planetécole

EducationUSA

2011-12-04T08:10:00.000-05:00

Not on Twitter? That's ok. You can still use it to find great information about study abroad opportunities. EducationUSA, the U.S. Department of State network, to provide information about studying in the U.S. offers great links and updates via Twitter. Just search for EdUSAtips for the lastet updates.EdUSAtipsLatest EdUSA Weekly Update (for Nov. 28th) now available on the PDF link at facebook.com/EducationUSA fb.me/X218plen

Goodbye to a Fulbright Alumnus

2011-09-04T17:41:00.000-04:00

In the midst of all the talk about the rebel take-over of Tripoli, a story emerged that same Monday ‎that didn’t make the same headlines because it was a bit further afield of the interest of the many – ‎it’s a story from the country of Yemen. ‎

Mr. Abdulaziz Abdulghani, a former prime minister of Yemen (two times) had died from severe ‎wounds sustained in the presidential mosque bombing in June. Learning this news was a shock as well as a sad reminder of the bloodshed that comes with ‎attempts at violent change.‎

Mr. Abdulghani was an alumnus of the world’s most prestigious exchange program, the U.S. Department of State's Fulbright ‎Program. He received his higher degree in the United States–specifically in the state of Colorado. From all appearances, ‎Mr. Abdulghani exemplified the qualities of the Fulbright Program–first an educator and then a ‎leader (in this case a long-time public servant) who took the tools of exchange to work towards ‎bridging the gap between east and west. As one of Yemen's most famous Fulbrighters, he was the ‎secretary general of the Fulbright Alumni Association in Yemen; it was an honorary position but one ‎he felt keenly responsible for even when he had many other duties.‎

His belief in the value of international education and exchange extended to his pivotal role in one of ‎the most successful scholarship and corporate social responsibility programs in Yemen – the Canadian Nexen ‎Scholarship Program. His support of the Nexen Scholarship program, which sought to bring a variety ‎of the most talented youth in Yemen to pursue degrees related to the petroleum industry in Yemen ‎to a few selected institutions in Calgary, resulted in a small cadre (over 100 in over a decade of operation) of ‎talented Yemenis in that important regional industry. To date, no other oil company has achieved that level ‎of scholarship assistance in Yemen. This program also brought together people from different political, educational and personal backgrounds to include a ‎healthy number of young people without any connections. Supporting such a program, and not ‎bowing to the numerous wasta claims, demonstrated his belief in the future of Yemen with youth from all ‎backgrounds and locations.‎

What seems to be evident is that throughout his public life, Mr. Abdulghani did not lose sight of his unique opportunities in the U.S. and he ‎remained in touch with his alma mater, Colorado College, even all these many years later. It is ‎relatively well known that Mr. Abdulghani encouraged donors to support funding for young people to ‎reach the U.S. (among other countries) for undergraduate degrees. Mr. Abdulghani recognized that a ‎solid educational base for earnest and energetic Yemeni youth would help build Yemen and help it ‎face the challenges of the future. He believed that raising opportunities for even a few well-rounded ‎young people could raise the standards for all. Unfortunately, there was a whole generation (actually ‎almost two generations) after Mr. Abdulghani who did not have such exposure.‎

This is hardly a complete eulogy of Mr. Abdulghani, but with this short note we hope ‎to recognize his role in international education and exchange in Yemen. His shoes will be difficult ones to fill in ‎the future in Yemen –will any of those who returned to Yemen after their own higher education opportunities in the west share the vision of making opportunities ‎possible for others, especially if the others aren’t connected to their own families? We hope ‎so. In the meantime, "goodbye to a Fulbright alumnus.‎"

Why We Think Rainwater Harvesting is Important In Yemen

2011-08-19T03:16:00.000-04:00

Sanaa, Yemen, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the country's burgeoning capital, is running out of ‎water. Experts predict that Sanaa's water supply may be exhausted by as early as 2017 and, if so, it will ‎be the first capital city to run out of water in the world.‎

To date, no effective solution has been proposed. Yet, one need only look to Yemen’s history for a ‎possible solution. For thousands of years, Yemenis used cisterns to harvest rain water. Sanaa receives ‎an average of 170 mm per year; other areas in Yemen may receive up to 1,000 mm per year. Yet, ‎within the last century, Yemenis have nearly abandoned that practice of collecting rainwater in ‎village cisterns. Our proposal is to restore the ancient technique of rainwater harvesting with a ‎modern twist to produce a system capable of capturing from 10,000 liters a year to 100,000 liters a ‎year per structure. The concept is simple: ‎

Utilize Yemen’s existing flat roofs to capture water, funnel it to a structure’s existing ground-‎level or underground storage tank, and then pump that water back to an existing second roof-‎top storage tank for domestic use.‎

Water is, of course, one of the most essential requirements for life and healthy living. Moreover, a ‎lack of water restricts development and is the result of as much as 70 percent of all conflicts in ‎Yemen(1). At per capita usage rates of approximately 125 cubic meters per year‎ ‎ (whereas the ‎MENA region is at 1,250 cubic meters per year ‎ ‎ and the world average is much higher at over 7,000 ‎cubic meters), Yemen is not only facing an acute water shortage, but also the quality of what water its ‎inhabitants get is poor, with non-point-specific pollution common, the prevalence of microbes, and ‎resulting disease common, especially among the very young and the elderly. A stand-alone water ‎catchment/filtration system will provide Yemeni households with clean water, increase their ‎independence, and lessen their financial burden (many rely on expensive water trucks to meet their ‎daily needs).‎

‎(1) Former Minister of Water and Environment Abdulrahman Al Eryani, quoted in Laura Kasinof, “At heart of ‎Yemen's conflicts: water crisis”, CS Monitor, http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Middle-East/2009/1105/p06s13-‎wome.html

‎(2) “Yemen's Water Crisis a Mideast Warning for Decades That Lie Ahead,” October 29, 2009, ‎http://www.ecoworld.com/other/yemens-water-crisis-mideast-warning.html

‎(3) Christopher Ward, Principal Operations Officer for the Middle East and North Africa in the Rural Development, ‎Water and Environment Department of the World Bank, Yemen’s Water Crisis, http://www.al-‎bab.com/bys/articles/ward01.htm

Less than Twenty-Four Hours; More than 10,000 Liters‎

2011-08-13T03:03:00.000-04:00

In less than 24 hours and with two heavy rains, we accumulated over 10,000 liters of rainwater for use ‎at an office in Sanaa. Using a prototype of the RAINS system, a rainwater aggregation project that recently ‎won the Philips Livable Cities Award water was collected from the flat rooftop between one August ‎Saturday afternoon to the following Sunday morning. ‎

The RAINS system is relatively simple: Ensure that the rainwater which falls on the flat rooftops of ‎buildings in Sanaa flows into pipes that are attached to water storage tanks, rather than just having ‎the water drain from pipes or water holes onto the street below and evaporate. To make the water ‎potable it can be filtered. For other uses, it can be pumped up to the rooftop storage tank or into ‎underground tanks (if these are available). At the current prices for a water truck (around YR 10,000 or ‎USD $40), each time the tanks are filled, that amount is saved.

These two tanks were filled in just two heavy rainfalls in under 24 hours. The water collected by these two tanks is stored in an underground storage tank that normally calls for one large water truck (wight or booza) to fill.

This system is a prototype still being assessed as the rainy season progresses. We are pleased with its ‎success, but it is likely that we would have collected even more water. This system does require ‎oversight in times of heavy rains. Late Sunday morning we noticed that our water storage tanks were ‎full and in fact overflowing which allowed a lot of water to escape unused to the pavement. We used ‎a hose to drain the water from the upper tanks to an underground tank which is directly connected by ‎a water pump to our rooftop tank, but the hose had a kink in it, causing water to back up and overflow ‎once the above-ground tanks were filled. Once the kink was sorted out, it took another twenty-four ‎hours to empty the 10,000 liters and fill up the underground water tank and the rains were still falling ‎in Sanaa. Imagine if every building and every house in Sanaa were doing the same!‎

Water is the source of life. Yet increasingly groundwater reserves in Yemen are dwindling and are not ‎easily or quickly replenishable. During the summer rains in Sanaa, hundreds of thousands of liters of ‎water can be seen streaming down streets and then eventually evaporating in the sun. Once water ‎hits the pavements it is no longer sanitary. Further, the rising cost of trucked, filtered, and bottled ‎water is making its cost prohibitive for many families in Sanaa and there is no guarantee that the ‎water is hygienic. The RAINS system proposes alternatives in water management. ‎

The RAINS concept is simple and it is a Yemeni solution practiced by generations of Yemenis until forgotten in the ‎urbanization and modernization process that focused on exploiting groundwater reserves rather than ‎relying on rainwater catchment. In Yemen’s countryside, empty cisterns sit disused, while diesel-‎powered pumps busily deplete Yemen’s dwindling groundwater reserves.‎

The RAINS project seeks partner organizations to help implement the system on a larger scale in ‎Sanaa. Interested parties should contact admin@planetecole.com. ‎

RAINS (Rainwater Aggregation in Sana'a Project) Pitch

2011-06-05T01:17:00.005-04:00

You may have heard the pitch but if not, it’s below. This pitch was created by creative specialists with Philips ‎for the wining award (ours):‎

‎“For many people living in cities, access to water is often taken for granted. Not so in the ‎city of ‎Sana’a in Yemen. Here, rainfall is seasonal, and water can quickly become scarce, ‎and the city’s water ‎table is dropping rapidly, so a more sustainable approach to water ‎consumption is required.‎

‎“This year’s one of Philips Livable Cities Award ideas aims to address ‎the problem of water shortage ‎in Sana’a. By using existing flat rooftops in Sana’a as well as their rooftop water storage tanks, water ‎can be captured during Sana’a’s two the ‎rainy seasons. These are routed through filters to remove ‎contaminants and placed into ground-level ‎storage tanks. With each tank able to store up to 5,000 ‎liters, the water – accessible via a ‎pump – would last through the drier periods the city experiences ‎and would help reduce ‎reliance on dwindling groundwater reserves. And by improving the quality of ‎the water, the ‎scheme could also result in significant health benefits for the population of Sana’a, ‎‎especially the young and elderly populations who are often the most affected by water-‎borne ‎disease.‎‏"‏

Please find below a link to the Philips You Tube video on the project.

RAINS and Following Up Opportunities, or Our Pitch for Going For It!‎

2011-06-01T23:58:00.024-04:00

The planetecole blog has usually been reserved for promoting the work of a variety of people who have made ‎differences in their communities after their experiences abroad through international exchanges, ‎scholarships, internships, or forms of citizen diplomacy. Today we present a slight departure from our ‎typical blog post and will talk about a project in which we have gotten involved as a result of our ‎experience abroad. We rarely “toot our own horn,” but this is for a higher cause in any event. ‎

Over a year ago we applied to the Philips Livable Cities Award. We read about the program on the ‎internet as we have a strong interest in livable and sustainable cities. This interest has been our ‎avocation for some time. ‎

Then, we saw Richard Florida, a well-known urban studies professor, on CNN, and learned more ‎about the Philips Awards program. The program he was pitching on CNN didn’t call for being an urban ‎planner, just being an interested individual who is involved in some way with his or her community. ‎Thus, based on our experiences living in Sanaa, Yemen and knowing some of the challenges and ‎opportunities that face citizens there, we decided that we would submit an idea we had tested on a ‎small scale—rainwater harvesting—and which met the Philips objectives of having a simple idea ‎that is implementable and replicable.‎

In January this year, we learned that our project had been short-listed as a semi-finalist from over 450 ‎project proposals submitted from 29 countries around the world! As a follow up, an online voting ‎program opened in late February with Philips media support. ‎‎

We faced a challenge there as online voting occurred during the Arab Spring uprisings and ended in ‎late March. In April, we were invited to take part in the awards ceremony in Amsterdam, which is not ‎only a very livable city from a transportation perspective but also a great place for cycling (one of our ‎favorite activities). In the afternoon, all eight finalists met as a group and had an opportunity to ‎network with each other. We met some great individuals and hope to highlight some of their efforts ‎in future blogs. ‎

The next evening was the black tie gala awards ceremony at one of the world’s most famous ‎museums—the Rijksmuseum. As we’ve mentioned to countless ‎friends, how many people have the opportunity to dine under famous Rembrandts and other works ‎of art?! Incredible . . . and special thanks to the Rijksmuseum and Philips for organizing such an ‎elegant event with dignitaries, including the Deputy Mayor of Amsterdam, representatives from the ‎office of the Mayor of Suchi (Russian city to host 2014 Olympics), and the U.S. Ambassador to the ‎Netherlands.‎

Photo Courtesy of Philips. Photography by Robert Aarts. Finalists at Philips in Amsterdam.

