myUface Blog

Take a moment and read this article about Abilene Christian University and its decision to integrate mobile technology – iPhones and iTouches – into its classrooms.  Fascinating, huh?

A few points:

• this is the kind of innovation that goes on all the time at U.S. universities, and makes them the best in the world
• notice that such innovation doesn’t only happen at the big famous schools everyone has heard of.  How many international students have heard of Abilene Christian University?  If this mobile learning trend succeeds, my guess is this university’s profile is going to go way up.

What do you think?  Can you imagine learning with an iPhone?

The goal of the myUface blog is to collect, in one place, useful information for international students interested in studying in the Unisted States.  For new visitors to the blog, I wanted to create a quick list of the highlights from previous blog posts.

• We started out discussing the benefits and disadvatages of studying in the U.S.
  
• We talked about how you might go about looking for a U.S. university.
• We started a podcast.
• We looked at the idea behind financial aid and also provided you with loads of advice on how to find some.
• We explored university rankings and their limitations.
• We provided summer and fall timelines for preparing an application to a U.S. university.
• We shared our perspective about how to prepare for visa interviews.
• We began to look at the fifty states and what it might be like to study in each of them.
• We discussed how you might handle rejection by a U.S. university (and we hoped you wouldn’t have to).

This is just the beginning.  We’re going to keep sharing as much information as possible in the hope of helping you attain your dream of studying in the U.S.

Please remember to share your questions and comments with us as often as possible.  You can leave a comment on any blog post, and you can always e-mail us at blog@myuface.com.

Yesterday we shared a brief excerpt from Thomas Friedman’s The World Is Flat, in which he talked about the skills you need to succeed in a globalized world.  Today, I’d like to share another excerpt, in which Mr. Friedman discusses the ways in which U.S. universities support exactly these skills.

Before I do, and for the benefit of those interested in the ongoing debate about globalization (what it is, whether it’s good, etc.) I want to mention that Mr. Friedman certainly has his critics (for example, here).  Nonetheless, his views are valuable at the very least because they represent a strong current of thought regarding globalization and its impact.

With that disclaimer out of the way, here is Friedman on U.S. universities (with a big assist from Bill Gates):

It is a truism, but the more educated you are, the more options you will have . . . “Our university system is the best,” said Bill Gates.  “We fund our universities to do a lot of research and that is an amazing thing.  High-IQ people come here, and we allow them to innovate and turn [their innovations] into products.  We reward risk taking.  Our university system is competitive and experimental.  They can try out different approaches . . . It is a chaotic system, but it is a great engine of innovation in the world . . .”

“America has 4,000 colleges and universities,” said Allan E. Goodman, president of the Institute of International Education.  “The rest of the world combined has 7,768 institutions of higher education.  In the state of California alone, there are about 130 colleges and universities.  There are only 14 countries in the world with more than that number.”

. . . [I]n 2003, American universities reaped $1.3 billion from patents . . .

In other words, U.S. universities innovate and take risks in order to adapt to a changing world. What’s more, because of the sheer number of universities, they do so on an unprecedented scale, and in a vast array of fields.

For that reason, if you are interested in sharpening you skills in terms of innovation and adaptability, you won’t go wrong by investing in a U.S. university for your higher education.

Give then we just celebrated July 4th, Independence Day here in the U.S., I thought I’d take a break from discussing the ins and outs of financial aid to talk for a moment about something which U.S. universities value very highly:  independence.

In most countries around the globe, the university system has some type of formalized relationship with the central government.  Often, this takes the form of a Ministry of Education providing funding (and rules) for the national system.  Thus, in many countries, if the president or prime minister says, “You know, I really think our universities should do X,” there is at least a good chance those universities will be required to do so . . . by law.

U.S. universities, in contrast, are by and large completely independent from the central government.  They often receive funding of some sort for ongoing research, and so they are beholden to government support in that respect; but there’s no sense in which they are in the chain of command of the political leadership.

