Undergraduate Newsletter Winter FY2011
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Transcript of Undergraduate Newsletter Winter FY2011
SECTION 1: FEAC CORE
SECTION 3: EDUCATIONUSA NEWS
SECTION 2: FEAC NEWS
Table of Contents:
Section 1: FEAC CORE
• Close up on US study: Comprehensive
support at US universities
• University highlight: University of
Pennsylvania: Preparing students for success
• Student highlight: Laura Micu, UPenn
Romanian-US Fulbright Commission Fulbright Educational Advising Center (FEAC)
Bucharest, January 24, 2011 Volume III, Winter issue
1
Education: the American Way
Romanian-U.S. Fulbright Commission
Section 2: FEAC NEWS
RESOURCES
• New energy at FEAC: An internationally-savvy
US student on internship at the Advising
Center
• FEAC’s Facebook page makes new friends
• Connect to US culture: ZOOM in on America
UPCOMING EVENTS
• Learn how to ace your undergrad application to
US universities: New round Jan-Feb 2011
• US study and EducationUSA support prominent
at RIUF 2011 this March: Bucharest, Timisoara,
Iasi
• Want to go to university in the USA? Great
news: FEAC undergrad outreach is on!
PAST EVENTS
• Students of the “Cosbuc” National College in
Bucharest explore US study
• Liberal arts education makes new friends in
Bucharest
• Ivy League highlights
• Wide-ranging partnerships for promotion of US
study: New approaches
• International College Fair participants say YES!
to study abroad with FEAC support
• Increased visibility for US study at college fairs
in Bucharest and Cluj
Section 4: WISDOM OF THE MONTH
www.fulbright.ro/
educational-advising-center.html
This Newsletter is produced by the Fulbright Educational Advising Center in Bucharest, Romania.
If you wish to subscribe to or cancel your subscription to this newsletter, please contact [email protected].
UNDERGRADUATE NEWSLETTER
SECTION 4: WISDOM OF THE MONTH
Section 3: EDUCATIONUSA NEWS
• COLLEGE MAJORS 101
• Imagine yourself on a US campus
Bucharest, January 24, 2011 Volume III, Winter issue
SECTION 1: FEAC CORE
2
Close up on US study:
Comprehensive support at US universities
By Shandin Rickard, US student from Oregon State University
on internship at FEAC
It can be daunting as an international student to consider committing to
years of study in a foreign language, far from home and your support net-
work. You may already know about the quality of the education you will re-
ceive by studying in America and about the opportunities you will have to
pursue many of your passions through classes and extra-curricular activities
– but did you know that US universities also provide international students
with a broad network of resources and services to help ensure academic
and personal success? It’s true! Check out the list below to explore just
some of the free services you can expect to encounter at a US institution.
You will see that international students are important assets on American
campuses.
Academic advisors
Academic advisors are a brilliant and necessary resource to help students plan and undertake
their university education. The advisors go over the academic offer and help students pick the classes
which might best suit their needs as well as interests, and are able to help students construct term-by-
term plans for registration.
International student and scholar services
US universities love their international students and they offer them extensive services. These
services provide students with free consultation during business hours and emergency resources when
necessary. Students can get answers to legal questions about visas and other documentation, queries
and concerns about housing, academic as well as personal issues.
International mentoring and tutoring
Most universities will have a program that offers mentoring and tutoring to international stu-
dents free of charge. These programs will match an incoming student with a more senior student who
will help with the adjustment process by tutoring them in study techniques, showing them around,
pointing out campus resources, cultural events and resources – and often becoming a friend!
Library resources
The libraries at US universities house thousands of resources from books to magazines – any
form of media that may be of use. There are quiet sections, study rooms, computer stations, and lap-
tops that are available to check out for 2-3 hours at a time. Copy machines, printers, and scanners are
also available, but generally charge a low fee per page. Library websites are very useful, and lately
many universities have also developed a “Text a Librarian” feature which allows students to text a
question and a librarian will send a reply.
www.fulbright.ro/educational-
advising-center.html
Yale University Library
Bucharest, January 24, 2011 Volume III, Winter issue
3 www.fulbright.ro/educational-
advising-center.html
Cultural centers and student groups
US universities have hundreds of student groups that are welcoming and easy to join! Whether
you’re interested in sports or outdoor activities, student government, media, or you have an academic
focus, there will be an organization for you! One can also find an international student group or groups
and possibly Cultural Centers that will put on cultural events for the community.
