I’m going on vacation! For two weeks!  Very exciting (…for me. I can’t imagine you care much whether I go on vacation or not).  It’ll be the longest we’ve ever gone without posting something (I’m going through withdrawal already), but here are some things to read and do in the meantime, so you don’t miss us too much.

1) Help us decide what we should write about!

» Submit a word for us to define in the Glossary of Confusing Words

» Ask a question or suggest a topic that you would like us to cover or find someone to talk about

2) Chime in!

» If you’ve studied in the U.S. or hope to some day, share your story with us and with all the other students who can learn from your experiences

3) Check out some of our favorite recent posts

» Watch Qian fail, fail and fail again in this moving video looking back on her 4 years studying in the States (don’t worry – she finally succeeds)

» What do Americans secretly think of their international classmates? We do an anonymous survey to find out the truth

» In pictures: The #1 lesson each of us have learned this year

» Simba takes down American stereotypes of Africans, one by one

In case you couldn’t guess, I love the articles our bloggers write about culture and culture clash.  I’m fascinated by what happens when different cultures come into contact and coexist, and by finding out all the little differences that end up making a huge impression, like whether getting a tan is beautiful or whether writing with your left hand is weird.

But we also cover lots of practical advice here, and in the past year our bloggers have shared tons of tips for getting into a U.S. college or university and for getting the most out of it.

Here are the top 10 that any prospective international student should read:

Getting in:

How I Made Myself a Good Candidate for US Admissions (and Other Advice from a Successful Applicant) – Anna

Can International Students Attend American Medical School? – Jess

How to Speak English Fluently? – Nick

Learning How to Take the SATs – Vladimir
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As promised, since yesterday I shared YOUR favorite posts of the past school year, today I’m sharing MY favorite posts.  These weren’t always the most read or most shared items, but they all had something insightful, interesting and important to say.  These were the posts that made me see the world through someone else’s eyes, and learn something in the process.

Where are you from is not an easy question. Here I am holding a Chinese flag in a Palestinian market in the West Bank.

5. What Does it Mean to “Be American” As a Chinese Student?

The struggle to define yourself, and to decide how much your definition of self is in relation to others, is something everyone goes through in college.  But when you’re struggling to define yourself within another culture, as Qian has, it takes on a whole other dimension.

Waking from an alcoholic stupor after a party and walking in 5-inch-heels with my friends in the empty streets of Hong Kong at 3:00 am, I kept asking myself again and again, “Is this the life you want? If yes, why did you feel uncomfortable? If no, why do you have to continue this lifestyle you don’t actually enjoy?”

(Also make sure to take a look at Tara’s thoughts about dating in America, the “relationship talk,” and the fascinating differences in Chinese and American attitudes towards relationships)

4. Apetito and Acai Berries: Beauty and Weight in Zimbabwe and America

When being in America means redefining what it means to be “beautiful” and “healthy.”  Senzeni explores the obsession with weight in America, and back home in Zimbabwe.

During my freshman year, I watched with undisguised fascination as my friends would eat not to fill their stomachs, but to ensure that they had just barely met their daily calorie requirement. I also remember, vividly, watching helplessly as my American roommate’s face clouded over when I “complimented” her that she had gained weight (as you may have guessed, in America this is not a compliment).

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It’s hard to believe that another school year is coming to an end!  It seems like just yesterday we were introducing you to a new crop of writers, and now we’re saying goodbye, wishing some of them good luck in their post-graduation futures, and some of them a happy summer spent pursuing internships and other new experiences.  Thanks to them for a great year filled with great insights, and thanks to you for reading, commenting and participating.

In honor of a great 2011-2012 school year, we’ll spend this week looking back at the year and some of our favorite posts (in case you missed them!).  First off, our top 5 most read posts of the year…

5. How Old is Too Old to Start College?

Is there such thing as being too old to start college? Ryan thought he might be too old to start over, but quickly learned that non-traditional students are more traditional than he thought.

At AMINEF, when the counselor found out that I was 21, she assumed that I was applying for a graduate program. It was a funny misunderstanding, but at that exact moment, it struck me that I may be too old to start over pursuing my studies at a new college.

4. A Chinese Student’s Story of Job-Hunting in the US

In this video, Qian shows off her talent for videography, as well as the story of a Chinese student’s path to finding internships in America.