Although the U.S. is in now way unique in this regard, I would suggest that, for historical reasons, universities in the U.S. are perhaps more protective of their independence than universities in most countries.  And this in turn leads to the incredible diversity of educational institutions and programs you see in the U.S.  When there isn’t a central bureaucracy controlling the curriculum, individual schools are free to to determine their own path.

This is somethign to keep in mind as you look for universities and programs in the United States.  Don’t assume that one particular university – Harvard for example – is superior to other universities in every regard, as might be the case in a more centrally-controlled system.  Instead, remember that each university will establish programs based upon the needs of whatever it considers to be its “community,” and with funds that are secured from a variety of sources – not only the government.   This gives you the opportunity to look closely for a particular university to suit your needs – thereby exercising your own “independence.”

A lot of students begin their search for financial aid by trying to find 100% support from U.S. sources.  After a few weeks of effort, most of them realize that a full scholarship isn’t likely.  Discouraged, they all too often give up their dreams of studying in the U.S.

But what if you don’t need 100% financing?  What if you need, say, only 50%?  What if you need only 25?  If you can find significant contributions from your own assets, you’ll significantly increase your chances of being able to find enough financial aid.

So, the very first place to start looking for financial aid for your U.S. education is . . . (drum roll please) . . .

Yourself.

First, do you have any savings?  Do you own any assets that you might sell?  How much money could you set aside over the next year if you started saving now?  Are there part-time jobs you could take in order to supplement your income?

What about your parents?  Now is a great time to have a frank, serious discussion about what, if anything, they can commit to your education.  In the U.S., families often take out loans on their homes or other real-estate property to finance college education for their kids.  Is that an option in your country?  Are your parents holding onto a piece of land without a clear plan for using it?  Do they have an extra car they’d be willing to sell?  It’s imperative that you identify as much as possible from within your own family.

Now, let’s pause for a moment.  Right now you might be thinking, Ask my parents to help?  Yeah, right.  They want me to stay at home and study at the local university, which costs MUCH less.  No way they’re going to help me go to study in the U.S. And besides, we don’t have nearly enough.

If you’re afraid your parents won’t help you, try  telling them how important studying in the U.S. is for you, and showing them how seriously you take it.  Don’t just ask for money and hope they’ll take care of everything.  Instead, show them how you’re looking for support from multiple sources – including yourself.  You might want to ask them to give you a loan instead of simply paying for your university (generally speaking, parents offer very good interest rates).  Involve your parents in the process of identifying and applying to U.S. universities, so they can see firsthand the advantages.  And most importantly, share your conviction that  a U.S. education is a great investment in your future.  Remember, the worst thing that happens is that they say “No.”  In which case, you won’t be any worse off.

After you’ve had a frank (and possibly awkward) conversation with your parents, go have the same frank conversation with other relatives.  Remember, you’re NOT asking for someone to pay for the entirety of your education.  You’re simply identifying small pieces of funding that, when added together, can reduce the amount of financial aid that you need from other sources.

Once you’ve identified as much funding as possible from yourself, your parents, and your other family members, it’s time to look for outside sources.

Closing Question: I’d be curious to know whether asking parents for money for university is considered “normal” in your culture.  Do parents generally fund their children’s education?  Do students ask their parents for financial assistance?

Posts in this Series

1. Your Education is an Investment - 08 Jul
2. Researching Scholarship Opportunities - 07 Jul
3. How to Ask Questions About Financial Aid - 28 Jun
4. Ninth Option for Financial Aid: Loans - 27 Jun
5. The Difference Between Scholarships and Fellowships - 26 Jun
6. Eigth Option for Financial Aid: U.S. Universities - 25 Jun
7. Seventh Option for Financial Aid: Ethnic Communities in the United States - 24 Jun
8. Sixth Option for Financial Aid: Private Organizations in the U.S. - 23 Jun
9. Fifth Option for Financial Aid: U.S. Government Programs - 22 Jun
10. Fourth Option for Financial Aid: Scholarships from International Organizations - 20 Jun
11. How to Ask for Support - 18 Jun
12. Looking for Support in Your Country: Why it Makes Sense - 17 Jun
13. Third Option for Financial Aid: Individuals in Your Country - 16 Jun
14. Second Option for Financial Aid: Private Businesses or Foundations in Your Country - 15 Jun
15. First Option for Financial Aid: Government Programs in Your Country - 14 Jun
16. The Third Step in Financial Aid: Find What's Available - 11 Jun
17. The Second Step In Financial Aid: Identify Your Assets (This post)
18. The First Step In Financial Aid: Identify Your Needs - 09 Jun
19. Finding Financial Aid for your U.S. Education - 08 Jun