Career services
These offices put on information sessions and workshops about job searching, internships, re-
sume and cover-letter writing, interviewing, and more which can help a student be more effective in
searching and applying for jobs. Many university Career Services Centers also offer one-on-one consul-
tation and advice, resume feedback, and mock interviews, all by appointment.
Writing center
Some allow students to submit a piece of writing which will be reviewed and edited. What they all
offer is tutoring in effective college writing techniques. There are group workshops and individual tutor-
ing sessions available – students just need to make appointments and bring copies of their work.
Computing help desk
An office or center students can turn to for help on issues with their technological devices: lap-
tops, computers, and sometimes even phones and gaming consoles. They sometimes offer software
workshops in which students can learn how to use software effectively.
Math and/or Science centers
Some universities have peer and faculty-staffed math and/or science centers where students
can go for individual or group tutoring sessions, sign up for study groups, use computer resources, and
learn about research or project opportunities in their field of interest.
University highlight:
University of Pennsylvania: Preparing students for success
By Laura Micu, UPenn junior and FEAC friend
The University of Pennsylvania, fondly known as UPenn or Penn, is part of the
Ivy League along with other top colleges such as Harvard, Yale, and Prince-
ton. Ranked #5 as an educational institution in the US, and #12 in the world,
Penn is divided into 4 undergraduate schools: The School of Arts and Sci-
ences, The Wharton School of Business, The School of Engineering, and The
School of Nursing. Regardless of what you’re interested in, Penn probably of-
fers it, and at the highest level of quality. If you’re interested in something not readily available as a
major, you can also personalize your own major. Especially if you’re interested in Economics, Psychol-
ogy, or Business (Penn’s Wharton School is the best in the world for undergraduate and graduate busi-
ness education), Penn is the best place for you. If you’re interested in Engineering or Science, this is
also the place for you. Our school of Engineering is recognized as one of the best in the country and in
the Ivy League. In addition, you can deepen your studies by pursuing a joint Bachelor’s and Master’s
degree in one of Penn’s many graduate schools.
Continued on page 4
SECTION 1: FEAC CORE
Bucharest, January 24, 2011 Volume III, Winter issue
4 www.fulbright.ro/educational-
advising-center.html
SECTION 1: FEAC CORE
You don’t only get a great education at Penn: you get an affordable
one. Penn commits to offering full financial support to its students
once they are accepted, international students included. That
means all you have to do is convince the admissions committee that
you deserve a Penn education; once you’re in, they will give you all
the financial support you need to attend. And Penn has a no-loan
policy. That means all the money you get is in grants or as part of a
work-study job. You don’t have to pay back a penny.
Are you looking for a great community? Then this is the place for
you. Known as the Social Ivy, Penn students combine hard work with fun socializing and partying. Se-
lected carefully by the admissions committee and further shaped by the opportunities and education
received at Penn, students are friendly, ambitious, successful, and overall just impressive and great to
be around. At Penn you can find people who started community service projects in Africa, people who
are Olympic athletes, and others who have started 3 companies by the time they were 20.
Penn is rated as a very hard college because of its curve. To enhance the difficulty of its courses and
bring them to a higher level, the university is organized so that most courses you will take in your un-
dergraduate years will be graded on a curve. That means your grade will be decided based on your per-
formance relative to your classmates. Because at Penn everyone is incredibly ambitious, getting a good
grade means you have to work at least twice as hard as at most other colleges. At Penn you build en-
durance and focus, and earn a degree that everyone will appreciate for its value.
