【即興專訪】Know Yourself Better when You Take Advice

 Know Yourself Better when You Take Advice

                                      By Huilan         Picture Provided:  Webster University                                        

Webster University founded in 1915. It is a private, nonprofit, and accredited University with undergraduate and graduate programs in business, computer science, psychology, communications, international relations, science, education, fine and performing arts, and liberal arts. It is an international university with headquarters in St. Louis, Missouri, and has an international network of over 100 campuses across the United States, Europe, China and Thailand. Currently the University enrolls approximately 22,000 students worldwide.

Throughout the curriculum, Webster University is dedicated to academic excellence, innovation in higher education, meeting the needs of students in an ever-changing world and incorporating an international perspective. Webster University is one of the most competitive international universities in United States.

Webster University brings up a number of excellent international students that set up high reputation, such as the president of Indonesia Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, a former Webster international student. In this fall, after the president of Indonesia visited Webster University in St. Louis, Missouri soon, I interviewed the international academic advisor, Bethany Keller recently.

            

                     Taking good advice

 

Q: The first time I met you was in an international student orientation in fall of 2004. What is your opinion about the difference between American student orientation and international student orientation?  Why it is more important for international students?

 

        A: I think that is a good question because we do a separate orientation for separate reasons. For some international students, perhaps it is their first time to experience culture shock which Americans have not. For American students who are from California, or New York, the orientation is a good experience, but they do not experience culture shock, so international orientation is more important for international students.

        In international orientations, we ask former students to talk about their experiences of studying at Webster to help new students have easier adjustment, and tell these students what they are going to go through, and what culture shock they are going to face. This is the best reason for an international student orientation because they can do better here when they are more aware of all kinds of things. Another reason is to help with cultural adjustment. As I said earlier, international students are not familiar with the higher education system in the United States, so we give them an opportunity to meet some people such as the international advisor, health services director, career services directors, etc. to let them understand what resources are available for what they may need.

 

 

Q: As an international advisor, what advice do you have for international students from the very beginning when they start their study at Webster?

 

A: The first thing that has helped students over the years, from the very beginning to the end, is to try to work the hardest you can and keep a positive attitude. A positive attitude can really make a big difference in everything. If you don’t understand something in the class, or if there are some cultural issues that confuse you, you should feel comfortable to ask questions. This not only can help you in studying but also in your personal life. So always try to ask questions, and think positively (laughing).

 

 

Q: Even though Webster has a TOEFL test requirement, many international students still have difficulties when they are in classrooms. Does Webster provide any opportunities for international students to improve their English?

 

A: We absolutely do. There are optional classes you can choose in the department of international language and culture at the intermediate level, such as conversation, writing, research-paper writing, etc. These classes are very detailed. In many cases, the instructor works with students one-on-one. Usually we offer classes in a short period. At the graduate level, we strongly suggest international students take the research-paper writing class. Also, we offer cultural key words, vocabulary, pronunciation classes, and have a unique pronunciation course that uses Shakespeare and other theater plays to improve pronunciation and diction.

 For students that want help in writing, you can go to the Writing Center, to work with a coach. If you need more help there, you can talk to Fran Hooker. She is a really nice person and can give you help when you need it. I want to say that the writing center is not only for international students, but also for anybody who needs help with writing. In any paper, you can have your own style, your own voice, and the coaches will help you with structure, grammar, and spelling. It is really a great resource for students.

Anyway, there are a lot of ways for international students to improve their English. It depends on what you need.

 

                                    Learning more from Americans

 

Q: Because of different culture and living environment, international students sometimes cannot communicate well. What do they need to do in order to be successful in their study?

 

A: I think one of the biggest challenges for students is in their first semester. We use lecture format for class activities. You should listen, take notes, and know what is going on in the classroom. I think you need to pay more attention to what you don’t understand. It is difficult for international students to deal with new lecture styles and unfamiliar formats in the first semester. One effective strategy is to ask permission from your instructors to take a tape recording. If you didn’t understand, you can go back again. You also can go to a tutor for help in reviewing the recorder later. I think almost the instructors would allow you to do that, but you should ask first because instructors all want to know what are you doing, and why you are doing it.

