Episode 46--Busy after spring break

First, apologies for not having updated my blog for a long, long time. I had a wonderful spring break, going to the UK to see my boyfriend, and we traveled to Scotland and stayed at London for a couple of days. I think I have visited most of the major cities and saw the places that most of the people would see. But when I got back, I just realized that there were tons of things to do, pulling me back to reality.  The good news is that before spring break, I got an interview from Welcoming Center for New Pennsylvania, which is a non-profit organization that connects employers, business corporations to help new immigrants better integrate to the Philadelphia region. I will be interning there for this summer, as my internship site for my program. I am glad that my internship is now secured, and the next thing I have to do in March is to finish the internship prospectus. Another thing that has also been dangling is the off-campus housing searching. Right now, I have two in mind, but I am still trying to make a decision. Since it is all one-year lease, I don't want to be rash in the choice but I think I am able to make it before April. If you are inclined to live off-campus, I hope that you have started your searching or you have already decided because the later you get started, the less likely you will find a place that is accessible to public transportation (if you don't drive) or Penn campus, reasonably priced, safe and has good neighborhood. As I mentioned in the previous blog, I encourage you guys to start searching early so you can get a good deal. 

Episode 45--International students! Check out the event that specifically designs for you!

There will be a Web Chat for international students on March 5, 8:30am-10:00am eastern time. If you are international students, I highly recommend RSVPing to the event with our current international students and alumni. The RSVP link is here. Last year, I attended the web chat for international students, and it was very useful to know more about life at Penn before arriving here. Therefore, I am writing this blog to encourage you guys to register and participate. It will be a good time to have your questions answered by students who have been studying here for a while. I really want to be there with you, but unfortunately, I can't make it to the event. But there will be many students who can help you, and if you have any questions, feel free to contact me. I will reach out to you shortly. 

Many of you, I believe, have already got admitted to Penn. It's time for you to get connected with Penn community. If you are still deciding whether to accept the offer, participating in this event might give you a much clearer idea of what Penn has to offer and how international students spend their time here. It is a great resource that you definitely don't want to waste. 

In case you have any questions, my email address is danwen@gse.upenn.edu 

Have a good day, and don't forget to register! 

Episode 44--Come Chat with Us--Upcoming Web Chat Events

Don’t forget – we have several on- and off-campus events coming up in the next few week!

Also, as promised, we have a handful of online events occurring in the next few months!

Please join us for web chats with current students, alumni, and representatives from various groups and resources around campus relevant to the graduate student experience. This semester our web chats will each have a particular “theme” which will determine which campus representatives will join us. Hopefully you can attend the ones that are relevant to you, but don’t worry if you can’t – we can answer all of your questions at any of the four upcoming chats!

Wednesday, March 5, 2014

9:00-10:00 AM (ET)

This web chat will be geared towards students from outside the United States. We will have a variety of international alumni, students, and resources to answer your questions about Penn and life at GSE.

RSVP here.

Tuesday, March 18, 2014

8:30-9:30 PM (ET)

This web chat will be geared towards incoming students withfamilies or those who are changing careers into higher education. We will have a variety of current students, alumni, and campus resources to talk about the adjustments involved when coming to GSE.

RSVP here.

Wednesday, March 26, 2014

8:00-9:00 PM (ET)

This web chat will be geared towards students identifying with theLGBT community and students of color. We will have current students and alumni from these communities as well as various resources available to discuss the campus climate at Penn and answer any of your questions.

RSVP here.

Friday, April 11, 2014

7:00-8:00 PM (ET)

This will be our final web chat of the semester. It will not be themed, but we will have a variety of individuals present to answer any of your remaining questions to help you prepare for life at Penn GSE.

RSVP here.

Episode 43--On-campus Housing for graduate students and Ph.D students

Given that this is the time of year when all the admitted students are starting thinking about where they want to stay. I reposted this earlier blog about living on-campus so that people who missed it could take a look at it, and for those who took an interest in living on-campus, just keep an eye on the residential website for any important updates. I remembered attending an online info session about on-campus housing before making the decision in April. Therefore, when you are informed of your admission to Penn, you can start right off searching residential information. If you want to live off-campus, don't wait until May to get started, because by that time, many housing will not be available. My friend and I have already started now, and are about to decide where we want to live for the next two semesters. So don't wait till the last minute. 

