exchange program

Celebrating Christmas as an Exchange Student in the USA

December 12, 2018 by Chiranth Nataraj

Christmas is a beautiful time of the year. For many, it is a time to spend with family and friends, eat great food, and exchange gifts. However, for an international student studying in the United States, Christmas can be difficult. Plane ticket prices are high, so many students opt to spend their holiday away from their respective countries. However, there are ways to brighten the holiday up if you are an international student.

christmas

Find Out How Americans Celebrate Christmas

As you discover how Americans celebrate Christmas, it may surprise you to find out that many of the Christmas traditions in the U.S. are not much different from those in your native country. You will notice that Americans enjoy preparing food and gathering with family and friends for their Christmas dinner. Some attend church on Christmas Eve while others prefer to stay home. Decorations for Christmas trees and homes are a tradition as is baking cookies.

Staying on Campus

Although many international students go home for Christmas, there are students just like you who remain on campus for Christmas. Perhaps it is time to get together with some fellow students on campus and enjoy this time together? Chances are they are as confused as you are regarding the holiday so why not reach out to them and plan a fun time. Many universities plan Christmas events for students remaining on campus for Christmas so check to see if your school has anything planned. Take the initiative and schedule a Christmas dinner or party for other students staying on campus. Each person can prepare a dish or share a Christmas tradition. Enjoying each other’s company will help in easing the loneliness felt by being away from home.

Take a Christmas Trip

This Christmas could be the perfect time to visit a place you have always wanted to go. A fun trip is an ideal way to spend a memorable Christmas while staying too busy to be homesick. A snowy ski resort, shopping in a major city like New York, or even lying on a beach are all great ways to spend your Christmas away from home. No matter which destination you choose, chances are you will find festive celebrations and good times all over the country.

Go Home With a Friend

As you attend a university, remember that it is the ideal time to make friends with other international and native students. There may be an invitation to spend Christmas with a friend’s family. This invitation is an opportunity to experience new cultural traditions. Not to mention an incredible experience for an international student who has never celebrated Christmas.

Help Someone in Need

Spending Christmas away from home is lonely, and so is spending Christmas on the streets. Life is challenging for the homeless in America and this time of the year only magnifies feelings of isolation and despair. Volunteering this Christmas by helping those who are less fortunate is a fantastic way to spread the spirit of Christmas to all. Food and a place to sleep is something many of us take for granted, but for the homeless, it is the best gift they can receive. Just a few hours of your time could make a person’s entire year. Check in with your local community shelters for information about ways to help the less fortunate this Christmas.

Take Care of Yourself

As an international exchange student, you may find yourself in need of help. The last thing you want to do for your first Christmas abroad is to get sick. Not only will an illness put a stop to your fun time, but it may also cause financial strain. However, if you do become ill, exchange scholar health insurance can help you. J visa insurance provides illness and accident expense protection, can help you locate a doctor, and can pay for the treatment. Check out and be aware of what your health insurance policy covers.

Christmas is coming, and hopefully, your Christmas away from home will be unique. Whether you choose to stay on campus celebrating with friends, take that dream trip, or help those who desperately need help, make this holiday a memorable one. Merry Christmas!

Working in the U.S. while on J1 Visa

January 4, 2016 by Chiranth Nataraj

If you want to work in the United States, but live in another country, you will need a special Visa. There are many Visas available for working in the U.S. One of them is the Exchange Visitor (J) non-immigrant visa. This visa is only for people who are seeking to not only work in America, but also study in the country.

Working-in -US-J1

More about the J1 Visa
Working and studying in the U.S. under a J1 Visa means that you are part of an academic program. This program provides education and training that is not offered in the country where you reside. For example, if you want to learn how to fly a plane, but your country does not provide that training, you can come to the U.S. for that instruction under a J1 Visa.

While in the U.S., students can work to develop their new skills. After the completion of the program, students must return to their home country. They must stay there for at least two years before they can apply for permanent residence in the U.S.

