We asked all our bloggers to share the one New Year’s resolution someone should make if they want to study in the U.S.  Submitted humbly in the hope that it will help you achieve your goals, here is their list of 15 resolutions you can make for 2012:

Resolution #1: Make a calendar. (Creative commons photo by Flickr user Chapendra)

1. Get a calendar and mark all the deadlines for applications and exams.  Keep it on hand. (Anna)

2. Start a list of colleges that give financial aid to international students. (Simba)

» Here’s some information to get you started…

3. Watch as many TV shows as possible – you can learn lots of English from them and have something to talk about with Americans. But please do not overdo it, since some reality shows are not very brilliant. (Tara)

» Some tips from Nick on learning English through pop culture

4. Relearn your math courses whether you like it or not, because we are required to take math again in college. (Ryan)

5. Work hard on your writing.  Guys, this is the most challenging thing you will face when you start going to school.  No matter how good you think you are in speaking English, writing is totally another story. (Mohammed)

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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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Many of you, including our own blogger Nick, have suggested using American songs as a way to practice English.  Well, the holiday season is filled with classic Christmas carols that are great for just that purpose.

Some Christmas carols have been around so long that they use beautiful archaic language like “hither and thither,” which most English speakers can still recognize as meaning “here and there.” But I bet even native English speakers don’t know the meaning of some of these words that pop up in their favorite Christmas songs.

Lowing
Heard in: Away in a Manger

“The cattle are lowing, the poor baby wakes”

Lowing (verb) = Mooing

Verily, Riven
Heard in: Ding Dong Merrily on High

“Ding dong, verily the sky is riv’n with angel singing”

Verily (adverb) = Truly

Riven (adjective) = Split Read the rest of this entry »

Thanks everyone who participated in our Q&A event this week.  I hope it somewhat made up for the lack of real webinars happening in the world!

Our last question comes from Hana, who asked:

are there any medical scholarships for international students?

Hey look! It's a stock image of a medical person for a post about medical school

I have to admit, medical school is not an issue we’ve ever covered on this blog, and as I started to research this topic, I found out why.  Going to medical school in the U.S. as an international student is pretty difficult.  So much so that Yale University warns international students thinking of even pursuing a pre-med track as an undergraduate that:

It is extremely difficult for international applicants who are not citizens or permanent residents of the United States to gain admission to U.S. medical schools. … International applicants who are considering a career as a medical doctor and hope to receive their education at an American medical school should think carefully before applying for admission to an undergraduate program in the United States. (Yale University admissions)

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Question #3 in our Q&A event comes from Joseph who asked:

how is academic and also how can l get a scholarship to study.

Comparison of a lecture classroom (top) and a seminar classroom. (Creative Commons photos by Flickr users Mira and Marcus Ojeda)

Classes are generally taught either “lecture-style,” which means the professor lectures the whole time, or “seminar-style,” which means most of the class is devoted to discussion.  You’ll probably find that intro-level classes are more likely to be lecture classes, while higher level classes may be more discussion-based.  Classroom participation often makes up a percentage of your final grade, even for lecture classes.

We’ve discussed in the past some things that might be different in the U.S. education system compared to what you’re used to.  In particular, you’ll probably have assignments due throughout the semester, rather than one single final examination at the end (although final exams are still important, and stressful).

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Question #2 in our weeklong online event comes from “nhung” who asked:

How can we get the visa F1 , I think I have enough condition to study in USA but US consulate refused to issue visa

Let’s start out with me reminding you that I’m not an immigration lawyer, nor am I a consular officer.  If you’re having trouble, seek out people who can help guide you, like your EducationUSA adviser or the international student adviser at the school you’ve been admitted to.

The general visa process is explained in this great (and adorable) video from EducationUSA:

For some advice on how to make the process go smoothly, check out this previous post: “Visa Tips From Visa Officers.”

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If you’re a regular reader of this blog, you know that each Friday we search the entire internet (from “a” right through “∞”) to find online events and webinars happening in the upcoming week that you might want to attend.

Well, we couldn’t find any for this week (and we even searched all the way through ∞+1), so we decided to hold our own.  All week we’ll be taking and answering your questions about studying in America (more details here).

So here we go with question #1…

How much does studying in America cost?

Feridun asked about the cost of studying in the U.S., and particularly of studying English.

I know this isn’t what you want to hear, but the answer is that there is no answer.  Or, more precisely, the cost varies VERY widely.

