education

How your US College Application is Evaluated

March 21, 2017 by Chiranth Nataraj

Students from around the globe seek out colleges and universities in the United States to continue their own personal educational opportunities. Why? One reason is that the U.S. has a wide array of schools that specialize in a variety of different educational topics. While most institutions offer the same core areas of study, there are some schools that are known as among the very best in the world in relation to studying medicine, others that are tops among law schools, still others that emphasize journalism, and so on. So by attending one of these schools you can earn a great foundation in all educational topics, but if there is one particular area in which you wish to emphasize so as to further your career prospects, you can do that as well.

For students who wish to build a long term life for themselves in the United States, attending school there is a great way to get that started. Attending university in the U.S. will allow a student to get firsthand experience with the language, culture, and customs to see if it is a good fit for them and to speed up the acclimation process. It can also be a great way to get a head start on becoming a permanent citizen and finding an employer.
All U.S. colleges and universities love to bring in international students from across the globe. It is in a school’s best interest to be able to show that they have a widely diverse pool of attendees, and that they attract the top academic available both in terms of students and professors.

In fact, in 2015 it was reported by NPR that there were 975,000 international students attending schools in the United States. That’s not only a big number, but a fast-rising one as well, as it’s up 10%. If you would like to add yourself to the list, one of the first questions you will need to investigate is how your application to a school in the U.S. will be evaluated.

One important caveat that must be discussed when diving into this topic is that because of the new Presidential regime in the United States, there is much concern about the future of immigration in the country. Because of this, standards around how immigrants are evaluated, even for something temporary as schooling, may change at any point.
Aside from how visitors to the country are evaluated in general, one important consideration for your U.S. college application will be what entrance exams you have taken and how you performed on them. There are two main entrance exams required by universities – the SAT and the ACT. These tests are designed to assess your readiness for university based on a variety of educational competencies. Each school has its own minimum score needed to earn acceptance, so you will need to contact the specific schools you are interested in attending or look on their web sites, as this information is easily found there. Knowing which to take could be confusing, so you can consult this helpful guide from The Princeton Review.

Another consideration that will be important is what type of school you are applying to. Are you applying to an undergraduate program or a graduate program? Graduate programs will be more stringent in their acceptance as they take in fewer students per year since the teaching is focused on a very specific course of study that requires more intensive and intimate teaching.

You may also need letters of recommendation from existing educators, employers, or other trustworthy figures who can vouch for your intellect, work ethic, and character. How many letters of recommendation and from whom will vary by school, as will most other admission requirements.

One final area to think of in reviewing college applications to the United States is your Visa status or the status of your passport. Schools will want to make sure you are eligible to legally attend and there will be no chance of you being deported. For more information on obtaining a Visa or passport as a student, you can read here

Again, each school will differ somewhat in their exact requirements, but the basics of having your application evaluated include taking and scoring well on an entrance exam, obtaining letter of recommendation, knowing which type of school you want to attend, and having your travel documents in order. Aligning those components with the requirements of your desired United States-based college or university is the critical first step to gaining admission.

International Baccalaureate: Pros and Cons

February 21, 2017 by Chiranth Nataraj

Have you heard of the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program? This educational program is often shortened to the IB. The International Baccalaureate is studied by students around the world and is a valuable learning resource for young people.

There are many advantages associated with the International Baccalaureate, and some disadvantages to weigh up, too. Find out more about the International Baccalaureate and whether it is a good fit for your students.

What Is An International Baccalaureate Diploma Program?

In the International Baccalaureate program, students split their work into six different courses, with three of these courses taken at the standard level and three courses taken at the higher level. Students pick a subject from each of the course groups numbered one to five, and then they choose a sixth course from group six, or from any of the groups one to five. The learning in the International Baccalaureate is arranged to be able to give students a deep knowledge and breadth of education, focusing across the different groups of study.

Group one is literature, or a language study in the mother tongue. Group two is a foreign language. Group three is a subject from the study of society and individuals, for example business management, psychology, history, or the environment. Group four is science. Group five is math or computing. Group six is the arts, including music and theatre.

The assessment and the core of the International Baccalaureate is made up of an extended essay which is chosen and researched by the student, and which numbers 4,000 words. Theory of Knowledge is a way of assessing that the student is able to pay critical attention to different forms of knowledge such as emotion, language, reason, and perception, as well as different types of knowledge like artistic, and historical. The extra-curricular activity Creativity, Action and Service (CAS) allows students to complete real tasks outside of the classroom. This helps students shape their personalities, and develop new skills within their community.