For those of you who want to live on campus, you cannot miss this episode.
Sansom Place is home for graduate students who choose to live on campus. It is consisted of two buildings--Sansom Place East and Sansom Place West. I am currently living at Sansom East, so I am able to fill you in some information about how's life here.

 There are three words to describe my experience living at Sansom Place: convenient, safe and fun.  Convenience and safety are always the top priorities when it comes to thinking about where to settle down. In this sense, Sansom Place has a lot going for it because of its favorable location and good security system. Located on Chestnut Street, it is only a 3 minutes walk to Penn bookstore, 5 minutes to Penn GSE and Pottruck Fitness Center, 10 minutes to Van Pelt Library ( which is the largest library at Penn). If you have classes in the morning, you can sleep in till 30 minutes prior to your class schedule. (If you are able to get shower and breakfast done in 20 minutes). It is also close to convenient store like CVS, and a grocery market. Therefore, its prime location has attracted many residents who value convenience most.

What Sansom Place provides also makes life easier. There is one laundry room down the sub-basement, which is free; many study rooms and lounges are on the ground floor; package room is only situated on the 2nd floor in Sansom East, meaning that residents in Sansom West have to come to Sansom East and pick up their packages. Trash chute is located on even number floor. So it takes a little going down or up for students living on odd number floor. The monthly rent includes cable, internet, utilities. Basically, residents only have to pay the amount that corresponds to their apartment type, no extra fees added.

Secondly, the security system equipped in two buildings should  be given credits for. There are front desks and security guard working 24 hours, and for each building, there is an entrance where residents should both swipe their Penn Card and enter their unique 4-digit code to get access to the inside. Without Penn Card and 4-digit code, one cannot enter the main building. (The 4- digit code  is created by students online and it is recommended never revealing their unique code to someone else.) For anyone that is from outside of Sansom Place, they must sign in and present their ID at the front desk. (I am not sure if they need to be accompanied by a Sansom Place resident; but from what I experienced, the answer is Yes.) Same rule for overnight visitors. If you have families or friends visiting you and they will be staying for a longer time, Hilton Hotel Inn and Sheraton University are just outside of Sansom Place.

Lastly, I think living here is kind of fun because there are many activities for students to be engaged and get to know each, and most of them are free. I've have participated in a tour to Philadelphia Arts Museum, and went to a welcome BBQ for all new residents. For me, most of my classmates are living in Sansom Place, therefore, it would be easier for us to get together, meet for group project and socialize.

There is one topic that I can't avoid when talking about on-campus housing, which is the cost!! As you know, most of the housing offered on-campus would be relatively higher than those off-campus. It's true. Choosing here has lots of advantages, but in the meantime, it is kind of expensive. However, it depends on how you value the importance. If, for example, you'd prefer low cost than convenience, than it's okay to find a place a bit farther from Penn campus.

I hope this blog will give you a general sense of what Sansom Place is like, and help you make the best housing choice. If you are interested in Sansom Place, you can use this link http://cms.business-services.upenn.edu/residential-services/housing-options/sansom-place.html  to further your search. Or go to Penn Residential Services to find out more about on-campus and off-campus information. http://www.upenn.edu/services/residential.php

Episode 42--Why I go to graduate school?

One of the most common questions that prospective students have asked me was that what brought me here to study in a US school, given that I told them I am an international student. So here, I want to share my thoughts with you in terms of going to Penn.