Finally, there’s more to Penn than schoolwork and friends. Many people do their own research; some-
times even multiple research projects! The university normally
pays for the expenses of undergraduate students who present
posters to conferences. In addition, many students who do re-
search receive funding for their projects through the university
and get published in top journals while working with some of the
best professors in their field. The university encourages research
and scholarship, along with academic achievement. If you are
interested in other areas than research, there are over 200 clubs
to join and even be a president of. If you’re looking for a club
that does not exist, you can start your own!
Penn’s supportive setting can help you get the guidance you need for success. You will have academic
advisors, learning instructors, psychologists, fitness advisors (through the PennFit program), librarians,
writing advisors, public speaking advisors, etc. All you have to do is reach out, and you will have the
help you need. With its great administration and endowment, Penn can give you the education you
want and the resources to achieve pretty much anything you imagine. It’s a little world of excellence to
prepare you to succeed in the real world.
Statue of Benjamin Franklin on the UPenn campus
Bucharest, January 24, 2011 Volume III, Winter issue
5
Student profile:
Laura Micu, UPenn
By Laura Micu, UPenn junior and FEAC friend
7:30 AM. My day starts. I get up, ready for a good workout session at the gym
followed by a great breakfast while planning my day.
10 AM. History class. I take my laptop and prepare to resist all temptation to
use Facebook and E-mail and instead take notes and listen. It’s not hard; the
lectures are so interesting!
12 PM. Lunch with one of my professors. Isn’t it great that the university pays
for you to have lunch and learn a lot about an interesting professor you admire?
1 PM. Time for some studying!
3 PM. Statistics class. This one is a biggie. 3-hour long, and really challenging!
6 PM. Dinner, then a fun dance practice with my fellow team members.
9 PM. Home from dance. Dealing with administrative duties for the two clubs I’m
president of.
10 PM. Going to the library to start cracking that tough statistics problem set.
12:30 AM. ZZZZzzzzz...
This is a snapshot of what my typical day looks like. Replace the first gym session with more studying
and you have a version of my mid-term season days. Life at an Ivy League is exhausting, but incredi-
bly exciting. I started out without any Olympiad performances or special talents. I was a jack of all
trades. While I was at the Goethe German School in Bucharest, I knew quite a few languages and was
doing my best to find a passion to really pursue. I had done lots of swimming, lots of skiing, played
bridge competitively, taken a shot at Cisco certifications, won debate competitions, and opened the
first student club in my school. I was definitely active and engaged, but no competition for the people
who had won Chemistry and Physics competitions abroad (like my current roommate, also Romanian).
So, the Ivy League was out of reach for me, or so I thought.
Yet, in junior year I found out about the Harvard Summer School program. Eager for a taste of college
life in the US without any risks, I jumped at the opportunity, fundraised across my family, and packed
my bags. In Boston I had a great experience, won a best friend for life, and got to feel the thrill of col-
lege freedom as well as the sting of all-nighters. Having survived it, I returned home with a clear deci-
sion: I wanted to go to an Ivy League university. I fended all laughs and questions about how I could
get in without any medals in international Olympiads and went to Fulbright. There, I got some great
advice and studied hard to ace the SAT. With some not-too-shabby essays to go along with that, I
proved all doubting voices wrong.
www.fulbright.ro/educational-
advising-center.html
SECTION 1: FEAC CORE
Bucharest, January 24, 2011 Volume III, Winter issue
6
SECTION 2: FEAC NEWS
At first insecure, I ended up having a great experience at Penn. I got to have Thanksgiving dinner with
my admissions officer, be the main coordinator for the International Orientation Week, get an aca-
demic recognition scholarship, and make a ton of great friends.
For the past two and a half years (I am a junior now) I have been taking amazing courses both in my
majors and outside of them. I’m majoring in Psychology and Economics, with a minor in Statistics. I’m
undertaking two research projects on my own, with different famous psychology professors for my
majors, and taking honors classes that make my brain smoke. Outside of my majors I have had the
opportunity to do the work of a real consultant for a local business for an entire semester, as well as
consult for Microsoft in another semester. On top of that, I am a competitive ballroom dancer, as well
as the president of the ballroom team and president-elect of Psi Chi, the international honor psychol-
ogy society.
