Tag Archives: International Center

Alfredo: Tips on Paving a Pathway to Success

Name: Alfredo Baudet

Country: Venezuela

Major: Finance and minors in Economics and Management

Languages: Spanish, English, and French

Incoming FSR Associate at PwC


 

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Job Hunting Tips for International Students

I must admit that when I started as a student at USD I had no idea what I was going to study or what I wanted to do after finishing school. While studying at USD I gained an appreciation for all the opportunities the U.S. has to offer, especially when compared to Venezuela, where the economic situation is rapidly deteriorating. With senior year approaching, I decided I wanted to stay in the U.S. The next step was to find a job.

Choosing your career

Finding a job can be a daunting task. Some common questions are: “What do I want to do after graduation?”; “How do I know I will love what I will be doing?”; “What are my options and which is the best one?”

The first step in choosing a career path is to do research by asking others to help you and by discovering what you are passionate about.

Find out what people in your field of choice majored in. For some fields, your undergraduate major is critical while for others, a variety of majors may be suitable. Reach out to people that you, your family, or friends, know that work in your desired field. See if they are available to meet or if they are willing to offer advice over the phone, Skype, email, etc. Professors are good resources as well so don’t hesitate to ask them whether they know people who work in the industry you are interested in, or if they have any recommendations for your career search.

Asking others for advice should be complemented by your own search to discover your interests. During the semester get actively involved in clubs that are outside your comfort zone and test your boundaries. I also recommend students do something productive during the summer sessions such as taking classes, interning/working, or volunteering – trying different things will help you determine what you like as well as what you don’t like.

These are all very valuable recommendations that students hear throughout their years in college. I can attest to how useful these recommendations are because following them helped me find the job I wanted in the U.S. Each student’s experiences are unique. Bearing that in mind I will outline my college experience with the addition of a few helpful tips for future job seekers, specifically international students.

Getting involved

IMG_1609From experience, I suggest international students who are trying to find what they’re passionate about and what sort of career to pursue to follow this strategy: be active in extracurricular activities, excel academically, and have fun doing so.

I tested my boundaries when I first went rock climbing my freshman year. One of my floormates invited me to go, and despite being a little nervous at first, I ended up loving it. The Climbing Club showed me how much fun student organizations could be, and I ended up joining a wide variety of other clubs, such as the International Student Organization, Entrepreneurship Club, and Student Finance Association. Through these clubs and organizations, I got exposed to a lot of different activities and also got to meet a wide range of people. Both, the exposure I gained and the people I met, were immensely valuable as they helped me learn more about myself and to determine what kinds of things I likedmaybe you like outdoor activities, organizing events, or perhaps even telling others what to do (otherwise known as delegating).

Involvement in these organizations can make for very busy semesters, but it is important that your academic performance remain strong. Becoming aware of your interests while excelling academically will help you become an attractive candidate for any company.

What employers look for

Having an active presence in extracurricular activities and an excellent academic record is important because when a recruiter looks at a student’s resume they know that students don’t have the skills necessary to perform the job. Instead, recruiters look for indications as to how well they could learn them.

Being involved in extracurricular activities such as sports, clubs, and volunteering indicates ability to multi-task. Taking this a little further, being someone with greater responsibility in these activities also help demonstrate leadership and collaboration. A strong academic performance, as gauged by the GPA, is a good indicator of being able to learn and synthesize new information.

In the end, the recruiter also wants to see if they could work with the interviewee. Putting all of this into a resume makes you more likely to stand out when applying to jobs.

The sponsorship process

As the resume is being built, be aware of the numerous challenges ahead. The main challenge for international students is to find a job that is willing to sponsor them, which comes in addition to the challenges faced by local students when finding jobs. The challenges that you face when searching for jobs in the U.S. can all be overcome by knowing as much as you can about the application process and by knowing how to make the best use of your resources. But before getting into these let’s look at some basic Optional Practical Training (OPT) information.

The best way to make this search easier is to become as much an expert in the field as possible. Talk to the Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS) at USD, reach out to people who are currently or were sponsored before, and do some online research as well. This will help you get a better sense of the application process and how it is different for international students. The OPT will allow you to work in the U.S. after graduating.

The OPT

Staying in the U.S. is a process divided into two stages: (1) obtaining the Optional Practical Training (OPT) and (2) working with your future employer on the sponsorship process.

