All and Nothing

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.

This Too Shall Pass

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.

Spring 2020 Before Social Distancing

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.

Virtual Resources

Check out some virtual resources to stay entertained and engaged during social distancing!

Virginia Aquarium

Enjoy a virtual tour or observe some animals at the Virginia Aquarium!

https://www.virginiaaquarium.com/visit/Pages/Community-Resources.aspx

 

Live Concerts

Attend virtual live concerts for many artists and genres!

How to find concerts on Spotify on desktop or mobile - Business ...

https://www.npr.org/2020/03/17/816504058/a-list-of-live-virtual-concerts-to-watch-during-the-coronavirus-shutdown?utm_campaign=npr&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_term=nprnews&utm_medium=social&fbclid=IwAR1XWHvssaW66eJeiuyj1vBuTiK5owyPFcUmquxUnBV_4g_rsGUKJYan2EY&fbclid=IwAR2Kx1w-q5CR07kSvBfXZm7CXBQsqA_tABuV9ZOs3544CX-wz4G3ILse0C0

 

Free Ivy League Courses

Have you always wanted to learn about coding or Greek mythology? Check out these online courses from Ivy League schools for free!

Here are 450 Ivy League courses you can take online right now for free

https://www.freecodecamp.org/news/ivy-league-free-online-courses-a0d7ae675869/

 

Meditation

Feeling stressed? Download Headspace for some free meditation exercises!

Subscribe to Headspace

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/headspace-meditation-sleep/id493145008

Virtual Conversation Hour with Dr. Natasha Garrett

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.

Apple pie

 

Cook with OIA: Beefy Italian Ramen Skillet Meal

by Julissa Soto, OIA Student Assistant

Here is how to make this delicious Beefy Italian Ramen Skillet meal. These are all super easy things to find in your cabinets or easily bought at the store.

Ingredients:

1 pound ground beef

1 can diced tomatoes

1 cup of water

2 packages beef-flavor ramen noodles

Green bell paper (frozen or fresh)

Cheese (optional)

Directions

In a large skillet, cook beef until completely browned, 5 to 7 minutes. Stir tomatoes, water, and seasoning packet contents from the ramen noodles.

Break ramen noodle block into halves and add with the green bell pepper. Cook until noodles soften, about 5 minutes

– Remove from heat. If adding cheese, sprinkle cheese over beef mixture and place over skillet; let the mixture sit until cheese melts, 2 to 3 minutes.

This recipe serves about 5 people. Enjoy your meal!

– Recipe found at https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/239029/beefy-italian-ramen-skillet/?internalSource=recipe%20hub&referringId=17566&referringContentType=Recipe%20Hub&clickId=cardslot%2065

 

VIDEO – Click here recipe video beefy italian skillet meal

Bon appetit! Did you try it? Let us know internationalaffairs@chatham.edu

 

Virtual Resources for Students

Self – Isolation? Bored at home? We totally understand about having difficulties in hanging out and just staying at home due to the critical situation that we all are facing, but we understand that too that we all are doing this for our health. Please, try to stay healthy.

In order help you while being stuck at home; we have a lot of resources for you where you can make yourself a little busy and have some fun.

  • Museums – virtual tours, fun activities on museums’ websites

This article shares 12 famous museums who are offering virtual tours of their museums. https://www.travelandleisure.com/attractions/museums-galleries/museums-with-virtual-tours

The Canadian Museum of History shares a really interesting art piece on their website that you can play with.  https://www.historymuseum.ca/morningstar/explore/

Online, you can zoom in on the mural and spin it to see the four quadrants in high detail. A click of the plus sign in the corner causes a series of links to pop up over the mural itself, with photos and videos attached that explain the significance of each part of the artwork.

  • Virtual Concerts – We know due to the Coronavirus crisis, many of you had to cancel plans of attending live concerts. Here are some recommendations of watching some virtual live streams and recorded concerts.

Updated information and details about virtual concerts dates and times  https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/9335531/coronavirus-quarantine-music-events-online-streams

John Legend, Coldplay, Keith Urban and a lot of other musicians are still performing. Watch their virtual concerts. https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/music/2020/03/17/coronavirus-john-legend-coldplay-play-virtual-concerts-instagram/5066024002/

Los Angeles Times shares 7 ways to experience live music! https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/music/story/2020-03-13/coronavirus-streaming-concerts-online-self-quarantined

More livestreamed concerts. https://www.vulture.com/2020/03/all-musicians-streaming-live-concerts.html

 

  • Wellness Sites – Don’t worry! We have got you covered with wellness activities too. Now you can even livestream exercise classes, warm-ups, yoga and meditation videos too while you are at home.