In this week’s podcast we are coming to you from Tirana, Albania.  We use the opportunity to discuss the views of Albanian students on the issue of whether to study at home or abroad.  Hope you enjoy it!

As always, send us your questions at podcast@myuface.com.

Other Podcasts

1. Podcast: Asking Questions - 18 Jul
2. Podcast: Give Yourself Time To Complete Your Application - 13 Jun
3. Podcast: What to Do if your Application is not Accepted - 06 Jun
4. Podcast - The View from Albania (This post)
5. Podcast: University Rankings - 16 May
6. Podcast: Timeline for Applying to a U.S. University - 09 May
7. The Inaugural myUface Podcast - 02 May

What do you want to see in the U.S.?  What historic places do you want to visit?   What national parks do you want to experience?  What amusement parks do you want to enjoy?

Do these questions seem irrelevent to your search for a U.S. university?  They’re not.  One of the greatest benefits of studying in the U.S. is the opportunity it will give you to see America’s social, historical and natural places of wonder.

So as you’re researching universities, be sure to ask yourself, “What do I really want to see while I’m in the States?”  If you’re interested in political science, it’d be a shame if you came to the U.S. for four years and never set foot in Washington, D.C.  If you’re interested in film, how could you not visit Hollywood?  All of this is to say nothing of your non-academic interests.  If you ski, visit Colorado,Wyoming or Utah.  Are you a surfer?  California or Hawaii seem appropriate.

You get the idea.

Check out Forbes’ list of the top 25 tourist destinations in the U.S. for a good idea of the most “famous” places.  But don’t stop there.  Visit the state tourist agencies for those states that have universities you’re interested in.  See what you can visit in that state.  For example, if you are looking at a university in Utah, check out the Utah travel site at Utah.com.

Of course, the tourist sites that surround a university shouldn’t be the sole basis of your decision to apply to, or attend, a particular institution.  At the same time, don’t underestimate the extent to which your tourist experiences in the U.S. will impact your overall experience.  Visiting tourist sites is not only a great way to see some beautiful and important places – visiting tourist sites gives you crucial insights into a culture and what it finds important.

For your consideration: Visit the state tourist agencies for every state in which you are researching a university.  What kind of tourist attractions are nearby?  Do they interest you? Why or why not?

Posts in this Series

1. Conclusion - How to Choose a U.S. University - 02 Jun
2. Activities Around a University Campus - 01 Jun
3. Check Out U.S. Universities on iTunes U - 26 May
4. Extracurricular Activities - 25 May
5. Get to Know Your Potential Professors - 21 May
6. Don't Forget Your Life! - 20 May
7. What Do You Want to See in the U.S.? (This post)
8. How Many International Students go to your Chosen University? - 18 May
9. The Problem with University Rankings - 17 May
10. Using Facebook to Research Universities - 14 May
11. Look at the Surrounding Neighborhoods When Looking at a U.S. University - 13 May
12. How Weather Should Factor Into Your Search for a U.S. University - 12 May
13. Looking for a University in the United States: Cost of Living - 11 May
14. Looking for a University in the United States - 10 May

I’m happy to announce the release of our first myUface student guide,“The Advantages and Disadvantages of University Study in the United States.”

It’s a compilation of some of our early blog work about the advantages and disadvantages of study in the U.S.

