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



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


3 www.fulbright.ro/educational-


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






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


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.





6


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!





7




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.


8




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


9




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.




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.

undergraduate newsletter winter fy2011

Documents

us culture

us institution

promotion of us study

us campus bucharest

savvy us student

feac core section

international students

educationusa news section