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Studying or research in the USA Presented by Erica Lutes, Executive Director

Studying or research in the USA Presented by Erica Lutes, Executive Director. Mission. Why Study in the U.S. Wide array of options Flexibility Not just academic study Internationalize your CV Opportunity to travel to the US. Facts and Figures (USA-Belgium). Types of Opportunities. Study

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Studying or research in the USA Presented by Erica Lutes, Executive Director

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  1. Studying or research in the USA Presented by Erica Lutes, Executive Director

  2. Mission

  3. Why Study in the U.S. • Wide array of options • Flexibility • Not just academic study • Internationalize your CV • Opportunity to travel to the US

  4. Facts and Figures (USA-Belgium)

  5. Types of Opportunities • Study • Research/Lecture • Internships

  6. Differences to Expect • No central government authority • No ranking system • Application process- • letters of recommendation • personal statements • Teaching styles • On-campus life

  7. Levels of Study • UndergraduateEducation • 4 years directly after High School (Lycée). • End result = a bachelors degree (B.A. or B.S.) • Graduate Education • Higherdegreestakenaftercompletion of a bachelorsdegree (M.A., M.S., MBA, Ph.D, J.D., M.D., etc.) • 2 years for a masters (1 year LLM) • Post Graduate Education • Most Ph.D. programs do not require a Master’sdegree to apply • PhDlonger in US

  8. Grading Scale in Belgium

  9. How to choose a program? • Accredited? • Size? • Location? • Number of international students? • Majors offered? • Cost? • 3 Simultaneous Actions • Chooseuniversities & prepare the applications for each one • Determinewhich tests to apply • Look for financial support

  10. Searching for Academic Programs • Search academic publications to see where the authors are coming from • Network at conferences and through your current professors • Check the websites of professional organizations in your field • http://www.petersons.com/graduate-schools.aspx • http://www.gradschools.com/ • http://www.princetonreview.com/schools/gradSchoolResearch.aspx • http://www.topmba.com/ • http://www.phds.org/ • www.collegeboard.org (Undergrad) • http://www.nacacnet.org

  11. Graduate Studies in the US

  12. Transcripts

  13. Entrance Exams GRE Graduate Record Exam GMAT Graduate Management Admission Test • For admission to GraduateSchools (exceptLaw programs) • Subject-specific tests required for certain programs • Scores range from 130-170 and are available 10-15 daysafter the exam. They are good for 5 years. • http://www.takethegre.com/ • For admission to Business Schools • Scores range from 200-800 and are available 20 days after the exam. They are good for 5 years. • http://www.mba.com

  14. English Tests • 1/9/2013-31/8/2014: € 198 • 1/9/2014: € 202 • Accepted by many but not all universities • Listening (30min), Reading (1h), Speaking (11-14min), Writing (1h) • http://www.britishcouncil.org/brussels-exams-ielts.htm • $ 270 • Accepted by many but not all universities • 3 hours, Brussels • Score in 5 days • http://www.pearsonpte.com/PTEACADEMIC/Pages/home.aspx • $ 240 • Brussels, Luxembourg, Paris, Arnhem • Reading, listening, break, speaking, writing (4.5 hours) • http://www.ets.org/toefl • http://www.toeflgoanywhere.org/

  15. TOEFL Registration

  16. Recommendation Letters

  17. Recommendation Letters • Develop strong relationships with academic and professional colleagues • Ask for letter of recommendation early and in-person • Talk about your motivation for applying • Provide them with resources like your CV to help them know what elements to include • Give them a pre-addressed stamped envelope • Follow up to make sure the letter is sent!

  18. Personal Statement

  19. Post-Graduate & Research Studies in the US

  20. Purpose • Further training • Broaden research experience • Enhance teaching effectiveness • Make contacts with peers in field • Gain experience in grant writing & presenting • Opportunity to publish and position yourself for a full-time position

  21. Finding a Host • Network with your own contacts first • When you read articles, whose direction/scope appeals to you? • What impact does this individual have in this field? • Speak with present or past students/postdocs • Do they have time for you? • Is this field growing? • What next?

  22. Contacting Potential Hosts • Contact a year before you will finish your degree • More funding resources and number of positions with that adviser. Plus, it gives you an incentive to finish! • Write them a 1-2 paragraph email that BRIEFLY states • Any personal connections with them • Your reaction/questions about their research • Your academic fit • Any funding you will bring with you • You can follow up with more details later

  23. Once you have a Host • Keep them informed of your progress • Be realistic about when you can actually arrive • Duration of training? • Goals during training? • Salary? Health care? • Visa? Family status? Student or professor? • Are you working on their project or your original works? • Collaboration with others?