Had anyone showed me a snapshot of my representative day and current
situation when I was in high school, I probably would have laughed at them.
But, going to Penn helped me reach heights I never thought I could. The
unique combination of amazing classes, great professors, endless opportuni-
ties, and most of all great people is what defines Penn as one of the best uni-
versities in the world. With the continued support system that Penn encour-
ages, I know that I will be involved with the university not just now, but
throughout my entire life. I am a part of Penn, and Penn is a part of me.
Looking back, this was the best choice I could have made. With its support network and its way to en-
courage people to develop as academics, professionals, and human beings, Penn prepares you for suc-
cess. The most important lesson I have learned at Penn is to never compare myself to others. No mat-
ter how good you think you are, you will always find someone better on this campus. Instead of trying
to fight them, let them inspire you and become your friends; admire and appreciate everyone else for
their success, then look ahead and aim for your own. There’s enough space for everyone to be suc-
cessful in their own way.
RESOURCES
New energy at FEAC: An internationally-savvy US student on internship
at the Advising Center
By Shandin Rickard
I am an undergraduate student from Oregon State University (OSU) in Oregon, USA
on a 10 week internship here at the Fulbright Educational Advising Center (FEAC) in
Bucharest – and I’m very excited to be here! My purpose is to help the FEAC assist
ambitious Romanian students in their pursuit of an American education, and to learn
from the students and staff the significance, structure, and scope of international
education and exchange from a non-US perspective. From now until mid-March I can
be found in the FEAC during public hours to help Romanian students any way I can,
and outside the FEAC doing outreach and promotional activities. I will be an excellent resource for
discussing US culture, admissions, academics, etc. – come talk to me!
www.fulbright.ro/educational-
advising-center.html
SECTION 1: FEAC CORE
Bucharest, January 24, 2011 Volume III, Winter issue
7
SECTION 2: FEAC NEWS
www.fulbright.ro/educational-
advising-center.html
A little about myself: I am originally from southern California but have spent the last 15 years in rural,
coastal Oregon. I love the outdoors: snowboarding, wakeboarding, camping, fishing, hiking, and going
to the beach and the river; simply connecting with nature is very important to me, and is easily done
in the Pacific Northwest! I also love films, theater, literature, rock’n’roll, sports, games, and most of all
travel! This coming June (2011) I will graduate with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature
paired with a minor in Business Administration and Entrepreneurship – so any students interested in
Liberal Arts or Business are welcome to “pick my brain” for tips, advice, and information. Bucharest is
the farthest east I have ever been, and I am delighted with the opportunity to absorb the culture! I
look forward to meeting you all!
UPCOMING EVENTS
Learn how to ace your undergrad application to US universities:
New round Jan-Feb 2011
A new Undergraduate Admissions Training program is set to start on Jan 25.
The eye-opening sessions scheduled every Tuesday 3-5 pm will highlight US ap-
plication tips and strategies leading to success, that is admissions and funding.
You’ll learn how to select the right US study programs for you and get practical
advice on how to connect with your dream American universities, how to negoti-
ate strong recommendation letters and assemble a US application that shows
that you are a good fit for the US campus of your choice. Full details about
starting your successful journey to US universities at http://www.fulbright.ro/
educational-advising-center/39-about-feac/295-calendar.html#link7.
FEAC’s Facebook page makes new friends
This winter has seen an unprecedented surge in online US admissions
events - undergrad EducationUSA webinars on topics ranging from identi-
fying the right US schools for you to obtaining a visa for US study, Col-
legeWeekLive virtual educational fairs and US university tours - alongside
FEAC’s busy October-January events calendar, all reflected in our Face-
book page. Our 4-month old Facebook page has connected over 350 US
admissions fans with the recent trends in US higher education, newest
resources and US application strategies. You too can get a US education.
Join us at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Fulbright-Educational-
Advising-Center-Bucharest-Romania/146966812005466.
Connect to US culture: ZOOM in on America
This vibrant online publication is the brainchild of two Infor-
mation Resource Centers within the US embassy in Poland.
