Monday, March 24, 2014
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.
Friday, February 28, 2014
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
Monday, February 24, 2014
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
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
Sunday, February 16, 2014
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. : )
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.
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.
Posted a picture of Yuanxiao, and the traditional lantern show, though many places do not literally have such old-fashioned lanterns hanging outside.
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