Actually, coming to US for higher education was not a rash decision. When I was a sophomore in high school, my father wanted to send me here for undergrad. Honestly, at that time, I was not determined if I truly wanted to go to a foreign country for college, not only because it was a big investment, financially speaking, but also because it meant four-year separation from my parents and friends. I was not sure if I was mentally prepared for that. The reason why my father wanted me to go the US was that he thought (it is what many Chinese parents believed) college education is US ranks high in the world, and considering I am good at liberal arts than math and science, the colleges in US might seem more suitable for me. ( Math is really important in Chinese education, especially when it comes to college entrance examination, which could be a determining measurement of what tier of school students could get in.) At first, I took my father's advice, shifting more focus on the application for US colleges instead of working hard to get into the top college in Shanghai. Being a bit afraid of the college entrance examination, I wanted to escape it by going abroad. However, a couple of months later, I realized that my idea was stupid; that going to the US for college was just an excuse to shun the exam sounded ridiculous for me. If I went to the school in a foreign not because I truly wanted to go but because of my cowardness , then I would not be very successful in college because I lacked self-motivation and determination. I always tell myself, " if I don't feel like doing it or if I ever have second thoughts about it, think before I act. " The thinking process would let me calm down, be reasonable and weigh in. Therefore, I gave up college application to US schools and plunged myself into the crazy studying for college exams in China, ending up a good college in Shanghai.

The time I decided to pursue master degree was again my sophomore year in college. ( Looks like the second year was the turning point in each education stage for me.) The reasons were 1). to finish my unfinished dream in high school, but with strong motivation and determination this time; 2). to increase the edge when it comes to job seeking and competition. 3). the focus of my program is one of my interests, and I kind of line up to my major and experiences. My motivation gained from two years of studying in college. My major was English, and I thought, "what was the point of learning English if you didn't go an English-speaking country for an education?" Apart from that, I always wanted to personally experience the differences of higher education systems between the two countries, not just stuck in one mode of learning. For the second reason, it is obvious that having an master degree from a well-known graduate school in US would definitely bring up my notch, comparing with someone who graduated from a local university.  So that's pretty much explained why I decided to come here. If some one came up to me and ask, " I don't know if I should apply for a master degree." I'd probably reply, " Take a pause; consider your interests and career; think about what continuing studies would do for you; don't force yourself into doing something that you have doubts about it or simply you not sure; wait till you are fully convinced by your heart saying, "Yes, this is truly what I want." I took a lot thinking before making the decision, and I hope that going to graduate school was not an act on the spur of moment for the applicants.

By the way, Penn is the right place to go if you are sure and motivated. : )

Episode 41--Ed.D Weekend and Graduate assistantship

Yesterday was a big day for Penn GSE. Ed.D applicants were invited to Penn GSE and participated in various events that our admission planned for them. The events were the same as Ph.D weekend, which was two weeks ago. What I loved most was meeting those candidates and having delicious food! Spending a whole day to the Ed. D weekend was a sacrifice, but it paid off at the end especially when the candidates and all of our GAs were gathered in the Penn Museum having a nice cocktail happy hour and an amazing dinner. This is also the second that all of GAs were able to get together and participated in an event. ( Due to the time schedules of different programs, usually one or two GAs had to miss out on the events. ) Therefore, this time of event has become significant to all of us because everyone came out. We also took pictures of us celebrating the long-waiting reunion. : ) 

Some people have asked me about the graduate assistantship. I am not sure if it depends on the programs. In terms of my program (ICC), you don't have to apply for it. It comes directly along with your admission letter, and you can choose whether to take it or not. However, at that time, you don't know what type of work you are assigned to. ( I don't know if the policy changes, at least for me, it worked this way.) If I remembered correctly, I was not informed that I was going to work for GSE admission until one week or two weeks before arriving at Penn, so around mid August. For that, I didn't get to choose what type of work I wanted to do for my graduate assistantship. I knew some students in my cohort and in TESOL program works for one specific professor, which is also really cool. But I love working at the admission office. It was such a luck for me to get picked up for that (I still don't know the assigning process, though), and I really really enjoyed working with those lovely GAs. 

Episode 40--Chinese Lantern Festival and Happy Valentine's Day

I hope everyone had a wonderful Valentine's Day! This year is special for Chinese because it coincides with our traditional Lantern Festival, which is regarded as the 15th day of the first lunar month, (of the last day of Chinese Spring Festival). On that day, we usually eat Yuanxiao ( a sweet dumplings made of glutinous rice flour with sesame fillings, watch lantern show and a television gala. Yuanxiao is a symbol for family reunion and happiness. Many Chinese students at Penn celebrated this day by eating Yuanxiao with their Valentines (if they have their girlfriend or boyfriend here), hoping that their love will be as sweet as Yuanxiao, and they will always be together no matter how far the distance sets them apart. So best wishes to them, and best wishes to those single men and ladies! Hope you will find their Princess or Mr. Right in the new year. 

