International Applicants E-Newsletter

Transcription

1 International Applicants E-Newsletter FEBRUARY 23, 2012 Dear International Applicants, My name is Ceci Gonzalez. I m a sophomore at Smith, majoring in Anthropology and minoring in Economics. I m from sunny El Salvador, where the grass is always green and the sun is always shining. I am also the International Recruitment Intern for Smith s Office of Admission. When I think about you all, eagerly awaiting your decision letters and finishing off the last leg of your high school careeers, I can t help but feel a bit nostalgic about my own experience. I fell in love with Smith instantly, although it took me a while to find it. But once I did, I knew there was no better place for me. I fell in love with the way Smith empowers its students to believe they can do anything (because they can!), and the fact that being a part of the Smith community is like being part of a huge, caring family. At Smith, I find myself surrounded by the smartest, bravest, most interesting people I know. I am constantly surprised by the conversations I find myself being a part of and by the things I learn every day about the world, about others, and about myself. Smith is a community of diversity. Not only does it harbor students from incredibly varied backgrounds (59 countries are represented at Smith), but it is also a place that values individuality above all else. During their four years at Smith, students find the power of their own unique voice and lose any and all fears of letting it be heard, loud and clear. Professors, advisors, and members of Smith staff are all here to serve as guides and mentors for students, so that no Smithie ever feels at a loss for resources, information, or support. With incredible resources like the Career Development Office, the Center for Community Collaboration, the Center for Work and Life, and the Global Studies Center among others, Smith is the perfect place for already strong individuals to become even stronger. SMITH COLLEGE Did You Know? - In the FOX show The Simpsons, Lisa Simpson lists Smith as one of her top choice schools. - Author and poet Sylvia Plath is among Smith s many distinguished alumnae, and the college archives contain many of her possessions including her prom dress! - The first graduating class at Smith had 14 students. Last year s incoming class had 694!

2 International Applicants E-Newsletter FEBRUARY 23, 2012 SMITH COLLEGE As an international student myself, I can well imagine where you might find yourselves now, and all the questions you probably have. The college application process is a grueling one, I know (although it wasn t really for me Smith was the only school I applied to, and now here I am!), especially if you are applying to schools on foreign soils like Smith is to you. So I would first like to commend you all for stepping out of your comfort zones and applying to Smith; I know how scary the prospect of studying abroad can be, and I m here to tell you that you are not alone. The international community at Smith is an absolutely amazing one, and we all work hard to make sure that everyone feels at home. Because that s what Smith is, at least to me: home. The purpose of this newsletter is to establish a more concrete connection between you, the applicants, and Smith. One of the most challenging parts about being an international student, in my opinion, is the fact that you don t always have the opportunity to visit the colleges you wish to apply to. In an effort to provide you with all the information you may need in order to make a decision, I have included in this newsletter several resources and details about Smith life that will help you get a better idea of what it really is like to live at Smith. I also chatted with some other current international students at Smith and have included their insights. Xizhu Zhao has also provided me with information about herself and her role as the Chinese Recruitment Intern for the Admissions Office, which I have also included. I can t begin to tell you how excited I am for you and the journey you are about to embark on. I want you to know that I am prepared to be here for you every step of the way and provide you with as much information and support as I can. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you would like more information about a certain aspect of Smith, or if you would just like to talk, about anything and everything! I wish you the best of luck! Ceci Gonzalez Smith College 2014 International Recruitment Intern Office of Admission mcgonzal@smith.edu You can also follow my blog at

3 International Applicants E-Newsletter FEBRUARY 23, 2012 SMITH COLLEGE A few words from your other International Intern... Hi Everyone, My name is Xizhu Zhao and I am a senior engineering student from Beijing, China. I am currently interning at the Office of Admission with a focus on work related to Chinese students, and I would like to thank you all first for your interest in Smith College. Four years ago, I applied to Smith Early Decision and I have never regretted coming here. I was extremely homesick in my first year, but gradually I found my place on this campus - my friends, housemates, and even people I didn't really know, dragged me to various student organizations, athletic activities, as well as parties (for parties, at least they tried :p). Since then I have played on the squash team where I not only learned to play that sport, but also gradually gained a strong sense of belonging to my team and college, and enjoyed the culture that I had never expected to be involved in. I might be biased for Smith because of this, but I do love it here. And I just want to let you know that you will also find many opportunities, often unexpected, at Smith. My academic experience has also been great. I especially value the opportunities to take a variety of courses outside my major, despite the fact that engineering requires twice the amount of courses as most other majors at Smith. In addition, during the second semester of my sophomore year, I studied abroad in Hamburg, Germany, and took three classes in the humanities. Those experiences greatly extended my mind and pushed me to ponder what I could do to add to this world, which has to some extent inspired me to conduct research in renewable energy. In fact, I will be pursuing a PhD in engineering after graduation, and I believe the rigorous academic program at Smith prepares one adequately for further study. Love, Xizhu

4 INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS E-NEWSLETTER Office for International Students and Scholars International The Office for International Students and Scholars enhances and supports the educational, cultural and social dimension of international education at Smith College. We promote a diverse learning environment, support essential services and programs and assist international students in meeting their educational and career goals. students make up 14% of Smith s class of 2015 International Students Organization The ISO is a student-run organization designed to provide a sense of community and support for international students at Smith. They organize events like International Students Day, where international students get together and cook meals from their home countries, and Rhythm Nations, a presentation exhibiting different dances from the countries represented at Smith. They also organize weekend and day trips to Boston and New York, alumnae network opportunities, and yearly conferences. International Students Pre-Orientation Organized by the OISS, the ISP program is mandatory for all incoming international students and takes place a few days before general orientation begins. It is designed to get students acclimated to life at Smith and in the United States and features many workshops as well as social opportunities for students to get to know each other. OISS Website: interstudents/ Here is a video of IS day:

5 What do you think about Smith s neighboring town, Northampton? Cecilia Maina, 14 From: Kenya Economics and Psychology Double Major Favorite Downtown Restaurants: Sam s Pizzeria, The Teapot, Local Burger I like to shop around downtown, even if I m not buying anything. Northampton is a great place to window shop! cmaina@smith.edu Nikita Samaratunga, 15 From: Sri Lanka Potential Sociology or Government Major Favorite Downtown Restaurants: The Teapot, Friendly s Northampton has a lot of variety for such a small town. I really like trying out all the different restaurants. It s also nice to go out and walk around after being on campus for a while. nsamarat@smith.edu Valerie Yuen, 14 From: Hong Kong Economics and Government Double Major Favorite Downtown Restaurants: Sylvester s, Osaka Northampton is very much like Smith, like a hidden gem. It s very diverse and artsy and you never know what you ll find. vyuen@smith.edu

6 Katerina Popova, 14 From: Bulgaria Molecular Biology Major Favorite Downtown Restaurants: Amanouz, The Teapot I love that Smith is so near Northampton, because even if you don t have much time, it s very convenient. There are also great places to quickly get some ice cream, like Herrell s or GoBerry. kpopova@smith.edu What are the best resources available to students at Smith? Dean Tamzarian and the Office for International Students and Scholars are a great resource to get information and support of any kind. Cecilia The Jacobson Writing Center is a great place to learn and get accustomed to the US writing system and get help with your writing. Nikita The Career Development Office and the Women and Financial Independence program give really good, really helpful lectures about what life will be like outside of Smith. Valerie The Smith faculty are a great source of support for students, as both advisors and professors. Going to office hours and talking to professors is a great way to get feedback. Katerina Don t forget to these students with questions!