Advantages of the International Baccalaureate:

Students’ Futures

The International Baccalaureate has long been considered a sound and effective preparation for further study in the US and for working life. Students report being able to deal more effectively with study at university after following the program, as it equips them more soundly for further study than other high school programs. The International Baccalaureate often turns out students who are better rounded, more confident, and more experienced.

Studies show that students completing the International Baccalaureate attain significantly more first class degrees and upper second class degrees in the UK. International Baccalaureate students are more likely to be enrolled in the top universities. And they were more likely to be employed with graduate employers at a better rate of pay than students completing other educational programs.

International Focus

As the name suggests, the International Baccalaureate is designed to be taken by students across the world. This makes it particularly suitable for students who may move countries during their studies, as the IB is recognized by many educational institutions globally. Students get a better, broader view of the world through the program as they are taught about working and living in a global economy.

Transferable Skills

Completing the International Baccalaureate gives students a number of transferable skills which are looked on favorably by employers. These are skills like time management, problem solving, communication, and independent working.

The International Baccalaureate is a rigorous program that gives students many skills in learning to deal with a full workload, which will automatically serve them well when they go to college.

Greater Scope

Children are given the opportunity to develop skills over a broad range of subjects that are otherwise dropped when continuing with another educational program. They continue to get exposure to all parts of the academic stream, and can develop skills in foreign languages while focusing on other areas. The inclusion of the extra input of the creativity, activity, service (CAS) component also ensures that students benefit from a holistic education.

Disadvantages of the International Baccalaureate:

Cost

The International Baccalaureate program is not cheap to run, which means that few schools and institutions run it. It is most often included as an option at paid private schools, which may put it outside the reach of many families.

Access

The fact that there is less choice in schools where the IB program is offered also means that parents may not find a school close to them that allows their students to study the International Baccalaureate. Many of the International Baccalaureate schools are not centrally located or are only located within major cities.

Culture Shock and How International Exchange Students can Cope With It

November 18, 2015 by Chiranth Nataraj

Every country has its own unique culture. The traditions and cultural behavior you observe in your country comes natural to you. You even begin to expect other people across borders to follow the same ideals as you and the people you have back home. This is exactly why most people experience a sudden shock when exposed to cultures across the boundaries of their home.

What is Culture Shock?

The feeling or reaction you have to a new culture that is extremely different from what you are used to can be described as culture shock. You may be well versed with the culture that surrounds you and your home, like continuous water supply, steady electricity, the way people speak, what are the various gestures that could offend in your home country and so on. When you go to a different country you will be surprised to learn that all the things you know and practice are very different there.

Culture-Shock

Simple concepts may be alien to you like the way people dress, what they consider fashionable, how they behave, live and interact. There are tons of unique cultural aspects in a different country that can contradict what you believe and how you behave. In fact, you have already experienced cultural shock in tiny doses. Remember that first day at school? Or the first day of college? How about all the differences between your routine back home and those followed by the school kids that surround you? Being forced to wake up early for class, having to answer tests and do homework.

Remember how you felt then. Now amplify those feelings. That’s what you get when you travel to a country that has its own unique culture. You feel like an outsider, insecure and at a disadvantage. If you prepare yourself and learn how to react and interact with the new environment, you won’t have a hard time coping with things.

Cultural Adjustment Stages for Every Foreign Exchange Student

1. Initial Euphoria
It all starts off like a vacation. You’re going abroad, yay! Oh the things you’ll see, the friends you’ll make. It all sounds so dreamy and marvelous. You will even see certain similarities between the new country and back home. But after a week or even a month, reality will sink in and you will realize this was no holiday; you are here to stay much longer

2. Irritation or Hostility
Slowly you will begin to focus on the differences and even the slightest little thing may annoy you. It might be the small things that are blown out of proportion, forcing you to feel irritated. This is the hardest stage and the one commonly known as culture shock.

3. Gradual Adjustment
Once you’ve settled down, you will start to get accustomed to the new surroundings, the people and the way they work and behave. You begin to understand the various cultural clues and feel like you’ll survive.

