Commission for Educational Exchange

Between the United States of America and Belgium

The US Experience

2012

Education Advising Center

Website

Email - Phone

Outreach

Resource Library

Fulbright Grants

Research

Journalism

European Union

Language Teaching Assistant

Mission

• Wide array of options

• Flexibility

• Not just academic study

• Internationalize your CV

• Opportunity to travel to the US

Why study in the US

• Teaching and classroom styles

• On-campus life and opportunities

• Ranking system

• Letters of recommendation

• Personal statement

Differences to expect

Some interesting figures

Type of Program % Number % Change (2007-2011)

Undergraduate 42.6% 385 +41.%

Graduate 34.2% 309 -7.5%

Non-Degree 14.8% 134 +152.8%

OPT 8.4% 76 +76.7%

New York University New York University

University of Cincinnati Harvard University

Clemson University University of Chicago

Miami-Dade College Stanford University

Boston University Columbia University

Top Undergraduate Institutions Top Graduate Institutions

Student Mobility

Types of institutions

Public • Also called

State Schools

Private

• Possible religious affiliation

Community

• Two-year schools

• Also called Junior College

o Undergraduate Education

4 years directly after High School (Lycée).

End result = a bachelors degree (B.A. or B.S.)

o Graduate Education

Higher degrees taken after completion of a bachelors degree (MBA, Ph.D, J.D., M.D., etc.)

Undergraduate (Bachelor) vs. Graduate Study

Start Early

12 – 18 months…prior to departure

EVALUATE

CHOOSE

DETERMINE

REGISTER

NOTE

…your motivation & objectives

…5 – 10 universities to apply to

…all requirements

…for required tests

…all deadlines on a calendar

o Accredited?

o Size?

o Location?

How to choose a program?

o Number of international students?

o Majors offered?

o Cost?

oWWW.PETERSONS.COM

• Chea www.chea.org/search

• Dept of Education http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation

Accreditation

• $ 225

• Brussels, Luxembourg, Paris, Arnhem

• Reading, listening, break, speaking, writing (4.5 hours)

• http://www.ets.org/toefl

English tests

€ 185

Accepted by many but not all universities

Listening (30min), Reading (1h), Speaking (11-14min), Writing (1h)

http://www.britishcouncil.org/brussels-exams-ielts.htm

250

Accepted by many but not all universities

3 hours, Brussels

Score in 5 days

http://www.pearsonpte.com/PTEACADEMIC/Pages/home.aspx

• 12 to 18 months before departure: Evaluate your reasons

• June - September Select 5 or 6 universities on the basis of their programs, degrees offered, accreditation, level of selectivity, cost, location and size

• July - August Find out which standardized tests are required

• August - September Write to 5 or 6 universities to request application forms for admission and financial aid.

• October - February Prepare transcripts and literal translations ,certified at the Commission Have professors send recommendation letters Send applications to universities well in advance of deadlines

• February - April Wait for letters from the universities.

• March - April Contact universities to which you have applied, but not yet received a response.

• April - June Accept /Decline offers from other universities where you were also accepted. Contact housing department and international student office.

Dates to remember

Education USA – State Dept website

Graduate School

• Master’s degrees Typically 2 years in length

• Doctoral degrees (PhD’s) Typically 4-6 years in length

Graduate Education

Entrance Exams

o For admission to Graduate Schools

(except Law and Business programs)

o Subject-specific tests required for certain programs

o New test starting Fall 2011

o http://www.ets.org/ gre

o For admission to Business Schools

o http://www.mba.com

GRE Graduate Record Exam

GMAT Graduate Management Admission Test

Revised GRE General Test

o Skip questions

o On screen calculator

o New scoring system

o http://www.ets.org/gre/revised_general/know

Paper-based GRE

revised General Test

Dates

Approximate Score

Report Mailing Dates

View Scores Online

October 22, 2011 December 2, 2011

November 19, 2011 December 30, 2011

February 11, 2012 March 23, 2012

1. Choose 5-10 universities & prepare the applications for each one.

2. Determine which tests are needed to apply & take them (TOEFL, IELTS, GRE, GMAT, etc).

3. Look for financial support.

3 Simultanious Actions

1. Personal funding

2. Loan from a bank

3. Fellowship from U.S. university o Research assistantship

o Teaching assistantship

o Work Study (20 hrs/wk)

4. Scholarship from another organizations ◦ Fulbright

◦ BAEF

◦ Rotary

◦ Etc.