The OPT allows students under an F1 visa to stay and work in the US for a limited period of time.  If you don’t know what it is yet and are planning to stay in the US after college, please learn as much about it as you can. USD’s Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS) is a very good source of information for those considering finding a job in the US. I suggest familiarizing yourself with the process as much as you can and then go to the “Working Visas Workshops” held twice a semester by the OISS. After attending initial sessions you can schedule a personal meeting with one of the advisors to plan out your process. Submit all the paperwork and remember to follow any requirements during your OPT time. After the OPT application process ends, students will then be able to apply for a working visa. Overall, this process can be complicated so I suggest attending the information sessions held by the OISS and start learning about it early to ensure success in finding an organization that will sponsor for the job you want.

Searching for jobs

When looking for jobs use your resources because applying to online openings without knowing the recruiter or having an established link is like shooting an arrow in the dark. For this reason, before sending out applications I recommend using your networks – talking to career services, professors, friends, and family – to see if they know somebody working at the place you’re applying to or if they know someone in the industry.

Another helpful asset in my job search was USD’s Career Services because they have a better-established network in the U.S. than I do. By using ToreroLink, the careers portal, I knew that the companies hiring were looking for USD students, which was reassuring. I used Career Services postings, online job openings, and my network to find a job that I wanted.

When faced with the issue of finding a job, being selective is just as important, and by this I mean: narrow down your search scope to particular cities where you would like to live. As a Finance major, I knew that I was not in the best city to find a job, compared to students in NYC. But in my research about the sponsorship process, I discovered that while San Diego is not among best cities for finance work, Los Angeles and San Francisco are a lot better. This helped me narrow the scope of my job search to companies in cities that wanted to live in.

Lastly, when interviewing, being transparent and selective will be crucial factors of your job search. When interviewing, don’t conceal your nationality because you fear a job rejection. Instead, be clear about your nationality and intentions. Your potential future employer will appreciate this and will streamline your interviewing process.

Life After USD

After four wonderful years filled with great memories with friends I will be graduating this coming May. There may have been stressful moments, at times, but hard work pays off – especially when you have established your goals early on. After doing everything that I have just described, after graduation, I will start working at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) in Los Angeles. Listening to others’ advice and forging your own path helped me get there, and I hope sharing my experience helps you too.”

-Alfredo Baudet

 

 

USD Earns Paul Simon Award for Campus Internationalization

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From Inside USD – The University of San Diego’s dedication to internationalization — as a successful initiative for students’ experiential learning, as a formidable enhancement for liberal arts education and an opportunity for students around the world to come and study in San Diego and flourish — has earned mainstream recognition.

The National Association for Foreign Student Affairs (NAFSA): Association of International Educators announced on Feb. 24 that USD is one of five recipients of the Sen. Paul Simon Award for Campus Internationalization.

“It’s a thrill to have USD selected for our achievements, across the university, toward comprehensive internationalization,” said Denise Dimon, USD’s associate provost for international affairs. “The Simon Award is considered the gold standard of internationalization and the universities selected by NAFSA, this year and in previous years, have initiated very creative, meaningful and sustained activities toward this goal. It is very exciting and an honor to have USD included with these other institutions.”

Mount Holyoke College, North Central College, University of Delaware and the University of Virginia join USD as award winners in this specific category.

“USD is very proud of the enormous progress we have made to create and expand innovative programs that provide members of our campus community with enriching global experiences in nearly 50 countries across the globe,” USD President Mary E. Lyons, PhD, said. “We are committed to the goal of graduating men and women who are truly global citizens with the competencies to navigate our world well.”

Comprehensive internationalization consists of such areas as student mobility, faculty expertise, curriculum development, co-curricular activities, international partnerships and collaborations, leadership at the highest levels and governance structures to support all of these efforts.

“Achievement in these varied activities clearly involves the entire campus community and moves us toward our ultimate goal of providing education to develop effective, thoughtful and caring globally citizens,” Dimon said.

Named for the late Illinois Senator Paul Simon, NAFSA’s Simon Awards recognize outstanding and innovative achievements in campus internationalization. From the innovative use of technology to expanded English language and support systems, the 2015 Simon Award winners reflect a broad diversity of approaches to campus internationalization, both in terms of models and implementation.

“We are proud to present NAFSA’s 2015 Simon Awards to these colleges and universities that have excelled in expanding global learning for students and scholars,” said NAFSA Executive Director and CEO Marlene M. Johnson. “This year’s Simon Award winners are outstanding models for how higher education across the country can and must innovate to prepare our graduates for success in today’s increasingly complex and interdependent world.”

