by Megan Delaney, sophomore, English and International Studies major
An average day at Chatham for me starts around 9:00 am. I am lucky to have not had too many early morning classes, and I like to be up around an hour before my first class begins. After waking up, I shower, get dressed, and brush my teeth. I try to eat breakfast every morning. Usually, it consists of something like cereal or a granola bar, but sometimes I use my blender to make a smoothie or protein shake. After eating, I head up the stairs to campus. Most of my classes take place in Falk or Coolidge Hall, but I have had some science-related classes in Buhl Hall.
Outside BuhlOutside Falk
A majority of my classes fall under the realm of humanities, so this means a lot of discussion and collaboration in class. Some of these classes include Intro to Women Writers and Shakespeare Survey. After class is over, I might stop at Cafe Rachel for an iced tea. I usually make my own meals in my apartment’s kitchen, but I will also stop at Anderson or get a quick lunch at Cafe Rachel if I see something I like.
Patio of Cafe Rachel
The number of classes I have in one day can vary, and I have had anywhere from one to four classes in a single day. Regardless, I usually have some free time for dinner. Similar to lunch, I often make my own dinner, but sometimes meet with friends at Anderson for a meal. I complete most of my studying and homework in the evenings, but I try to give myself enough time to wind down before sleeping around midnight. On the weekend, my schedule looks quite different, as I utilize those days to spend time with friends, run errands, and explore Pittsburgh. I have spent a lot of time in places like Shadyside, Oakland, and Squirrel Hill, trying out various restaurants and attractions. I find that mostly everything I need at college can be reached by walking or taking a quick bus ride.
Squirrel HillPittsburgh skyline
Although mine is just one experience, I have found that life at Chatham can be what you make it. There are many exciting opportunities on campus and around the city to explore!
All Chatham students have access to free bus transportation with their student ID. When boarding any Port Authority bus, simply scan your ID for free transportation!
Common Buses used by Chatham Students:
71B/71D Outbound
can take you towards nearby Target and other attractions on and near S HIghland Ave
71B/71D or 64 (Inbound)
can take you to Oakland, and with a short walk you can reach tons of restaurants and other attractions
64 (Outbound)
can take you to Squirrel Hill
Bus Stops Nearby:
Outbound at Fifth Ave and College St
Inbound at Fifth Ave and College St
Useful Navigation Apps:
Moovit
Find bus and walking routes to locations around the city
Transit
Track the bus schedule and routes to your destination
In celebration of International Education Week (IEW) please check out popular music from all around the world! Song links are included below so you can enjoy these global artists.
Song Link:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CTFtOOh47oo
Country: Canada
Song Name: Laugh Now Cry Later
Artist:Drake
LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 04: Drake attends the “Top Boy” UK Premiere at Hackney Picturehouse on September 04, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage)
Join Chatham University and the US Department of State/US Department of Education as we celebrate the benefits of international education and exchange worldwide! The theme of the week at Chatham University is International Education: Study Abroad in Challenging Times. 2020 has been a challenging year for international education. Students share their experiences through essays, presentations, and recordings. Please visit this blog post for those contents. Join us for live events listed below.
During the Study Abroad Q&A, OIA shared study abroad options for future terms, including the summer 2021 Chatham field experiences in Costa Rica, Cyprus and Taiwan, scholarships, and health and safety information for travel in the time of the pandemic.
Wednesday, November 11
International Student Employment Information Session
12-1PM, US Eastern Time
On Wednesday November 11th, OIA offered a session on “International student employment information session.”
This session covered eligible employment opportunities for those studying on F or J visas. Topics included on-campus employment, Curricular Practical Training (CPT), and Optional Practical Training (OPT). F and J visa holders have specific visa requirements regarding employment, and must follow these regulations to maintain status.
International Student and Scholar Services offers information session on international student employment monthly and students should attend at least one session before applying for CPT or OPT.
On Thursday November 12, 2020, the Office of International Affairs hosted a virtual symposium on international education, with the theme of “Study Abroad in Challenging Times”.
