Connect and Care for Each Other: International Student Experiences in Spring 2020

By Dr. Linh Phung, Director of the English Language and Pathways Programs

Like any other academic programs at the University, the English Language Program, Chatham Semester, Pittsburgh Pathways, and other non-degree international programs in the Office of International Affairs (OIA) follow the predictable rhythm of orientation of new students, course registration, midterm exams, spring break, and final exams. We also have students leaving and arriving in late February, making the spring semester more eventful than other semesters because of greater student mobility and more welcome and graduation events. Spring 2020 had a similar rhythm, but, and it’s a big but, everything was also different after the University had to transition its instruction, services, and operations to the virtual space after March 13, 2020 due to the Coronavirus pandemic in the U.S.

We carried on with the ELP’s intensive English instruction (20 hours a week) in Zoom, offered conversation hours and games in Zoom, gathered for the End-of-Term Celebration in Zoom, and offered other usual services to international students virtually. There were undoubtedly Zoom fatigue, disappointments, and challenges, way beyond what this article can describe and the author of this article can understand, but there were also highlights of what was inspiring and heart-warming. The snapshot below was based on what some international students shared in conversations and their published essays in the OIA Blog.

To non-degree seeking international students who chose to study abroad at Chatham, studying in their dorm room or apartment separated from others in physical space, might, at times, have felt nothing like studying abroad. All the expressed desires to meet more people, make more friends, and see more places were put on hold. Some exchange and sponsored students were recalled to their country while others were faced with the difficult decision of remaining in their program or deferring to the following year. Some were worried about the cost of health care in the U.S. and whether they would get proper treatment in case they needed it. Even going grocery shopping in the midst of increased infection became a difficult decision. Focusing on classwork was harder and harder each day. Family worries added to the stress.

But then “Every cloud has a silver lining,” wrote Ohla Viun, a UGRAD student from Ukraine at Chatham in her essay receiving an honorable mention in the English Language Program Writing Contest in April, one of the best highlights of the spring 2020 term in the English Language Program. In this contest, students were encouraged to submit a writing in any format to bring joy and happiness to the readers. Ohla wrote about the “twists and turns” of receiving a UGRAD scholarship from the U.S. Department of State to study abroad in the U.S., “an opportunity of a lifetime” for her; the overshadowing impact of Covid-19; and her sudden return to home where, ironically, Covid-19 was also a hard reality. However, with the passion for learning, she was determined to find happiness and exert control over the situation by focusing on her studies and enrolling herself in even more online courses. To her, “the stronger the wind blows, the tougher the tree has to be.”

Other essays showcase the students’ humor, gratitude, strength, and resilience. Abdulaziz Alkashi (Honorable Mention) writes a letter to the Coronavirus with a warning that it can’t “win against us,” but will make us “connect and care for each other” more. Lila Usquiano (Honorable Mention) is committed to living in the moment despite the distractions of this unprecedented time. Saffanah Moualla (Third Prize) expresses her appreciation for a tree that, during her one year living near it, provided her with pleasantness and fragrance of nature, a tree that also symbolizes “strength, pleasantness, and stability of all seasons.” Miku Nishii (Second Prize) describes her fabulous partner, who was given to her by her friend, which turns out to be a stuffed animal. Size Li (Second Prize) writes a stand-up comedy about his experience as an international student this past semester and humorously jokes about how wonderful his family was when they sent him an article about “How to arrange a funeral in the U.S.” Bothainah Sharrofnah (First Prize) writes about the everyday compromises, melancholy, daydreaming, and imagination of the day when things are back to normal with the knowledge that “this too shall pass.” All of what we are going through shall pass, and even the normal days we will eventually get back shall pass.

All these wonderful essays are posted on the OIA Blog, and they truly brought joy to us, teachers and the students’ classmates, who read them. We are proud of ELP students and other international students’ contributions to the Chatham community. To celebrate, like any other semesters, we gathered for the End-of-Term Celebration and talked about the semester, said farewell to students who completed their studies at Chatham, and presented students with certificates and awards. We all agreed that the motto for us moving forward is “This Too Shall Pass” with the commitment to continuing to do good work in English language learning and teaching and international education.

In fact, without the limitation of geographies, we took advantage of the virtual delivery format to deliver international conversation hours and presentations that engaged not only Chatham students, but also local residents and students currently located in other countries. These include a conversation hour that involved students in playing a competitive Kahoot game about American culture. Interestingly, a young Vietnamese student who has not been to the U.S. won the game, which made him sort of “gloat” in front of other students.

Another conversation hour had Dr. Natasha Garrett from La Roche University talk about her essay Common Ground with the participants. We talked about finding a common ground with our family through food, gardening, and the mundane conversations that we sometimes take for granted.