Qualifying for the J1 Visa
The J1 Visa is part of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). There are specific requirements of the INA to be able to get the J1 Visa. Only the consulate will be able to determine if someone is qualified for the visa. Usually, they have to fall into these criterion:

Plan to be in the U.S. temporarily
Able to afford expenses in the country
Ties to the home country to ensure they will return to it after they complete the program

Documents will need to be provided to ensure those interested meet all of the criteria. Usually, the consular officer at the U.S. embassy in the country of origin will be able to help with the verification process. He will be able to tell you exactly what you need and how to get what you need. The most important thing is to enter into a program that is supported by the U.S. If it is not, you will not be able to enter into the country or get a J1 Visa.

To get the J1 Visa, you have to be part of the Exchange Visitor Program. This program is part of the Office of Exchange Coordination and Designation, which is the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs part of the government. You can learn more about them on their website.

Organizations Sponsoring a J1 Visa
Many organizations in the United States are sponsoring exchange programs for those interested in training. Some of these are:

North Carolina State University
Mastercard
Tesla Motors Inc.
The Humane League

There are thousands more you can work with depending on the job you would like to train for and work. There is a J1 Visa Exchange Visitor Program website that allows you to choose from many different jobs, such as:

Au Pair
Camp Counselor
College and University Student
Government Visitor
Intern
International Visitor
Physician
Professor and Research Scholar
Secondary School Student
Short-Term Scholar
Specialist
Summer Work Travel
Teacher
Trainee

After choosing one of these roles, you can see a list of organizations/programs offering them. The next step is to contact them to see how to get started with enrolling in the program.

Final Words of Encouragement

As you are going through the process of getting your J1 Visa, remember to have patience. It’s usually not a quick and easy process. The U.S. has to make sure the program is included, and that you are who you say you are, so the country doesn’t put itself at risk. While no one is saying you are trying to harm Americans, others have done this in the past, and that has become a concern when allowing people into the country.

The good news is that you do have this opportunity. Just because you live in a country that doesn’t provide you the possibilities you want and need, it doesn’t mean you can’t pursue your dreams. The U.S. is the land of opportunity, and while you may need to take some extra steps to take advantage of them, it’s worth it. It’s a great way to get the knowledge and skills you need to not only set you up with a good future for yourself, but for your country as well. In addition, if you find that you enjoy America, you can become a permanent resident after two years of working in your country.

Consider the J1 Visa and then see about getting the training you need in the U.S. It may just be the best decision for your life.

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.

Disability is Not a Barrier When Visiting the U.S.A.

June 26, 2015 by Chiranth Nataraj

People with disability are not considered as a barrier in USA. They have all the right to education, accommodation, job and family life.
All over the world, people are learning to accept fellow citizens with disabilities. However, there are still disability-related difficulties in many places in the world. The United States is different. It has been able to come farther than many other places in the world. The country passed major disability legislation that celebrated its 25th year in 2015. Results of this law and other influences include: enlightened attitudes toward the disabled, advanced assistive tools and a new confidence disabled people are feeling. In the U.S.A., disability can no longer be considered a barrier.

The disappearance of barriers for the disabled within the U.S. is also due, in part, to the dedicated activity of organizations like Mobility International U.S.A. (MIUSA). This organization is an advocate for disabled people all over the world, with a special focus on the U.S. MIUSA’s mission is to “empower people with disabilities to achieve their human rights through international exchange and international development.”

disability

MIUSA wants to change the way people with and without disabilities think about disability. The website says: “It’s time to advance the rights of people with disabilities in society through infiltration. To achieve equitable opportunities through inclusion.” This means they believe it’s important to not set apart those who are disabled, but to integrate them into our world naturally. It’s better for both the disabled and the non-disabled.

Further, MIUSA says: “By implanting innovative programs, we are building bridges to create a new era where people with disabilities will take their rightful place in the world community.”

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990

In 1990, Congress enacted a landmark law that began to change things for people with disabilities in the U.S. The law prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities and ensures equal opportunity in employment, state and local government services, public accommodations, commercial facilities and transportation. It also established TDD/telephone relay services for those with hearing disabilities.

The law, which was updated in 2011, is perhaps known best for the difference it has made in physical challenges of disability. After the law passed, doorways were made wide enough. Ramps were built to accommodate wheelchairs. Restrooms were designed so anyone could use them. Braille plaques were installed in many places to assist the vision impaired. And much more.

