The most important adjustment issue was eating, because American food is totally different from Chinese food, and good eating can bring me enough energy to study well. I took this photo on 22/08/2015, when I was the first time to have breakfast at Mason. At that time, everything was new and strange to me, and I felt strongly upset to my future. I was afraid that I could not accept American food. However, I gradually adapt the American food. Actually this adjustment cannot directly help me during my MSA degree and after I graduate. However, I always study in school library so that I have no time to cook Chinese food for myself, so I choose purchase meal in Johnson Center or in Southside. If I cannot accept American food, maybe I will go back to home to spend time in cooking some familiar food, and it will have serious influence on effectiveness and efficiency of my study. Therefore, adjustment in food is a kind of positive thing for my MSA degree. Additionally, I love pizza.
I took this photo when I lived in the Global Center last semester. RAs gathered international students together to participant in an interesting activity, Just Dance. At the beginning of the event, I was so shy that I just watched them, but our RA, Senam, encouraged me to join them for having fun. During the activity, I met some very nice persons that now I still keep in touch with. They are not only international students but also native peers, and through socializing with them, I can find a sense of belonging. This sense of belonging can eliminate alienation to American culture and mitigate my homesickness in order to better study during MSA program.
It was the first time I heard fire alarm in America, and everything happened at 2：33 am when everyone was sleeping! The reason that caused the fire alarm was an international student smoked in the dormitory. Actually, I did not have this experience in China, because most of Chinese universities do not have smoke detector. As international students, we need to understand host nation’s rules and comply with these rules. We should observe these rules so that we do not make trouble for others or ourselves. For example, plagiarism is a significant thing that every graduate student in America should know about. Not only host students, bus also international students, like me, are required to be compliance with correct citation forms in academic writing. If we break up this rule, we will suffer punishments having negative effect on our master degree.
I took this photo twenty minutes before I took intermediate financial final exam at the 6:40 in the morning. International students studying abroad will experience various challenges, such as social challenges and academic challenges. It is rather difficult to be a cross-cultural learner, and it requires courage, determination and persistence. I know it, and I will always do my best, and I trust myself. Through pathway study, I believe I can gain courage, determination, and persistence, and I believe those factors will lead me to success in my MSA degree.
I took this photo when I was study at the Fenwick this spring break. Due to midterm after spring break, I needed to schedule my time well to do a complete review. Once time I stayed up late to do assignments, I felt extremely tired and uncomfortable next day. Therefore, I know the importance of correct time management. I separated the whole study time into small part before I did assignment, and then I needed to carry out the plan in accordance with time schedule. However, I should allow time in my schedule for staying up late or emergencies. Good time management will bring effectiveness and efficiency on my MSA degree.
I took this photo when I participated in a workshop, college reading strategies. As an international student, language skill is the biggest barrier. When I read textbooks like taxation and articles in academic journals, I could not easily catch the points what the authors conveyed. During the workshop, the presenter provided a method for reading traditional textbooks, “SQ4R”, which is survey, question, read, recite, record notes and review your notes. To be honest, this strategy indeed helped me a lot in gaining effective information. As a graduate student, I will read numerous of academic papers to deepen research in accounting field. Therefore, during MSA degree, I can use this reading strategy to improve my effectiveness and efficiency in reading academic papers.
I took this photo when I did exercise in the RAC. It is a good way for me to release my pressure and make me feel happy during practicing. It is also a good opportunity to socialize with other students who have the same interests in sports. Health is pre-condition of all work. If I am not healthy, I cannot do anything, and let alone study. Thus, good health will promote my study in MSA degree.