  24. Letter of Invitation • On official department letterhead • Contact details included • Should outline: • Your official status – visiting researcher, professor, etc. • Specific dates of stay • Resources available to you – desk, mailbox, salary, etc. • Signed

  25. Internships in the US

  26. Internships The Department’s goal in creating the program was to provide a ‘true learning experience’ for international students that will ‘reinforce their academic study’, that is ‘an integral part of [their] ongoing education’, that will enhance their skills ‘through exposure to American techniques, methodologies, and expertise.’ An intern must be a foreign national who is: (a) currently pursuing a degree outside the US (b) Has graduated within 1 year of start date (c) Maximum 1 year (d) Minimum 32 hours/week

  27. Where to begin… • Search websites by location, industry, job function, time of year and keyword. • Networking/informational interviews: Speak with anyone with US contacts, especially in your fields of interest. Meet with these individuals for advice about your internship search. • Visit the “Jobs/Careers” section on the website of organizations that interest you • Call Career Development Offices of U.S. Universities • Internship databases and search engines: google.com www.internqueen.com Not many scholarships for internships

  28. Additional Resources • Yale University Career Services Website: http://www.yale.edu/career/students/intern/create.html • Mount Holyoke College Career Services Website: http://www.mtholyoke.edu/cdc/internships.html For more information about internships: http://www.fulbright.be/Other_Possibilities/Student_Employment_Internships.htm

  29. Logistics • Internships can be paid or unpaid. • Academic credit is a possibility • Could cost between 700-2500 USD to secure a visa • Negotiate covering cost of visa by employer • Develop expectations AHEAD of time • All interns must travel to the US on a J-1 visa, no matter how long you will be there

  30. Step 1: Find a Sponsor • www.J1visa.state.gov • For business: www.belcham.org • For politics: www.twc.edu/internships • For teaching: www.amity.org • For paid positions: www.intraxinc.com • CIEE: www.ciee.org

  31. The Washington Center Offers scholarships to Belgian students through the Flemish government. • The Blinken Award Scholarship of up to $5,000 for one student coming from Belgium for the summer semester 2014. • Alan Blinkenman Scholarship • Ackermans and Van Haaren Scholarship • Leonard and Patrizia Schrank Scholarship

  32. In Cooperation with: • Artevelde University College Ghent • Ghent University • Hasselt University • Hogeschool-Universitait Brussels • Howest, University College West Flanders • University of Leuven-KU Leuven • University of Antwerp • Vrije Universiteit Brussels

  33. Other Benefits Washington Semester Program • Program Components: • Internship • Academic Course • Leadership Forum • Civic Engagement Project • Internship Portfolio

  34. Websites to Use General job sites •http://www.careerbuilder.com•http://www.craigslist.org•http://www.hotjobs.com•http://www.hound.com•http://www.indeed.com•http://www.monster.comNonprofit job sites•http://www.idealist.org•http://www.opportunitynocks.com•http://www.philanthropy.com/jobsInternship and student job sites•http://www.aboutjobs.com•http://www.coolworks.com•http://www.campusinternships.com• http://www.internjobs.com•http://www.internships.com•http://www.internships4you.com•http://www.internweb.com

  35. Step 2: Apply for a Visa • Be sure to have all basic requirements a general visa apphttp://belgium.usembassy.gov/applying.html. • Original, signed DS-2019 Form • DS-7002 (Training/Internship Placement Plan) • DS-160 (visa application and receipt) • Proof of financial support • A passport valid for 6 months past departure • SEVIS fee payment receipt http://www.fmjfee.com/ Call 02-788-1200 to set up an appointment at the US embassy in Brussels. Have your credit card ready as the call will cost 15 Euros. More questions? Contact usvisabrussels@state.gov

  36. Resume Tips • Your resume must be short - one or two pages at the most. • Personal contact information at the top – omit pictures, nationality, gender, marital status, etc. • Proofread: take care with the presentation, design, spaces, and spelling of your resume. Don't use abbreviations. • Be organized: your resume should be a quick & easy read • Emphasize sections and things that are important with underlines or bold type. • Organize in reverse chronological order

  37. Resume Tips • Write your resume in third person of the singular form. • Use action verbs • Emphasize your skills and achievements • Do not attach diplomas or documents unless asked to • Adapt your resume for each job that you apply to so it best fits the position sought and the company's needs.

  38. Items to Include • Education • Work experience • Publications • Scholarships • Affiliations • Skills • Interests (if they can be points of conversation)

  39. Cover Letter • An American cover letter is an integral part of your job applications. It should refer to your present and future plans, showing your prospective employers what you want to do now and what you will do for them in the future. Adapt each cover letter to fit with the job to which you are applying. • It should be in the same font and style as your resume.

  40. Cover Letter Content First paragraph: • State purpose of writing • Indicate knowledge of the organization • Explain why you would be a good candidate • Make it unique, make it personal! Second paragraph: • Emphasize reason/interest in position • Emphasize qualities that best fit the position.

  41. Cover Letter Content Final paragraph: • Conclude by saying you will call the contact person (and then make sure to call them) • Express interest in having an interview and state availability. • Indicate again that you are enthusiastic about the position. • Finally, remind them how to contact you.

  42. Start early! • Follow instructions • Adapt your CV/cover letter • Americanize • Addressed properly • Remember who you contacted and when • Multiple languages Tips

  43. Funding Sources • Personal funding • Money from U.S. university • Researchfellowship • Teachingassistantship • Salary • Loan • From a bank • From Lazard Foundation in Belgium • Scholarshipfromotherorganizations • Fulbright, BAEF, Rotary • http://www.fulbright.be/awards/non-fulbright-awards/

  44. Financial Aid Primary Source of Funding(International Graduate Students, 2011 - 2012)* *Source: Open Doors Report, 2012

  45. Financial Aid EducationUSA.state.gov

  46. Financial Aid

  47. Financial Aid EducationUSA.state.gov

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