 

Q: The American education system is different from other countries. What do you think international students should consider this so that they can suit American education?

 

A: That is a topic we always talk about in orientations. There are some situations which international students should consider: 

One, instructors and students interact in the classroom.

Two, we encourage discussion between instructors and students. Most classes’ grades are related to discussion. During class time, if you only take notes but don’t speak, your grade will suffer.

Three, many international students feel uncomfortable with the American style in classrooms. In this case, you need to force yourself to speak. For example, try to talk at least once in the first class, and then twice in next class and so on. Or you can prepare questions before class. In the United States, instructors always want to communicate with students. So, again, communication is so important in the United States.

Another big issue is citation style. This is a very serious thing that you need to cite every source you use. When you have a question about citation, always go to the Writing Center to ask. If you are caught plagiarizing, you will fail your course. Academic honesty is taken very seriously in the United States. 

   

 

                                                       Knowing yourself better

 

Q: After students enroll at Webster, all international students know their major, but sometimes it is not easy for them to choose an emphasis within a major. What suggestions do you have for them in making this decision? For example, do they need to consider their interest first or their future career first? Or are there some other thoughts?

 

A: My suggestion depends on what program you are in. Undergraduate students have more opportunities to try out different majors in the first year. They have time to decide what they really enjoy or what their future career would be. They can consider their own interests and parents’ suggestions. We suggest a student set up a goal first, and then compare different majors which they like, and make a decision after analyzing their professional and personal situations.

The situation is different for graduate students. Generally, they have ideas about their studies before they choose a program. For example, in a Media Communication major, most students know they want an emphasis on PR, on Advertising and Marketing, or on Media Communication Management. Most of them consider their skills and interests for potential careers.  

 

 

Q: During their study life at Webster, instructors are most important people for international students. If a student feels a misunderstanding from an instructor, what should the student do? When something like this happens, how can you help?

 

A: For anyone who feels uncomfortable with an instructor, he or she should talk to the instructor in a respectful way. Or the student can talk to international advisors like me, Brandyn Woodard, or anyone in the international office. We can help the student explain what is going on, and try to solve the problems. Usually, instructors like to talk to us and to students.

 

I want to say sometimes such problems are because of misunderstanding in communication and cultures. For example, sometimes an instructor makes a joke, but students take it personally. That happens everywhere in the world. My suggestion is to try to have a positive attitude about it, or you think of it as a personal challenge, or a goal for you to achieve (laughing). So students need to prepare for classes well, do hard work, and try their best on everything (laughing). 

 

Q: Students do a lot of team work during study time. Sometimes the members do not agree with each other; sometimes other members don’t do much work. As international students, what should they do to solve such problems?

 

A: Ha, that’s a big one. It relates to your first question about why we should have international students orientation. We want students to be familiar with the higher education system in the United States. For both undergraduate and graduate students, students must be able to work within a group and have agreement with each other in groups. Many instructors assign students to do team projects. It is common that sometimes the members might not agree with each other; sometimes other members don’t do as much work as others.

I think that to deal with such problems, students need to address interpersonal communication first, and have a very clear agreement in the group from the very beginning. Perhaps write down a goal, or get clear of what is to be accomplished from the very beginning to the end, and be direct about the goals. If you try to do everything by yourself, that would drive you crazy, and other people cannot learn things from your work. I think international students can learn more from American students from teamwork. You would learn how to negotiate, and how not to take advantages of other’s work. That’s a wise thing to do (laughing). 

Group work is a great opportunity for foreign students to work with Americans. You can meet people, learn things in new ways, and get to know better the value of yourself and others. Again, if students have a problem about group work, they always can talk to advisors. But sometimes solving problems by oneself is a very good way, too (laughing). 