After the semester ended, Dr. Linh Phung and Ms. Shipp gave a presentation with suggestions on how students can improve their English speaking skills. The presentation was hosted by the U.S. Embassy in Hanoi, livestreamed on Facebook , and attracted over 26,000 views. We were pleasantly surprised by the enthusiasm to learn English among the participants and viewers in Vietnam and glad to share our knowledge and experience.

Moving into the summer semester, which starts on May 22 with students taking classes virtually from the U.S., Japan, Bangladesh, and Vietnam, the ELP and OIA plan to continue to offer meaningful programming to its students and engage with the wider world through:

• Sharing regular advice about English language learning through our new blog (blogs.chatham.edu/learnenglish) and Youtube Channel (Chatham ELP)
• Pairing/grouping international students with domestic students or local volunteers through the Conversation Partner Program
• Running weekly Let’s Talk Friday: Conversations and Guest Speeches, which is open worldwide
• Cooking lessons on Friday to any students who would like to learn to cook simple dishes
• And more

Follow us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/chathamoia) or OIA Blog (www.blogs.chatham.edu/oia) for more information about these programs. Email internationalaffairs@chatham.edu if you’d like to be added to an email list about upcoming events or if you have questions. We are looking forward to staying engaged and connected in the summer and fall 2020 terms.

Chatham English Language Program is delighted to announce opportunities for international students to join our special courses and activities from May 26 to July 31 right from home. More information about how you can register for these will be updated in this post soon. Please check this post again if you’re interested.

1. Learn English Through TV Shows

Sign up for 9 weekly workshops on Learning English Through TV Shows from May 29 to July 31. Students will watch several episodes from a TV show chosen by the instructor before each live workshop. During the workshop they will discuss the content, learn new idioms and expressions, and practice conversational skills. At the end of the course, they will perform a “show” that they create with other students. The workshop time will be every Friday, 8-8:50am US Eastern Time except Friday, July 3.

Cost to register for all 9 workshops: $100

Register and pay by credit card HERE.

2. Pronunciation and Public Speaking

Sign up for 9 weekly workshops on Pronunciation and Public Speaking from May 26 to July 31. Before each workshop, students will prepare a short speech to deliver in class and get feedback from peers and the instructor. The instructor will help the students to improve their speeches through more effective pronunciation and other delivery techniques. The workshop time will be every Friday, 9-9:50am, U.S. Eastern Time, except Friday, July 3.

Cost to register for 9 workshops: $100

Register and pay by credit card HERE.

3. Virtual International Conversations and Guest Speeches

We will offer free conversation hours and guest speeches every Friday from 10-11am, U.S. Eastern Time, except Friday, July 3. Students will have opportunities to hear from a guest speaker and engage in conversations with the speaker and other international students. There will also be online games and fun activities.

Cost: Free

Links to register for the conversation hours will be available later here.

By Miku Nishii, ELP Student

April 2020

Miku wrote this essay for the English Language Program Writing Contest to bring joy and happiness to the readers. She won the Second Prize in the contest. Congrats, Miku!

Who is your partner? I have a partner by my side right now because it is unusual in my case. He always stays with me, so I can feel relaxed in my room. One day we had a fateful encounter.

It was last summer when we met. I was not interested in him at first. However, I found that he was very attractive. He was so cute and lovely; however, he was my friend’s. I really wanted him after I was fascinated by him.

Last fall, I asked my friend to give him to me. She hesitated to give her answer. After a moment, she decided to give him to me because I was supposed to study abroad this year. She thought that if she gives him to me, I would not feel lonely even when I am in the US. I was glad to hear that.

Now, he plays an important role for me. He is always soft and fluffy. He always makes me smile. His name is Stitch, and actually, he is a stuffed animal. I am so happy he is close to me. Thank you, Stitch!

By Size Li, Pittsburgh Pathways Student

April 2020

“Size wrote an essay that won the Second Prize in the English Language Program Writing Contest. The students in the program were encouraged to submit a writing that will bring joy and happiness to the readers. They all wrote theirs in a very short period of time and did a wonderful job!”

“Those who don’t have time for entertainment, their time will be spent on getting sick.”

—— John Wanamaker

My name is Size, so most people just call me [saɪz]. Actually, it is pronounced more like [si:zə], but I will not ask people to call me “Caesar” since I am neither an emperor nor an ape. As an international student, improving my English level is my main task, and expanding vocabulary is the most important part of it. However, many words look very similar: open the book: Contact; close the book: Contract? Contrast? Or Context?; open the book again: Oh, it is Contact, I got it. But during the exam: I am sure it is Contest. After I entered the US, I found it was easier than I thought: I only needed to take a flight and a nap; when I woke up, I had already arrived in the US. So what is the purpose to build a wall on the border of the country? I come from China; I am sure it is useless because nobody knows about the wall better than I do.