At the gala event, it was an honor and pleasure to meet famous urban planners and practitioners. ‎There were a number of representatives from Philips including the CEO of Philips Benelux Henri ‎Hendriks–and the mistress of ceremonies, former CNN journalist Valerie Coleman-Morris, who ‎filmed and promoted the ideas for public vote. (She is a great supporter of women entrepreneurism .) We look forward to hearing more from all of the business leaders, idea-makers and journalists in the ‎future.‎

Of course the most special part of the evening occurred near the latter half. This is when we learned that our ‎project was the first prize winner!!!! ‎

We had no thought about being the winner and were stunned. The panelists had decided:

“What ‎really impressed us with the scheme was the proposed execution of a relatively simple concept that ‎will have such a significant impact on the lives of so many people across the city of Sana’a. We’re ‎looking forward to seeing the idea come to life and improving the health and well-being of the ‎residents of Sana’a.”‎

Thank you Philips! Special thanks to all of the supporters of this project, and most importantly thank you Yemen--the ‎challenges that you’ve presented have always been opportunities for learning and growth.‎

Finally, with this posting, there are two themes we’d like to share:‎

‎If you have a good idea that is simple and seeks a positive change, try to make it happen; and
Look for opportunities that are win-win and submit your proposal for funding.‎

Some Random Thoughts

2011-04-14T10:39:00.000-04:00

It's been forever and a day since I've posted on international exchanges. Meanwhile so many events happening around the world.

I've seen great stories about high school exchange students involved in providing assistance to Japanese families affected by the earthquake and tsunami. I've seen lots of press about the demonstrations and protests sweeping across the Middle East and North Africa but not much on ways to move forward in that region. I'm sure that policy makers are looking at different ideas, but I hope that they can convince Congress that we need to increase our exchange portfolios now between peoples and not cut them. It's a critical time where we all can benefit.

Unfortunately, I'm hearing about programs possibly being cut--programs like the language teaching assistantships. I'm also hearing stories about Americans being evacuated home without the possibility of completing their programs or grants. This practice of sending people home when there is unrest is an evolving stance. Even a couple of years ago I heard of American grantees being reassigned. In the past however that was not the case. It happened to my husband when his Fulbright student grant was cut short some years ago due to a civil war. He was lucky, however, he had completed the bulk of his research and was able to publish more than 10 articles. Unfortunately an initiative he wanted to find sponsorship for didn't get the time it needed to move forward.

In any event, expanding exchanges is an important key to moving forward for everybody.

Six Tips on Applying for Doctoral Studies in the United States

2011-01-15T08:54:00.001-05:00

Each year thousands of students around the world seek admissions into American doctoral programs. According to the Institute of International Education (IIE), over 100,000 foreign students are currently seeking doctoral degrees in the U.S. (IIE has information about student numbers through its Open Doors information resource.) The numbers are significant as admission into doctoral programs is an extremely competitive process; and space is limited. For example, some departments have a limitation in the number of doctoral candidates they mentor at any given time. Competition is even higher for funding American doctoral programs which can take a few years to as many as seven or eight years—a significant sum of money and time for anyone—to complete.

EducationUSA provides links to several online resources on doctoral programs and financial aid, in addition to books and other resources in their centers around the world. Some great resources exist at home too. In fact some of the best tips come from successful Yemeni doctoral candidates currently in the U.S., or how have just completed their programs and returned home. Their experiences are distilled to help you become a successful doctoral candidate.

Here are the six top tips.

Tip #1: Networking and Laying the Groundwork. Take every opportunity to meet people who have studied in the U.S. or are teaching at U.S. institutions.

“I had an opportunity some years after returning to Yemen to attend the TESOL International conference [the world’s largest English teaching conference] in Texas. I had been working as a teacher of English as a foreign language but my previous academic study was in literature. The conference was important in many ways. I learned a lot of new information on the field and got to bring home a lot of resources. I also met some linguistics professors from the University of Memphis. They were planning a teacher training workshop later in the year in Yemen. When I returned to Yemen, I looked at the university’s website and the requirements for applying for its doctoral program. I saw that there was a match and I started the application process. When the professors came to Yemen, I spoke to them again and stayed in touch. I told them that to afford their program I needed an assistantship that could provide me with a stipend and tuition reduction. The meeting and following up the contacts helped. I not only got admitted to the program a year later but had an opportunity to teach soon after I arrived into the U.S. One of the professors I met in Texas later served on my dissertation committee.” – Shafiqa Anwar, doctoral candidate in Applied Linguistics at the University of Memphis and faculty of the Institute of Languages at Aden University.

Tip #2: Researching and applying to many appropriate institutions as early as possible. Most doctoral candidates note that they applied to more than one institution.

“The University of Minnesota was one of ten universities to which I applied for doctoral study, and one of three universities that admitted me . . . Applying for doctoral programs is a one-year process that calls for compliance with the university deadlines and fulfillment of its requirements, i.e. standardized tests, letters of recommendation, statements of purpose, writing samples, etc. So, start your application process the earliest possible! Set certain criteria for your selection of the universities. The more programs you apply for, the better your chances are.”-Waleed Mahdi, doctoral candidate in American Studies at the University of Minnesota, ICGC-MacArthur Fellow, founder of the Network of Yemeni Scholars (NYS), with Taiz University.

Tip #3: Get good recommendation letters. Request you current professors to recommend you. The letters should be written confidentially and directly to the university’s department chair.

Tip #4: Have a strong academic record and the appropriate examinations. Make sure that you meet the required standardized test scores as well as other academic requirements. Waleed Mahdi also note: “I looked at all the programs I was interested in for my doctorate. I had a lot of options as I finished my Masters' with a 4.0 GPA. That made it very easy to get my doctorate admission. There were other requirements too like, GRE.”

Tip #5: Build a good resume and demonstrate prior teaching or research experience. In addition to work experience it is useful to have publications, in professional journals or in other accessible content. “While I was looking at the programs I was interested in, I was also looking for opportunities for a scholarship and an assistantship. These would be the main source for my tuition fees and stipend. I got both. While working on my master’s, I already had the chance to be a teaching assistant. This experience helped me a lot during these first years of my PhD. I did very well working with my professors that I could go from being a teacher assistant to an adjunct faculty now. Working as an adjunct is a main source of funding and has built up my resume which I started before applying for my PhD.” – Farouk

Tip #6: Perseverance and Hard Work. All the previous steps have mentioned the preparation for the application. Simply put, it takes a lot of hard work to put together a number of good applications for doctoral program as well as funding for those programs. However once the applications are submitted, the work isn’t done. It’s important to follow up all requests for additional information as soon as possible. “Remember, my motto ‘persistence’ and ‘consistency’ are keys to success.” –Waleed Mahdi, NYS

Some good tips to success! Special thanks to contributors and good luck on your journeys!

Update on Spotlight: AAUW International Fellowships for Women

2010-09-24T01:06:00.000-04:00

It's time again for the annual AAUW International Fellowship for Women. Deadline for application is December 15. See http://www.aauw.org/learn/fellowships_grants/international.cfm for more details.

Why International Students Choose to Study in the USA

2010-09-16T04:25:00.002-04:00

Just found a new YouTube video from EducationUSAtv channel on why international students have chosen to study in the U.S. Click here for this YouTube clip.

What happens when you don’t get the scholarship that you wanted?‎

2010-08-25T15:58:00.001-04:00

Okay . . . so you didn’t get the scholarship you wanted. Are you still upset and angry that you weren’t ‎selected? Well, not succeeding in everything we do happens to the best of us. We can’t all succeed in ‎every competition, all the time. Even the famous American tennis stars, the Williams sisters, have ‎been defeated many times in their careers. There are many factors that contribute to not succeeding, ‎and most, if not all, rest with the applicant. There’s just one thing to do if you really want that ‎scholarship. Go back and take a good look at the program’s eligibility requirements and mission. If ‎you weren’t qualified this time, carefully review all program documents to see if you can meet the ‎program’s requirements in the future, and if you can meet those requirements, then improve yourself ‎and try again. ‎

Here’s what you might be able to improve for the future:‎

•Test scores – your standardized test scores don’t meet the minimum requirements. ‎

Recommendations: You might be able to increase your test scores. Take EL classes; take ‎refresher classes “even if you’ve already learned the material before”; and then enroll in a ‎TOEFL prep class and/or other standardized test prep class. If there aren’t any classes ‎available when you’re free, check out online programs. Work hard and improve your scores.‎

•Letters of Recommendation: Your recommendations don’t say much about you. ‎

Recommendations: Get more work experience and build solid networks and relationships. If ‎your recommendations weren’t particularly strong, get more experience and work harder to ‎impress your supervisors and make their letters stronger. When you request a letter, give the ‎recommender information about your experience, ideas, and qualifications that you feel are ‎important to stress in the letter of recommendation. Nowadays a lot of recommendations can ‎be uploaded online confidentially so you’ll not know what the recommender writes. So, ‎make sure that you have solid work experience to back up what you hope is written and that ‎you have a good relationship with the writer.‎

•Resume and Curriculum Vitae: Your resume has lots of errors. The most common errors are ‎spelling mistakes and not listing relevant information or in a logical format. ‎

Recommendation: Review websites on how to write a good resume. Here’s one good site for ‎steps to consider for your college resume: http://www.gocollege.com/financial-‎aid/scholarships/apply/resume.html.‎

•Essays: Your essays didn’t answer the questions, or they indicate weak analytical skills. ‎

Recommendations: Get a friend or acquaintance with experience writing essays to look at ‎yours. Let the words be your own but get assistance to make sure that the information is ‎clear and that you answered the questions and addressed the topic(s) correctly. ‎

At the same time, if you’re not a native speaker, reviewers will expect to see some mistakes ‎or structural issues in your writing. While it’s important that the essays are clear and ‎understandable, having a perfectly-written essay will alert the reviewer that either you had ‎someone write it for you, or you may have plagiarized the essay. Both are sure ways to get ‎rejected from a scholarship program and it is easier now than ever before to search for ‎plagiarized text with the Internet and other computerized search tools.‎

•Interviews: That interview didn’t go as well as you thought. Well it might have gone fairly ‎well, but chances are someone else had a better interview than you did. ‎

Recommendations: Since there aren’t scholarships for everyone who interviews, you ‎probably need to practice, practice, practice—both listening and extemporaneous speaking ‎skills! Half of the story is your ability to understand the question and provide a clear answer ‎that is not rehearsed. So, read up on interviewing skills and then try out practice interviews ‎with friends.‎

Of course the above list presumes that you can fix certain things to be more competitive next time ‎around. The reality is a scholarship involves a competition, and nothing is handed out on a silver ‎platter so you have to work for those improvements. ‎

However, there are things that you can’t fix. You need to be honest with yourself about such ‎eligibility requirements too. The short answer is that, in some cases, you may simply not be eligible ‎for the particular scholarship you’re applying for. ‎

•Other Eligibility and Scholarship Mission Requirements: Did you read all the requirements and ‎notes about the program carefully? Do you have the required work experience; do you have ‎the right sequence of life events; or are you aware of your employment situation or other ‎obligations that may be disqualifiers?‎

Recommendations: It’s important that you review every piece of information about the ‎requirements, mission, and your own personal situation. If for example, you have a two-year ‎home residency requirement to fulfill (because you already had a U.S. government ‎scholarship and a J-1 visa), then meet it before looking into new options. ‎

Also find out the mission statement of the scholarship program and think about how the ‎mission will impact you. For example, if you are applying for a U.S. scholarship and you’ve ‎already been to the U.S, find out if the program prefers to award grants to individuals without ‎prior U.S. experience. If that is the case, then be prepared for the possibility that if there are ‎candidates without U.S. experience (even ones you may personally feel aren’t as qualified as ‎you are), then your application may not be as competitive. The mission of the scholarships ‎program is very important so learn what it is.‎

What other things you probably can’t, and shouldn’t try, to fix:‎

•Grades: Your grades were good but they are just not good enough. Or, you got a D your ‎freshman year of university, and it’s coming back to haunt you.‎

Recommendation: You need to look for another opportunity that doesn’t have the same ‎Grade Point Average (GPA) requirements or focus on another opportunity that looks at ‎experience. But remember a lot of scholarships focus on the GPAs AND actual grades. People ‎don’t become honor students with Ds on their transcripts. Here’s where you have to be ‎honest with yourself. You might otherwise be a good candidate but if you don’t have the ‎strong grade basis, you’re wasting your time and that of the interview committee. ‎

Also, don’t try to alter your grades—aside from the fact that you are depriving someone who ‎deserves an opportunity (yes there is always someone who is better than you are), you’ll ‎eventually get caught. Falsifying documents is not cool, and it’s against the law and will ‎definitely assure that you never qualify for the scholarship program that you applied to.‎

•Age: Some programs have age requirements. It’s pretty simple. Are you the right age or not? ‎

Recommendation: If you’re too young, no problem. Wait a year or two and work on improving ‎the other points mentioned above. If you’re too old, , then move on and think about a Plan ‎B, Plan C or Plan D, but not this one. And like above, don’t falsify documents. In the long run, ‎it hurts you.‎

In short, not every program is a match, so keep looking until you find a match. And when you find a ‎match, then work hard to make sure you understand the eligibility requirements and the program’s ‎mission. Don’t assume that one is less important than the other. ‎

Finally, once you get your opportunity (if you work hard, things will happen) make sure you do all the ‎right things to hold on to the opportunity. If you don’t, as you probably can remember from the initial ‎application process and all the other steps of the process, there are usually a lot of people waiting in ‎the wings for this chance.
‎
Good luck on your journey!‎

