Reflection Paper

In the article, “Colleges Adapt to New Kinds of Students from Abroad,” Karin Fischer (2011) explains the increase of foreign students in U.S. universities leads to make more problems in campus and how universities are trying to overcome those problems and help foreign students to adapt to campus. Fischer explains the increase of the foreign undergraduate students due to the support from foreign governments. Fischer quotes Wesley Young, the director of services for international students and scholars at the University of California at Davis, to discuss that the increase of foreign undergraduate students especially requires more care and help than graduate students. While older students know what they need to do and what to do in U.S. university,

When I first decided to expand my education, it had been so long since I had been to school, and I was very hesitant. I talked at length about my decision with my husband and with his encouragement, decided to enroll but still was not quite sure which degree program to enroll in. I knew that this was something that I had always wanted to do since I obtained my Associates Degree in Nursing, but I did not have the courage, nor did I want to give up the time with my family and children. I second guessed my abilities and my knowledge because it had been so long since I had been in college. Now that my children are about to graduate high school and

Throughout the course of this semester, I have continuously grown as a writer. Prior to taking this course, I had little experience or knowledge when it came to writing. I used to struggle with forming my thoughts into writing, let alone a paper. I was never confident with what I wrote. My writing had no greater purpose other than the assignment. My writing process included: writing my paper, proofreading it, and turning it in. Once the paper left my hands, it also left my mind. Throughout this course we worked with others, visited the writing lab, wrote critiques, and we were able to revise our papers. I believe that all of this is has caused me to grow greatly as a writer.

Occidental College separates itself from other colleges with its diverse student body, liberal arts curriculum, and its global awareness. Personally, I enjoy discussing various topics and Occidental offers a small class size, typical of a liberal arts school, which allows for critical and thought provoking discussion. Also, I can trust that my classes will stimulate my mind, knowing that I can more readily access professors as a resource and collaborate with fellow classmates on numerous notions. A diverse group further allows for greater discussion for unique ideas will be frequently introduced based on the student's experience. Additionally, I firmly believe that the study abroad option offered at Occidental College can help me gain the international experience that is important in becoming a complete world citizen. Asides from its diverse student body and incredible academic options, Occidental College also provides student with access to the culturally vast city of Los Angeles. Occidental College's immediate surroundings are comfortable and when combined with tremendous academic options and student

As a believer in Christ grows they become more aware of the gifts that they may have been given by the Holy Spirit. It is up to us to use the gifts for the right reasons. We are to allow God to work through us to edify the body of Christ. I see a lot of so called Christians these days using what is supposed to be a spiritual gift to use for ministry of the local church using them for self-edification. They are looking to see how much praise they can get instead of how much pleasure God will get through their service. We as believers need to be able to discern between what a spiritual gift is and what virtue is. A spiritual gift is related to the ministry of Christ and a virtue is related to our character. It is very easy for someone to blur the line between two and get confused. Our spiritual gifts are not the same for everyone, where all who believe should show the fruit of the spirit. To some believers the Holy Spirit gives the gift of serving, teaching, administration, and so on. But in the end it is not what spiritual gift we have but how we use it; this is what makes the difference between edifying the body of Christ or oneself.

They contribute to the diversity and internationalization of their classrooms, campuses and communities. In this essay we will be looking into the academic, social and cultural challenges international students face when they study here in the US. Follow by why students from different regions (Asia, Africa, Europe, South America, Australia etc.) adapt to US culture differently. Lastly I will look into why International students mostly associated with other international students instead of associating with American students.

Coming to the US as an international female student is a highly exciting and, at times, challenging learning opportunity. However, international students often arrive with quite personal goals and tend to feel somewhat limited in their brand-new educational surroundings. Accordingly, Dongxiao Qin has interviewed several international female students that study in the US, and asked them what advice they would offer prospective students who would find themselves in their situation if they wanted to come and study here.

In the end of 2009, I fulfilled one of my life dreams of studying in America. Now, it has been seven years of joy, proud and pain. In little time, I could master the language, transfer and graduate from a prestigious university. However, I knew that it would not be an easy task as an international student.

Becoming an international student is exiting, but there are always a host of challenges which one has to overcome before and while settling in the new country. With regard to the academic environment, there are new assignments and new ways of grading; and before one get used to this, it always prove to be disorienting. The cultural change means that one has to get oriented to a way of life that is absolutely new. The professors, students, and the entire school community are new, and one just to relearn how to interact with the colleagues. In addition to the academic environment, there are other life issues. For instance, one has to find a place to live and a legitimate way of maintaining himself. I experienced challenges soon after coming to the United States of America, and these challenges are what have inspired the compilation of this report.

On the hot summer day, I was walking swiftly by big buildings with a paper map in my hand. I rushed into a big conference room filled with people dressed in yellow and blue. Groups of people speaking in unfamiliar languages passed by me, making me feel out of place. A lady at the front desk welcomed me with a big smile, and gave me a name tag with my name and my home country: Japan. I found a table in the room and sat down with students from Korea, China, Turkey and Russia. That was my first day of international student’s orientation and also my first day at UC Riverside (UCR) as an international student. During the orientation, they showed us a world map and explained to us that the students at UCR come from 60 different countries. When I look back, I did not fully understand what it means to go to one of the most diverse colleges in the U.S. To me, it was just a number. I did not realize how fortunate I was to have this opportunity to interact with people from all over the world.

The study conducted by Savage (2007) describes when international students arrive in the United States, students are challenged by the many issues: language, academics and they have to adjust to many things like living, making communication, cultures, weather, transportation because they vary from one region to another region (Savage, 2007)

Before departure, I will contact my study abroad office, and see how I can give a presentation to students about the Gilman scholarship, as well as the significance of studying abroad. Each year the study abroad office assembles a fair, where students serve as ambassadors for the program they have completed. Through their office, I will participate in this event so prospective students can hear my story. In addition, my educational journey will be publicized on social media a simple yet effective way to communicate my experience. This doing will be insightful for potential students to learn about the knowledge I am gaining inside and outside the

Growing up, I identified as just African because I spent most of my childhood in Africa. Since getting back to the United States, I now identify as African-American. Though I believe I might be bisexual, I still classify myself as heterosexual.

It was Mission Sunday at First Reformed Church, sitting in a pew with my youth group when I was given the opportunity to go to Eden, Jamaica the summer after my freshman year. My youth pastor, Ross, was standing on the stage in church describing the past trip that he went on with our high school youth group that past summer. He talked about the mission work they did, the relationships that were created, and the amazing views they saw. He then went on to say that the next group of kids that were the incoming freshman through seniors. That was me! I was so excited! I really wanted to go!

The PowerPoint for last class really summarized what I have been learning for my interviewing and counseling skills class. There are so many aspects to focus on as a counselor. One has to learn active listening skills, pay attention to body language, ask the right questions, not give too much advice, become a good observer, etc. I have focused so much on using theses skills for the first time that I have not realized that these can be used in different ways. In a classroom, one does not get to have the opportunity to talk to everyone because of multiple reasons, on the other hand, when on is working in a small group allows us to get to know each other and have easier access to each other. When my group and I worked on the group project we had our difficulties. One of the group members was confused on their part and did not ask for help until the last minute. I was able to help this person but it’s difficult for me to have an assignment due soon, and still not have all the information together. However, we got our work done and we all did a good job presenting our part. Every one emphasized on their part and I was proud to be their group member. There were three topics that we all felt were necessary to talk about so we combined two of them and we were excited for it. Were grateful because we had class time to work on the project because our schedules collide with each other. Unless we could reserve a day, than it would have been harder for us to link our ideas together.