This is the second time USD has received a Simon Award. In 2011, USD earned the Paul Simon Spotlight Award, given for a specific international program or initiative contributing to comprehensive internationalization. That honor recognized the Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice’s Women PeaceMakers Program, an annual fall endeavor that brings four courageous and impressive international women leaders to campus for eight weeks to share their stories with peace writers and the public, meet women from other countries doing incredible work, and to be recognized for their tremendous efforts.

Institutions selected for the Simon Awards will be featured in NAFSA’s report, Internationalizing the Campus: Profiles of Success at Colleges and Universities, to be published this fall, and honored at an event in Washington, D.C. during International Education Week in November.

— Ryan T. Blystone

Kelly Wu: OISS Student and Staff Highlight

Name: I-Shen (Kelly) Wu

Country: Taiwan

Major(s): International Business and Accountancy

Language(s): Taiwanese, Mandarin-Chinese, English


“Perfect weather, city with a rich and diverse culture, strong business program, and the Coronado Bridge. These are the things that initially attracted me to the University of San Diego before I decided to become a student here at USD.

As a high school graduate from an American high school in Sacramento, fortunately, the transitioning to college as a foreign student was a lot easier for me then a lot of other fellow F-1 international students. However, I wasn’t very active and engaged with the USD community during my freshman year because I was lucky enough to find a close group of good friends in the first couple weeks of school. I spent my first year focusing on my academics, while observe the culture of USD and explore the opportunities and resources that are available on campus.

15245973296_89d2d0c767_zStarting with my sophomore year, I was ready to be more engaged and to try new things. I was a member of the International Orientation Team for three semesters, which welcomes students and scholars from all over the world. From physically helping them to move into their dormitories, to sharing tips and advice of attending University of San Diego as an international student, I was able to really bond with these students and share the excitement and anticipation for their new life here in the United States. I was in the Link mentoring program as a peer mentor that advice and guide minority freshmen students. I also took part in a Business Mediation Competition in Georgia, which gave me the opportunity to train in mediation, negotiation, and conflict management and put it to practice. Last but not least, I am a student worker at the Office of International Students and Scholars, which sharpens my organization and communication skills.

The one piece of advice I would like to share with all incoming students is to take advantage of all the resources and opportunities offered here at USD, you will be surprised with how much you can learn outside of the classroom.

14069500294_938337dfec_zStarting with my favorite office on campus- the International Center. The office offers various informational workshops specially designed to help international students with post-graduation preparations, on topics such as International Résumé & Cover Letter and Working Visas & Employment. For planners like me, it is never too early to have that résumé ready in hand and understand the procedures after bachelor degree. The International Center also offers fun and cultural social events for students to enhance their experience here at USD. My favorite event has to be the annual international EXPO fashion show. This cultural fashion show features students and staffs dressed in traditional outfits and walk the runway with traditional music in the background. I was a model for Taiwanese outfits for two consecutive years representing my country. It was a lot of fun as I will never have a chance to be a model with my petit height otherwise.

Another great resource here at USD is the Career Services, I didn’t get to know about them until my junior year, and I wish I could have start utilizing their help earlier. They are very helpful with resume reviewing, career advising, and even mock interviews. For many international students, there is always the stress of the need to find a job or internship upon graduation in a limited time period in order to stay in the United Sates and continue to live the American dream. By starting early and gain some working experiences as an undergrad student can make your job search after graduation so much easier.

In terms of academics, it can be tough in the beginning for those who are not familiar with the education system in the United States. One of the areas I struggled the most in the beginning of my study were academic writing. When it comes to essay writing, there are many required formats and techniques that are different from my home country. It took me a while to be able to understand what the professors want. In the U.S., they like to see critical thinking in your paper, and clear citations to all references is important to avoid plagiarism. Luckily, there is a Writing Center on campus that assists me with grammar, and help developing and refining ideas for papers of any class/topic. I find it really helpful for all students who do not speak English as their first language, to make sure that the ideas you are trying to convey is well presented in you’re writing.

Now I’m in my second semester of my junior year, what attracts me about the University of San Diego is the engagement and enthusiasm of the professors, the resources and opportunity available to students, the diverse yet inclusive community and the encouraging atmosphere for growth and self-discovery. Finally… the beautiful campus and unbeatable weather.”

-I-Shen (Kelly) Wu

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Kelly has also studied abroad in Hong Kong during Intersession 2015. More regarding her experience from the US, Hong Kong, and back can be found here.

