor, your professor, or other students.
Academic misconduct includes the following:
Cheating: Obtaining work or information from someone else and submitting it under your own name. Using unauthorized notes, or getting information from another student during an examination. Submitting substantially the same paper for two or more classes in the same or different terms without the approval of each professor. Making up or submitting false data for an assignment.
Plagiarism: Plagiarism means representing someone else's ideas, words, statements or other works as one's own without proper acknowledgment or citation. Your teacher can usually sense if it doesn't sound like you.
Examples of plagiarism are:
Copying word for word or taking phrases from a source without citing the source.
Using another person's written words or ideas, in your own words, as if they were your own thought. Again, you must cite the source.
Using facts, statistics, or other illustrative material without properly referencing them. (If the information is common knowledge, then a citation is not necessary).
Note: information obtained from the internet must also be properly cited. Computer software programs now can detect similarities in comparing the written work of different authors.
Aiding and Abetting Dishonesty
Providing material or information to another person when you know that the other person plans to use them to cheat or plagiarize.
How will your professors evaluate you
At most Western universities, and Asian universities teaching in English, students are assigned letter grades for each course. A is the best grade, B is good, C is average, D is poor, and F is failing. Most schools also use + and - following a grade: so A+, A, A-, with A+ being the best.
Students generally take 4 courses a semester, with each course representing a certain number of credits, depending on how many hours a week it meets. One course usually ranges from 3 to 4 credits. To graduate, you must achieve a certain total number of credits (varies from university to university), take the required number of courses in various subject areas, and have passing grades.
Your marks, or "grades" in each course will generally be based on the following:
A midterm examination - this may be given in class or may be a "take home" exam, meaning you write the exam at home and can usually refer to your books. However, you cannot consult other people.
A research paper - You may have to write a 5-10 page paper halfway through the course or a longer paper at the end of the course. You may have to use books in the library to do the research for your paper. Your professors will be looking for a strong argument supported by relevant facts. The writing should be clear and focused.
Problem sets or laboratory work - in economics, mathematics, science, and engineering classes, you may be given a list of questions or problems to work on each week. You may have to work on these alone, or your teacher may ask you to work on them in groups.
Short papers - for English and some other humanities classes, you may have to write several short papers on different subjects. In some cases, professors may ask you to write one page summaries of your reading, to make sure you are doing the reading assignments.
Quizzes - Your professors may give announced or surprise quizzes to make sure you are doing your reading assignments and understanding the material covered in class.
A final exam - this will be given during the exam period and may be 2 hours long. Instead, you may have a take-home exam or a research paper.
Class participation - Most teachers believe the more you contribute to class discussions, the more you will learn. Therefore, they will make time for student presentations, discussions, and even debates in class, and you are expected to participate. In smaller classes, as much as 10-30% of your grade may be based on class participation.
Challenges of Studying Abroad
You may find it challenging to keep up with local students for several reasons:
English is not your first language. It may take you 2 or 3 times as long to read an assignment as it would take a native speaker. Try to read as much as possible in English (books, magazines, newspapers) before entering the university in order to improve your fluency. Try to improve your speaking and listening abilities as well by talking with native English speakers, watching English-language movies, and listening to English-language tapes. If necessary, attend ESL courses first.
Less schooling than others. Most students attending universities outside of Burma will have had 12 years of schooling, but Burmese students have generally had only 10 years of primary and secondary education. You can try to bridge this gap by reading in advance some of the books normally assigned during the first year of university. Many universities list their courses and the books they use on the web. If you are living in the United States, you could also attend a community (or junior) college for two years and then transfer to a four-year university.
Lack of appropriate skills. Most universities outside Burma require that students write analytical essays and research papers, and participate actively in class discussions and debates. You will be expected to be able to think critically and analyze situations that have no clear right or wrong answers. These skills may be new to you. Try to attend an ESL program or a bridging program which teaches such skills. Or find and study appropriate reference books.
Culture Shock
and Cultural Advice
(adapted from the University of South Florida's webpage on culture shock) What is "Culture Shock?"
Culture shock refers to the anxiety a person experiences when he/she moves to a different country or environment. People experience culture shock when they are far away from familiar surroundings, family, and support systems, and they must try to assimilate a new culture and new ways of interacting with others. The shock of adjustment to a new culture is normal.
Common Signs & Symptoms of Culture Shock
- Anxiety, depression or anger
- Confusion and loneliness
- Loss of appetite, changes in sleep patterns, tearfulness
- Lack of energy, loss of enjoyment in daily activities, withdrawal from others
- Headaches or stomach pains
Stages of "Culture Shock"
Culture Shock has several identifiable stages that people go through. It's hard to say how long you will be in each stage, but gradually you will be able to accommodate yourself to your new surroundings.
- Honeymoon Stage
When you first arrive, you may feel excited, happy, and eager to discover new things.
- Disintegration Stage
After a while, you may start to feel annoyed by the host culture. You may also feel confused, frustrated, and depressed.
- Reintegration
During this stage, you may find it hard to compare your new culture and Burmese culture objectively. You may feel hostile, defensive, and vulnerable, and you may want to reject everything your new culture represents.
- Autonomy
This is the hopeful stage. You begin to establish an objective and balanced view of your situation and experience. You will feel less dependent on others and more relaxed.
- Interdependence
Eventually, you may develop a bi-cultural or multicultural identity. Even though you will still feel you are Burmese, you will also feel a sense of belonging, trust, and sensitivity to the host culture.
How to Cope with "Culture Shock"
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Know that your reactions are normal
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Speak with an international student advisor or a counselor at your campus counseling center or join a "chat room".
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Seek other new international students for support
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Make friends with local students who can help you learn about their culture
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Join a student organization, sports group, study group, church, or volunteer
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Sign up for a host family program either at the college or with a local church or temple.
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Talk to your advisors and professors about your expectations and academic goals
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Try to be flexible, patient and open-minded
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Keep a sense of humor
Cultural Advice
This section is not to criticize you but to give you some cultural alert..There are many things in Burmese culture that foreigners appreciate. They appreciate the fact that the Burmese are considerate, ah-nah-tat-teh, and respect older people.
However, in general, it is rude to pick your nose, teeth, or feet, belch, spit, chew with your mouth open, speaking with your mouth full, slurp your soup, interrupt people, and not to allow "ladies first" (walking in front of you, opening their door, and offering food).
It is impolite to just show up at someone's house or office without calling. Make an appointment first and then show up. On the other hand, if you've made an appointment (work and social) and you cannot come, call and let the person know. Please don't give an excuse the day after the event.
Please don't call people late at night or early in the morning.
It is impolite to not to send thank you notes or say thank you if someone has done a favor for you or sent you a present.
Further resources
USEFUL LINKS
FURTHER READING
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