Check out ideas from 15 wellness youtubers. They’ll give you live tutorials, and recorded videos of exercises and warm-ups. https://theblissfulmind.com/wellness-youtube-channels/

This resource shares wellness and health related videos plus live streams plenty of healthy tips. https://www.zubialive.com/

  • Entertainment – there are so many websites offering free movies and shows.

YouTube – check out on YouTube, they have free movies and shows (search for “free with ads”).

There are many YouTubers worth checking out – try Zack King! If you have not heard this name,  his brief introduction would be as a video creator and magician. Go and check it out his YouTube page. You’ll love his videos. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCq8DICunczvLuJJq414110A

Podcasts – listen to podcasts to get your mind off things – many good suggestions here https://www.vulture.com/2020/03/best-comedy-podcasts-coronavirus-quarantine-recommendations.html

Take this time to learn some art and crafts! https://craftsbyamanda.com/category/craft-tutorials/adult-crafts/

For live painting shows, see https://www.twitch.tv/directory/game/Art

  • Love cooking or just want to learn to make tasty food? Here are some famous cooking shows. Learn some tips and try new delicious recipes

Laura in the Kitchen – https://www.youtube.com/user/LauraVitalesKitchen

Jamie Oliver – https://www.youtube.com/jamieoliver

Binging with Babish – https://www.youtube.com/user/bgfilms

Tasty – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJFp8uSYCjXOMnkUyb3CQ3Q

Check out this link for more recipes; https://www.delicious.com.au/recipes/group/gallery/37-recipes-from-masterchefs-best-chefs-ever/sn6ldpbr?page=3

  • And, finally, check out this list of more resource recommendations while you stay at home during Covid-19 (Adapted from Got It Vietnam )
  1. Free Harvard online courses – bit.ly/gotit_2
  2. IELTS materials and practice from British Council – bit.ly/gotit_3
  3. Some free online practice materials from Road to IELTS from British Council:      http://www.roadtoielts.com/
  4. Download free books from Bill Gates’s website – bit.ly/gotit_5
  5. See famous pieces of arts through Google Arts & Cultures – bit.ly/gotit_7
  6. Livestream from the Metropolitan Opera (New York) – bit.ly/gotit_10 
  7. Try audiobooks on Audible (Amazon) – bit.ly/gotit_11
  8. Watch movies in the IMDb Top 250 – bit.ly/gotit_13
  9. Learn to code with Freecodecamp – bit.ly/gotit_14
  10. 500 free courses from Ivy League universities – bit.ly/gotit_15

Stay tuned for more ideas!

What are you doing to stay healthy and busy yourself?  Send us your ideas and contact the Office of International Affairs, internationalaffairs@chatham.edu  with any questions!

Interview with Gabby Gomez Rendon

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.

  1. 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!

  1. 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.

  1. 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.

Summer 2020 Study Abroad – South Korea, Cyprus, Costa Rica, More!

All Chatham undergraduate students are encouraged to study abroad. In fact, each undergraduate receives a one-time $1200 study abroad voucher to use toward any credit-bearing experience abroad. Students completing an International Studies certificate can earn an additional $1800 toward study abroad of 6+ credits.

Many students choose to use their vouchers during the summer – on a Chatham field experience, a Chatham partner program, or while studying or interning with a third party provider program.

Here are a few summer programs that you might consider:

Don’t miss the opportunity to experience South Korea this summer and earn 3 credits! The Bahrom International Program at Seoul Women’s University has a program fee of $400 and will be held June 23- July 17, 2020. Open to all undergraduates. Submit your application to OIA by 3/11/20.

Spend your summer in Cyprus. The summer program at the University of Nicosia  has tracks in Health Science, Nursing, Pre-Med, International Relations, Geology, Music and International Marketing. Earn 6-7 credits. $4,600-$5,800 per program.

Study at Universidad Veritas in Costa Rica and learn or improve your Spanish or take courses in English such as Cultural Photography, Introduction to International Economics in Latin America, or Costa Rican Tradition: Peace and Democracy. A la carte pricing ranges from $2000 for a 4 week program.

If you are dreaming of another location or you want to intern abroad, program providers have you covered!  Study in the UK, Australia or Ghana. Intern in Italy, South Africa or the south of France. There are so many possibilities.

Email internationalaffairs@chatham.edu for more information. Make an appointment at https://calendly.com/kchipman.

Chatham University