Taz: Making Big Waves in SD and Brazil

Name: Jose Tomaz de Alencar

Country: Brazil

Major: Communications with a minor in International Business

Languages: Portuguese, Spanish, English, French


 

996885_318972594905494_1632919081_n (1)“My name is Jose Tomaz de Alencar and I am from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Coming from a family of five brothers, all of which have double-names (“nomes compostos”), each one of us has a nickname, mine being Taz. I picked up English at a very early age through private tutoring. Likewise, by traveling to Spanish-speaking countries and befriending Spanish-speaking people I learned a mixture of Portuguese and “Español”; I call it Portuñol. I was also fortunate enough to spend my high school years at the American School of Paris, where I picked up a little bit of French. When I came to college I was uncertain of what I wanted for my future. After many conversations with my family and peers I decided to pursue a path of entrepreneurship. My major at the University of San Diego is Communication Studies, with a minor in International Business.

12050_10151473194731636_226494511_nWhen applying for colleges I knew I wanted to study in California. My brother was studying in UC Santa Barbara at the time, and after a couple of visits I knew this was the place for me. I wanted the sunny weather and firing waves that I had experienced while visiting California. When I arrived, I was not surprised to see that was exactly what San Diego had in store for me. At first, I was solely focused on experiencing the luxurious lifestyle of a Californian. However, as I matured and grew intellectually, I noticed that all of the tools I need to succeed in this life are in the same environment in which I sunbathe and surf. Here, I am surrounded by innovative minds that constantly challenge one another–I have multiple entrepreneurial friends who have their own start-ups and have begun to see profit. Everyday I am enlightened by brilliant professors who challenge me in ways that I have never been pushed before. For the first time in my life, I have started to see what my future might look like. I was no longer worrying about the next party or the next wave, but rather my next steps toward pursuing a successful career.
1013108_10151477115471636_1353255079_n (1)I decided to take a semester abroad my Sophomore year to return to Brazil and be with my family. I went to the International Office to explore my options and was presented an opportunity to study abroad back home. This gave me the chance to attain credits while being with my family through some tough times. The staff helped make the transition smooth and stress-free. Coincidentally, USD’s corresponding PUCE University in Brazil happened to be the same university at which many of my friends were studying. I would be walking around campus and run into some surprised friends, often exclaiming, “What are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be back in California?” It was intriguing to experience how different university classes were and a student life lacking an actual “community campus.” Overall, I loved experiencing the university in Brazil. More importantly, I loved being there for my family when they needed me most. I sincerely thank USD for the opportunity to studying ‘abroad’ when I needed to, as well as the opportunity to studying abroad here and experience the amazing Californian life.”

 -Jose Tomaz De Alencar

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(Photos by Jose Tomaz De Alencar)

All Faith Service: Water is Life, Solidarity

Many of USD’s International Students represented their home countries as flag bearers during this years All Faith Service. Ryan Blystone explains the beauty of the service as one of the many community building experiences for students of all faiths and backgrounds at USD to participate in.


From USD Magazine – Once a year, at the start of the University of San Diego’s spring semester comes a reminder of hope and of what’s possible when people come together.

“What I really like about this event is that it talks to my heart,” said Sarra Tlili, an Arab and Islamic studies scholar. “The dances, the music, singing, it was all so beautiful, so moving. The Jewish reflection was quite fascinating, reminding us of the humanity of basic relations. Really, each activity was different and had its own flavor, but each one contributed something.”

Tlili, a University of Florida professor, was basking in the emotions from both attending and participating in USD’s 22nd annual All Faith Service, Jan. 29 in Shiley Theatre. It was here that 600-plus among the USD campus community witnessed thoughtful and, at times, spellbinding reflections connected to the theme, “Water: A Sacred Trust.”

Each year the All Faith Service highlights a principle of Catholic Social Thought. This year’s focus, “Solidarity with the Human Family,” heralded water, which is an essential part of life and the ecosystem, as an opportunity to reflect on solidarity with others. Water holds a cherished place within the practices and beliefs of several faith traditions. Water symbolizes life and it cleanses and purifies. Devotion to water as a resource and inspiration for peace and harmony was displayed beautifully by Native American, Christian, Jewish, Buddhist, Hindu and Muslim faith expressions.

“I wanted to communicate that water is truly not just a SarraTlili-AFSinside2-230x300precious gift, but vital for our survival and for the survival of everyone,” said Tlili, whose Muslim reflection was the featured presentation. “Water is not just a physical thing our lives depend on, but there is a very important spiritual dimension linked to it. As a creature that praises God the way we praise God and, as a sign, we too are signs of God’s wisdom, creativity and power. Water shows us that. I also wanted to show that water is like when we awaken certain things we all know so well. In our scripture the same stories are told to reawaken us to life. If not, we start to take it for granted.”