Women Studying in the USA: Spotlight On a Yemeni Fulbright Student

2010-07-22T02:41:00.004-04:00

Many of us have heard the stories of women in Saudi Arabia fighting for their right to drive ‎themselves. But, their activism seems so remote in Sanaa, a city where Yemeni women are seen ‎every day driving their own cars, using public transportation on their own, going to school, working in ‎offices and shops, and voting. The picture of life for women in Yemen’s capital is one, however, that ‎is remarkably different for Yemeni women in other areas of the country. So it was a surprise for me to ‎learn that one of the first female drivers in the governorate of Hadhramaut, a conservative Yemeni ‎province located hundreds of kilometers east of Sanaa, is now in the United States studying for a ‎master’s degree in English.
‎
Shada* is now in her second year of an English Literature program at Appalachian State University in ‎Boone, North Carolina. There aren’t a large number of Yemeni students studying in the U.S., and an ‎even smaller number are women. But those few women represent diverse backgrounds and ‎interests. ‎

Shada first heard about the Fulbright program in 2008: “I learned about the Fulbright Program ‎through AMIDEAST’s Country Director who was visiting my university, Hadhramaut University of ‎Science and Technology. He encouraged me to apply . . . even though I felt it was a very hard thing to ‎achieve.”‎

‎“As an instructor at Hadhramaut University I had opportunities to study in Egypt, Jordan, or Malaysia, ‎but I always dreamt of studying English literature in an English-speaking country. I wanted to be in ‎the environment that produced such literature. I also wanted to experience the unique academic ‎systems and the top-notch staff of professors that I am now experiencing and meeting in America. ‎When I heard about the Fulbright program, I felt that there was a chance for my dream to come true. I ‎applied, and did all I could to make it happen. . . . I am very proud that I am a Fulbrighter – every ‎minute I spent working towards this achievement has been worth it.”‎

As a Yemeni woman in the U.S. who seeks to attend professional conferences within the U.S. after ‎recent press raising Yemen’s prominence as a haven for terrorists, Shada has found traveling to be a ‎challenge. “In my university, everybody knows me pretty well now, and they do not care much about ‎me being from another country.” Although Shada wears hijab, she notes that people “do not look at ‎me in a different way; however, for people I have just met, I have to spend some time talking to ‎them before they recognize that people are the same although they live in different countries. I try ‎to explain to them with simple examples from daily life how we might be different in our life styles ‎and the same in our ambitions and our need to connect with others. The real challenge I face in the ‎U.S. is in the airports. When security finds out that I am from Yemen, they start by taking me aside ‎and requiring searches. It’s only in those few times that I realize that ‘Oh, I am from Yemen and living ‎in the United States.’”Nevertheless, in her short time in the U.S. she has attended a pre-academic ‎workshop in San Diego and a Fulbright enrichment seminar in Chicago. Shada has also begun to learn to play ‎tennis.‎

The biggest challenge for most international students while living and studying abroad is ‎homesickness. Shada agrees: “I have two beautiful daughters back home whom I miss so much. But I ‎manage it by keeping myself busy with study and with the company of friends I have made here. I ‎find ways to send my family pictures of me in school, attending conferences, with my friends, and ‎they enjoy all the pictures I send from the U.S. I recommend that other students do the same for ‎their family members at home.”‎

After completing her master’s degree, Shada would like to pursue a doctorate and then return to ‎Hadhramaut University, where she would be engaged in teaching English language and literature ‎courses in the women’s college at the University. “I intend to encourage girls in Hadhramaut to trust ‎in their abilities and to find opportunities to achieve their dreams. I will be able to set an example for ‎them – an example that there are no limits for their dreams.” Shada has already begun by setting the ‎example by driving her own car around her hometown in Mukalla.‎

She adds, “I especially hope to work with young students to teach them to think creatively and to use ‎their knowledge and apply it to their real lives. Yemeni students have been taught to memorize and ‎to take a test based on that information. That is all, unfortunately. I want them to analyze, to criticize, ‎and to construct. For example, they are not used to taking a piece of writing and analyzing it and ‎seeing if they like it or not. They have to been taught to admire everything a teacher says, to be ‎passive, and to not think for themselves. I would like to change this [way of thinking] because this ‎power can bring out a change in people’s lives—to think for themselves, express themselves, and act ‎for themselves.”‎

Shada acknowledges that she has many uphill battles to overcome, particularly in her return to ‎Yemen. “I do not feel that anything is difficult for an American woman, but in Yemen, a woman must ‎struggle a lot to achieve even the simplest rights. It was not possible for me to think to study abroad ‎for my bachelor’s, for example. Maybe this will change for other women in the future.”‎

For positive change to occur in Yemen, Shada says that “it is important for Yemeni people to study ‎outside of Yemen.” Shada has a caveat: “At the same time, it is very important for Americans to study ‎abroad as well. Living and studying in another society makes for profound understanding of the ‎people in that society. None of us (Yemenis or Americans) will ever understand people and know ‎how they think until we live with others and we are willing and able to see things from their point of ‎view. This is important now as the media plays an important role in keeping different nations ‎different and deepening the gap between people. Studying outside of one’s country is not only ‎about seeking knowledge or language skills, it is also about bringing people together and building ‎mutual understanding for all of us.”‎

To a Hadhrami pioneer, good luck on your journey!

U.S. Exchange Program Alumni: Anti-Qat Initiatives

2010-07-22T02:25:00.000-04:00

U.S. Youth Exchange and Study (YES) Program alumni are involved in their communities ... from environmental issues, to historic and cultural preservation, civil society and health awareness. Here's the story of one Yemen YES alumnus and his Facebook campaign against qat.

U.S. Exchange and Public Diplomacy Programs on Earth Day 2010

2010-07-21T02:10:00.000-04:00

Around the world participants from U.S. exchange programs and other public diplomacy initiatives take part in Earth Day and other international events. Yemen Youth Exchange and Study (YES) alumnus from the first year of the program organizes Earth Day activities in Sanaa, Yemen.

Pioneering Women Educators in Yemen, Part I

2010-07-20T00:13:00.005-04:00

For part of on-going series on pioneering women educators in Yemen,
Click Here

Three Tips to Applying for Scholarships

2010-05-14T08:55:00.004-04:00

I received a few questions recently about how to apply for scholarships. Most of these questions ‎have to do with misunderstandings regarding an applicant’s relevant background, so I’m posting ‎a previous article below with a few updates.‎

Winning a scholarship involves both effort and time. Many people dream and talk a lot about what ‎they’ll do to get a scholarship, but find themselves daunted by the requirements. The result is ‎that they don’t even bother applying or, worse, they apply for the wrong program. All scholarships ‎are worth the effort but not all scholarships should be applied for. With some scholarships ‎valued at over $100,000, the months of effort are really worth it! So how does one apply for a ‎competitive scholarship?
‎ ‎
Tip #1: When you hear about a scholarship opportunity, read all of the available information about ‎the scholarship and its eligibility requirements. Make sure that you are applying for the right ‎scholarship. If you meet the eligibility requirements, then you should submit an application form ‎and all the necessary supporting documents. If you don’t meet the requirements, then don’t ‎apply. Special note: Keep in mind that most scholarships require high grade point averages. This ‎is the basic part of a candidate’s background and profile package. “Check if you are eligible to ‎apply for it or not. It is important to read and go through the conditions carefully and then check if ‎you are able to meet them.” Hamid Al Thairi, U.S. Department of State Fulbright grantee ‎completing his master’s degree study at Oakland University
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Tip #2: Be organized, complete, and neat. Once you have determined that this is the right ‎scholarship, read the scholarship’s stated conditions and instructions repeatedly until you are ‎sure that you have completed every step properly. If the application says fill out every question, ‎then fill out every question even if the question doesn’t apply to you. You didn’t have required civil ‎service? Then write “not applicable.” Don’t leave questions blank for the reader to guess the ‎answer, because chances are the reader has many applications to review, won’t bother to ‎guess, and will just put aside the application as incomplete. ‎
For the same reasons, don’t submit a messy, torn, bent or hard-to-read application. If you don’t ‎take the effort and time to fill out the application both completely and neatly, that sends a strong ‎message to the selection committee that you’re not very interested in the opportunity. “If you ‎have the credentials like good grades, you should be enthusiastic and ambitious. I worked hard ‎and I wanted it, so I got it! One of the most important characteristics is to be organized. No one ‎can help you with everything. You have to help yourself, and that prepares you for your program ‎when you have to be responsible and handle your life by yourself.” Ahmed Saleh, U.S. ‎Department of State Youth Exchange and Study alumnus
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Tip #3: Get good recommendations and follow the process for getting the recommendations. If ‎the instructions require that the recommendation forms are to be sent in a sealed envelope, ‎make sure the recommender seals the envelope with his/her signature and stamp. “The ‎recommendation letters are very important for scholarship programs…I think that my American ‎professors wrote good things about me that convinced the admissions here team to take me.” – ‎Farouk Al Salihi, U.S. Department of State PLUS alumnus, and MBI Al Jaber Foundation ‎alumnus of the London School of Economics

Extra Tip: Try again for the right opportunities. If you don’t succeed the first time, don’t worry. ‎Look back on the process and see what you can do to improve yourself for the next round. Or ‎check out a more appropriate opportunity. Keep in mind that every successful person has also ‎experienced failure and the truly successful always note that failure is the key to their success. ‎Real failure is only failure when we don’t get back up and try again. Yusuf Bamahra, a U.S. ‎Department of State Fulbright alumnus adds: “If you are qualified, don’t give up if you apply and ‎do not succeed; instead you should apply as many times as it takes to get nominated.”
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Good luck on your journey!‎

International Education and Scholarship Programs in Yemen

2010-03-31T16:33:00.003-04:00

Earlier this month, I had the opportunity to meet with Dr. Mustafa Bahran, the former Minister of Electricity in the Republic of Yemen as well as a full professor at Sanaa University. Although our paths should have crossed some years earlier, they hadn’t until Dr. Bahran had written two articles in the Yemeni English weekly, the Yemen Observer, about a special need for Yemen’s development. Dr. Bahran’s articles caught my attention because they addressed a critical need that hasn’t been as frequently expressed in articles or reports that I have seen. This need is to strive to develop Yemeni human resources, specifically through opportunities for bright Yemeni students to study in western countries like the United States. Given our shared interest, I am sharing highlights from our brief discussion.

Dr. Bahran wrote his articles about Yemen’s needs from his own experiences. As he explained to me, he was a young teaching assistant in (and very recent graduate of) the newly-formed department of physics at Sanaa University when he “was selected to take part in the country’s faculty development program.” The faculty development program covered one year of English language training in the U.S. “As soon as I arrived into the U.S., I mixed with American students so that I could improve my language,” he explained to me.

Completing his English language training successfully, Dr. Bahran was subsequently admitted to the University of Oklahoma’s master’s and later doctoral programs in physics. “Our program of study was very weak in Yemen and I felt very challenged the first few weeks at the U.S. university. Fortunately, I was able to ‘repeat’ senior year undergraduate courses at Oklahoma and then undertake my graduate level work. In spite of having to complete English language training and then two semesters of undergraduate coursework in the U.S., I still managed to complete my doctorate in less time than what the average doctoral student in my field requires and I did this with high marks,” he proudly notes.

Dr. Bahran’s American stories, his academic challenges as well as his successes are not unusual for key Yemeni leaders of his generation. Dr. Bahran’s master’s and doctoral degrees were supported by arguably one of the most successful United States Agency for International Development (USAID) programs in the country, a series of educational scholarships for Yemenis to study in U.S. institutions. The USAID scholarships would eventually develop the talent who staffed and continue to staff the faculties of the country’s only university (at the time) and who developed other governmental institutions, both in the capital and in some of the governorates. It is in fact estimated that from the late 1970s until the USAID programs ended in 1996, over 700 Yemenis from around the country received USAID scholarships to complete bachelor’s, or master’s and, in some cases, doctoral programs in the U.S. Today, many of the USAID graduates like Dr. Bahran are prominent academics; others are successful businessmen and still others are high-ranking government officials. The USAID graduates can be found in almost every ministry and our leaders in the private sector, and they have fond memories and great stories of their time in the U.S. to share.

The last set of USAID scholarships were awarded in 1996. With the high cost of higher education in the U.S., there are few opportunities for Yemenis now to receive the coveted American education that a previous generation had greater access to. As I understand it, Dr. Bahran and other graduates of U.S. institutions have a vision to increase the number of Yemeni students in the U.S. It is believed that bright and talented Yemenis can make positive change in their country if they are given the educational tools to do so. I hope that we will be able to resume our conversation about how to support educational opportunities in the U.S. for talented Yemeni students.

On Women's Colleges and Universities in the U.S.

2010-02-28T01:24:00.004-05:00

There are a number of educational institutions in the U.S. that meet a variety of specialized needs and purposes. A somewhat surprising fact for many international students interested in studying in the states is that the U.S. has institutions of higher education for women only.

In fact, in a recent post for the New York Time's blog “The Choice,” one young woman commented that according to her research it seemed that very few international female students know about women-only institutions. In her opinion, this lack of information contributes to the fact that few international women apply to these institutions. (“A Young Champion of Women’s Colleges” at Click Here).

Despite this lack of awareness, women’s colleges and universities are an integral part of higher education in the U.S. Women’s colleges and universities add to the many options for female students interested in studying in the U.S. Further, a number of American women-only institutions provide generous financial aid packages for international students with strong academic backgrounds, top test scores, and interesting backgrounds and pursuits.