How to finance your studies

Fulbright Grants

Education Advising Center

Website

Email - Phone

Outreach

Resource Library

Fulbright Grants

Research

Journalism

European Union

Language Teaching Assistant

Mission

Commission for Educational Exchange Between the US +Belgium

“ to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and people of other countries " former Senator J. William Fulbright

established in 1946

Be an ambassador of Belgium to the US

• Study

• Conduct Research

For Fulbright Grant

• Cash award of a travel grant up to 30,000 USD

• Health and accident insurance

• Visa sponsorship

• Prestigious title

Benefits?

• Belgian citizen

• Distinction every year or big distinction in the last year of study

• Must return to Belgium/EU for 2 years following grant

Conditions?

How to apply?

Preliminary Application

Print + Send 3 letters of rec

Final Online Application

Provide letter of acceptance

Notification Interview

o Students, Researchers, Lecturers

oMid-career journalists

o Language teaching assistants

o Secondary school teachers

Who can receive a scholarship?

October 31 Foreign Language Teaching Assistants Program October 31 Frank Boas Scholarships for Harvard October 31 Fulbright - Hays Journalism Grant October 31 Summer Seminar in American Studies March 1 Fulbright Awards for Research Scholars &

Lecturers March 1 Fulbright - Schuman Grants March 1 Fulbright Awards for Graduate Study

Deadlines for Fulbright Grant

• Fulbright Awards

• Boas Scholarships for Harvard

• Ambassador Fox Award

• Dorothy Deflandre Award

• Fulbright Alumni Association Award

• University of Chicago Alumni Award

• Columbia Club of Belgium Award

• Harvard Club of Belgium Scholarship

Grants for General Studies

• Ambassador Blinken Award

• McKinsey Scholarship

Grants for MBA

o Allen & Overy Award

o Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer

o Liedekerke, Wolters, Waelbroeck & Kirkpatrick Award

o Loyens & Loeff Award

Note: only for law students in Belgium

Grants for Law (LLM)

Internships in the US

The Department’s goal in creating the program was to provide a ‘true learning experience’ for international students that will ‘reinforce their academic study’, that is ‘an integral part of [their] ongoing education’, that will enhance their skills ‘through exposure to American techniques, methodologies, and expertise.’

An intern must be a foreign national who is:

(a) currently pursuing a degree outside the US

(b) Has graduated within 1 year of start date

(c) Maximum 1 year

(d) Minimum 32 hours/week

Internships

Where to begin…

1. Search websites by location, industry, job function, time of year and keyword.

2. Speak with anyone with US contacts, especially in your fields of interest. 3. Meet with these individuals for advice about your internship search.

Not many scholarships for internships

Logistics

• Internships can be paid or unpaid.

• Academic credit is a possibility

• Could cost between 700-1500 USD to secure a visa – Negotiate covering cost of visa by employer

• Develop expectations AHEAD of time

• Start early! • Follow instructions • Adapt your CV/cover letter • Americanize • Addressed properly • Remember who you contacted and when • Multiple languages

Tips

After you have a DS-2019 form

•Be sure to have all basic requirements a general visa apphttp://belgium.usembassy.gov/applying.html. •Check to see that you have the requirements for a J visa: (http://belgium.usembassy.gov/exchange_visitors2.html): •Original, signed DS-2019 Form •SEVIS fee payment receipt http://www.fmjfee.com/ •DS-158 (online application) •DS-7002 (Training/Internship Placement Plan) •Proof of financial support •Call 02-788-1200 to set up an appointment at the US embassy in Brussels. Have your credit card ready as the call will cost 15 Euros