From the moment the processional music, “Wayloyo Yamoni,” from Christopher Tin’s The Drop That Contained the Sea, played, the aisles were filled with USD student dancers, banner holders, flag bearers and following them was Rev. Michael T. White, C.S.Sp., USD’s resident university chaplain. Once all participants were on the Shiley Theatre stage, the engagement began.

“Diversity enriches us all,” said Father White during his welcoming address.

NativeAmerican-AFSinside3-244x300The Native American reflection was done by Lakota herbalist/educator Kathy Willcuts and Gabrielino-Tongva Tribe dancer-musician Steve Garcia. The duo presented “Wakan Mni Mni Wiconi.” Garcia played the flute flawlessly while Willcuts, with grace and precision, showcased the sacredness and life-giving qualities of water. Willcuts offered water to the Four Directions, as well as Mother Earth and Father Sky.

Upon completion, Monica Lopez Lacome ‘17 gave a Native American prayer of intercession and Founders Chapel cantors, Tori Berba ‘17 and Sarah Zentner ‘15, voiced a short chorus, “May the waters of the earth become our sacred trust.” This verse was repeated after each student-offered prayer, given by Audrey Miciano ‘15 (Christian), SOLES’ Kate Vosti ‘16 (Buddhist), Faisal al-harbi ‘16 (Muslim), Austin Jacobs ‘17 (Jewish) and Neha Chinchanikar ‘15 (Hindu).

The USD Choral Scholars, who made its first-ever appearance in the event’s history, performed the Christian presentation. Choral Scholars Director Emilie Amrein and students performed a AFSChoralScholars-insidephoto-300x214rousing rendition of a southern folk hymn, “Down in the River to Pray,” which talks about the act of a river baptism. At first, all members had their backs to the audience, but every few seconds a few turned to face the audience and it finished with the whole group singing as one powerful, united force.

Performing in the All Faith Service was a thrill for first-year students Haley Pugh and Alec Palmer, who are from Arizona and Connecticut, respectively.

“It hit me when we walked in how many people were there, wanting to be there and to be together,” said Pugh. “It was a beautiful event. Everyone’s performance was beautiful.” She specifically pointed out the Hindu dance by Bhavika Maniar and Noopur Mehta to “The Eternal River Yamuna.” Stated Pugh: “I really enjoyed their dance moves. I felt I could really see the water coming down when they made movements with their hands.”

Palmer said he appreciated being part of something bigger than himself and to continue bonding with his fellow singers. “It was so special to have the chance to perform in something like this, to be part of something that embodies the idea of peace. And to do it with a great group, a great community of people, was just amazing.”

The Buddhist reflection was a chant by the Venerable Phramaha Witchuphong Kanpanya, Ven. Phramaha Boontherd Thongmon, Ven. Phramaha Cherdchai Wannawan and the Ven. Phramaha Chaiya Kalapak. They focused on water and its purest form and the pouring of water is homage to ancestors and the souls of others.

Tlili’s reflection reminded the audience of everything water stands for — “every living thing. It sustains and nurtures life … water is sacred as life is sacred.”

AFS15Rabbi-insidephoto-221x300Jewish Rabbi Andrew Kastner told a riveting story of a great-grandfather, who lay dying, but provided life lessons in a final conversation with his grandson. He spoke of life as a unique combination of change and permanence; a mix of solid and liquid. “Seasons change, a beginning comes from every end, such as snow melting to provide water for rivers, leaves changing colors. Everything is balanced. Everything in the spiritual world has a counterpart.”

Father White provided a closing message of hope for greater unity and that water is a shared value. Through dance, blessing, song, chant, storytelling and the keynote reflection, “we should be striving for not what separates us, but for what unites us.”

Tlili appreciated that the service took place on a university campus and the audience for whom the majority was comprised — current students.

“As important as academics are, and the need to figure out things, to ponder a number of things is important, but what truly shapes us is when we get it across to the newer generation. Our attitude toward water is that everyone is wasting way too much. I’m not saying it is the young people. We all need to work on ourselves and remember that water is a gift, a precious gift, and we’re not treating it as well as we should be. I hope this message came across well because if it teaches us all to treat water with less wastefulness, that will mean everything.”

— Ryan T. Blystone


 

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To see more photos of USD’s International Student’s at the All Faith Service, click here.