International women interested in women’s universities have the opportunity to join famous graduates of these colleges. Such personalities include one former and one current U.S. Secretary of State. Former Secretary of State Madeline Albright and current Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton attended the same women’s university—Wellesley, in Massachusetts. Diane Sawyer, a long-time news broadcaster with the show, “Good Morning America,” is also a Wellesley graduate. Other well known businesswomen and women mentors have also attended all-women institutions.

Currently, a Yemeni student, Lubna Saquran, attends Mount Holyoke College in Hadley, Massachusetts (http://www.mtholyoke.edu/ ). Lubna, a first-year bachelor degree student, is an alumna of the U.S. Department of State English Access Microscholarship Program, and she learned about Mount Holyoke College through EducationUSA center at AMIDEAST Sanaa. Lubna writes: “I have noticed the incredible lack of Yemeni women in U.S. women colleges. The thing is that I think a lot of female students in Yemen do not know how highly U.S. women’s colleges want them in order to increase their students' community diversity.”

Another hurdle in pursuing bachelor degree studies in the U.S., according to Lubna, is that Yemeni women and their families “think it's almost impossible to get into a U.S. college. . . I would suggest if some sort of awareness campaign for talented young women starts in Yemen about how to get into an American school and how to use the advantage of being a Yemeni young woman . . .” In Lubna’s opinion, “if parents know that it is okay for their daughters to go, by exposing stories of girls [like me] who went to the U.S. . . . were not hurt in a way or another, it will help increase the number of girls applying for American colleges.”

Well said Lubna! As a first step, visit the EducationUSA center at AMIDEAST in Sana’a to learn about available women colleges and universities. More information on these institutions is also available at the women’s college coalition: http://www.womenscolleges.org/. This useful site maintains a list of women’s colleges in both the U.S. and Canada.

Investing in Women

2010-02-07T01:48:00.008-05:00

I've been busy working on a variety of programs that relate to empowering women and hope to have a few posts about international education and women in the near future.

In the meantime, for your reading pleasure, here's a link to an article on entrepreneurship and women in Yemen.

http://www.yemen-today.com/go/general/3652.html

An EducationUSA Center? What’s That? A whole lot things . . Check it out!

2009-11-08T05:05:00.002-05:00

Over the last several months, Yemeni students have shared their first-hand experiences and advice about studying abroad—in the U.S., Canada and Qatar. We’ve also learned about ways to stay in touch with students who are abroad. Getting advice from alumni and current participants is invaluable—they offer a lot of ideas about where to start. Of course, it is also useful to receive additional guidance from experts and professionals working in the field of international education.

For studying in the U.S., there are centers around the world called EducationUSA centers, funded by the U.S. Department of State. These U.S. Department of State centers provide students with up-to-date information about studying and training in the U.S.

EducationUSA advisors supervise the centers and the advisors usually have experience studying in the United States themselves. The advisors arrange for presentations year-round about all aspects of American education and higher education for students interested in studying in the U.S.

EducationUSA centers can be of great assistance in embarking upon the international education journey. Here’s one Yemeni student’s account about how an EducationUSA center made a positive impact on his educational plans. “My name is Waddah. I am from Hadhramout, specifically from the town of Shihr, where I did my elementary and secondary school studies. In the gap year following secondary school, I traveled to Aden and joined AMIDEAST Aden as a student to improve my English language skills. I then started college in 2003 at the University of Aden, majoring in what was then a new department, Information Technology . . . I first became interested in the idea of education abroad when I was studying English at AMIDEAST where there was a small EducationUSA library, and then especially after attending a talk by the educational advisor, Mrs. Marcia. She talked about studying in the U.S. and about how to prepare to be qualified for academic scholarships and opportunities.”

Waddah’s story continues: “I had already joined the University of Aden and was actually thinking that after this I will apply for a master’s degree scholarship. However, from AMIDEAST I found out about a special U.S. Department of State two-year undergraduate scholarship. I saw an ad posted at the AMIDEAST Aden reception. It sounded like an interesting program and then I didn’t hesitate to ask AMIDEAST Aden’s friendly staff to get more information about this great opportunity.”
Waddah was not initially thinking about studying abroad, but his interest grew with exposure to the small EducationUSA branch library of around 100 titles and resources that can help guide students about studying in the U.S. Waddah also cites his interaction with American visitors to the center’s cultural hours as well as qualified instructors at AMIDEAST with furthering his interest in studying abroad.

Today Waddah’s journey is continuing: “I am currently studying for my master’s degree in computer science at the University of Calgary where I am also a graduate teaching assistant. I found out about this opportunity by both searching on the internet and following some of the advice I had got from Mrs. Marcia which included:

“‘Think carefully of what you want your academic future to be before you make your final decision; that is you should think about what you want to study before you choose the country and the university.

Get timelines and schedules and plan ahead of time so that you don’t miss the deadlines.

Use different kinds of resources (the Internet, educational experts, AMIDEAST staff and visitors, and the EducationUSA library located at AMIDEAST Aden and Sanaa offices in Yemen) to get as much information as you can about opportunities and funding possibilities.

Explore the website of the university you wish to apply to.

Prepare yourself to be qualified enough for what you are applying for.

Be confident and trust yourself that you deserve whatever you are applying for.’”

Waddah believes: “International education opportunities are not difficult to get, you only need to work hard on getting [what you want] and you should never give up. I believe that without AMIDEAST—its staff and the EducationUSA library, after Allah and my parents, I wouldn’t be able to reach the achievements I have achieved.”
So check out the EducationUSA center! For visitors during the week of November 16 through 20, EducationUSA centers across the world will be undertaking a variety of activities to support International Education Week.

Scholarship Focus: AAUW International Fellowships for Women

2009-10-22T03:42:00.004-04:00

nThere are a number of funding opportunities for study and training abroad. One interesting program is designed for women from around the world to pursue either master’s degrees, or professional research, or doctoral degrees, or post-doctoral fellowships at accredited U.S. institutions of higher learning. Since its inception in the early 1900s, this program, known as the AAUW Education Foundation’s International Fellowship, has offered over 3,000 fellowships for international women to pursue higher studies and conduct research in the United States.

The scholarship is sponsored by AAUW (formerly, the American Association of University Women), an organization dedicated to the advancement of women in higher education and promoting equity in education. As part of AAUW’s varied programming to support women and education initiatives, its International Fellowship has assisted women in all areas and from all walks of life. Fellows have included well-known artists, scientists, and civic leaders. Some recent fellows are working on cutting-edge research and technology such as “biosensors for the early detection and treatment of breast cancer” and developing sustainable programs for aquifer storage and recovery. Others are looking at the role of civil society in sustainable environmental policies and social enterprise.

Applicants for either master’s or doctoral degrees should be women who hold bachelor degrees from an accredited institution in any field of study and seek to pursue either full-time study or research in the U.S. Applicants should also have an acceptance letter from an accredited U.S. institution in hand. Winning the AAUW International Fellowship is a very competitive process. Out of the over 1,000 applications received annually from around the world, only 70 to 75 women succeed in receiving fellowships each year.

Yemen has yet to see a fellowship finalist, according to the AAUW online database of past and current recipients, but last year, the first Yemeni woman made it to the alternate stage. Three important tips for potential Yemeni applicants include the following. First, special attention is given to carefully-crafted research proposals. Second, applicants should have financial need and be able to demonstrate how they may be able to put together a financial package that covers all of their expenses above the AAUW fellowship. Third, applicants should be able to demonstrate the ability to disseminate information regarding their studies; this ability is usually evidenced by already having publications and significant experience or research on one’s curriculum vitae.

Applications for the 2010 – 2011 academic year are now available online from the AAUW website. The deadline for application submission is: December 1, 2009. For more information and an application, please visit: http://www.aauw.org/education/fga/fellowships_grants/international.cfm. The website also provides contact information for the AAUW International Fellowship office in Iowa.

Six Tips on How to Prepare for a Scholarship Interview

2009-10-03T03:47:00.003-04:00

Your scholarship application is complete. You feel that you are a competitive scholarship candidate. And guess what? You have just been called for an interview! Yes! That’s the good news, but now the reality hits. What do you do to show that you really should get this scholarship? Here are a few recommendations provided by both successful candidates and experienced scholarship interviewers.

Before the Interview

Recommendation #1: Read about the scholarship program and understand its purpose. The first thing you need to do for any scholarship is to read up on the program. Find out why the funder of the scholarship is supporting the program. When possible, seek out program alumni who might also be able to describe the program to you. Learn about the program’s history and purpose, and then list and describe the connections between your own future plans and the scholarship’s goals. Keep in mind that many scholarship donors want to hear about how you’ll use your new-found knowledge or credentials to benefit Yemen and your community at large. They’re not interested in hearing only about how you will help yourself or your future financial prospects.

Recommendation #2: Prepare yourself for all kinds of questions. Don’t just think about the obvious questions like what you are interested in studying and why. Scholarship interviewers have been known to ask almost any kind of question that they want to ask, even ones that seem to have nothing to do with your study or research interests or future plans. Interviewers can ask you, for example, about your ideas or thoughts on current events, global trends, or academic debates. This means that it is a good idea to think about different questions in addition to the usual, easy question, ‘why do you want this scholarship?”

Fortunately, there are resources in educational advising centers and the Internet that can help you think about all kinds of scholarship questions. Mohialdeen Al Outumi, a U.S. Department of State Fulbright alumnus and English Access Microscholarship Program instructor who is now working towards a doctoral degree notes, “As we all know a scholarship, especially the Fulbright Scholarship, is not something easy to get . . . Hence, I took preparing for the interview very seriously. A few days before the scheduled interview, I googled the phrase ‘prepare for a scholarship interview,’ and this resulted in many website links. Then, I went through some of the links but actually I liked the one from the “Scholarship Preparation” blog (http://www.scholarshippreparations.com/category/scholarship-interview). I tried my best to utilize their tips, which were really useful.”

Aside from looking at examples of questions and ideas on how to answer them, Mohialdeen also suggested preparing for the questions by practice interviewing with a friend in a mock session: “I also did my utmost to practice some anticipated questions with a friend of mine. This helped me look for ways to enhance my composure and draw out my personality. It also helped me feel confident about my discourse skills such as clear speaking, smiling, and maintaining eye contact. These are important for an interview.”

On the Interview Day

Recommendation #3: Dress appropriately and be on time. By this time, you should have learned as much as you can about the scholarship, you should be able to state clearly what your interests are, and you have conducted practice sessions presenting your ideas as well as your future plans. Now, you also need to present yourself well. Dress appropriately. Being dressed in jeans, for example, may make you feel relaxed, but it can suggest to the interview committee that you are too relaxed and not that interested.

Also make sure to arrive early for the interview. Give yourself plenty of time for possible delays on the way to the appointment. From my experience, this is a simple recommendation that is often overlooked because candidates are nervous. Just like not being dressed well, arriving late to the appointment sends the wrong message too: you don’t care about the scholarship and you don’t care about the interview committee. The reaction to one or both mistakes can be reciprocated: the committee won’t care about you and you probably won’t be viewed as a serious candidate.

Recommendation #4: Follow the guidelines of the interview and make sure to give the interviewer time to ask his or her questions. Interview committees usually explain the schedule or plan for the interview at the start of the process. Give the committee members time to describe the schedule even if you think you know what it is. Usually the process is that interviewees are asked a few standard questions followed by more thought-provoking ones and then are provided with an opportunity to ask a question at the end. In short, you will have a chance to talk. Nonetheless, since there are time limits on interviews, it means that you should not memorize a speech. In fact it is best to avoid memorized speeches and presenting them without pause. Skilled interviewers will recognize these quickly and many will not be impressed. Stick to sharing general thoughts and utilizing discourse skills that you have practiced in your preparation sessions.

Recommendation #5: Answer the questions with full, thoughtful answers. Donors who fund scholarship programs want diversity. They want people who represent many different opinions and backgrounds, and who can explain how they fit those concepts of diversity. Answering either “yes or no” or with brief, one-sentence response doesn’t give the interview panel or committee much information to work with. It doesn’t help you draw an interesting personal profile of yourself or achieve a successful interview.

Recommendation #6: Finally, be yourself and don’t worry about the results. Try to see the interview as a learning experience and an opportunity to meet new people. Being able to think about varying questions posed by different people will help you in your future. Think positively about your experience. If you don’t succeed this time, there may be other opportunities in the future. Try and prepare again. Farouk Al Salihi, a U.S. Department of State PLUS scholarship grantee and now a master’s degree candidate at the London School of Economics writes, “Be confident, do not lie, relax, and go to the interview keeping in mind that if you ‘blow’ it, it will not be the end of the world—nor the end of you either.”

Thank you Mohialdeen and Farouk for your useful insights! We look forward to hearing more great things about both of you again!

The Traditional Classroom versus Online Learning: What’s Best for Me?

2009-08-14T03:07:00.004-04:00

With the growth of the Internet and social networks that convey vast amounts of information instantly, higher education and training opportunities are now accessible to increasing numbers of people. Do you need more training and education? Definitely! Studies show that those who pursue higher education and seek to update their skills through training are offered better jobs and more interesting career paths. They also benefit from long-term income security. Both traditional classroom study and online learning are utilized today to upgrade skills, but many want to know if one way is better than the other?

