I am Heeyeon RYU, who will study at American University during fall semester. On the one hand, I am excited to study in U.S, which is famous for social science and the end of capitalism. Also, I love traveling and meeting new people. On the other hand, I am little nervous about adjustment to new environment. I have never lived abroad or traveled more than two months.  

I am writing this for memorizing my feeling and experiences and to share useful tips for someone who wants to study abroad. I want to tell you some small but important things before you leave your country. I saw many posts about visa, packaging and expenses, but there’s no post for small things. 
 
First, unlocking overseas logins. Some sites block overseas logins for security. When I traveled to Europe, I didn’t know about it, so I couldn’t use my Facebook and email. It was a really serious problem, so you must check it before leave.  
Second, preparing offline dictionary. In my case, English is not my first language. Sometimes, I need a translator or dictionary, but in some place, LTE or WIFI does not work well. For example, I visited a shop to buy bedding, and I didn’t know what is a sham. I tried to find in online, but my internet didn’t work.  

This is connected with the internet problem, downloading an e-book is a good idea too. The speed of reading your first language is faster, so before class reading e-book written in my first language can help.  

Third, bring more than two cards from different banks. When you arrive, you will buy or pay for something, so most students bring credit or debit card. Sometimes one card doesn’t work; one of my friends experienced yesterday. Also, just in case you lose the card, it’s good to bring two identical cards. 

Lastly, bring scheduler and housekeeping book. I arrived at American University two days ago, there’s so many programs for international students, so to organize your busy schedule bring scheduler. Also, I was surprised at Washington’s prices, even though I had expected it. I bought many things for living like desk lamps, tissues, laundry bags, slippers…etc. I spent a lot of money than I expected. For checking payment, housekeeping book is very useful.
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I think American University is very good opportunity to meet diverse students and challenging myself! I’m looking forward to a dancing party tomorrow!   ​

​Academic performance is beyond doubt one of the most important issues during college years. Basically, what grade a student can obtain for a course depends on how much efforts he or she has personally spent on it. Hence, it is of crucial importance to find an optimal place for individual reviewing and studying. Unlike in China where most universities have flexible policies which allow students to access empty classrooms or even officially assign several rooms to overnight study purpose, at UC Berkeley these rules are rather uncommon especially during summer. Instead, students resort to other alternative places and resources. Libraries are ideal options, but the open hours are much shortened compared to fall or spring semesters. So where should one go for study during the summer session at Berkeley?

First, your dorm room. One is free from worries such as important documents or notes being left out or electronic devices running out of batteries. One can post whatever gestures or facial expressions while devotedly finishing their work without being afraid of acting weirdly, if only one has reached consensus with his or her considerate and quiet roommate(s). Another downside is that sometimes the temptation of quilts and pillows is too hard to resist.
 
Second, study lounges or residential academic centers. At on-campus housing sites like Unit 2, there are study lounges on almost every floor of Davidson Hall and a joint academic center which stays opens till 12.00 am on weekdays. The public study place shared by residents creates a preferable atmosphere, but meanwhile the competition for electricity outlets aggravates, potentially reducing the efficiency of studying to a certain extent. When one heads for a spot with all their nitty-gritty belongings but finds no power points, it is very frustrating.
 
The same thing could happen in libraries and cafes, but both of them have their respective edges thus being considered as good places to go. In libraries, people not only attempt to find unoccupied desks and chairs, but also busily locate additional services and resources. And for cafes, it is nice to sip a cup of coffee when one is quickly typing or to take a grab-and-go meal five minutes right before the class begins.
 
These are all fantastic choices one could turn to if needed. However, what I want to say that to succeed in getting an A does not necessarily rely on wherever people kill their time dealing with assignments. Rather, it lies in one's understanding of the true focus of a meaningful summer session, i.e. whether it's study-oriented or for entertainment purposes. My summer session at Berkeley in 2019 has now approached to an end, but for those prospective visiting students, adjusting their mentality to the right track matters a lot.
 
Hope everyone gets through their tasks with flying colors! Good luck!

There was no clear plan before coming, just an impulsive trip of the day. We just did a rough search on the Internet and went straight there. Although on weekends, Berkeley and San Francisco's more convenient public transportation allowed us to arrive at Golden Gate Park within an hour.

As soon as we entered the park, we were attracted to the spectacular scenery. My friends and I stayed and kept taking pictures. After that, we were attracted to a white building. After careful understanding, we found out that it was a botanical pavilion. This is a kind of attraction that is hardly available in China. We were very curious and went in and visited. There were many novelties in it; tropical plants, have to say, really satisfy our curiosity.  After that, we went to the beach behind the Golden Gate Park, the blue sky, the cool sea breeze, quietly blowing away our learning pressure in Berkeley. The weather and parks here are definitely a strong backing for heavy learning.