Take an undergraduate education.  The “sticker price” (cost of tuition + fees) can range from $59,170 (Sarah Lawrence College) down to $0 (Berea College).  According to the College Board, the average tuition is $20,770 for a public university and $28,500 for a private one.

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We didn’t find any webinars or online events for next week (maybe because of Christmas?). So we’re holding our own!

Ask any questions you have about studying in the US – maybe you want to know what your classmates will be like, or how the academics are, or what types of scholarships you could get – and we’ll do our best to answer them throughout the week next week.

Yesterday we shared the first of two recent phone conversations we had to talk about studying and living in the U.S. If you didn’t have a chance to listen to that one, check it out.

In this second conversation, we start out talking about American culture, but with prospective student Vladimir on the line, quickly switch to sharing advice and opinions about applying to study in the U.S. We talk about where to find reliable information, everyone’s experiences taking standardized tests, and what criteria people used to decide where to apply.

And as a special bonus, you’ll hear two horror stories from taking the SAT. Hopefully yours won’t be anything like these!

Or download the mp3

You’ve heard the advice our bloggers had to give – what’s yours? If you had to pass on one piece of advice about applying to study in America, what would it be?

You might remember last year we had a blast recording and sharing a few phone conversations where the bloggers compared notes from their year in the States.

If you haven’t listened to those, check ‘em out.  They were lots of fun: Pete and Repeat are on a Boat…and Other Adventures in American Culture

In fact, they were so much fun that we did it again!  Here’s the first of two phone conversations we had recently. Take a listen:

Or download the mp3

In this one we discuss why the bloggers chose to study in the U.S. and some of the pieces of American culture they’ve found most difficult to get used to (yelling and oversharing). We also share stories about the problems with having an accent, and share some tips for getting rid of it.  Plus, Thuy tells us about what it’s like to study for an MBA.

Of course there’s also tons of advice for anyone thinking about applying to U.S. colleges or business schools in the near-ish future. If you’re only looking for the advice bit, it starts at about 21 minutes in, and there’s lots more coming in the second conversation, so stay tuned for that as well.

Oh yeah, and we almost burn down an apartment! (Just in case the other stuff wasn’t exciting enough for you…)

There’s an interesting discussion happening on Quora right now about the types of people that have an advantage in American culture; that is, what attributes are prized within U.S. society.  Some of the suggestions of characteristics that help you get ahead in America:

- Being an extrovert

- Working well in teams

- Having straight, white teeth

Do you agree?  Is what gives you an advantage in America different than what might put you ahead elsewhere?

Ah, final exams.  A time to step back and consider all the knowledge you’ve gained in the past few fruitful months. That, or completely freak out and find excuses to do anything other than study.  Most people on Tumblr seem to have chosen the latter option. And luckily for us, they’re spending their time making funny pictures for us to enjoy.

So, for your viewing pleasure, 10 funny memes by people who are wasting more time than you are:

1) What we’re really looking for is attention to detail…

via http://10000teenagetruths.tumblr.com

2) At least pie charts might be on the exam?

via http://weenduptogether.tumblr.com/
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We’re searching the web to find webinars and other online events of interest to prospective international students. Check here each Friday to find out what’s coming up in the next week.

Your end of the bargain? If you attend, report back and let us know what you learned! (Use the comments, the Facebook page or just email me – jstahl@voanews.com)

Coming up next week:

It’s all EducationUSA all the time next week…

December 12

EducationUSA: Conditional Admission for English Language Students
9 am US Eastern time
More information: http://www.educationusa.info/edusa_connects/
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“How many of you believe in Congress?”

One day in my public speaking class, a student began his speech with this question, and nobody raised their hands to show their approval. Later in his speech, the student talked more about how Americans view their government, saying that the American government is losing credibility, people are dissatisfied with the present situation and, most importantly for him, lots of people he knows don’t vote.

I got almost horrified that day. That student dared to speak against the government in front of the whole class, and the other students and the teacher treated it so calmly that they even didn’t show a surprised look!

According to what I know, this would be totally unacceptable in lots of Asian countries, including my own. As a foreigner, I have to say, I am quite amazed and excited about this American freedom.

Has low voter turnout changed history?

Photo: Flickr user unsureshot

Americans are extremely proud of their democratic system, which is guaranteed by citizens’ voting rights. Yet my experience also tells me that sometimes the American democracy is not what it appears to be, and there are some problems that go along with this kind of freedom. Having just seen one Election Day, and watching the preparations for the 2012 presidential election, I agree with the student in my public speaking class that lack of participation in voting is one of these problems.

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