Posted a picture of Yuanxiao, and the traditional lantern show, though many places do not literally have such old-fashioned lanterns hanging outside. 
                                        

Episode 39--Off campus housing searching

Before coming to Penn, I have made the decision that I will probably move out of the on campus housing for the second year. And finally the time has come to starting searching.

Currently, I am living in Sansom Place, which is the graduate on-campus residential buildings at Penn. I wrote a blog about graduate students living on campus in September. If you want more information, you can go back and find the blog titled "On-Campus Housing",  where I state the advantages of living there. Feel free to check it out because that's a kind of information that you don't want to miss. : )

The main reason I want to move out is that living on campus is rather expensive. My apartment (which is two bedrooms, one kitchen and one bathroom shared with two persons) costs me $922 per month, including electric, heat, water, internet, laundry and etc. In other words, there is no extra money you need to spend on top of the $922. While for off-campus housing, it costs less, although it is farther from GSE and Penn campus. Also, comparing with having a roommate, I'd prefer living by myself. Not that I don't like roommates, quite opposite, my roommate is really nice, I just think that living on my own would be much easier, considering the habits, biological clock, food preference, cooking, shower time and etc. Sometimes negotiations and compromises do work, if either person is willing to make adjustments or bear. But for me, I think living alone gives me sole autonomy on the way of living. I don't have to take the time considering my roommate's feelings if I get up 7 am in the morning, trying to make breakfast. Therefore, less money and the longing of being free are the reasons I am doing lots of searching.

If you are also considering living off campus, Penn has websites that provide off campus information. http://cms.business-services.upenn.edu/offcampusservices/
I will blog about my finding result  once it is definitely set. A piece of advice for admitted students:  if you are new to Philadelphia, I would recommend that you could first choose to live on-campus. After you have gained some familiarity with the area, such as where is relatively safe and where should be avoided, you can move out and look for a new place.  What is also important is that when it comes to apartment searching, it is highly recommended for you to personally pay a visit to check your intended house before signing the contract. Given that most of the houses/apartments are for one-year leasing, you should first take a look for yourself, see if it is the place where you would like to spend one year living in. Some of my friends are not quite satisfied with the place because they are international students, and they are not able to personally come here before signing the contract. So be careful with that.

Episode 38--Busy PhD Weekend

The PhD weekend held by Penn GSE started from (1/31-2/2) Friday Evening to Sunday morning. For graduate assistants, it has been really busy. On Friday evening, we went to a fancy restaurant called Davio's in center city Philadelphia for registration. There, those applicants could socialize and mingle while having a decent dinner. For us, I guess one of the perks of working at GSE Admission Office is that we could also be treated with nice dishes and a cup of wine. The next day, which was the big day for the applicants because they were about to impress GSE faculty/professors  so as to be admitted to their intended program. In the morning, Andrea and I first went to the Club Quarters (hotel) to escort them to the Inn at Penn, where they would be having breakfast and attending academic poster presentation given by some of our GSE faculty members and current PhD students. Around 12 pm, they were escorted to GSE for the lunch and one-on-one interview/conversation with the faculty. The interview lasted from 2pm to 5 pm; each applicant has about 30 minutes to talk with the professor. After that, they were invited to a fancy dinner held in the Penn Museum, which I didn't go. I believe that other GA would blog about that evening event in their blogs if you would like to know more about it. ( They said it was amazing!) As to Sunday, a current student panel was held in the restaurant where we just had dinner Friday evening. After having breakfast, current PhD students did a fantastic presentation to the applicants regarding PhD students lives at Penn as well as living in Philadelphia. I also learned a lot from hearing them, and decided to try out some of their recommended restaurants. 

Episode 37-Happy Chinese New Year!!!!!! Best wishes to the year of Horse!