The symposium allowed students to reflect on their experiences studying abroad in 2020: from the perspective of American students who went overseas and international students who studied in the United States.
The symposium began with a recorded message from keynote speaker Dr. Todd James Allen, an associate professor in the faculty of Foreign Language Studies at Kansai University. Dr. Allen spoke about education abroad from a Japanese perspective in the current context of COVID-19. You can watch the keynote speech below:
Dr. Todd James Allen’s bio: Dr. Todd James Allen completed his PhD at the University of Queensland, researching Japanese listening behaviour. Currently, he is an Associate Professor at Kansai University, where he coordinates and teaches a number of English-language skills courses, intercultural communication and undergraduate and postgraduate academic writing. Todd’s research interests include Japanese-English (folk) pragmatics, academic skills development (e.g., presentation and writing), and is currently investigating the effects of study abroad on intercultural communication development. Todd is also editor-in-chief of Academe, Director of the Academic Writing Studies Society, and is a committee member for JALT Pragmatics special interest group
Student presenters reflected on their experiences abroad during 2020:
Hanna Thiele, 22’ presented on “Viajar en España”. Hanna is majoring in Political Science and studied abroad in Madrid, Spain during spring 2020.
Hiroki Nakai, a vising student from Kansai University, is currently studying in the United States. Hiroki’s major is Foreign Language Studies, and he presented on “An eccentric 10-month new challenge.”
Walker Orner, 21’, presented on “Studying Abroad During a Pandemic: Making the Most of Any Situation.” Walker is majoring in Media Arts, with a concentration in Filmmaking, and studied abroad in Angers, France during spring 2020.
Miku Nishii, a visiting student from Kansai University, is currently studying virtually from Japan. Miku’s major is Foreign Language Studies, and she presented on “How I saw the opportunity in this difficult time.”
Attendees were able to reflect on the presentations and discuss positive impacts of study abroad, as well as consider what programs will look like in the future.
Attendees voted on their favorite presentations, choosing Hiroki Nakai’s “An eccentric 10-month new challenge” and Walker Orner’s “Studying abroad during a Pandemic: Making the Most of Any situation” as their favorite.
Thank you to all presenters for sharing their experiences, to Dr. Todd Allen, and to the attendees of the International Education Week symposium!
A video recording of the symposium will be uploaded to the OIA blog shortly.
Friday, November 13
Let’s Talk with Dr. Linh Phung
9-10am, US Eastern Time
Participants in three countries joined Dr. Linh Phung and students at Chatham University for a Story Circles session. They shared stories in response to the following two prompts in small groups and then discussed themes that emerged in their stories in a whole group discussion.
Prompts:
1. Please tell us your name and three words or phrases that describe your background and why those words/phrases are important to you. (TALK FOR 2 MINUTES)
2. What is one of the most positive interactions you have had with a person(s) who is different from you, and what made this such a positive experience? (TALK FOR 2-3 MINUTES)
Let’s Talk Friday, Nov 13
Friday, November 13
Global Focus Event – Global Focus: Cyprus and Music
11AM-12:30PM, US Eastern Time
Attendees learned about Cyprus and Music from presenter Dr. Kenneth Smith, Associate Professor, University of Nicosia – Department of Music and Dance. Dr. Smith used the structure of a Cypriot wedding to discuss Music Variety, Music Life and Different Music Genres. In discussing a typical Cypriot wedding, we learned about presentational and participatory music in the wedding preparation and during the ceremony. Dr. Smith also discussed the types of music heard during a Cypriot wedding, including traditional Greek and Cypriot songs when the bride and groom get ready at their homes, Byzantine chanting at the ceremony, as well as jazz and popular Cypriot, Greek and world music during different stages of the reception. The presentation gave attendees an overview of many Cypriot cultural traditions, some exposure to musical instruments typical in the region, and how music plays a big part in Cypriot culture and life.
Our study abroad fair is virtual this year! Learn about in-person and virtual study, internship and research programs, and plan for your international experience.