Curious about rodeo’s role in shaping early US culture?
Dreaming about going on a road trip along California’s sce-
nic Highway 1? Interested in international cultural figures
who have become famous in the USA? Read the Oct.-Jan. issues of ZOOM in on America, available at
http://www.usinfo.pl/zoom/! As a bonus, you’ll also find out the ins and outs of America’s top winter
game.
Bucharest, January 24, 2011 Volume III, Winter issue
8
SECTION 2: FEAC NEWS
www.fulbright.ro/educational-
advising-center.html
US study and EducationUSA support prominent at RIUF 2011 this March:
Bucharest, Timisoara, Iasi
Attend the spring edition of the 2011 Romanian International University
Fair (RIUF) organized in Bucharest on March 12-13, in Timisoara on
March 15, and in Iasi on March 17 to meet FEAC representatives and
learn about the exciting study opportunities available at US colleges and
universities. Do you know what the US holistic approach to the admis-
sions process entails? Find the answer to this question and explore US
education during the presentations we will be holding covering under-
graduate applications. The financial aid offered by US universities and
the comprehensive admissions support available at FEAC will round off
these eye-opening sessions. FEAC will also have a booth at the Bucha-
rest location, so make sure you come by to discuss US undergrad ad-
missions with us! We will be posting RIUF news and insights on our
Facebook page. Check it regularly for updates!
Want to go to university in the USA? Great news: FEAC undergrad outreach is on!
This spring, FEAC representatives will be interacting with students from
a wide range of high schools from Bucharest and beyond. Our US study
awareness-raising campaign started on Jan. 14, when “Cosbuc” stu-
dents discovered higher education the USA style. They will continue
honing their US admissions skills and strategies by participating in our
Undergraduate Admissions Training program, starting on Jan. 25. Next
up is the International Computer High school of Bucharest (ICHB),
which we will be visiting on Jan. 26. Are you interested in US educa-
tion? Would you like to learn more about the American university sys-
tem and the funding available for international applicants? Take initive,
tell your teachers about FEAC and contact us at [email protected] to
discuss a FEAC presentation in your high school. We look forward to visiting you!
PAST EVENTS
Students of the “Cosbuc” National College in Bucharest explore US study
On Jan. 14, 9th-11th grade students of the “Cosbuc” National College in
Bucharest visited FEAC for a comprehensive introduction to US under-
graduate education. Guided and inspired by their US English teacher
Hannah Halder, former Fulbright grantee to Romania, the students had
the opportunity to interact with Corina Varlan, a Romanian freshman at
Grinnell College in the USA, who shared her enthusiasm for US study
and for liberal arts education.
Liberal arts education makes new friends in Bucharest
Corina Varlan, a thriving freshman at Grinnell College, Iowa, who enjoyed the
support of the Fulbright Educational Advising Center during her application to US
study, returned to the Center to share her happy US educational experience with
local students on Jan. 11. Corina enthusiastically described her life in the US, as
well as the academic excitement she is getting from her wonderful school. Roma-
nian high school students attending were won over by the liberal arts education
system in the USA. Continued on page 9
Bucharest, January 24, 2011 Volume III, Winter issue
9
SECTION 2: FEAC NEWS
www.fulbright.ro/educational-
advising-center.html
The liberal arts education presentation was followed by an ad-hoc Grinnell club for Romanian students
who had applied to the school and who enjoyed Corina’s insights into the admissions process, as well
as her appreciation of the US higher education system and its comprehensive, life-changing impact on
Romanian students.
Ivy League highlights
Laura Micu, a blooming junior at University of Pennsylvania, was
Santa’s gift to the students who attended the presentation of Dec. 21.
Back to Romania for the Christmas vacation, Laura shared her life ex-
perience and academic development on an Ivy League campus ranked
5th in the US News and World Report 2010. She revisited her applica-
tion process for the benefit of the participants and pointed out helpful
strategies for winning admission to extremely competitive schools and
excelling at top institutions. Laura also shared the challenges and joys
in her university life, which includes two majors, a minor, and tons of
extracurricular activities. Read more about Laura’s UPenn experience and about UPenn in the CORE
section of this Newsletter.