When the clock turns 12pm today, it marks that China will be entering a new year--the year of Horse! I feel extremely excited about it because I was born in the year of horse, a twelve-year circle finally ringing my horoscope in. It also means that I am officially turning 24.....and that's the ONLY thing I don't want to talk about it.......
Right now, I am watching the live show of traditional Chinese New Year Grand Gala online. The show will be running from 8pm to 12am at local time, and I got up at 6:45 am this morning in order to watch it on time! Being in a foreign is not an excuse for missing out on such big celebration. 
My cell has been ringing since yesterday, full of those warm messages expressing best wishes for the new year and blessings. Those words all contain the Chinese character“马”(horse), hoping that everyone could be successful, healthy and blessed in the new year. Therefore, if you have Chinese friends, you can change your daily greetings from "Nihao" to "Xin Nian Kuai Le" (Happy New Year) or " Ma Nian Ji Xiang" (Wish you all the best in the year of Horse!) As a person that is being greeted upon, I'd more than delighted to hear that, and it sounds much sweeter, keeping up in the festive spirit. 

I'd like to wish you all the best in the year of Horse! And you will have all the following things in the new year! 

GOOD LUCK!

Money!

Happiness! 

Cars! 

House! 

Boyfriend/Girlfriend 

Vacation! 

Best wishes for the year of Horse 

For those Chinese audience or those who can read Chinese, 祝你 马年如意！马年吉祥！马不停蹄！策马奔腾！

I wish that your studies, work, career will all be successful, just like a running horse! 

Episode 36--Upcoming On-campus Events! Great Opportunity to get involved!

On-Campus Events

Thursday, January 30, 2014

Office of Admissions and Financial Aid Overview

4:15 pm, Houston Hall, Class of 1949 Room

Come learn more about GSE and meet the members of the Office of Admissions & Financial Aid staff as well as some of our current students! Please RSVP here.

Followed by an opportunity to sample GSE Academic life:

Race in the Academy

The New Biopolitics of Health Inequities

Dorothy E. Roberts, Professor of Law

Cohen Hall, Terrace Room

Saturday, February 8, 2014

Teacher Education Program Information Session

10:00 am-12:00 pm, Williams Hall, Room 205

RSVP here.

Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Office of Admissions and Financial Aid Overview

10:45 am, Graduate School of Education, Room 007

Come learn more about GSE and meet the members of the Office of Admissions & Financial Aid staff as well as some of our current students! Please RSVP here.

Followed by an opportunity to sample GSE Academic life:

Penn GSE Visiting Faculty Scholars of Color

Dr. Ebony McGee, Vanderbilt University, Peabody College of Education

Please note: RSVP is strictly required to attend this session.

Saturday, February 22, 2014

School Leadership Program Information Session

10:00 am-12:00 pm, Graduate School of Education, Room 200

RSVP here. 

If you're not in the Philadelphia area, we might be coming to an event near you sometime soon!

Thursday, January 30, 2014

Christopher Newport University (Virginia)

12:00-2:30 pm, David Student Union, 2nd Floor

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

Kutztown University (Pennsylvania)

12:00-3:00 pm, McFarland Student Union (MSU) 218

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Ohio North University (Ohio)

9:00-11:45 am, The Field House, King Horn Sports Center

Friday, March 14, 2014

University of Maryland, College Park (Maryland)

National McNair Graduate Fair

10:00 am-12:00 pm, Marriott Inn and Conference Center

Episode 35--Looking forward to the new semester

Hey guys, I am sorry that I have been a little late to update my blogs. I guess for the past  two weeks, I was still having the hangover from the break, and because of the big snow that happened on last Tuesday and Wednesday, school was closed, meaning that I didn't actually get started on the class until this week.  