Additional Resources on Internships

• Yale University Career Services Website:

http://www.yale.edu/career/students/intern/create.html • Mount Holyoke College Career Services Website:

http://www.mtholyoke.edu/cdc/internships.html

For more information about internships: http://www.fulbright.be/Other_Possibilities/Student_Employment_Internships.htm

EducationUSA New FB application

Other Fulbright Commissions

Visit the Commission’s website in your home country

for more information

Austria www.fulbright.at

Belgium and Luxembourg www.fulbright.be

Bulgaria www.fulbright-bg.org

Cyprus: www.fulbright.org.cy

Czech Republic www.fulbright.cz

Denmark www.daf-fulb.dk

Finland www.fulbright.fi

France www.fulbright-france.org

Germany www.fulbright.de

Greece www.fulbright.gr

Hungary www.fulbright.hu

Iceland www.fulbright.is

Ireland www.fulbright.ie

Italy www.fulbright.it

Netherlands www.fulbright.nl

Norway www.fulbright.no

Poland www.fulbright.edu.pl

Portugal www.ccla.pt

Romania www.fulbright.ro

Slovak Republic www.fulbright.sk

Spain www.fulbright.es

Sweden www.fulbright.se

Turkey www.fulbright.org.tr

United Kingdom www.fulbright.co.uk

Russia http://fulbright.ru

Ukraine www.fulbright.org.ua

Commission for Educational Exchange

Between the United States of America and Belgium

Essay Writing

47

Essays

• Essays are the only place in the application where admissions officers can gain insight into who you are and what motivates you so focus on things that are directly relevant to you

• If there are multiple essays, pick different areas that reveal different attributes or passions so officers get a well-rounded picture of you

• Keep your essays focused and concise—there are often word and space limits (250 – 500 words)

Essays

• Allow ample time to draft and edit your document and have at least one person edit your document for grammar and style – Four or five drafts are not at all extraordinary

• If needed, check websites that help with essay writing (e.g., collegeapps.about.com)

– Ask a native speaker or an English teacher to revise and look over

48

Essays

• Don’t mention grades or testing scores

• Don’t repeat information given elsewhere like biographical data

• Don’t get too emotional, broad or technical

• Don’t focus on the adversity, but on your reaction to it

• Controversy: your admissions officer might have an opposite opinion

• Multiple essays: don’t be repetitive or contradictory

49

Essays

• Pick a glimpse of your life, rich with meaning, alive with imagery and clear in purpose

• Showcase your strong characteristics

• Pay attention to transitions and variety

• Use the active voice

• Don’t thesaurusize

• Conclude effectively

50

Essays Example Questions

– Evaluate a significant experience, achievement, risk you have taken, or ethical dilemma you have faced and its impact on you.

– Discuss some issue of personal, local, national, or international concern and its importance to you.

– Indicate a person who has had a significant influence on you, and describe that influence.

– Describe a character in fiction, a historical figure, or a creative work (as in art, music, science, etc.) that has had an influence on you, and explain that influence.

51

Essay Questions part II

– A range of academic interests, personal perspectives, and life experiences adds much to the educational mix. Given your personal background, describe an experience that illustrates what you would bring to the diversity in a college community, or an encounter that demonstrated the importance of diversity to you.

– Topic of your choice

52

The Personal Statement

• Make it interesting and memorable

• Don’t be afraid to toot your own horn a bit

• Address big gaps or potential shortcomings in your academic records

• Demonstrate knowledge of the program

53

The Personal Statement

• Explain why you’d be a good fit

• Give tangible details

• Follow directions

• Answer instructions

• Start early and revise a lot

54

The Personal Statement

Introduction • Growing up in a officially trilingual country, offered me the benefits of [X]

• About a year ago, I started [X]

Middle • In addition to [X], my college search opened my eyes for [Y].