Actually, the short answer is neither . . . but both. What? Well, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s “Evaluation of Evidence Based Practices in Online Learning” 2009 report, a mixture of online and face-to-face learning may be the best way to acquire new skills. However, while the findings seems to indicate that such a combination is the most fruitful for many learners, there are numerous factors to consider in determining how you wish to pursue higher studies. These factors include your learner personality; how close a traditional campus is to you; your work schedule; and whether online or bricks-and-mortar providers offer your chosen field of study.

One of the key advantages of an on-campus program is being able to learn from others through direct interaction and feedback. On-campus students or in-class participants have the opportunity to interact with instructors, facilitators, colleagues, and others face-to-face. Students studying on a traditional campus also have the opportunity to participate in events and supplemental activities ranging from seminars to plays that are often organized on traditional campuses. Further, these students can develop more meaningful relationships when they are in face-to-face situations, and these relationships can help develop professional networks and opportunities.

On the other hand, distance learning programs or online training courses have advantages as well, particularly for people who are unable to travel easily. For individuals who are busy, have an erratic work schedule, or who are unable to or cannot afford to take time off or travel away from friends and family, online courses can prove both challenging and rewarding. Distance learning gives students more potential study options enabling them to take courses, subjects, or majors that may not be available in their country or near home. Another advantage is that online programs can be less expensive – there are no additional costs for commuting to campus or for campus room and board. Additionally, students can work full time and not have to give up that income while studying.

Distance learning has its challenges as well. It requires a unique set of personal characteristics. An individual has to be self motivated. Although motivation can come from knowing that one has colleagues in the program who share similar interests, ultimately signing in to your courses requires strong personal discipline. Distance learning often requires reliable Internet access—still a problem in some areas of the world. Some programs require that students conduct online projects cooperatively at the same time–such schedules may make the program difficult for international students. Other programs have a short on-campus or residency component. Thus for international students, it is important to understand and check all the options of online programs and their requirements before signing up.

A few years ago a working woman in Yemen asked me whether she should pursue a degree abroad at an institution that was not her first choice (it was not in the U.S. and did not offer courses in all her areas of interest), or to pursue an American distance learning program over the Internet. For this woman, it was a difficult decision (and certainly one I could not definitively answer). Travel to the U.S. was not an option for her, but at the time she also didn’t view distance learning programs as credible. Times have changed, however, and more universities, including well-known American institutions, are offering distance and even open access learning courses. See http://www.geteducated.com and www.onlinedegreeworld.com for more information on university programs. There’s also a great list of the “100 Best Websites for Free Adult Education” on a blog called Online Degree World: Education for Everyone (http://www.onlinedegreeworld.com/blog/2009/100-best-websites-for-free-adult-education/). To get a taste of distance learning, take a look. Then see what fits your interests and needs!

More on Moving into a Dorm

2009-08-07T04:12:00.007-04:00

An update to the last post on moving into a dormitory: Stay in touch with your international adviser!

Husam Naser, a U.S. Department of State YES and English Access alumnus from Yemen who will be joining a U.S. college later this month, just wrote that like most international students he received a booklet outlining some things that he could bring with him to the U.S. Most of the items were fairly basic because of airline luggage and weight limitations. Husam found his university's suggestion to bring an address book, the most unusual item on the list. With Facebook, Skype and other inexpensive ways to stay in touch and keep track of contacts, perhaps the address book isn't as useful as it was in the past. Still, the suggestion to bring an address book is a good reminder that international students should stay in touch with family and friends back home after the move-in!

Speaking of Facebook, Husam and a number of his classmates created a class of 2013 Facebook group. Husam reported that he felt "a lot of the students in the group seemed to prefer to have the university choose roommates for them, unless they knew some one in particular already. So I chose not to post that information, but instead I contacted the international student advisor about my situation as an international student." As an aside, it would be interesting to learn how many international students use "Class of 20xx" Facebook groups to organize their arrivals and programs before coming to the U.S. - a topic for another post or blogger, perhaps.

In the meantime, Husam noted that this year the holy month of Ramadhan falls around the time that many universities hold their international and new student orientations. He was a bit concerned about managing his the activities and his religious obligations. Husam was really pleased to learn that his university emailed him a few days ago asking about whether he observes Ramadhan and "what they can do for me to help me accommodate with the orientation activities." Nice touch! Kudos to his international student adviser!

Moving into a U.S. Dorm

2009-07-24T13:10:00.006-04:00

Moving into a residence hall or dormitory is always an eventful time. It’s a new phase in life, new studies begin, and new friendships are formed. Moving out of one’s family home is also a challenge for many as it is the first time they’ve had to rely entirely on themselves for everything from food to fun. This move can even be more challenging for international students who are not always able to travel in advance to see their new university and who cannot take everything they would like from home because they are flying. Airline luggage and security requirements minimize what an international student can bring from home. Universities usually provide a suggested list of items you’ll need. Take a good look at a sample list here and you’ll see that you aren’t going to be able to bring it all, or even, most of it, with you, if you’re traveling from overseas.

By skimming the list, you’ll probably realize that a refrigerator isn’t going to fit in the luggage and laundry detergent is a real waste of precious space. So, what to do?

Recommendation #1: Try to arrange to buy as much as possible in the U.S. Not only can you buy locally almost everything from the sample list above, but remember that servicing a malfunctioning item will be easier if you buy it locally. Also, remember that the U.S. has a different voltage (110/120 volts) than most of the rest of the world (220/240 volts), so it is not useful to bring in most electronics. Laptop computer AC adapters are usually an exception because they are multi-voltage. However, remember to check before you travel!

Recommendation #2: Coordinate as many purchases as you can with your roommate. Since you are likely going to share your room, it’s a good idea to try to see what you and your roommate share in common. Does your roommate like to watch a lot of TV and want his or her own TV? Coordinating means (a) deciding with your roommate ahead of time about some smaller items that you could bring, and (b) going shopping together your first week at university on bigger items for which you might share the cost. Working out your purchases with your roommate is also a great way to build a new friendship. Make sure you sign a pre-nup, though! Decide first how you are going to distribute items once you stop being roommates.

Recommendation #3: Do bring a supply of toiletries for at least a month while you try to figure out where you can shop and get the prices and if possible get a student discount card. If you have special items, check online to see if you can order them in the U.S. If not, then you may wish to bring a year’s supply with you. The same goes for prescriptions, which might be difficult, if not impossible, to refill in the U.S. without a doctor’s visit. It’s a good idea to bring a sufficient supply with you in advance.

Recommendation #4: Get in touch with the international student adviser or an international student club representative (or both). They’ll have good advice on what to bring. They might also know of international students who are leaving and want to sell their things.

Have fun!

Network Your Way to the USA

2009-06-15T00:10:00.008-04:00

A number of Yemeni exchange participants have provided us with useful advice and guidance about how to be a successful exchange participant and how to prepare applications for scholarships and interviews. These individuals are just a few of the many Yemeni students studying around the world today. According to the Ministry of Higher Education, Yemeni students are studying in countries like India, Malaysia, Germany, Canada, the UK, and the US.

Waleed Mahdi, a doctoral student and MacArthur Fellow at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities who first traveled to the U.S. on a Fulbright Foreign Student Scholarship, has started his own networking website to help link Yemeni students and scholars studying outside of Yemen. Through his English website, the Network of Yemeni Scholars (http://www.yemenischolars.com/), Waleed and his colleagues are contributing to bridging cultural misunderstandings and assisting Yemeni students around the world who wish to partake in that endeavor as well.

As is common in Yemen, Waleed learned about different opportunities by talking and networking with others. “My primary plans to travel to India like many of my university colleagues were altered when I had the opportunity to meet a returning Yemeni Fulbright scholar, who oriented me about the U.S. Department of State Fulbright Foreign Student Scholarship Program. This scholar encouraged me to apply once, and, if not selected, to apply twice and thrice, as many times as necessary. The reasoning behind this sort of persistence was beyond my understanding at the time. It was not until I arrived in the United States that I realized how important and prestigious the Fulbright scholarship is . . . One of the important experiences on the Fulbright Program for me was at one of the workshops that brought together Fulbright students from all around the Middle East and North Africa. Their backgrounds and diversity in ethnicity, geopolitics, and fields of scholarship were striking . . . I was amazed to be a part of a program that seeks to transcend the politics of division and conflict to those of unity and harmony.” Indeed, according to Wikipedia, the Fulbright Program has produced more Nobel prize winners than any other international exchange program. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fulbright_Scholar. One of the most famous dual Fulbright and Nobel Prize awardees is Dr. Mohammed Yunus, founder of Grameen Bank.

Waleed seeks to continue the Fulbright mission and activities, saying: “There are two factors that prompted me to start the Network of Yemeni Scholars (NYS). First, I have learned, in the United States, that electronic networking is an important twenty-first century tool of communication. Second, there is an obvious lack of connection among Yemeni professors, current graduates, and aspiring undergraduates. NYS, I believe, would be a modest attempt to establish such a connection.”

One member of NYS is Farooq Al Tamimi, who is also a Fulbright program alumnus and is currently pursuing a doctoral program in education at Indiana State University. According to Farooq, “It can be very hard to get to see, know about, and even meet and talk to and learn from a group of people who . . . represent education in Yemen. The NYS is a place where you can find the opportunity to talk to such a group of people. Waleed did a great job in putting the foundation stone for such a good e-community of Yemeni scholars.”

The NYS is still fairly new and Farooq like other NYS participants would like to see “others especially those who already registered and are members be more active for the website to be more fruitful and productive. For example, they should log on to it more often, tell others about it, put some of their work and expertise in there too.”

Waleed concludes about NYS: “I believe this would be a good tool for Yemenis who are seeking international education opportunities to utilize. They can set up their own profiles and network with other Yemeni students abroad. All Yemeni scholars and researchers, ranging from the highest academic pursuit to bachelor degree holders are encouraged to use the forum to keep in touch. I am happy to invite any Yemeni scholars who email me through the website."

Keep in mind that this isn’t open only to students already living abroad but also students thinking about going to the U.S. and other countries. And, it is a good idea to talk to people who have studied outside before. Current Fulbright grantee Hamid Al-Thairi (Oakland University, Linguistics) notes: “Before I went to the U.S., I actually used to ask my friends who travelled there about what they wished that they had known before they went, so that I would not have regrets . . . Until now I still keep calling my best friend and ask his valuable advice . . . I think it is very important that Fulbrighters of a certain country SHOULD be connected to each other to provide guidance and consultation to each other.”

Quick Tips on How to Apply for Scholarships

2009-05-16T08:53:00.005-04:00

Winning a scholarship involves both effort and time. Many people dream and talk a lot about what they’ll do to get a scholarship, but find themselves daunted by the requirements. The result is that they don’t even bother applying or they apply in the wrong way. All scholarships are worth the effort. With some scholarships valued at over $100,000, the months of effort are really worth it! So how does one apply for a competitive scholarship?

Tip #1: When you hear about a scholarship opportunity, read all of the available information about the scholarship and its conditions for eligibility. Make sure that you are applying for the right scholarship. If you meet the eligibility requirements then you should submit an application form and all the necessary supporting documents. If you don’t meet the requirements, then don’t apply. “Check if you are eligible to apply for it or not. It is important to read and go through the conditions carefully and then check if you are able to meet them.” Hamid Al Thairi, US Department of State Fulbright grantee currently studying at Oakland University

Tip #2: Be organized and neat. Once you have determined that this is the right scholarship, read the scholarship’s stated conditions and instructions repeatedly until you are sure that you have completed every step properly. If the application says fill out every question, then fill out every question even if the question doesn’t apply to you. You didn’t have required civil service? Then write “not applicable.” Don’t leave questions blank for the reader to guess the answer, because chances are the reader has many applications to review, won’t bother to guess, and will just put aside the application as incomplete. For the same reasons, don’t submit a messy, torn, bent or hard-to-read application. If you don’t take the effort and time to fill out the application both completely and neatly, that sends a strong message to the selection committee that you’re not very interested in the opportunity. “You should be enthusiastic and ambitious. I worked hard and I wanted it so I got it! One of the most important characteristics is to be organized. No one can help you with everything. You have to help yourself, and that prepares you for your program when you have to be responsible and handle your life by yourself.” Ahmed Saleh, U.S. Department of State Youth Exchange and Study grantee currently studying in North Carolina

Tip #3: Get good recommendations and follow the process for getting the recommendations. If the instructions require that the recommendation forms are to be sent in a sealed envelope, make sure the recommender seals the envelope with his/her signature and stamp.“The recommendation letters are very important for scholarship programs…I think that my American professors wrote good things about me that convinced the admissions here team to take me.” – Farouk Al Salihi, U.S. Department of State PLUS alumnus, currently studying at the London School of Economics as an MBI Al Jaber Foundation grantee

Tip #4: Try again for the right opportunities. If you don’t succeed the first time, don’t worry. Look back on the process and see what you can do to improve yourself for the next round. Failure is the key to success. Real failure is only failure when we don’t get back up and try again. Yusuf Bamahra, U.S. Department of State Fulbright student currently studying at the University of Nevada Reno adds: “Never give up if you apply and do not succeed; instead you should apply as many times as it takes to get nominated.”