A shift in the stigma of disability

Along with barrier-busting support from the ADA and organizations like MIUSA came new attitudes toward disability. In the past, non-disabled people were hesitant to talk with those who were disabled. They didn’t seem to realize that a disability affected only one part of a person’s being. They didn’t understand that other qualities and abilities of a disabled person remained intact. It could even be said that some people were afraid of those who were disabled. They were afraid of what they didn’t know.

The stigmas associated with disability were resolved to a great extent by:

• More knowledge – Once the ADA was enacted, the work of organizations like MIUSA became better known, and people had more experience in general with disability, attitudes changed. There was less fear and less distrust of a disabled person’s abilities. The media helped by changing ways disabled people were seen in the news and entertainment.

• Greater familiarity – Because disabled people had better access through the ADA and because attitudes in general improved toward disability, more disabled people found ways to become integrated into society naturally. Frequent real-life experiences with disabled people helped non-disabled people feel comfortable working with, talking to and trusting those with disabilities. Many accessible tools, such as lower water fountains and higher toilets, are also used regularly by the non-disabled, which has removed some of the aversion to disability.

• Accountability – Once the law and attitudes changed, it became “not cool” to discriminate against disabled people. Many people in the United States pride themselves on accessibility and other support for the disabled. The citizens of the U.S. have over a period of time become more accountable to each other to treat disabled people better and remove whatever barriers they can to accommodate their disabilities and allow them to become a part of the community.

Disability is still difficult, but the barriers have fallen away

No one will deny that disability creates difficulty. It’s still, in many ways, difficult to conduct business or function personally with a disability—even in the United States. However, thanks to the ADA and the work of organizations such as the MIUSA, disability is becoming just one type of difficulty human beings of all types face. For those who want to visit the United States, disability can no longer be considered a barrier to keep them away.

Cultural Exchange Programs – The opportunity of a lifetime

November 13, 2014 by Chiranth Nataraj

Cultural exchange programs – explore the world, meet new people and learn new cultures with these international programs.

Cultural exchange programs are a great way to experience the culture of another country and broaden your horizons. They help you to challenge your global perspective besides offering diverse academic opportunities. The US government offers plenty of exchange programs to international citizens such as student exchange programs for high schools and universities in the US, work and travel programs, programs for educators and even short term American culture programs. People who have participated in such cultural programs find the experience deeply beneficial and life changing.People who take part in a cultural exchange get to experience a new culture, meet new people and discover fascinating places. All these experiences abroad can offer invaluable insights, help you make informed decisions and make you a more confident person. There are various organizations that offer cultural exchange programs in the U.S. There is the International Cultural Exchange Organization (ICEO) that sponsors cultural exchange programs thereby promoting mutual understanding between countries.

cultural exchange

First, there is the ICEO Summer Work/Travel program that provides foreign college and university students an opportunity to interact with people in the U.S. and experience U.S. culture, while sharing their own culture with them. This program allows international students to work in the U.S. on a J-1 Work and Travel visa during their main break from school. They get to take up jobs that require minimal training, giving them an opportunity to experience working life in the U.S. American employers also stand to gain from this program as it gives them an opportunity to expose their business to an international perspective. With these seasonal jobs, they earn funds that help them with their expenses. The duration of this program is up to 4 months during a break between academic years.

There is the ICEO Internship Program aims to achieve the educational objectives of international exchange by offering international interns an opportunity participate in work based learning program at American host companies. This program may last up to 12 months and the length of the program also depends on the type of internship that the participant has opted for.

ICEO also offers the Training Program to international participants who can undertake bona fide training at American host companies. There are various training programs such as culinary arts, chef training program and other programs in the hospitality and tourism industries. The duration of this program may last from 12 to 18 months depending on the specific training that the participant has decided to undertake and should be specified before arriving in the U.S.

The CCI Greenheart is another organization that promotes academic development and cultural understanding through its cultural exchange programs in the U.S. Greenheart offers a wide variety of exchange programs for high school students, educators, work & travel interns and many more. It even offers short term English language and American culture classes for international participants. There is a Career Advancement Program that offers placements to English speaking J1 visa participants as interns and trainees in U.S. businesses such as hospitality and tourism, Management, finance and commerce, Information media and communications, Public administration, law and many more. CCI Greenheart has an online application system for participants, including program resources.

