What current international students say about their MSU experience

Interviews with international Ph.D students

Why MSU?
Kamila: “It was the response from the program contact person that made me feel this is a really good place to go because he gave an incredible response and he was really listening to what I have to say. He wanted to know what my interests were. He seemed very honest. He said if I could tell him what my interests are, he would tell me whether this university fits me or not. Just the whole way he was willing to take time to respond to my inquiries in a very detailed way. I am happy that I made the right decision.”

Advantages of MSU
Eran: “This college provides a very supportive environment for international students. Compared to other places, the rate of international students here is rather high; it’s a diverse environment. You can feel more comfortable when talking to others. Americans know you are an international student and they expect to hear other opinions. You also have opportunities to discuss with other international students.”

Eric: “Though my primary interest is math education, I also have a passion for policy issues. And I assume if I were in other places it would be difficult for me to pursue the several interests at the same time. But this program is so flexible that there are ways for me to pursue things I am interested in -- that’s what I like. You will find the faculty that you are interested in. So it’s kind of giving the students someone they can fall in with, and be confident that your interest will at least be supported.”

Kamila: “Certainly, the college in general has lots of resources. You have many things. You have computer labs. You have access to information, lectures. I would never, ever find them in my home country.When I saw the authors’ names on published articles, they could be here. And these people are really accessible. You can talk to them. You are okay. You feel you are a partner in this environment. You feel you are not going to be humiliated by any professors. You are equal in the community. It’s okay to ask things, say what you think. Actually they expect you to do that.”

Won-Pyo: “The courses are really well organized. The professors are trying to do their  best to teach their doctoral students. In my experience the professors are open-minded. They are really devoted to their teaching and to meeting the students. They are encouraging doctoral students to study hard, to develop their own theory and own perspectives. The academic interests of doctoral students and professors are very serious and very intellectual”.

Irfan: “I was given an opportunity to teach in a K-4 classroom. Teaching in another culture for a whole term was a great experience. I was teaching a university class; I was also part of a professional development group, working with teachers; and I was also working in a K-4 classroom”.

Keke: “My best experience at MSU is as a teaching assistant or TA, because -- this is my first reason -- being a TA can teach you how to take responsibility. You should know how to care about students, to cultivate them and communicate with them. The second reason is to develop leadership. In the past, I was a shy girl. I was afraid of speaking in public. But by being a TA, I can learn many things about leadership. The third reason is that you have opportunities to communicate with American students. You can learn a lot about their cultures, their experience, and broaden your horizon.”

Eran: “Being able to do what I like to do in terms of research. I was able to find an exceptionally good professor, and he is also interested in what I am doing. He is very supportive. I was able to be involved seriously in writing, not just assistance, not just like secretarial jobs. I was able to write and publish—prepare for my professional life. If you go for graduate study and your aim is to be a faculty member, this place can offer you such an opportunity.”

Shenglan: “I gained different working experiences in the college of education. My best experiences are being an online course TA, a video editor, a project research assistant, webmaster, and graduate assistant in the Office of International Studies in Education. All these experiences have been wonderful. Being a teaching assistant helped me build up my teaching skills. Doing technical jobs gave me opportunities to have hands-on experiences with different aspects of technology. My familiarity with all kinds of technologies, I think, will provide me with necessary preparation for my future research. Being a research assistant, I have had chances to observe how my advisor, a very respectable scholar, does research.”

Irfan: “Being a member of the college’s committee for following up on 9/11 was another excellent experience. While I was a member of that panel, we talked about how we as educators should respond to the events following 9/11. Being part of the committee, I had an opportunity to say to a wide audience what I wanted to say about this event and to suggest ways of responding.”

Advice to prospective students

Cigdem: “Once they come here, international students should not be afraid of asking questions. Because that’s something cultural. Because everybody here helps you a lot.  They also help you to meet other people who might be able to help you. So just ask questions. International students should open their eyes and they should join any conversation that they think might be helpful for them. For example, one of the college centers has seminars where you can present your paper, learn how to make portfolios, how to do job talks, job searches etc. They have people who want to help you and who organize programs to help you and who are going to welcome your ideas.”