I made many friends on campus. They come from different countries, and they taught me many things: not every Japanese is bashful, not every Russian likes to drink, and not every Muslim is violent. My adviser also gave me many good proposals. She recommended me take the American politics class, which helped me to learn a lot: the core of politics and culture in America, the conflicts among different social classes, and the first “F” in my life. I used to think politics was easy because in China we only needed to remember: “Communist Party is the best.” However, I changed my mind after attending the American policy class. These are my Q&A in class:

Q: What is the First Amendment?

A: Is it the reason why people can discriminate against others online?

Q: What is the Second Amendment?

A: Is it the reason why people do not discriminate against others in reality?

I thought I answered pretty well, but unfortunately, the instructor did not think so.

There are many things that have happened since the COVID-19 has spread around the world: China was affected first, Britain adopted the appeasement policy, Germany plundered the surrounding countries, Japan postponed the Olympics and America is having an economic depression after World War II. Moreover, people need to make their choices: civil rights, or civil lives, that is the question. Whether it is nobler: in the mind to suffer the loneliness and emptiness of quarantine or to go out against a lockdown order? For now, both options are similar: go to a mental hospital or an ICU.

Despite most countries were chaotic right now, most universities are reliable because knowledge has no borders. 190 universities around the world have opened many distinctive and interesting courses free for people to study online. For example, MIT introduced Engineering the Space Shuttle, Keio University provided Exploring Japanese Avant-garde Art Through Butoh Dance, and Tsinghua University gave us a big present: Xi Jinping’s Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New era. I am tired of socialism or Chinese characteristics, but if Harvard University opened a course named Trump’s Experience on Racism with American Characteristics, I would like to attend.

Now, I have a very nice family. Every time I go back to China, they will welcome me and say: “We miss you so much, sweetheart!” Moreover, when I return to America, my family will also “bless” me: “Get away and never come back you little buster!” At the beginning of the epidemic, they told me they were fine and did not worry about them. When the US began to have cases, they comforted me and sent me many supplies. After my air ticket was canceled and the situation in the US became worse, they did not say anything but shared with me this article: How to Arrange a Funeral in the US. How wonderful family they are!

In the end, what can you get from my writing? Nothing, indistinct complaints, experiences of an international student, criticisms of reality, or differences in the world. It does not matter right or wrong because there are a thousand Hamlets in a thousand people’s eyes. I just wrote all the things I wanted, and I hope they can bring you a little bit of entertainment under this difficult time.

By Bothainah Sharrofnah, English Language Program Student

April 2020

Beth wrote a winning essay for the English Language Program Writing Contest. Students in the program were encouraged to submit a writing to bring joy and happiness to the readers. They all wrote this in a very short period of time.

You wake up every day in the hope of getting good news. You check your phone. Your family is worried, and things are getting worse. You decide to make your favorite breakfast, but you notice that you don’t have all the ingredients for it. You compromise. Then, you wonder if you should go out to buy groceries. Should I risk getting sick or should I stay home until I desperately need groceries, you ask yourself. You want to do things and to accomplish things, but everything seems stressful. You miss the streets, your friends and somehow, you even miss school. Though, this too shall pass.

One day, you will again make plans to go out with your friends. You will wear your favorite outfit that you’ve been saving all these times. You will step out of your house and take a deep breath of fresh air. You deserve it. The sun is out and you’re feeling like the king of the world. The streets are busy. People are laughing, shaking their hands and hugging, even those who are not usually huggy people, just because they finally can. You finally see your friends again. They are all happy and excited to go to the same restaurants that you all used to be so sick of, but surprisingly, you all miss it so much. You miss the waiter that you didn’t like before. You miss the smell of the restaurant that you used to despise. You miss the tables that are slightly crooked and made you so angry before. But you miss it all, and you’re finally going to live all of that again. This too shall pass.

You’re finally stress-free again. Your family is safe. Your friends are safe. Most importantly, you are safe. You once again decide to work on your hobbies now that you have no stress. You feel a sense of euphoria. You got your control back. Everything is back to normal. You know that tomorrow is going to be a great day. You know that you can visit your grandma who you haven’t seen for a long time. She’s safe and healthy. You can finally give her a hug with zero worries. You feel the warmth. This too shall pass.

You open your eyes, and all of this is a distant memory, vague. Everything is back to normal. Everybody is back to their jobs and schools. You wake up and make your favorite breakfast as usual. The streets are too loud that you miss the quiet again. You rest your eyes and wonder: did that all happen or was it all a dream? You smile and get ready to live your uneventful life that you appreciate so much. This too shall pass.

Please join a Virtual Conversation Hour hosted by Chatham English Language Program to discuss the topics of gardening, food, family life, and finding a “Common Ground” with Dr. Natasha Garrett.

