university teaching seminar 2011 international issues and welcome to ames august 17, 2011 presented...

University Teaching Seminar 2011

International Issues and Welcome to Ames

August 17, 2011Presented by Ling Li and Ruslan

Suvorov


In this session you will…

• Get information about the life in Ames from

an international graduate student perspective

• Learn tips on dealing with culture shock and

adjusting to your new life

• Get an idea about the life of international TAs

at ISU


Welcome to Ames!• Among top 10 best places to live in America (Money

Magazine, 2010)• Population of more than 50,000• Small town charm with the heartbeat of a big city• Only 30 minutes from Des Moines, also easily

accessible from Kansas City, Omaha, Minneapolis, and Chicago


Climate in Ames• Warm/hot and humid summer

• Very cold and long winter

• Rainfall is fairly evenly distributed

throughout the year

• Checking weather forecast

regularly is a good idea

GOOD INVESTMENT FOR WINTER:

• A goose down coat, boots, socks,

gloves, wool hat, and maybe face

mask

• Warm clothes to dress in layers

• Shovel and ice scraper


Severe Weather in Ames

• Tornadoes• Hail• Floods• Snow storms• Freezing rain

Checking weather forecast regularly is a good idea


Housing and Shopping in Ames• Housing

• On-campus: http://www.housing.iastate.edu/places/• Off-campus:

http://www.hunziker.com/apartment_list/search.phphttp://www.furmanrealty.com/activelistings.php

• Shopping• East and West HyVee, North Grand Mall, Fareway,

Target, Wheatsfield (organic) + Ankeny and Des Moines

• International grocery: Pamel Grocery, Asian stores• International restaurants: Mexican, Chinese, etc. • Local Craiglist: http://ames.craigslist.org/


Transportation in Ames

• CyRide http://www.cyride.com• Airport Shuttle Service

http://www.executiveexpress.biz/• Personal vehicle:

• Ames Driver’s License Station http://www.iowadot.gov/

• Driving for international grad students at ISU: http://driving.techandlearn.com/

• Buying a car, car insurance, parking permits


Culture ShockSymptoms•Sadness•Loneliness•Anxiety•Homesickness

Tips on dealing with culture shock•Making new friends•Keeping yourself busy •Learning more about the US culture

International Friendship Connectionhttp://www.ifcinfo.com/Conversation Partner, English Club


Factors Associated with Cultural and Academic Adaptation Among ISU International

Students

Adaptation/Adjustment

Individual Resources:

• Language ability/skills• Self-confidence• Knowledge about culture and educational system

Social Resources/Factors:

• Social support/network: (e.g., friends from the same culture, American friends, classmates, staff, professors, and church)• Discrimination

Grace D. da Rosa


ISSO and Health Insurance

• International Students and Scholars Office (ISSO) http://www.isso.iastate.edu/:Advisers help you with• Your paperwork as an international student• Personal, financial and cultural issues• Find out about ISSO requirements early• Do not get info from other people, get it directly

from the ISSO office

• Health Insurance• http://www.hrs.iastate.edu/sship/

homepage.html


Useful Links• International Student Council http://www.stuorg.iastate.edu/isc/• Student and Scholar Health Insurancehttp://www.hrs.iastate.edu/sship/homepage.html• CyRide Bus http://www.cyride.com• City of Ameshttp://www.city.ames.ia.us/• State of Iowahttp://www.iowa.gov/• SEVIShttp://www.ice.gov/sevis/students/index.htm


Campus Resources

• Department of Public Safety (DPS): 515-294-4428

• Help Van: 515-294-4444• Safety Escort (6 p.m. – 6 a.m. when

classes in session): 515-294-4444• Parking Division: 515-294-3388• Emergency: 911


International Teaching Assistants

• Who they are

• OECT test (former SPEAK/TEACH)

• TA duties:• Teaching standalone classes;• Teaching labs;• Assisting professor (e.g., grading, proctoring,

etc.)


ITA Common Issues

• Language issues:• Accent, grammar, vocabulary• New terminology

• Cultural differences• Different pedagogy in class:

• Teaching style• Grading and feedback

• Different classroom culture:• Use of technology, eating, tardiness, attendance,

etc.


Dealing With Language Issues

• Talk to your students

• Be open about your language issues

• Practice English whenever you can:• English 180 classes

• SPEAK/TEACH Pronunciation Lab

• Make friends with Americans

• Avoid using only native language


Dealing With Cultural Differences

• Discuss issues with your students

• Learn from other TAs and professors

• Make friends with Americans to learn

more

• Educate yourself about the US culture


Dealing With Teaching Problems

• Know the expectations of your department

• Get advice from other TAs and professors

• Invite fellow TAs/mentor to observe your class

• Learn more about teaching methodologies,

grading, and feedback used in the US

• Avoid imposing your own teaching beliefs and

style on your students

• Be a guide on the side, not a sage on the stage!


Dealing With Classroom Culture

• Know your rights and duties and the rights

of your students

• Set up rules and guidelines in your course

policy, make sure students know and

follow them

• Confront students when issues arise

• Get advice from other TAs


Help Resources

• Experienced ITAs and American TAs

• Your major professor, mentor, and

department

• International Students and Scholars Office

(ISSO)


Questions?

Please fill out the session review form before you leave.

university teaching seminar 2011 international issues and welcome to ames august 17, 2011 presented...

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