Good luck on your journey!

Getting ready to leave for home? Don’t forget your academic records!

2009-05-11T13:29:00.004-04:00

You are in your last few weeks in your exchange program. There’s a lot to do and of course you’ve been thinking about your studies the whole time! However, before you think that all is said and done and start saying your farewells, make sure that you have your academic records in hand or that you have arranged to have them sent to you as soon as possible in the summer months.

Academic records are invaluable. They confirm what you have been doing since you have been away from home. Academic records are required for academic verification at the education ministry and schools in your home country. They can be required for job applications, scholarship applications, and school admissions. They are as valuable as your passport.

Is bringing your academic records back home with you enough? The short answer is “no.” The steps you need to take to obtain academic records differ for whether you are on a high school exchange or a bachelor’s/master’s/doctoral program. Here are a few tips for high school exchange students.

First, meet the people who are responsible for issuing academic records at your school. It’s important that you know the office because you don’t know how many more copies you may need later on.

Keep a record of the contact information (address, phone and fax numbers, and email) for the office in your school that issues academic documents. You may need to request that the office sends official copies again in the future.

Second, arrange for at least three official (“stamped”) copies of your academic records. You should keep one of the copies for your records and another to file with your school or national education office.

If your school doesn’t have the sets ready in time for your departure, then you have to arrange to have a copy of your official papers sent to your exchange organization, and then, if possible, to your address in your home country. (It’s usually a good idea to provide an envelope with an adequate amount of postage on it if you really want to try to have sets sent home.)

Third, get an academic letter from your school principal or other official responsible for academics. The letter should let people know that the transcript that you received is official, and the letter should also explain the school’s grading system. This letter is important for transitioning back home.

Students sometimes forget to collect contact information and the academic letter when they are studying overseas or on an exchange program. There are two primary reasons to do both: Asking for the letter and contact information gives you a chance to meet school officials and let them know about your experience as an exchange student at the school; and the letter gives your home country and school at home more information about your past year for its educational planning purposes. It can be very difficult to have it sent after you’ve left the country you’re studying in, so don’t forget to follow this crucial step.

Good luck and congratulations on your successful exchange!

Graduate Fields of Study that Can Make a Difference

2009-04-23T00:47:00.004-04:00

Many Yemeni students want to make a difference in the world and in Yemen by pursuing fields of study at university, like engineering and medicine, that they think will help their country develop and modernize. Others pursue degrees to get specific skills, such as in English or IT, for the primary purpose of getting “any job” and hoping to assure their future financial stability. This path frequently results in students obtaining degrees in which they are only marginally interested.

However, employers are increasingly looking for individuals who have more diverse academic backgrounds. Graduating with degrees in fields like engineering and computer science are no longer guaranteed paths to interesting or even well-paid jobs like in the past. Competition is great in these areas and the number of graduates is also large. Whenever there is a large pool of qualified applicants and limited demand, employers can afford to set less competitive salaries. So, given the contemporary realities, are there other possibilities?

The short answer is: Yes, there are many options; and, identifying them is very possible. Today we’ll spotlight Mr. Shoqi Al-Maktary, a senior conflict resolution expert in Yemen, to see how best to start identifying fields of study and pursuing different, interesting career options. Shoqi chose to pursue a master’s degree in conflict transformation because he felt that such a degree would further his career and provide him with future career growth. Shoqi describes his search when he “started looking for a chance to pursue my higher studies in the field of conflict transformation and conflict-sensitive development after working for two years in this field. After this period it was clear to me that if I want to continue in this field, which I started to like, and if I want to be someone with the ability to foster change inside and outside my organization, a master’s degree is a must.”

When you start looking at other fields of study that are perhaps different from your B.A. studies, the first step is to survey the market. Look around you to see who is doing what and why. Even checking the job vacancy announcements in the Yemen Observer will reveal the variety of different skills and occupations that employers (like international organizations) are looking for. Shoqi notes that “Another factor in choosing the field of conflict transformation was the clear indicators of the need for Yemeni professionals with such knowledge.” In Shoqi’s opinion, “If Yemen is to develop, it has to deal with its conflicts. A policy of avoidance (or delaying) is not functional. The accumulative level of structure conflicts and violence is putting my country in a great danger. I now feel more optimistic about the future of Yemen because I know that our conflicts can be resolved.”

Surveying the market also involves having experience in the fields you’re interested in. Shoqi adds: “I would say that most Yemenis believe that they can only continue higher studies in the same field of study as their B.A.” This concern is often the case with many students. To consider other fields, Shoqi offers this advice: “My first recommendation is to get some experience before you consider a master degree that sounds interesting. This experience will make higher study easier and more rewarding and more valuable to you and your country. My second recommendation is to widen perspectives beyond the typical fields of studies. Look for something new, something challenging. Do not chain yourself with the current employment prospects of the field you are considering. Instead think of the future prospects.”

Thinking about future prospects is challenging. It involves a significant second step, collecting information in order to see if you are comfortable with a change. A good way to obtain more information about other careers is to search online about the field of study and learn how the field is developing around the world. Another way is to visit educational advising centers that have information on careers and majors. Try to set up informational meetings with people involved in this new field of interest. In fact, one of the best ways to get experience in a non-traditional field is to see if you can volunteer or serve as an intern in an organization or company that specializes in the field in which you’re interested. By doing so, you’ll gain relevant work experience (which looks good on your resume), you’ll make contacts in the field, and you’ll also be able to “test” your interest and see if it’s something you want to spend your future doing.

Shoqi had his personal and professional experience to draw upon and then he met with the right person at the right time: “I have to admit that I was lucky to obtain a scholarship in my field of interest. I had been looking around for opportunities to undertake a master’s degree in the field of conflict transformation and I actually applied to two universities in Germany. I was rejected by one and accepted by the other but with no financial support. I started to give up, and then one day I was taking to a friend working in the Red Crescent; at that moment her office received a fax from AMDEAST announcing the U.S. Department of State Fulbright Conflict Resolution program. My friend asked me if am interested and I said sure. . . Approximately seven months later I was in the U.S. starting my master degree in conflict transformation.”

Once you have undertaken a new field of study that you have researched and prepared for well, you will see results—sometimes in, surprisingly, more personal ways. As Shoqi concludes, “After one year of coming back from the States with a degree in conflict transformation and peace-building, I have achieved even more than what I was planning to. Being one of the few with such a degree in the region and one of three with a similar discipline in Yemen is a real and special privilege. In my work, my academic knowledge has sharpened and strengthened my professional experience. This has opened the doors wide for career growth. I can now compete with confidence not only within Yemen but also at a regional level. On a personal level the experience of going through the U.S. Department of State Fulbright Program made me more confident in dealing with life challenges.”

What Is the TOEFL® and How Do I Prepare for it?

2009-04-10T01:55:00.006-04:00

These are the most common questions asked by students who start to think about studying in countries or programs that require English. Each year, students ask, “How can I apply for the TOEFL system?” or “How do I obtain the TOEFL certificate?” Before we go any farther, let’s clarify: TOEFL® isn’t a system; TOEFL isn’t a certificate. TOEFL is the Test of English as a Foreign Language.

A quick look at the website of the Educational Testing Service (ETS), the developer of the TOEFL (www.ets.org), shows that the TOEFL is an important English test used by more than 6,000 universities in more than 130 countries to determine whether an applicant has the required level of English to enroll. In Yemen, the Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA) with Sanaa University and the Maastricht School of Management requires an international TOEFL score for admission.

So how do students get a TOEFL certificate? Oops, remember, there isn’t a TOEFL certificate. In Yemen the TOEFL is currently offered in two formats – paper-based (PBT) and Internet based (iBT). Both formats have similar questions in listening, reading and writing. The iBT also has a speaking section which the paper-based format does not offer except as a separate exam called the Test of Spoken English (TSE). Both formats offer a TOEFL score report, and the examinee copy usually arrives several weeks after the exam. There is no established passing or failing score. The TOEFL result simply indicates how proficient an individual is vis-à-vis other non-native speakers of English. Further, anyone at any level of English language learning can take the TOEFL; in fact, the more times you take it the more likely you are to improve. However, considering the cost, it makes sense to take the exam after you have completed several courses of English, and particularly when you are able to read and write at the university level in English with little difficulty (the TOEFL reading sections are passages are developed to reflect university-level readings in any field of study, for example).

“Okay . . . but isn’t there some kind of passing score?” Actually, there is no one, magical, passing number. Each institution that requires the TOEFL has its own admission requirements. Often the standard for a full admission into an American university is the paper-based TOEFL score of 550 (or 80 iBT). However, a number of institutions have raised that score to 600 (or 100 iBT), to qualify for programs that require a lot of writing or to qualify for financial assistance. You need to contact each institution that you are interested in to obtain information on its requirements.

To meet most institutions’ TOEFL requirements, you need a lot of preparation. It is generally recommended that you get a strong base in academic English before you take the TOEFL and to do that you will probably need to invest both a significant amount of time and money. As you begin work on your academic English level, you should also look into test preparation materials to learn testing strategies. There are a number of reasonably cost resources available here in Yemen (books, CDs, DVDs, and cassettes) on preparing for TOEFL. Some resources are created by ETS directly and others by companies which have a long experience in test preparation. There are also some free resources from ETS, test prep companies and others available on the Internet. Google the words “TOEFL Prep”, in under a second you will find thousands of links and resources to search from and use. Also as I mentioned in an earlier post, YouTube provides relevant educational content. Visit ETS’s new TOEFL channel at www.youtube.com/TOEFLtv for tips. Keep in mind that while TOEFL Preparation courses often help, it’s counterproductive to enroll in a prep course if your English is not yet at an advanced level.

Finally, if you don’t do well on your first go around, don’t despair. Go back get more English language training. Invest in your future with a solid base in English. Once you have taken one international exam, you will have a better understanding of the test strategies, so now you need to concentrate on perfecting your language skills. Good luck on your journey!

How to Search Online For Universities with Financial Aid

2009-03-28T13:39:00.008-04:00

While prestigious scholarships like the Fulbright and Chevening are well-known to many international students, what many do not realize is that there are a number of American universities that offer their own financial aid packages for study on their campuses.

For bright, hard-working students, financial aid may be available in a variety of forms. Some aid is provided directly by institutions. Other aid involves competitions that are open to students of any institution. Financial aid could involve tuition discounts, assistantships, college-work study, and partial scholarships. Each of these can entail different amounts of money that will be used to defray (or lower) the costs of studying in the North American university. However, in almost all cases, it is expected that students will have to supplement the costs of studying with their own resources—from their families, from private organizations or from government programs in their home countries. In fact, over 80 percent of international students’ tuition payments in the U.S. are made through financial aid from their home countries (see www.nafsa.org).

You can research and identify institutions that provide financial aid by yourself if you have Internet access or by visiting an educational or career center that offers Internet access. Keep in mind that to qualify for financial aid, you’ll need a strong academic record (including positive letters of recommendation, excellent grades, and high TOEFL and other test scores) and you will need to present yourself as interesting candidate through a detailed package of materials.
If you are an exceptional candidate, there are a number of steps that you need to take to identify universities with financial aid and obtain that aid. Let’s hear from one student, Waddah al-Mansoori, who is currently studying in Canada, on how he succeeded.

First of all, you need a plan. The plan is simple - what you want to study and your future goals. These should be as detailed as you possibly can make them. Most admissions officers would not find the statement, for example, “I want to be an IT specialist because I like computers” very interesting. Do you understand the field well enough to explain why a university should select you for admission and financial aid that could be worth tens of thousands of dollars? Once you have something clear in mind, draft a statement of purpose and share it with friends or with people who have already traveled abroad to get feedback and improve your plan.

Second, now that you have developed a clear idea of what you would like to study, you need to make a list of universities that you can research and learn more about. Go online and check websites that provide information about fields of study. You can visit sites like Peterson’s (www.petersons.com) to start your search. Another handy site to visit is the YouTube education channel at www.youtube.com/edu. Waddah says, “I opened the Google search engine and started searching for universities that offer ‘graduate programs in Databases,’ since I am interested in doing my master's research in that area. I got search results with a lot of universities that offered the same program I am interested in.”

Third, read the university websites and learn about the institutions. Look for links called “Admissions” or “Prospective Students.” Search specifically for information about what is required for admissions as “International Students.” Also check any FAQ links on those sites for more details to make sure you and that institution are a real match. Make sure to keep a list of the universities with information on application deadlines, since applications are due at different times—some as early as December the year before you travel. Compiling this list compiling should takes some time as you will probably find many universities that offer your field of study (there are over 5,700 institutions of higher learning in the U.S.).

Fourth, narrow down your list. After you have noted deadlines, you should check to see which schools offer financial aid to international students. Keep in mind that the institutions want very high test scores. If you don’t have those results and think you can get them, test again to improve your scores. Waddah adds: “I met the universities’ requirements. The next step I did, I explored each of these universities' websites to see whether they offered financial support or not. So, I narrowed down my research into those universities that offered databases graduate program as well as a financial support.”

Fifth, when you have narrowed your list to five to ten schools, start to “meet” the admissions office and ask any questions that you are unsure about. You can do this via email and sometimes online chat. Make sure that your messages are well-written, clear, and concise. You’re not going to impress an admissions officer if you can’t write a coherent e-mail with good grammar and syntax. Remember: you’re competing for financial aid awarded to top students and you need to demonstrate that you are a top student in your communications as well as your academic record.