Speaker: Dr. Natasha Garrett, Writer, Translator, Director of International Student Services at La Roche University

Host: Dr. Linh Phung, Director of the English Language and Pathways Programs at Chatham University

Topic: Common Ground: Gardening, Food, and Family

Date: Friday, April 10, 2020

Time: 9am-10am US Eastern Standard Time

Registration link: https://chatham.zoom.us/meeting/register/upErduqpqzgiQBagSG4VmNxwg1nvEH-Lqg

Description: If you ask an immigrant what they miss most about home, they will likely say: the food! In this interactive session, Natasha will discuss her essay Common Ground, in which she writes how gardening connected her with her own family members and her ancestral roots. It will also give participants a sneak peek into everyday life in the U.S. and share about theirs. Participants are encouraged to read her essay Common Ground published in her Motherlands book before the session: https://www.gravelmag.com/natasha-garrett.html

Speaker’s bio: Natasha Garrett was born and raised in Macedonia and lives in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She came to the U.S. as an international student. She is a writer and a translator whose work has appeared in numerous national and international publications. She works at La Roche University as a director of international student services and an adjunct professor.

Gabby Gomez Rendon is an MBA international student from Mexico. She is also a graduate assistant for the Center for Women and Entrepreneurship at Chatham University. Visit this page to learn more about different degrees and programs Chatham offers to international students.

1. What is your typical day at Chatham?

I don’t live on campus because I live with my husband and my son. However, I work half-time at the Center for Women’s Entrepreneurship. So the morning are similar to any mom’s life: I wake up first, make breakfast, and wake my son up to get ready and have breakfast with my husband and me. After he takes the bus to school, I jump into the shower and get ready for my day.

Three times a week I go to the Center for Women’s Entrepreneur at Chatham Eastside to work. I am a graduate marketing assistant for the center and my main responsibilities are related to the promotion of events on digital platforms, in newsletters, and through our partners. I also help in the logistics of the many training events that we have, and many times I am the first contact the clients have with the center. Then I go back home to take care of my son after school and prepare dinner for my family. As we are a Latin family, we still haven’t adapted to the American meal schedule, so we usually have a big breakfast early in the morning, our lunch is just a snack, and we have a late lunch (a complete supper to be exact) around 3 or 4, and our dinner is light. In the afternoon I usually work on my assignments while my son does his homework.

Twice a week I go to the Shadyside campus for my MBA classes from 6 to 8:30pm, and when I arrive home I make a light dinner and put my son to sleep. After that, I have time to talk about the day and about what I learned in my classes with my husband. On the days I don’t go to the center in the morning, I usually do my readings and my assignments for my classes and also do house chores. Sometimes I work at the center for special events in the evening or on Saturday and I would just adapt a little bit my schedule during the week to have at least two days to study.

2. What are new things you learn from living in Pittsburgh, studying at Chatham, etc.?

A lot of things. First of all, even I had a very good English level, I am very glad that I did the last level of the English Language Program at Chatham University prior to start the MBA. I have a scientific background and I did not have experience writing papers and essays in English, so the learning I got from the Writing and Grammar classes with Dr. Linh Phung and Ms. Alina Volper were gold to me. Honestly, without those two classes, I would probably be having very different grades.

Second, I was a little afraid of the environment because everybody had told me that there was no diversity in Pittsburgh and I could end up feeling like not fitting. To my surprise, at least at Chatham, it is a pretty good diverse environment which is also super open and respectful of other cultures and nationalities. In class and at the center I just feel like a fish in water. One thing that I have learned for living in here is to speak up. I used to be quiet even when I was uncomfortable with an assignment or a deadline. It was very hard for me to said no even if I had to struggle later on, but the relationship between professors and students is so open that it gives you the confidence to speak up and ask for feedback. I like this way very much. Some other things that I learned here in Pittsburgh are a lot of outdoor activities like fishing, kayaking, and skiing. All very cool!

3. What do you like most at Chatham?

First the Center for Women’s Entrepreneurship, I love my job, my boss, my colleagues and the projects we make. Second, the friends I have made at the MBA and at the Center, they are friends for life. Second, I love Prof. Pearson. I decide to start the MBA here after my interview with him. He is a great man and an amazing mentor. I like my advisors very much: Prof. Glyde is very cool. However, I miss Dr. Chung very much. She was the best. And I love the Summer Camp that Chatham has for kids, for older students like me who have kids, the summer camp is a life saver. Last year, I enrolled my son in the camp, and I was able to work and study, and my son was able to have lots of fun during summer while he learned many things. I will register my son this year again and I am even thinking to bring my nieces from Mexico for it.

4. What do you think Chatham could improve in the future?

For students like me that come with family I would like to experience some sort of support before coming here. I looked for an area with a good school for my son, but it turned to be  50 minutes driving to the university. I love my house and my neighborhood but the distance has made me miss a lots of cool events happening at Chatham.