In the summer of their junior year of high school, many American students will take time to visit the colleges to which they plan to apply. Their goal is to learn more about the schools and decide where they might be a good fit. For a lot of international students coming to the U.S., making an overseas trip just to visit college campuses might not be an option.

U.S. News and World Reports recently compiled some advice from college admissions officers and experts. Nancy Meislahn, dean of admissions and financial aid at Wesleyan University suggested:

Get on the mailing list (or today’s equivalent) so you’ll be notified of nearby alumni and admission office-sponsored events in your area. Visit websites of the schools you are most interested in often. Look for announcements of online chats or other opportunities to connect with students and faculty.

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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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New additions to the Glossary of Confusing Words!  This time we have two colloquial phrases you might hear in everyday conversation.

1) Beg the Question

I notice it frequently used by writers, journalists, television and radio reporters, etc.
It is mistakenly being used as a synonymous wording for “raise the question,” or “ask the question.”

In everyday, conversational English, the phrase “to beg the question” is used to mean “to raise the question.”  For example:

“His erratic behavior begs the question: is this man fit for office?”

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In a recent interview for the Saudi Gazette, officials at the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh talked about some of the biggest mistakes students make when applying for their F-1 student visas, and gave advice for getting through the process successfully.

It was the second time this month we heard visa tips from real visa officials – last week David Donahue, the U.S. deputy assistant secretary for visa services, gave three tips to students applying for visas to study in America:

1) Apply early
2) Be informed
3) Be prepared

Watch Mr. Donahue give this advice in a video from the State Department

According to Robin A. Busse, Non-Immigrant Visa Chief and David B. Rochford, Vice Consul at the American Embassy in Riyadh, one of the biggest mistakes students make is not following Donahue’s first tip – applying too late for their visa.

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On his blog about life at Berkeley College in New York, blogger Jose Navarro debates whether having an accent is a positive or a negative for international students in the US.

He writes of his English language skills:

Now, it’s not that I have a problem with the language, but I do (as most of the people from Spain) have an accent.

In New York it’s not uncommon to hear many different accents from all across the world, but Jose writes that his accent still gets noticed.

I know no one would do it on purpose, but after having done your work, prepared whatever you wanted to say, gather the courage to stand in front of people to speak and hear someone ask “oh, so you’re from Barcelona? you have an accent” is not so pleasant.

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Prior my arrival in the States, I was uncertain of my major and hesitant about whether to dabble in economics or continue with natural sciences. The only thing that I was certain of was that I wanted to learn Chinese.

A sign in the Dubai airport, where I spent 20 hours in transit on my way to China

Today, a year later, I have been presented with an opportunity to study in China for the summer!

Somehow, the fact that I am studying Chinese strikes a lot of people as strange.

Whenever I mention that I am indeed studying Chinese, they ask me an inevitable question: “So what made you decide to study Chinese?”

Depending on who is asking the question, what I assume their motives to be and how well acquainted I am to the person, I can either give the standard, diplomatic answer:

“You see,” I would begin, “China is investing heavily in African countries.”

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This is one of the sweetest things I’ve ever seen – just had to share…

@me_and_only_me writes on Twitter:

My doll! back to me after 30yrs I gave it to my sis when she left to study in the US, I was 6

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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I have seen many Americans use this phrase “I have gotten” rather than “I have got”,which is more frequently used in other english-speaking countries and although I have searched in many dictionaries I still have not understood when one should use this phrase.

There’s a difference between the way the verb “to get” is conjugated in British English and American English.  In the U.S., “gotten” is commonly used as the past participle for “get.” So whereas in the U.K. you might say “I have got,” in the U.S. you’d more often say “I have gotten” (or, “I’ve gotten”).

“I have gotten bad grades on many tests in the past.”

“I would have gotten candy from the store, but I didn’t have enough money.”

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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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I’m on vacation this week (everyone needs one sometimes…), but don’t think that means you get a break from Student Union.

Over the course of the week, we’ll take a look back at some of the best and most memorable posts from the past year. It’s just our first year, but it’s been a good one (if I may be so bold). So if you’ve just started reading us recently, or if you want to remember our earlier posts, stay tuned all week for the recap!