Six, review the responses to your queries go and once you have made sure that you meet the requirements, put together a compelling profile and start applying. I usually recommend up to ten applications. Since that can be expensive, you definitely want at least four applications submitted and you want to make sure that you submit them on time.

When admissions information starts to come in, expect that you will get some rejections. Competition is high, but you may have choices too. Waddah had two offers of admission and “I contacted the grad admission administrator at each to get more details about what I could get out of the graduate financial support to make sure that it would cover my tuition and my life expenses. Then, I contacted a supervisor that I thought I was interested in having. . . I asked him tons of questions regarding the program I would be working on to make sure that I would get what I was interested in. Both the graduate admission administrator and my supervisor were very kind and helpful. . . In addition, the supervisor encouraged me to select him as my supervisor because he was also interested in supervising me after he took a look at my CV. . . I had followed the steps required to get the admission at the U of C [University of Calgary] and, Alhamdulillah, I got it, with financial support as a Teaching Assistant.”

These may sound like many steps. They are, but they can be done by anyone. Along the way you might want to some help or advice. There are online forums and social networking sites that allow students to engage in Q&A with other students and experts. For more personal assistance with the process, there are also educational advising centers and private individuals who can help. Most consultations cost money, but remember that this is an investment in your future. Check out all options and see what works best for you because the good news is you can get university financial aid, if you have the academic credentials and extracurricular activities that universities are looking for. As Waddah concludes about researching institutions and then submitting applications, “Be confident and trust yourself that you deserve whatever you are applying for.”

For more information, resources, and support regarding the admissions process and financial aid, follow me on Twitter!

I got "wait listed"! What do I do now?

2009-03-18T07:26:00.004-04:00

First of all, let’s figure out what the phrase, “waiting list” really means. In university admissions language, it translates as follows: the applicant didn’t get accepted and also didn’t get rejected...yet. That’s the good news. The not-so good news is that if you are waitlisted, the admissions committee had a lot of competitive files to consider and yours wasn’t exactly what it was looking for this year. Further, from a statistical standpoint, universities do not accept most wait-listed students. The number of wait-listed students, who do eventually receive acceptances, varies from institution to institution. One year one well-known institution reported a zero percent acceptance of its wait-listed applicants, while another equally well-known institution had an acceptance rate that was nearly 30%. Of course even 30% is not particularly high. If there are 100 people on your wait list, more than 70 will not be accepted.

So what can you do to improve your chances to get off the wait list and get accepted? With some institutions there may not be anything you can do about your wait list status. See http://notjustadmissions.wordpress.com/ for more info. However, it doesn’t hurt to try to see if you can do something. If you still feel that you would really like to go to the institution or if the institution that put you on its waiting list is your only choice, then you should probably try to communicate with the institution. Here are a few ideas on how you can communicate with the institution and to try to keep your file in consideration.

1. Read the “wait list” message carefully to see if you are expected to take some steps to follow up that status. For example do you need to accept a spot on the list? Sometimes this question comes up as an email form for you to complete and return within a specified time period.

2. Even if the university’s letter doesn’t clearly ask you to confirm your place on the list, you should go ahead and acknowledge that you received the message. Your message should thank the admission contact for taking the time to let you know of your status.

3. Then if you really would like a decision (whether negative or positive), add in your response that you remain interested in the university and its programs and hope that an admission offer may be possible. In other words, if you are still interested, then let the university know. There is one caveat here: If you have no intention of enrolling in this university, then kindly let the university know this. Don't someone else a chance if you aren’t serious about attending the institution.

4. Finally make sure that you check that the institution has received all of your updated academic credentials, as these can strengthen your file. For example, if after you submitted your initial application, you re-took the TOEFL and got a higher score, send in the new score. If you have taken classes and have updated grades like mid-term grades, send those in. Unless you are asked otherwise, you don’t need to send in other documents, but you do need to make sure that any new grades or test scores are sent immediately.

If you learn in the end that you did not get accepted, don’t take the decision personally. Most admissions offices will readily tell you that the admissions process is a numbers game. You know that you had many of the qualifications needed for an acceptance because you were put on the waiting list. You also know that there were a lot of qualified students out there. Making a decision about which qualified students to accept isn’t easy because the American educational system is a competitive one where there simply isn’t room for everyone all the time. With a little persistence on your part, other opportunities will certainly come your way!

How to Be A Successful Exchange Student

2009-03-18T07:03:00.011-04:00

Recently, we heard the story of a young man, Fare’a Al Muslimi, whose international education journey began as a high school exchange student in the U.S., and who is now pursuing a bachelor’s degree at the prestigious American University of Beirut. Fare’a has many colleagues who, like him, have learned about an exchange opportunity and who have then participated in programs in the U.S. and elsewhere. How have they been able to take advantage of these opportunities and succeed . . . and how can you do the same? This week, we look at what makes a successful exchange program participant from the perspectives of current and past exchange participants.

Before You Go
Be prepared – Read and Talk to Others.
If you are going to another country, you have a reason to be there and you want to have as much time as possible to focus on that reason. Read up and learn about that country before you go. Find someone who’s been on an exchange program and ask them about their experiences, and the challenges that they faced. Get tips about the practicalities of living and studying there. You can’t learn everything, but having some information—like what sort of clothes to bring/wear, how much money you’ll need to live on, and how to use public transport will make your first few days, and the entire experience, a lot better. Shafiqa, a Fulbright alumna who received a Master’s degree in American Literature from the University of Iowa and is now pursuing a PhD at the University of Memphis, writes, “I think people who are interested in going abroad need to talk to others who have already been through the experience, and perhaps when they hear the many positive things about such experiences, they will be able to overcome their fears.”

Hone your language skills.
Try to get language exposure before you travel. There are free resources on the Internet for almost every language. If you want to supplement language classes, then watch movies, the news, or try to find native speakers to meet and converse with. “Anyone who wants to study abroad should learn the language as well as she can. If you are going to the U.S., then learn as much English before you go,” states Heyam, a Yemeni high school student who studied in West Virginia from 2007-2008.

Prepare yourself to share your culture.
Go with the idea that you are ready to share your culture. You will always meet people who will have questions. Carry photos from home–of your family, friends, city or town. A picture is really worth a thousand words. People will be amazed at some of the sights, suqs, and antiquities that Yemen has to offer. Bring small memorabilia that you can use in presentations, to show friends, or to give as gifts and lasting mementos from home. Waddah, a master’s degree student in Canada writes frankly, “I wish I had brought more small gifts from Yemen. Some people couldn’t even find Yemen on the map.” Meanwhile, Reham, a Yemeni high school student who studied in California from 2006-2007 notes, “Before I went to the U.S., I wished I had known about international activities like International Education Week. I just knew about it there, and while I did a presentation about Yemen, I would have liked to do more.” Her colleague Heyam adds: “Learn about historical places in Yemen because most people in the U.S., if they ask you about Yemen, they will ask, ‘What are the things we can see if we come to Yemen?’ You should be able to answer all of these questions. And you will be able to talk to many people.”

When You Are There
Stick with your purpose.
You decided to do take part in the exchange journey for a reason – to learn another language, get additional skills, enhance your educational opportunities, meet new people or improve yourself. You can always adjust your schedule a bit once you are there, but don’t forget or lose sight of your original purpose. Heyam also advises: “You need to keep focused. I was there to get a better education so I can come back to better contribute to my country. You have to focus on the main reason you are there.”

Be respectful of differences.
You are going to see new things, hear different ideas, and try new skills. Listen, watch, and take part when you feel comfortable. You don’t have to embrace all the differences. You just have to be open to the idea that people are different all over the world yet we share common things too—we all want a good place to live, we want good food to eat, and we want to be happy. Ahmed, an Egyptian high school exchange student studying in North Carolina writes, “I think the most important characteristic is to accept that people have different views, beliefs, habits, and traditions.…Different people think in different ways…It's a good characteristic to know how to talk with all kinds of different people and to be able to explain your views. Also you have to remember ‘you are representing your country’ when you go abroad. You may be the first person that people have met from your country and you will determine their opinion about your country.” Hussam, a Yemeni high school exchange student who studied in the state of Washington from 2007-2008 adds: “I believe I was a successful exchange student because I was able to make a difference (though it may have been small) in the way my American friends consider Arabs and Muslims. I am always proud of who I am. I educated people about Yemen and Islam. I was not afraid to tell people that I am a Muslim, and when I did, people were so interested to know more about me, Yemen, and Islam. And I think this is the most important goal of an exchange program.”

Keep active.
Find a way to do things that you enjoy or learn new things that you can do. This will help you stay healthy, quickly overcome jetlag and manage your homesickness. Don’t sit still at home. Mix with people in study groups, exercise, or do volunteer work. Heyam says, “You need to focus on the things you want to do and then try to start them. If you do the things that you want to learn, you will get new skills, and you will find yourself busy all the time. You won’t have time to think about being homesick or feeling bad about missing your family. It doesn’t mean that you are not thinking about your family and that you don’t care about them. You do, but now you are in a place where you are so busy that you won’t be thinking about them all of the time and then not getting the benefit of why you went to study abroad in the first place. I wanted to learn to play guitar and I did learn. I learned to draw….I wanted a better education. This is what I looked for in America. You will find yourself not homesick because there are many things to do and to learn.”

Be yourself and smile!
Reham notes, “I think an exchange student should always be optimistic because it will help in seeing things correctly. Also, be yourself…because it will help to know more people. I also advise exchange students to always smile. Smiling—it’s the greatest thing that helped me in knowing a lot of people who still email me until now, saying they have missed me smiling!”People will always figure out that you aren’t being yourself, so don’t waste your time or theirs. Be yourself and be happy with yourself even if you make a mistake (and you’ll probably make plenty). The reality is you got this far which is a lot farther than you were before you traveled! And don’t forget people will remember your smile. Keep smiling and good luck on your educational journey!

An American University in Yemen?

2009-02-25T01:27:00.004-05:00

The chorus, “it’s a small world after all, it’s a small world after all, it’s a small, small world,” plays repeatedly during Disney World’s famous canal boat ride. The song reminds us that globalization is making our world smaller, but even with advancements in transportation and communications, the U.S. is still far away from Yemen. From start to finish, the trip is often 24 hours or more, and is often filled with lengthy layovers, lines, delays, onerous visa requirements, and then, finally, the trip by car or bus to university. Thinking about the long distance from family and friends can be daunting for many international students, including Yemeni students.

So, “wouldn’t it be nice to have an American university Yemen?” The answer is probably not in the very near future, but technology is making it more feasible to bring international education into our daily lives. And although a full, American-style university in Yemen may not happen for some time, countries like Egypt and Lebanon, and more recently the UAE and Qatar, already host American institutions or American-style institutions.

There are many reasons to consider either American institutions or American-style institutions in the region. The obvious ones include the proximity of these institutions to home and a more-familiar cultural environment. Both reasons continue to be important for students attending institutions like the American University in Cairo and the American University of Beirut, the latter founded nearly 150 years ago in 1866.

There are also other reasons that students consider American universities in the region, including the unique aspects of American higher education, accreditation considerations, and the presence of excellent facilities for research, study, and recreation.

The American educational system: Fare’a Al Muslimi, who is studying at the American University of Beirut, notes that the University “shakes off the traditional methods of teaching” and makes use of technology, class discussions, and projects—the same kinds of instruction and applications that one finds at universities in the U.S. For students wishing to study liberal arts and other unique disciplines, in an atmosphere that promotes analysis and critical thinking, rather than rote memorization, American universities are considered among the world’s best.

Accreditation considerations: Mohamed Al Seraji, a Yemeni student at Texas A&M University in Qatar writes: “While I am enrolled at Texas A&M University, I also take classes for a business minor at Carnegie Mellon University here. Education City institutions are excellent and of the same standard as in the U.S. In addition, they are accredited both in the U.S. and in Qatar.” Having the U.S. accreditation on top of the host country recognition makes it possible for students to transfer credits easily and continue for graduate studies without the need to “make-up” classes or credits before enrolling in a graduate program. Mohamed continues, “If I want, I can go to the main campus of Texas A&M for a junior semester abroad, and there are students from the main campus here with us. There were also students from the U.S. Naval Academy here last semester.” Education City students are able to attend similar institutions in the region or transition easily to programs directly in the U.S. and elsewhere.

Facilities: I recently toured several of the new facilities located at Education City in Doha, Qatar. The facilities are impressive and every detail—from broadband Internet access to study areas to food courts to apartment living and well-equipped classrooms—has been carefully planned. With a science and technology park located on the Education City campus, the schools also offer opportunities for conducting cutting-edge research. A conference center is in the works and it will further enhance opportunities to delve into thematic issues that are important to the region.

All of the American-style and American institutions in the region have highly-competitive admission requirements—on par with their U.S. institutional counterparts. Applicants should complete online applications to the appropriate school and then arrange to send official transcripts, international TOEFL scores, and SAT scores, as required. All of these universities also provide financial assistance to exceptional students. Some, such as the universities in Qatar’s Education City, provide interest-free loans. Additionally, the universities offer a small number of merit-based, full tuition scholarships. Tuition scholarships are also usually available to top students in the universities for their academic achievements. Finally, most of the institutions also provide for on-campus student employment.