 

                                      Doing the best you can

 

Q: As international students, sometimes they don’t understand well what instructors really want from them, but American students can easily understand. For example, I myself redid papers before because of misunderstanding, and my other international classmates did the same thing. What should international students do to avoid such things?

 

A: That is a good question. First, go through the syllabus, and make sure you are clear on how your grade will be determined; for example, 10% will be on attendance, 20% will be on assignments, 30% will be on group project, and 40% will be on final paper. As you read, try to identify what area you don’t understand. Another thing students need to pay attention to is about assignments. I know sometimes international students are afraid to ask questions, but if you are the brave one, you should ask your questions in the classroom, and then other students can benefit from the answers, too. If you don’t understand assignments, always ask because you want to know what you should do before you start to do the work. For example, if it is a case study, you can ask if the instructor wants a description or an analysis; if it is a research paper, you can ask what kind of format the instructor wants, and what citation method is preferred.

 

 

Q: In a way, international students have higher stress and have to work harder compared to American students because of the language. For example, if an international student work hard but still feels that she/he cannot pass the course, what should he or she do? What would you do to help that student?

 

A: That is a big question. The United States has legal requirements on how many credit hours international students should be taking. If the student holds a F-1 visa, it is a legal requirement for international students at the undergraduate level to take at least 12 credit hours within a semester. Graduate students must enroll in 6 credit hours in each term to maintain full time status.  If American students have difficulty with class, they can drop the class. Unfortunately, international students cannot take a withdrawal without a serious medical reason. When they have a medical problem, they should take a doctors’ recommendation letter to me, or to Dr. Barry. We will decide if they can take a withdrawal or not; otherwise international students are not allowed to take a withdrawal. If international students have such problems, we encourage the students to keep their confidence for the class, work hard, and we will help them set up academic tutoring and writing coaching which often helps to improve their grade.   

 

 

Q: If an international student needs some help, such in academic, social life, or other situations, where should they go? Whom they should talk to?

 

A: They can go to the Writing Center for academic help. About something like housing, or social life, they can link to all resources we have. They can talk to me, Brandyn Woodard, Dr.Barry, or related resources. We are always in touch with each other. If there is anything I can do to help, I would be happy to.  

 

                      Being proud of Webster students

 

Q:I remember professor Robert Dixon told the students not only for once that a Webster degree is not your (a student’s) degree. I think that means all students should do their best to earn their Webster degree. A lot of international students have earned reputation for Webster as well as for themselves. For example, Susilo Banbang Yudoyono, the president of Indonesia is a former international student at Webster. I think that we should let students, especially international students at Webster, know more stories about role models, and be proud of being a Webster student. What is your opinion about this?

 

A: Yes, definitely, the president of Indonesia is a former international student at Webster University. I totally agree with you. International students should be aware of their values. Each year, we have hundreds of students who graduate from Webster University. Some of them stay in the United States; some of them go back to their home country; some of them, as a global traveler, work in a third country. We try to keep in touch with our international students (both undergraduate and graduate students). I think you can write some stories about them, and I can refer you to departments’, such as the Alumni and Development office, at Webster that you can find information and talk to people.

   Today, international students are proud of being Webster students, and tomorrow, Webster will be proud of them. For example, Susilo Banbang Yudoyono, a former international student at Webster, is a president of a country. He is extremely important as an example of international students, not only for Webster University, but also for other universities’ students.

 

Q: Thank you very much. I want to know is there any thing you want to add or to talk about?

 

A: No. Your questions covered everything which I talk about to international students regularly. They are good questions. And another good thing is that some Americans don’t realize international students’ challenges, and this is a good way for Americans to know international students better.

 

 

Q: As one of the international students, I want to say thank you again for what you have done for all of the international students at Webster. Thank you for the interview, too.

 

A: It is an enjoyable part of my job to help students from all over the world come to the United States and achieve their academic goals. It is challenging and rewarding to see these students work hard and achieve great success here. I truly believe that I learn more from my students than I offer them in return. These students deserve the admiration of their classmates and the respect of this institution. We are a stronger university because of our diverse students.