Drop in at your convenience to learn more about opportunities abroad through Chatham, partner institutions, and providers.
Find out more information about upcoming summer abroad opportunities and scholarships
Free to attend! Fair open times are: Sept 21-24 (11-4 pm) | Oct 19-22 (11-4 pm) | Nov 16-19 (11-4 pm)
Meet our Study Abroad Ambassadors for 2020-2021. These students are study abroad returnees who are available to answer questions and share their experience with interested students!
Hanna Theile
Major: Political Science
Program: Spain
“The classes that I took in Spain had a heavy focus on the European Union and foreign policy. It was so powerful to see how a different form of government worked and to be living there at the same time.
When I returned to the US, I began to speak more Spanish to the Latinx community in my hometown. Also, I felt that I really saw globally how the world was coming together from COVID-19. “
Meet our Study Abroad Ambassadors for 2020-2021. These students are study abroad returnees who are available to answer questions and share their experience with interested students!
Rachel Larson
Major: History major, Creative Writing minor
Program: South Korea
“All of the classes I took were regionally based, but that was from my own choosing. At Korea University, you register for classes right before the semester so that itself was an interesting experience. I took a language class and a history and culture course relevant to Korea, as well as other international affairs and history courses. Although I tailored mine to fit my major, there was a lot of variety in the classes available for international students.
I was lucky to be able to travel outside of the city I studied in, but even if I hadn’t there was always so much to do in Seoul! In a typical day, I would have one or two classes and in the time not spent studying with friends or in one of the many cafes, I would go out and explore the city! The most important thing I learned while studying abroad was to take chances and get comfortable going places by myself. South Korea was a great place to exercise my adventurous side since most places I traveled were easily accessible by train and affordable on a student budget.
Although I had been living away from my family for some time, my study abroad experiences definitely built up my independence. When living in another country across the world, the only person I had to rely on completely was myself. While this could be scary, it taught me to be more confident in my decisions and be more easy on my mistakes. In addition to learning a lot about Korean language, culture, and history, these lessons in independence were definitely worthwhile.
Meet our Study Abroad Ambassadors for 2020-2021. These students are study abroad returnees who are available to answer questions and share their experience with interested students!
Jishnu Jayathilak (Jay)
Major: Communications with a concentration in Public Relations
Program: Cyprus
“I took classes closely related to my major such as Media Ethics & Law and Principles of Public Relations along with a work placement as a Public Relations Intern for a Sports Agency. The classes were typically larger in size when compared to Chatham and some professors had the habit of reverting to Greek when necessary for local students. All in all, professors were helpful and open to feedback even though classes were heavily focused on examinations rather than assignments and projects.
Already being an international student in the US, I felt that the experience abroad in Cyprus showed how American students are commonly percieved by Europeans. I learnt that my assimilation into American culture was not always the best thing in certain situations.”
Students can reach out to Jay via email at: jishnu.jayathilak@chatham.edu or through instagram: jay_jish.
Meet our Study Abroad Ambassadors for 2020-2021. These students are study abroad returnees who are available to answer questions and share their experience with interested students!
Walker Orner
Major: Media Arts with concentrations in Filmmaking and Graphic Design.
Program: France
“I think that studying another language abroad is a one of a kind opportunity. I had traveled before my semester in France but putting the time and energy into learning while being immersed in another language and culture is a whole different type of experience. Learning French from the basics is one of the hardest and fulfilling things I have ever done. Language learning through immersion is unmatched. In just 4 months I was amazed to be carrying conversations with ease. The feeling of being confident in another language was something I had never experienced before and I owe that completely to the decision of to study abroad.
I was the only student to remain abroad during the pandemic ( I received special permission from Dr Finegold) but upon returning in June I experienced a significant amount of culture shock. My eating schedule, food preference as well as being used to speaking French 24/7 all made for a strange few weeks getting back. ”
Students can contact Walker by email at walker.orner@chatham.edu