The benefits of participating in an international cultural exchange are many. For example, participating in a student exchange program teaches you how to survive on your own and also to appreciate the cultural traditions of a new country. It opens up diverse academic opportunities for you as student exchange programs give you the opportunity to learn through a different teaching strategy that is different from the ones offered by your local school.

Cultural exchanges are essential for mutual understanding between nations, international cooperation and the growth of human knowledge. A cultural exchange not only contributes to a person’s intellectual and personality development but also play a crucial role in addressing national and global needs. By participating in a cultural exchange program, you can expand your social network which will prove to be essential in the long run. It will open up attractive employment opportunities as prospective employers will appreciate your flexibility in adapting to a new environment along with the experiences and knowledge you gained while living abroad.

Why Aren’t More Latin American Students Coming to the US?

January 22, 2014 by Chiranth Nataraj

A study shows that large numbers of students from Asian countries like India, China and South Korea come to the US for higher education when compared to the Latin American students.

Obama’s opened the doors to Latin American students – but are they coming through? A recent report from the Institute of International Education and the US State Department shows the United States is an increasingly attractive place for overseas students to visit, but that international students are coming from Asia in much greater numbers than from Latin American countries. This wouldn’t be such a problem, except Obama recently drew up an ambitious plan to boost the number of US-Latin America student exchanges to 100,000 by 2020.

The “Open Doors” report says almost 50 percent of international students came to the US from China (236,000 students), India (97,000 students) and South Korea (71,000 students). Students from the Americas and the Caribbean numbered just 67,000. Does this mean that Obama’s “100,000 Strong in the Americas’’ program is moving too slowly to meet its 2020 target? I look at the figures and see positive growth but too little to be entirely meaningful. The total number of overseas students coming to the US is rising – by 7 percent overall to 2014 – but at the annual rate of growth the number of Latin American students in the US will be only 87,000 in 2020 – a shortfall in terms of Obama’s goal, according to calculations by Andres Oppenheimer in this opinion piece.

graduates
Asian Confidence and Latin American Disbelief
So why do Asian countries have so many more students currently residing in US universities, and more on the way? Asian countries have been proactive in promoting study abroad programs, in part to meet their own agendas in terms of raising standard of living and education. The Latin American countries that send the most students to the US also have programs in place to attract students and inspire them to take the leap and make the most of opportunities for study in the US. For example, the Brazilian government recently launched a scheme for its students to get PhDs and Masters degrees abroad. Mexico sends 14,200 students, Brazil 10,700, Columbia 6,500 and Venezuela 6,200.

However, reports of scholarships and opportunities to head for the universities of the US are often greeted with disbelief on the part of Latin American students. Students look at the publicity surrounding degrees and education in the United States and think, “that’s great, but it can’t be for me.” Often students have concerns about life in the United States that prevent them from making the move – how will they afford accommodation, will they be able to work to make ends meet? The visa requirements for study in the US are often seen as too prohibitive and complex for “ordinary” students to be able to apply. Consequently, well-off students may consider study-abroad schemes but talented individuals with no financial backing believe the programs are not for them.

Financial Appeal of Study in the US
Scholarships are available but how many people know how to apply? And do Latin American governments spend as much time as Asian governments in disseminating information about US universities and publishing the rankings that show US universities are consistently ranked best in the world? Obama and his government could also do more to ensure the success of what is a valuable and worthy initiative to open borders and increase cultural exchange across the nations of the Americas. Latin American countries, despite Obama’s positive spin on study abroad, often have more pressing concerns than sending students abroad, no matter that the benefits from these exchanges may help their future competitiveness and prosperity. Argentina for example, which is ploughing its own isolationist agenda, sent only 1,800 students to the United States in 2013, according to the report. Incentives from the US, which could be offered through an expansion of private sector funding, could secure more university partnership deals and make it more financially attractive for Latin American countries to promote study abroad.

On the other side of the coin, the number of US college students going abroad to study rose by 3 percent in 2013 but only a small number of students – 16 percent of the total – went to Latin American or Caribbean universities. Most US students chose to study in the UK, Italy, France, or Spain. The most attractive countries in Latin America for US undergraduates are Costa Rica (7,900), Argentina (4,700 students), Brazil (4,000), and Mexico (3,815).
If the door’s open, it may take a little extra push for Latin American students to enter – and for US students to do the same and broaden their horizons in South America and the Caribbean.