Enjoy!

the-advantages-and-disadvantages-of-university-study-in-the-united-states

So we’ve considered most of the advantages and disadvantages of going to the U.S. for your university education.  But you may still be having difficulty deciding if studying in the U.S. is the right decision.  In this final post, I will present three pieces of advice about how you should go about making the decision whether or not to study in the U.S. (or anywhere else, for that matter):

1. Remember, you won’t be studying at a university called “the U.S.”  You’ll be studying at one particular university in the U.S.  So please, do some research about individual universities.  DON’T think that every university in the U.S. will be more or less the same, because they AREN’T.  Until you bring real universities into your decision-making process, you won’t be making an informed decision at all.
2. Keep your options open. Remember, you don’t need to decide right now that, no matter what, you’re studying in the U.S.  You have should research different programs in many countries, including your own.  You may want to consider pursuing entrance into U.S. universities and, at the same time, applying to universities in other countries as well.
3. Find good advisers. Making the decision to study in the U.S. will be easier if you connect with people who are familiar with the U.S. system of education.  Find such people and develop a relationship with them. The right adviser can help answer all your most difficult questions and lead to a better decision. In your country, look for an Educational Advising Center.  On the internet, you need go no further that myUface.  Remember, you can always ask us questions and we will always give you the best advice we can!

The decision to study in another country is a daunting one, but it can be fun as well.  The options for international students are more diverse and exciting than ever before.  Consider all your options carefully, but always remember:  if you do your research, take your time, keep your options open, and find good advisers, you will find the perfect program for you!

SERIES:  Why study in the U.S.?

• April 20 – Introduction
• April 21 – Diversity at U.S. campuses
• April 22 – Value of U.S. degrees
• April 23 – The Facilities
  
• April 24 – Practical focus of U.S. education
• April 25 – Variety of U.S. programs
• April 26 – The supposed disadvantages of study in the U.S.: visas
  
• April 27 - The supposed disadvantages of study in the U.S.: cost
  
• April 28 - Some real disadvantages of study in the U.S.:  it might not help in your profession
• April 29 – Some real disadvantages of study in the U.S.: will you fit in “going back?”
• April 30 – Other disadvantages
• May 1 – So, should you study in the U.S.?

In today and tomorrow’s post I’m going to speak very briefly about two supposed reasons not to study in the U.S.  Occasionally I’ve heard these from  students.

Reason #1:  It’s too hard to get a visa

Verdict: FALSE

You do hear about a number of international students who don’t get visas to the U.S.  The process also seems complicated, filled with all kinds of strange-sounding documents like I-20s.  The truth is, though, when you hack through all the confusion, the process of getting a U.S. visa is really quite simple:

1. You apply to a university in the U.S.
2. The school accepts you and send you some documents you need to apply for a visa
3. You apply for a visa interview at the U.S. Embassy, and go to the interview with the necessary documents
4. The embassy approves your application and puts a visa in your passport
5. You get on a plane for the U.S.

Now, there are certain steps of the process which do present real difficulties for large numbers of international students.  Quite often the above scenario can become much more complicated (and throughout the year we’ll talk a lot more about visas).  But for the majority of international students the process – though long – ends in success. It’s also worth mentioning  here that many think the Obama administration may be more open to international students.

The bottom line is that, for most students,  if you’re serious about studying in the U.S., the visa process is more of a hassle than a real disadvantage.

For Your Consideration:

Have you hear horror stories of students not getting U.S. visas?  Please share them with us!

SERIES:  Why study in the U.S.?

• April 20 – Introduction
• April 21 – Diversity at U.S. campuses
• April 22 – Value of U.S. degrees
• April 23 – The Facilities
  
• April 24 – Practical focus of U.S. education
• April 25 – Variety of U.S. programs
• April 26 – The supposed disadvantages of study in the U.S.: visas
  
• April 27 - The supposed disadvantages of study in the U.S.: cost
  
• April 28 - Some real disadvantages of study in the U.S.:  it might not help in your profession
• April 29 – Some real disadvantages of study in the U.S.: will you fit in “going back?”
• April 30 – Other disadvantages
• May 1 – So, should you study in the U.S.?