1 / 22

Transitioning to the american university

From coping with culture shock to academic integrity, this workshop offers insights, resources, and tips for succeeding in an American university environment. Learn about making friends, classroom expectations, plagiarism, campus resources, and more. Welcome to Kent State!

rhonda-leach
Download Presentation

Transitioning to the american university

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. Julien Roland, Translation Studies Shakhnoza Yakubova, Higher Education Administration Transitioning to the american university

  2. Welcome to Kent State! • Introduction • Goals of the workshop • Cultural Differences • Academic Culture • Kent State Resources • Structure of the Workshop

  3. Your First Day in US

  4. Experiencing Culture Shock • Defining Culture Shock ‘a feeling of confusion, doubt, or nervousness caused by being in a place (such as a foreign country) that is very different from what you are used to’ (Merriam-Webster)

  5. Stages of Culture Shock • States: • Honey moon • Distress • Reintegration • Autonomy/Acceptance • Independence • Note: it may last 3-6 month

  6. Coping with Culture Shock • Become a part of the community • Make new friends • Stay connected with family back home • Make your space comfortable • Explore the neighborhood

  7. Making friends • Differences in the concept of friendship across the cultures • Conversation Partners program • International Peer Advisor program • Kent State International Mentors program • Gradfest • GSO Social Events

  8. US Academic Culture • Concept of Time & Deadlines • Communication with Professors/Advisors • Office hours • Syllabus • Citations • Types of assessments • Midterms, Finals, Papers, Projects, etc.

  9. Program/Plan of study • Usually developed in first few semesters of graduate study (advisor may help). • Review your plan annually. • Course Projection

  10. In the classroom • American teaching styles – often student-centered, discussion-based, interactive. • Regular attendance, participation and being on time is expected. • Feel free to ask questions and express point of view during class time. • Practice objective/critical writing styles (for assistance, consult professor/classmates/Writing Commons).

  11. Academic honesty & Plagiarism • Plagiarism: Claiming someone else’s work/intellectual property as your own. • “Accidental” plagiarism: Forgetting to cite or include in references author of work. • NOTE: Kent State makes no distinction about plagiarism (accidental vs. non) in terms of sanction and disciplinary action. If you have questions about plagiarism, consult professor.

  12. Class technology • BlackBoard Learn – online course management software. • Online courses: Learn typical, but not necessarily used by all instructors. Check your syllabus. • Be sure technology requirements are understood/followed/met on deadline. Ask questions if unsure.

  13. Tutoring/course assistance • Math tutoring and Writing Commons • English speaking/writing tutoring available through ESL Center. • Other tutoring available (by subject). • Ask classmates/professors for assistance.

  14. Other information sources • Ask advisor if there is a departmental listserv and join if one is available. • Purpose of Graduate Studies listserv. • Consult dept. website for news, course information, assistantship/internship announcements, etc.

  15. Useful campus resources [1] • University Libraries • KentLINK and OhioLINK, Inter-library loan • Meet with a librarian (research assistance) • Library is open 24 hours (mostly) • VPN • On-campus vs. online book sellers/renters • Career Services • IT Services (Helpdesk, Tech Spot, software) • PARTA, other transportation services

  16. Useful campus resources [2] • Student Support Services • Student Legal Services • University Health Services • Counseling Services • Student Life tab on www.kent.edu for more

  17. Stores/international options • H.O.M.E. Market (in Acorn Alley). • Haymaker Farmer’s Market. • Some grocery stores sell international foodstuffs/products. • OGE’s “Spice Run” tours.

  18. Recreation options in Kent • Student organizations/groups. • Recreation and Wellness Center. • University-funded events all year. • Graduate Student Senate – Gradfest.

  19. Graduate Student Senate [1] • Monthly meetings – open to the public. • Supports all graduate students at Kent State. • Domestic and international travel grants: International students welcome to apply.

  20. Graduate Student Senate [2] Fall 2014 GradFestDates: August 22, 2014 at Zephyr Pub (6pm-8pm) October 3, 2014 (location TBD; 6pm-8pm) November 7, 2014 (location TBD; 6pm-8pm) Annual Graduate Research Symposium April 3, 2015

  21. Questions? Comments? Concerns?

  22. Thank you for attending GSO! For additional questions, contact: Julien Roland – jroland2@kent.edu Shakhnoza Yakubova– syakubov@kent.edu

More Related