• I want to [X], in order to [Y]…

Conclusion • As a result, I will be able to [X] • Perhaps most importantly, [X]

55

56

Office Resources

Commission for Educational Exchange Between the United States of America,

Belgium and Luxembourg

Designing an American style CV

• Your resume must be short - one or two pages at the most.

• Print original copies on high quality paper - don't send photocopies.

• Be neat: take care with the presentation, design, spaces, and spelling of your resume. Don't use abbreviations. Emphasize sections and things that are important with underlines or bold type.

• Make sure your resume is as organized as possible, so the information can be found easily.

• You do not need to date or sign your resume.

American Resumes and CVs

• Adapt your resume for each job that you apply to so it is best fit the position sought and the company's needs.

• Photos are NOT required and are discouraged for legal reasons. Employers do not need to know information about your race or gender.

• Write your resume in third person of the singular form.

• Emphasize your skills and achievements without lying.

• Saying your marital status is not recommended unless directly relevant.

• Do not attach diplomas or documents unless asked to.

• Work experience in chronological order including job title, company name and dates of employment.

• Education starting with the last school attended or graduated. Include name of institution, location, degree earned, dates attended, area of study as well as grade point average if it is high.

• Scholarships including the date and funding body.

• Skills: languages or computer skills

• Activities: extracurricular, volunteer work, community involvement and professional activities.

• Brief statement of interests that can be points of conversation with employer, see example.

Things to Include

The The Personal Statement

Personal Statement • An American cover letter is an integral part of your job

applications. It should refer to your present and future plans, showing your prospective employers what you want to do now and what you will do for them in the future. Adapt each cover letter to fit with the job to which you are applying.

• It should be in the same font and style as your resume.

Writing a Cover Letter

Content

First paragraph: • State why you are writing and where you heard about the

opening (from a newspaper ad, your school's career center, or somewhere else).

• Indicate that you know something about the company and its excellent work.

• Let them know why you would be a good candidate by highlighting important achievements in past work and the relevant experience you have had.

• Try to engage the reader in the first paragraph. Make your letter stand out!

• Make it personal, don't give the impression that this is a standard letter.

Content

Second paragraph: • Give your reasons for interest in the job. • Clarify what position you're interested in. • Emphasize your qualities that best fit the position. • Explain why are you interested in working for their company

and how can the company benefit from your employment. Final paragraph: • Conclude by saying you will call the contact person in the next

couple of weeks as a follow up (and then make sure to call them), and express interest in having an interview and state availability.

• Indicate again that you are enthusiastic about the position. • Finally, remind them how to contact you. • Sign the letter.

Commission for Educational Exchange Between the United States of America,

Belgium and Luxembourg

American style letter of recommandation

Quantity and Quality The number of recommendations varies, but all recommenders should comment on - Academic Performance - Motivation for Proposed Program of Study - Intellectual Capacity - Research and Writing Abilities

Who should write the letter 1. Academic vs. Professional - Mostly from academic source. Professional letters are acceptable if appropriate to the program. - Comment on “academic skills” in the absolute absence of academic recommendations.

Letters of Recommendation

Who should write the letter 2. Your relationship with the recommender

- e.g. a mentor – someone who knows you well and can attest to your academic abilities regardless of their professional stature.

- Recommendation from the field which the applicant wishes to pursue always helpful.

What if my recommender cannot provide a letter in English?

- Recommendations must come from the recommenders themselves.

- Consider providing a certified (and confidential) translation if necessary.

Commission for Educational Exchange Between the United States of America,

Belgium and Luxembourg

American style Interview

Interviewing for US grants + programs

• Don’t be too modest!

• Be articulate and concise about you and your project

• Sell yourself

68

Opening hours: Monday - Thursday 10:00 – 13:00

Closed to the public on Fridays

Phone calls: 14:00 – 16:00

Royal Library Albert I

Boulevard de L’Empereur, 4, Keizerslaan B-1000 Brussels, Belgium

Tel: +32 (0)2 519.57.72 Fax: +32 (0)2 519.57.73

adviser@fulbright.be www.fulbright.be

Commission for Educational Exchange Between the United States of America and

Belgium