Wide-ranging partnerships for promotion of US study: New approaches
In cooperation with the best high school in Oradea (ranked 10th
in the nation), the TOEFL iBT testing center in Oradea and the
School Inspectorate of Bihor County, FEAC developed an innova-
tive top-down approach to promotion of US study. In addition to
offering a presentation on US undergraduate study opportunities
to approximately 100 high school students, on Nov. 29-30 the
advising center organized a 2-hour workshop for English teachers
from all the schools in the county. Thanks to the generous sup-
port offered by the School Inspectorate of Bihor County, a record
number of 31 English teachers from across Bihor attended the
workshop. Warm thanks to our local partners and to the 31 new
ambassadors of US education!
International College Fair participants say YES! to study abroad with FEAC support
On Nov. 16, 21 high ranking international institutions, including 14 US col-
leges and universities, together with FEAC and the US Consulate, provided
insights into study abroad opportunities and the benefits of attending a global
university. The first stop in Bucharest of the CIS European Tour was excep-
tionally well-attended – FEAC’s intense efforts to partner with more than 20
high school principals so as to promote the event to a wide audience were
rewarded by a record audience: over 300 high school students, teachers, and
parents from Bucharest and beyond visited the 90-minute fair. US study fans
enthusiastically stopped at the FEAC booth to learn about the many ways
they can enjoy EducationUSA support towards a successful US application.
Increased visibility for US study at college fairs in Bucharest and Cluj
Advising Center staff gave prominence to US study opportunities in the Romanian International Uni-
versity Fairs held in Bucharest and Cluj on Oct. 30 and Nov. 2. FEAC held four 1-hour presentations in
prime time and shared a booth with Pepperdine University. All four presentations were well attended
and the booth was flooded by visitors throughout the day. Based on the number of in-house produced
handouts and materials distributed, we connected with over 500 potential students in the USA.
Bucharest, January 24, 2011 Volume III, Winter issue
10 www.fulbright.ro/educational-
advising-center.html
COLLEGE MAJORS 101
College Majors 101 was created to educate high school
and undergrad students about college majors and the ca-
reers to which they can lead. Each major has its own
"channel" presenting descriptive information, along with
typical positions held by people who have majored in a
particular area. Two particularly valuable sections of each channel are the lists of related student/
professional associations and the list of links to relevant trade publications. Often overlooked, these key
sources of information can yield insider information not to be found elsewhere. Each channel also in-
cludes a list of "featured" colleges and universities offering the major, links to related news stories, and
much more. Much of the site's content is delivered through videos. Valuable resource for anyone re-
searching college majors and career paths. More at http://collegemajors101.com/!
Imagine yourself on a US campus
Wondering what your day will look like on a US campus? Visit the colorful pic-
ture gallery at http://www.america.gov/multimedia/photogallery.html#/30145/
college_life/ to browse some of the many facets of the bustling social and aca-
demic life at a US school. Building eco-friendly houses, competing in intense
college sports, studying in a top notch library, fundraising for worthy causes…
what does your ideal US college experience include? Respond on our Facebook
page!
SECTION 3: EDUCATIONUSA NEWS
SECTION 4: WISDOM OF THE MONTH
“Education is the ability to listen to almost anything without losing your
temper or your self-confidence.” Robert Frost
Need more info? Comments? Suggestions?
Public Hours at the Fulbright Educational Advising Center:
Tue: 1:00 - 7:00 pm Wed-Thu: 1:00 - 5:00 pm
Phone no.: 021-231 9015 E-mail: [email protected]
Website: http://www.fulbright.ro/educational-advising-center.html
Facebook: Fulbright Educational Advising Center, Bucharest Romania
Location: no. 2, Ing. Costinescu St., Sector 1, Bucharest 011878, Romania
All articles are contributed by FEAC staff Mihaela Arsene and Sinziana
Medvetchi, unless otherwise stated.