(Also check out Olena’s discussion of her own experience looking for internships, and what she wishes she’d known before she started)

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One of my favorite things about the new year approaching is the chance to look back and be proud of the one that just passed.  So in that spirit, here are the 5 most popular posts that have appeared on this blog in the 2011 school year, of which we are very proud:

5) Are You Competitive Enough to Make it In America?

Mohammed writes about how difficult he’s found the academics in America so far:

There comes a night when you have a couple of projects for different classes, a paper, and an exam to study for.  And that night you ask yourself, “What did I get myself into?”

Oh, but don’t worry:

I’m not trying to intimidate you, but you should know what it really is to study in the States.  One thing I can promise you all, it is worth all the hard work you give into it.

4) Why You Will Gain 10 Pounds in America (and How to Lose it Again)

Tara now (left) and before (right)

Tara explains how eating an American diet and being around American girls led her to accidentally put on some weight.

She also annoys us all with pictures of herself when she gained weight in which she still looks so skinny, that when I first posted the story I labeled them as showing her after she lost it again!

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Creative commons photo by Flickr user Chapendra

These are my favorite two posts from last semester.

The first one is a compilation I liked since it breaks the stereotypes and stands up for an ideology that had been falsely attacked.

The second one is a post from Jamie that I found particularly helpful and I think a lot of college students may have done so too.

#1) We are Not Terrorists: Muslim Experiences on Campus, Question of the Week

#2) Guide to Getting Through Final Exams, by Jaime

Green Bay Packers fans celebrate in Wisconsin after their team beat the Pittsburgh Steelers to win the Super Bowl (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)

What were your favorite articles from the past school year?

#1) Football and Patriotism: A Super American Day, by Nareg

Nareg is one of my favorite writers for the blog, It’s always interesting how he portrays American-ness in his blog posts.

#2) Meeting Movie Stars and Oscar Winners, by Tara

As a movie buff, I was jealous but extremely happy for her because I agree with her. A 4.0 GPA is cool…I think. And hanging out with Tom Hooper and Melissa Leo is not amazing…it’s fantastic.

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What were your favorite articles from the past school year?

I went through the posts, and picked the ones I remembered. Here they are, in no particular order (except perhaps chronological):

#1) How to Speak English Fluently?, by Nick

I thought that one was helpful when it comes to learning and getting accustomed to the English language. Plus, I didn’t know Nick could write so well.

#2) Empowered to Create Change: Being an LGBTQ Student, by Jaime

The social and political issue surrounding homosexuality in America – and certainly for student life in America – was well-highlighted, I thought, by this post.

#3) My Work Experience with the Female Politicians of Afghanistan, by Farima

#4) Being Afghan and Muslim at a US High School, by Farima

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Acceptance letters (Creative commons photo by Flickr user Adrian Ho)

The final, and possibly most important, of our recaps looks back at the most informative posts we’ve done over the past year. If you’re just discovering this blog or just starting to think about studying in the U.S., these posts will be a good way to start.

Top 5 most informative posts:

#1) Applying to Schools

From deciding to study in America to waiting for the results of your application, this post walks through all the basic steps of applying, including stories from our bloggers about their experiences.

Also see:
First Steps: Deciding to Come to the US is the Easy Part

#2) Exploring Financial Aid and Funding Options

There are so many more sources of aid and scholarships than you may think.  This post helps you get started understanding your options, and shares the various routes pursued by our bloggers to afford their education.

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I did a similar list at Christmas time, so I won’t repeat any of the posts I listed there. Take a look back at that post from December 2010 to see some previous favorites worth checking out.

Top 5 personal favorites

Farima represents Afghanistan at a school cultural event

#1) We Are Not Terrorists: Muslim Experiences on Campus, Question of the Week

Also:
My Biggest Surprise in the US: Sadia’s Story
Being Afghan and Muslim at a US High School, by Farima

I loved these three posts because of the unique insights and perspectives they offered on being a Muslim in the U.S.  Sadia, Farima, Umer and Beenish (the two people we interviewed for the “We Are Not Terrorists” story) all talked honestly about their experiences – both good and bad.  And I felt like their conclusions were summed up beautifully by this quote, from a Pakistani UGRAD partipant on his first day in the U.S.: “There are only two kinds of people which you will find in every corner of the world, in every society, in every country. That is good and bad. It exists everywhere, and last night I found this true.”