If you have a strong TOEFL and SAT scores, would like to be closer to home, while enjoying the advantages of state-of-the art instruction and facilities, the American branch campuses and American-style institutions in the region may be a good option for you.

Yemeni Students Impress Georgetown University in Qatar’s Model UN

2009-02-15T06:03:00.006-05:00

From 29 January to 2 February, six Yemeni students and an escort took part in the fourth annual Model UN program held by Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service in Qatar (GU-Q). The Yemeni student delegation, escorted by Salwa Al Akwaa, included Jumana Bamakhrama, Reem Ramadhan, Marwa Nouman, Aya Al-Howshabi, Nabil Al-Khayati, and Mohmmed Al-Hamzy.

According to GU-Q’s Model UN program coordinator, Kathryn King, thirty-six international teams of six students were invited from more than 30 countries this year. Unlike most other teams (which were from individual schools), the Yemeni team was comprised of individuals from several schools—united by their participation in U.S. Department of State exchange programs administered by AMIDEAST. The Yemeni students were also first-time participants to GU-Q’s Model UN, and they and 35 other international groups were joined by teams from 22 Qatari schools. Ms. King noted that “All the high school students proved their schools proud as they debated tough issues throughout the four days, each student acting as an ambassador of a foreign country. With the Yemen group it was a unique opportunity to have so many schools from across Yemen represented in one group.”

Before traveling, the Yemeni participants conducted extensive research as delegates of a pre-selected country. They had to review “their” country’s past statements and actions on several pre-established topics. Preparation for a successful Model UN requires extensive commitment and time and access to lots of materials online, but fortunately for the Yemeni group, one of Georgetown University’s selected committee topics was the problem of piracy in the Gulf of Aden, with which they were familiar.

The Model UN program at Georgetown University in Qatar, like all other Model UN programs, gave students the opportunity to practice debating skills while simulating or “modeling” a UN committee meeting. They learned to express opinions in a constructive way and listen to the opinions of others and in the process to learn more about themselves and the world around them. One participant, Nabeel Al-Khayati, noted, “I learned how I can respect the opinions of others and discuss a problem to come to an agreed-upon solution.” Reem Ramadhan added: “I would encourage all Yemeni students to read more in different fields and . . . about the world, not just our corner.”

The Yemeni delegates gave enthusiastic reports about the closing ceremony’s cultural evening, when over 300 students shared their cultures through presentations on national dress and portable displays. Ms. King echoed this excitement: “It was a learning experience for everyone to see the wealth of cultures together in one room.” Now, having returned to Yemen, the delegates are considering how they can share this experience with fellow high schools students this summer by implementing a series of summer Model UN activities with other students in preparation for next year’s program.

Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service in Qatar will offer the Model UN program again next year as just one part of its outreach to high schools across the Middle East and North Africa in support of its educational mission – to develop experts in international affairs through liberal arts education. Georgetown University in Qatar offers exciting degree programs as well as opportunities like Model UN and lectures by expert speakers on international affairs. For more information about Georgetown University’s bachelor degree programs at Education City in Qatar, visit: http://qatar.sfs.georgetown.edu/

International Education: The Road from Dhamar to Community Activism

2009-01-24T23:55:00.008-05:00

When one first meets Fare’a Mahmood Al-Muslimi, one is immediately struck by his confidence in a bright future for himself and for Yemen. I had the privilege to meet Fare’a several years ago when he was an applicant to the U.S. Department of State high school exchange program called YES (Youth Exchange and Study Program). Although I wasn’t aware of it at the time, Fare’a wasn’t from Sana’a, but rather from a small village far from the capital. In spite of his youthful appearance, his journey to become a YES scholar and to take part in international education had already been a long one.

Farea’s journey begins in Dhamar. “I was raised in a very old village named Wessab Al-Ali in Dhamar Province. Life there is very, very simple and also very, very hard. People only have the basic life requirements. In all families, kids take care of the sheep and the farm work, and in the morning they go to school, if –and here is a big if—their parents could work on the farm without them. I was lucky. My dad believes in education a lot and sent me to school, but my studies didn’t forgive me from doing my share of the work when I came home.”

“Schools are VERY poor in Wessab-Al-Ali. Many have poor systems and so the education is weak. Even though he wasn’t even able to finish his elementary school, my dad believes in education and the importance of educating his children. He always encouraged me to learn in any way possible, and so I moved in 9th grade to Sana’a, where I lived far from my family because there was no good education in the village.” While in Sana’a, Fare’a attended a program for students from villages. Some students live in dormitories also shared with orphans and attend the program’s intermediate and secondary schools. Others, like Fare’a, split their time between the program and with relations whenever possible. The opportunities the school provides are and were better than the village schools for most of the students there. Also, transferring to Sana’a provided Fare’a with his first glimpse of international education. YES alumni visited the school and through that visit exposed him to the high school exchange opportunity.

Throughout the application and nomination stages of the exchange program, Fare’a demonstrated commitment, hard work and perseverance—important characteristics for anyone to have who wishes to take part in international education. He competed three years in a row for the scholarship and undertook a year of intensive English language study as an alternate before he was accepted as a full nominee for the program. But his nomination still wasn’t a guarantee. It took more hard work, and he faced almost insurmountable obstacles. Mid-way into the English language and cultural preparation program, Fare’a contracted chicken pox and had to recuperate at a relative’s home in Sana’a—limiting his English exposure at a critical juncture. At that point, the future did not look as bright. It was the last year that Fare’a could compete for the program; meanwhile he still needed to improve his English language.

Once Fare’a fully recuperated, he demonstrated another key component to exchanges—dedication to language study. He put in intensive hours in the lab and sought tutoring. Three months later (and with less than one week until the scholars were set to travel to the U.S.), Fare’a achieved his dream—he finally obtained the required English language score and was eligible to travel.

His journey to community activism began with a high school exchange program of nine months. Fare’a notes, “There are a lot of parts that can never be forgotten about my YES experience—the school and my host family, which are the main components of the program…doing many culture exhibitions about Yemen and joining clubs like the American Cancer Society are also important parts to mention about my YES experience, as well as interacting with the community through food collections for poor families during both Eid and Christmas… I had amazing experiences doing community service there. In my nine months in the U.S., I did more than 200 hours of community service. The activities and interaction taught me a lot about the importance of volunteer work and helping others. In fact, I loved it and I will keep doing a community service for the rest of my life. I learned the most from that experience.”

Fare’a comments on how his study abroad experience further helped him. “The YES program was the door that I stepped through to a lot of great things. First it was a great opportunity to experience a new life and new culture. This experience led me to start thinking critically. I had the opportunity to see the world from one corner, but with the program I could see the world from the other corner and from the middle point sometimes. I also gained better English skills which is important. Plus I got to understand the western culture which made it easy for me to communicate with westerners all around the world. Also I think the Tomorrow’s Leaders scholarship (which I was just awarded) is one of the outcomes from the YES program. I was given the first chance with YES, and I think because I took advantage of it with a positive attitude, I was given the confidence to try for a scholarship again—a university scholarship!”

The MEPI’s Tomorrow’s Leaders scholarship is one of the many doors that opened to Farea—as with other international exchange participants—once the first door is opened to international education. He notes, “I can say that my experience in working at NDI (the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs) in Yemen the year before I got the Tomorrow’s Leaders scholarship was also an outcome of the YES program. I think working there has been one of the most important professional experiences I have and will have in my life because it gave me a chance to work in fields that I am interested in, like politics, youth participation, women’s rights and NGOs. I have a clearer vision of what I want to do in the future. The experience encouraged me to choose my field of political science and public administration at my university now – the American University of Beirut. Professionally, it gave me an idea of how international organizations work. Also working alongside and for great people there gave me the opportunity to learn from them for one year and I am very thankful to them. It also taught me how to totally depend on myself and help my family, all while I was still 18 years old.”

Farea’s journey from Dhamar to community activism hasn’t been an easy one, but it is continuing. As he learned: “Maybe we can’t always do all what we plan, but there are many plans [we can] and I hope to achieve. One is I want to write a book about my experience in being a public ambassador for Arabs to the west…I will probably write about my experience in general to tell others about the importance and joy of being an ambassador between cultures, regions, and religions. I am also planning to establish an NGO that aims to build youth and women empowerment in Yemen to continue what I started in the YES program. I believe in building bridges, peace, and understanding between cultures. It is really important and in my opinion, that is something the world needs the most today.”

Throughout his experiences, his commitment to Yemen is strong: He would like to see more Yemenis involved in international education. “I think it is important to help more students who came from disadvantaged backgrounds for two reasons. One is those youth would never get the chance to know other cultures if they don’t go through funded programs. Second, these students will take the opportunity very seriously. Also I totally believe that those who are involved with international education should keep in touch after they finish their programs in order to help them accomplish their goals and to continue activities which they started at the beginning of their programs…In my opinion, international education is the fastest and best way to learn and teach others about your culture. It is also a successful way to mingle and react in peace in a time when the world becomes less peaceful.”

Well said, Fare’a, and we expect to hear more from you in the future! From Farea’s international education experiences, we can see that commitment to learning new things was essential, as was his persistence. Working to strengthen his English language skills was also necessary for his opportunities abroad. He succeeded, and his participation in international exchanges has resulted in more open doors. An upcoming article will glean from exchange participants in all walks of life some important characteristics of the successful exchange participant to help you in your journey.

International Education Opens Doors

2009-01-20T10:40:00.004-05:00

Education opens doors to everyone. Education provides us with the opportunity to learn new skills and to meet new people in order to share ideas and discover and develop new concepts. International education opens doors exponentially; it opens those limitless numbers of doors to possibilities perhaps never before dreamed of or imagined by those who walk through those doors.

What is international education? It encompasses many things and takes many forms but it’s really all about studying abroad—going to another country to live, work, and learn. It’s about entering into a culture and social and professional milieu different than our own, and it’s about stepping out of our every day routine or our comfort zone to learn about others, and by so doing, to learn more about ourselves and our communities. International education can range from a two-week training program or event abroad to a multi-year PhD degree program.

Each year millions of individuals travel to countries abroad to learn another language, to pursue education, to exchange ideas, to receive specialized training, or to do all of these. Other individuals don’t leave their homes, schools, or communities, but are able to reap some of the rewards of international education by taking advantage of the Internet, books, stories of travelers from their communities, and lecturers and others to bring the outside world into their homes. They all share in being a part of international education, or the global school—planet école.

Many famous and successful people from around the world have reaped the benefits of international education. The famous historian Ibn Khaldun and the famous traveler Ibn Battuta are just two examples of Arabs who were reaping the benefits of learning, studying, traveling, and writing abroad. Former U.S. President Bill Clinton earned a prestigious Rhodes Scholarship to study at Oxford University in the United Kingdom. Former UN secretary general and 2001 Nobel Peace Prize winner, Kofi Annan, has described in presentations his experiences in both undergraduate and graduate studies in the U.S. Hundreds of thousands of Yemenis in all walks of life have also lived and studied abroad, and many are now influential in their chosen professions here in Yemen and abroad.

So how have these and others been able to reap the rewards from international education? The path isn’t always easy or short, but fortunately, many of them have a lot to share about the process and experience, and many can describe how the first door that opened to them led to more doors both at home and abroad. As a professional working in international education for almost twenty years, I’ve met thousands of international exchange participants from all walks of life and received hundreds of e-mails from them as they travel abroad for education and exchange, whether high school, university, or other higher and professional opportunities. The universal feeling among those who traveled abroad has been, and continues to be, “It was the best experience of my life.”

Why is that? What made that international experience so special? In what ways could it have been better? What are the qualities that one needs to embark upon the path of international education? What can we distill from others’ experiences? In upcoming articles, we’ll look in depth at real-life examples of doors that have opened, how they have opened, and perhaps, most importantly, how you can open your own doors, too.

Initial Thoughts on International Education

2009-01-07T10:15:00.003-05:00

Thousands of individuals each year travel to countries abroad to learn another language, to exchange ideas, to pursue education, to receive specialized training, or to work and learn. Some individuals don’t leave their homes, or their schools, or their offices, but they reap the benefits of the Internet, books, lecturers, travelers from their communities, and others to bring the world into their lives. All of these people share one thing. They are part of international education, or the global school—planet école.

I’ve received hundreds of e-mails from individuals who have traveled abroad for education and exchange, whether high school, university or post doctoral. All of them have commented in the same way, “It was the best experience of my life.” Why is that? What made that experience so special? What way could it have been better?

I’ll be presenting my thoughts and experiences with international education on the Internet in the future. In the meantime, I would like to hear from you. What does international education contribute? Why was your experience “one of the best” in your life? What can you do to have more such experiences? Share your story and why it is unique.

A Brief Introduction to planet école

2008-12-31T00:26:00.003-05:00

Planet école blog seeks to discuss and to share ideas on or stories of:
-the value of international education,
-how can we improve it; and
-our experiences and roles as planet école citizens.

Welcome to planet école!

2008-12-30T09:09:00.003-05:00

Bienvenue! Willkommen! Benvenuti! Bienvenidos! أهلاً و سهلاً
Welcome to planet école: international education is an adventure blog! Let's share on our lifelong journey.