I have a strong feeling that this semester would be a lot different than the fall. Still taking three courses, I got to explore different teaching styles and course contents that Intercultural Communication (ICC) program has to offer. The core course "Experiential Learning Design" aims at providing us (learners) with learning methodologies and adult learning to hone our training and facilitating skills.  A large part of the class will be involved with pair/group training and workshop designing. Additionally, what sets this course apart from traditional course is that it is a three-hour course, from 4:30pm to 7:30pm. The instructor had us signed up a sheet for taking turns to bring snacks to each class so that we can have a short break grabbing something to eat. I have never taken a class like that before, and judging from what past students said about that class, it would be very useful, practical and enjoyable. 

Another thing that has been swinging in my head since the beginning of the year was that it is the time to secure an internship for this summer, a core component that leads to the final thesis and graduation. As a starter, I have applied to Intercultural international program (IIP) under  Penn Global, which offers undergrads and grads opportunities to spend a summer abroad doing internships, and selected applicants will be received an amount of money sponsored by IIP to offset their internships. It is going to be competitive, so except for that, I am going to search other internship opportunities here in case I am not selected. Right now, I just have my peer advisor and fieldwork coordinator look over my resume, and I also need to work on the cover letter ! I don't know why I just kept procrastinating ! 

Episode 34--Trip to United Kingdom

So after we explored Spain, we took the plane from Madrid to London. It was where we began our journey in United Kingdom. 
We were supposed to be staying at London for three days, and then went to Brighton, Bath, Oxford, Cambridge and went to back to Sheffield, where my boyfriend temporarily lives in. Unfortunately, the plan was cancelled due to an unexpected incident! My boyfriend got diarrhea after we had breakfast at Mc Donald's, and because of that, we had to stay at hotel, doing nothing but watch LIVE firework over London Bridge online to celebrate New Year. It was a bum out. What made the issue even worse was that every time he had diarrhea, he needed to take medicine right away. As luck would have it, he forgot to take them! Therefore, I cancelled all the hotel reservations for the next four destinations, and left for Sheffield the next day, which was two days earlier to leave London than we planned. So....bad beginning....
But things started turning around a bit after he got better one day later. He took me to York, Cambridge, Bath and finally sent me off at Manchester Airport. ( We got to Manchester one day before my departure to Philadelphia and did some shopping.) 
Overall, my trip to UK was not completely ruined. But it still bothered me, though, because the weather was not so cooperative, and I felt like there was so much more to see in London. Well, it's okay. I will go there again anyway. 

I did visited Buckingham Palace, and Big Ben. 

The national flag shows that the Queen currently was not there.....

This is Westminster. We didn't go in there for a visit, because the line was crazy long. 

Weather was not helpful. Might as well just take black and white photos......

One amazing thing that we did in London was that we went to Mason& Fortnum, a famous tea house for an authentic English Afternoon tea. It is a really popular spot because the reservation has been to February. ( My boyfriend made the reservation in November..so...) One step in there, you would realize that Englishman spent their afternoon in a really fancy way. The building has four floors. Except for the top floor which is used for afternoon tea, the rest of the storeys are for shopping, with various kinds of teas, teacups, tea-things, muffins, sandwiches and etc. Also, it was kind of expensive. Afternoon tea for two people is 90 pounds !!!!!! But we are just tourists; it's okay to waste money there once. 

So my favorite city, besides London, would be York. It is regarded as the most beautiful city in the northern part of England. It demonstrated a different style that could not be found in other cities. Also, the second largest church is at there, next to Westminster in London. 
York is famous for its tea house and York sausage. 

Bath is another touristy city. Some famous places of interests are The Royal Crescent, The Circus, Roman Bath, and Bath Abbey. We stayed there for one night. One lesson I bear in mind after this trip is that as long as the weather is good, the city will present its best scene. If it rains, no matter how beautiful a city is, it is still not that stunning as it would be. Bath is a good example. 

In the rain, it looks like this: 

The next day when the sky lit up, it looks like this: 

See the differences !!!!!

And it bothers me because when I went to Cambridge, it rained most of the time. Even if it did stop for a while, the sky was grey, just like my mood.....

When we got there, the weather was good, and I thought it would last for the whole day......

Then it started raining hard. If you think that Cambridge looks good in the rain, then take my theory, it would be much more beautiful when the rain let up. 

That is the end of my trip to UK. For me, it is still an unforgettable experience even though the weather was not on my side.