#2) On Cultures and Sub-Cultures in America, by Nareg

We came to know Nareg as our resident sociologist/anthropologist, always interested in the foundations and layers of American culture.  This piece explores a particularly unique part of American culture – the way it enables innumerable subcultures sprung up around everything from particular styles of dress to musical preferences to emotional states.  I enjoyed seeing his take on some subcultures I’ve grown up with, and tussling with him in the editing process over his portrayal of hipsters and nerds.

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Continuing our look back at the top posts of the past school year, here are your…

Top 5 most shared posts on Facebook and Twitter:

#1) Transforming from Passive Student to Active Advocate: Shu Wen’s Story

They talked about how free the U.S. education is and they talked about liberal arts education where if you are undecided of what your major is you can try a couple of disciplines first until you find your passion. It kind of struck me, so I just took my chance and applied to several schools in the U.S., and finally got in.

#2) Do You Know How to Give an ‘American Hug?’

Topics covered: (1) How to recognize an American; (2) how to greet an American you’ve just met; (3) how to greet an American after having a few beers.

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As the academic year comes to an end and summer vacation begins, we’ll take a look back at the past school year and share some of your favorite posts…and some of our favorites too!  So stay tuned over the next week or so for a bunch of lists recapping the best of the past school year. Starting with…

The top 5 most viewed posts of 2010-2011:

#1) International Student in Japan Recounts Earthquake Experience: ‘I was so astonished and panicked’, by Seungmin Bang

Photo: AFP

It’s like a movie, something like a disaster film. This is my very first time to undergo such a severe earthquake in Japan. Since never having experienced an earthquake like this, my other international friends and I was so astonished and panicked. On the contrary to this, other Japanese people were relatively calm.

We also spoke several times to Kana Igarashi, a Japanese student studying in California.  Kana’s family was in Fukushima, and she talked about their experience in the earthquake and subsequent nuclear crisis.

#2) How to Speak English Fluently?, by Nick Hoang

I’m not exaggerating in saying that American movies and music were my principal English teachers in 9th grade. I would buy CDs of Westlife and Britney Spears, download the lyrics and sing along to the songs.

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Sick of the 2010 recap lists yet? I am. But here’s one final one for you before you ring in the new year…the news stories that have most caught our attention since this blog started 3 months ago.

The top 5 stories we’ve been following:

#5) College rankings start to generate controversy:

We started the year by sharing results of some university rankings – World University Rankings, US News and World Reports, National Research Council, Global Higher Education Rankings - and there are many more out there. But the validity of using such rankings to compare schools is coming under increasing scrutiny, including an official audit by the International Ranking Expert Group, and students have been reminded by various sources to dig deeper than a school’s ranking when deciding where to apply.

#4) Suicide and violence on college campuses:

Tyler Clementi, a student at Rutgers University in New Jersey, committed suicide in September after his roommate allegedly broadcast a video of Clementi’s sexual encounter with another man. The incident shocked students at universities around the country and forced both students and officials to take a look at how they treat gay students and how they deal with bullying and suicide prevention.

The start of the school year also saw a couple of campus shooting incidents, and our bloggers responded by saying they feel campus violence is more of a problem in America than in their home countries, but that their universities take measures to keep them protected.

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It’s not as scientific a measure as most viewed or most commented, but here my top 5 favorite posts our bloggers wrote in 2010.  Although, let’s be clear, all the bloggers are amazing, and picking out just 5 feels really unfair.  As a bonus, I’m also including my top 5 favorite “Question of the Week”-style posts.

My top 5 favorite blogger posts:

# 5) On Colours of American Armour, or Why I Refuse to AmericaniSe my Spelling, by Nareg

I shall definitely “graduate” in May, and not “pass out”, as I would have in India. Although, the exhausting way we work here at St. John’s College, it may end up being a little of both.

# 4) Rethinking Democracy, by Sebastian

But something I found interesting is the fact that voting day here in Kansas is just like any other week day, and if someone doesn’t vote, there is no penalty for that.

# 3) A Personal Take on “Americanization,” by Nick

On my plate was a sizable cheese burger, sitting on top of a bunch of curly fries, accompanied by plenty of ketchup and pickle slices to round up the over-packed plate.

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