Recognized by both the United Nations and the BBC as the most diverse city in the world, Toronto stands apart as a benchmark of multiculturalism. According to official data, over half of the city’s residents were born outside of Canada, making it home to nationalities from around the world. But how does all that diversity translate on the ground? Here’s what you’ll find when you spend time in the fascinatingly multicultural hub of Toronto, Canada. 

​Toronto isn’t the only city in the world to have lots of foreign-born residents, but it’s in a league of its own when it comes to countries represented. There are over 250 ethnicities present in the Toronto region, with 180 different dialects spoken. Just about every corner of the world is represented, from Portugal to Pakistan. Chinese are one of the largest populations in the city, upwards of 300,000 residents, which represents a whopping 10% of Toronto’s immigrant population.

There’s nothing Torontonians love more than a street festival, and with so many different cultures around it seems like there’s always an excuse to get together and celebrate. Some of the city’s most popular festivals include the Roncesvalles Polish Festival, which serves up Polish culture with Polka music and pierogi dumplings, and the Toronto Chinatown Festival, where you’ll find martial arts performances, authentic Asian street foods, and lion and dragon dancing. 

Canada’s largest city, Toronto has so much to see and offer its visitors. But as the most multicultural city on the planet, you can expect to learn as much about the rest of the world as you can about Canada when you spend time here. For more information about studying abroad at the University of Toronto, check out http://SAFAbroad.org to find the SAF program that’s right for you. ​

Polite, multicultural, beautiful…. and bitterly cold. These are probably some of the first things that pop into your mind when you think about Canada. While it’s true that Canada’s sub-Arctic location might cause it to be a tad frigid, especially during the coldest winter months of December through March, that doesn’t make it any less loveable a season for many Canadians. You just have to know the right ways to spend your time! Here are some of the best ways to get through a cold Canadian winter without going stir crazy.
 
1. Get into hockey
It’s not technically the national sport (that’s actually lacrosse) but in the hearts of many Canadians, ice hockey will always be number one. The National Hockey League (NHL) is the professional ice hockey league in North America, comprising 31 teams in cities across America and Canada, including the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Calgary Flames. Because of Canada’s long winter season, hockey has always been a hugely popular part of life. Virtually every Canadian you meet will have grown up watching and celebrating the game, whether it’s a quick round of pond shinny (an informal game of hockey played on a frozen pond) or the final game of the Stanley Cup playoffs, the end-of-season tournament that determines the league champion. The NHL regular season runs from October to April, giving you ample time to check out a game and learn the rules of Canada’s favorite cultural obsession before playoff season hits.
 
2. Pick up ice-skating
Canada has no shortage of ice during the winter, which makes it the perfect place to try your feet at ice-skating. Every city, town and village across Canada has at least one community skating rink or a frozen lake, river or pond that’s suitable for skating on (where else would they play hockey!) Some of the most iconic places to ice skate during the winter in Canada include Toronto City Hall, Lake Louise in Banff National Park, and the Rideau Canal Skateway in Ottawa, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site as well as the world’s largest outdoor skating rink.
 
3. Visit a cabane à sucre
Known in English as a “sugar shack,” these are traditional outdoor cabins where maple syrup, Canada’s most famous commodity, is produced. Here, the sap from maple trees is extracted and boiled down into its syrup form, and the cabanes themselves have become popular places to visit and sample sugary goodness. Sugar shacks will usually offer a menu of dishes complemented by maple syrup, like pancakes, baked beans, and pork rinds, as well as lots of other fun activities like live music, horse-drawn sleigh rides through the forest, or maple taffy demonstrations, where warm syrup is poured onto snow to instantly make a hard yet chewy maple candy. Délicieux!
 
4. Warm up with Canada’s national dish
Hearty and served piping hot, there are few things better in the winter than eating poutine, Canada’s national dish. Freshly made French fries are topped with a generous portion of cheese curds, which are moist pieces of curdled milk that are made in the province Quebec. The curds have a mild flavor, but are more famous for their texture, which is often described as “squeaky” when eaten. The fries and cheese are covered in hot gravy, melting the curds and producing a final product that’s gooey, rich and oh-so satisfying to eat. A perfect antidote to a cold winter’s night.
 
5. Join the hotpot revolution
Famously a remedy for winter chills in Asia, it’s surprising that hotpot has just recently started to take hold in Canada’s chilly climates. But Canadians are finally starting to believe the hype, and hotpot restaurants have become one of the country’s hottest new food trends. Major chains such as Haidilao and DaLongYi have both recently opened their first ever locations in Canada, and have received numbingly red-hot reviews from local diners.
 
As the days get shorter and the temperatures drop in the Great White North, it’s important to remember that there are lots of things to love about the Canadian winter. So remember your thermal underwear, throw on a sweater or three, and get out and brave the cold - because what you’ll find beyond the snow banks might positively delight you!