4. Adaptation or Biculturalism
Finally, when you give it just enough time, you will begin to feel like you belong and this is actually almost the same as home. Once you adapt to the new culture, you will be able to function normally without feeling different.

Symptoms of Culture Shock

Everyone experiences, culture shock to different extents. For some it may be intense, other less so. Some common effects of culture shock include:
– Intense homesickness
– Avoiding people
– Trouble sleeping
– Looking at the host country as the cause of your feeling miserable
– Compulsive eating or lack of appetite
– Turing into a pessimist

How can International Exchange Students Cope with Culture Shock

Culture shock is a result of numerous things. Not everyone will see the same events as a trigger. The cause of culture shock may stem from lack of knowledge, feeling inadequate or having to question the culture and values you’ve been following your entire life. To help you cope, you can follow some of these tips:
– Do a little research. The more you know, the better you will understand the way things are. Once you get to the host country ask your professors and (native) classmates about the things that confuse you.
– Believe in yourself. You can totally do this. With a positive attitude you will find it much easier to get an enjoyable experience out of it all.
– Be logical when you try to make sense of things. Some cultural practices may not have meaning anymore, but they did long ago.
– Don’t be afraid to be yourself. You should not feel forced to do things differently just because everyone else is, as long as you don’t hurt someone else’s sentiments.
– Be considerate! Not only is it wrong to go around bashing the culture of your host country, it won’t help you feel better.

The best thing to do when you’re out of your element is to give in a little and change to become compatible with the new surroundings.

English Language Courses in The US With J1 visa

July 5, 2013 by Chiranth Nataraj

Visit the US on a J1 visa to improve your English language skills. ESL classes focus on teaching how to talk, read and write in English.

For international students interested in learning English or improving their language skills, the US is the most sought after destination. English as a second language program (ESL) is the perfect program for students who want to improve their level of English. ESL classes teach English language skills depending on the student’s abilities, interests and needs. All programs however focus on teaching conversational English, reading, writing and vocabulary.

J1-Visa-Sponser

There is an intensive program that teaches academic English to students, a general English program for people wanting to improve their English for travel or business purposes, where they can learn the skills necessary for communicating in different situations. Business English courses are good for people who want to learn the vocabulary and communication skills that help in their business. Many people take up ESL programs for personal or professional reasons and not just for academic credit. They may be taken to prepare for college or university admissions in the US; some programs even offer bridge programs that can help students transfer into an academic program. They are designed for any level of English proficiency and usually require 20-30 hours per week of intensive study of English language. Most ESL classes have small classes, so students can get individual attention from their teachers. Besides studying English, students also participate in the cultural and social activities of the school.

English language programs may also be taken to improve a specific reading skill such as reading, writing or grammar. They help in adjusting to the culture and campus life in the US; they can even help in advancing your international business skills or achieving personal goals. ESL courses offer a lot of flexibility can be full time or part time and can last from one week to one year. Once you define your priorities, you can narrow down your choices and find the right English language learning program for you.

Read more for information on Employment for students on J1 Visa

J1 Visa Exchange Student Program

June 27, 2013 by Chiranth Nataraj

J1 exchange program allows students proficient in English from all over the world a chance to visit and study in the US for a year.

The student exchange program offers a life changing experience for foreign students; it gives a great opportunity for foreign students to study in the US while living with an American host family or at a boarding school. To qualify as an exchange student, applicants must be accepted into a certified secondary school exchange program in the US. Participants must be aged between 15 and 18 ½ and should not have completed more than 11 years of primary and secondary education. Students must have proficiency in English and meet specific academic health and character requirements. A J1 visa for exchange student program is usually granted for 1 year and extensions are not permitted.

girl student

Typically, sponsoring organizations look for students who are independent, mature and have an open mind. Sponsors monitor the students program and also help them with any issues during their stay in the US. They ensure that they get a written approval from the students and from their parents and make sure that exchange students do not stay with relatives in the US. Sponsors will have to screen potential host families and give them all the details about the exchange student program and the duties and obligations of the host family. They should get a detailed profile of the host family and the home environment and also get personal references from the school or community.

Host families must ensure that the student has a comfortable stay in their home; they must provide the student with room, board, bathroom facilities and study space. The host family must ensure that the student is in a safe and caring environment where he or she is treated like a member of the family. At the end of their stay, exchange students go back home with a new found sense of independence and memories of a lifetime.