April

It's April already, can you believe it???

April means that there is almost 3 more weeks and my first year comes to an end... Summer is waving at me, "Here I come" - it's screaming with joy.

At the end of this school year, I will have been here for 8 months. Reflecting on what I have been doing so far, I believe I learn and earn a lot of valuable experiences. Also, I wanna share with you guys the reasons why most of current students chose Augsburg.

First, let us have a flashback about what I have learned and earned since I am here:

- Living independently. I know some of my blog readers have already traveled far from home, or are now an international students in the States or other countries. The most specular experience about studying abroad is about living independently. Independence means that your family and your close friends, those that you think of with a smile, are not by your side or at least near you. Independence means that you gotta eat alone, no one will wake you up in the morning, remind you to do laundry or clean your room, or just to ask you everyday how your school is, etc. It may take 27 hours of flight for you to get to your beloved ones, or you may have to postpone your call until it's proper time in their time zone. Independence means you gotta find another place your home, some other people your family and friends. Independence has a relative meaning, as none of us can live totally independent. Being alive as a human requires interdependence, which means it is totally fine if you feel a little bit stressed out and need someone to chill out with you, and vice versa. At the moment, I consider Augsburg as my second home, my roommate my sister, her family my second family and my great friends here ones of my closest friends. I also found many people here my mentors, such as Jim Porter (Director of International Students), Penh Lo (Director of Asian Students), Marissa Machado (Associate Director and Coordinator of International Admission - she is one of the reason I applied for Augsburg at first), Gloria X. Morales (my Resident Advisor), etc.

- Seek for assistance when you need. As I said before, it's not simply living independently but interdependently. As an international student, you may find yourself in problematic or uncomfortable situations now and then. Therefore, stretch out for help, speak up and share your problems. There are things that you can solve on your own, but sometimes your ability is limited, then don't feel shy and share with others. In my own case, I have been through a lot of crises this year. Those crises came from many reasons and different places. At first I felt overwhelmed and did not know what to do. Then I started talking to my friends Lucia and Rimi, or my RA Gloria. They give me a lot of helpful advices, including talking to other people who can really help me solve my problems. And I did as being told: I seek for assistance, and I got assisted. I would have had my mind blown up if I kept on thinking about my problems on and on and felt stuck. At Augsburg, I am pretty sure there are many people willing to listen to your problems and help you out as much as they can, especially to help you achieve your academic goals.

- Sometimes taking action is better than thinking. It is important for you to think before doing anything. But it is more important for you to stop thinking and do something. If you hesitate, your chance or opportunity may pass. Or if you think too much, you are treating your mental life not so well.

- Being bold and straightforward. If you have any concerns about your comfortability, your safety, or privacy, be bold and straightforward and talk about it. You study abroad not only to get the academic experience, but also to get the social and environmental experience. Therefore, people here at Augsburg especially care about how you feel, whether you are comfortable living and enjoying campus life, or if you have any other concerns. You are here to study, and Augsburg will provide you with the best help. I learned this from many experiences, but the most memorable one is the Defense Seminary that Augsburg Asian Student Association held earlier this school year. At this Seminary, I was instructed to defend myself against different kinds of abuse, harassment, etc. The first thing they taught me was to speak boldly and straightforwardly to those that seem to be a danger about your having no interest in them and that they need to stay away.

- Going to class as regularly as possible and paying attention! This is very important. As college students, usually you are not obliged to go to class, but you had better keep in mind that you will learn something in every class and all you learn will help you in one way or another. Taking notes and contributing in class discussions will help you remember better what you learn. When professors are speaking, listen to them attentively. The process of learning is first attaining the knowledge - which is listening to lectures, second keeping the knowledge - which is taking notes, third maintaining the knowledge - which is revising before exams. In your major classes, all the things you learn in each class are connected systematically. For example, I learned about Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs in BUS242, and I was asked to name them in MKT252. Also, if you have any questions, just ask. I know professors are more than happy to be asked by you guys. For international students, since English is our second language, asking questions is necessary to make sure we understand the lectures correctly. I do not know if there is other way more suitable for you to study, but for me, this way is the best to get 100 out of 100 in essay exams of MKT and BUS classes. I do not receive the highest scores in class without studying at all :)

I gotta go for a group meeting. As soon as I can, I will continue this post. Have a great night everyone!