composition 102

The Benefits of Studying in the US

Ideally, sharing cultural interaction is vital in the modern-day society especially in the education sector. I was brought up in Dammam city in Saudi Arabia. I did not expect that our education practices and systems would be different from other developed countries such as America. In fact, when I first came to the US, it changed my perception and attitude since I was introduced to a more robust education system. I learnt that commitment to education and interaction contributes to learning success. Although Dammam city has several schools that cover various syllabuses, as a youth, I would like to explore the opportunities available in developed countries when they arise. Therefore, given that there were institutions in Arabia such as Technical Colleges, Technical College for Girls, and Secondary Industrial Institute, I had to apply for UW-Stout College. That is, I required an international institution, which offers quality training and exposure. In the assertion of Governor Dr. Al-Fuhaid, “we are keen to take advantage from the international experience to qualify trainers” (TVTC 1). Therefore, UW-Stout offers various opportunities to different students hence giving me the chance to pursue my dreams.

My family has been of great influence and assistance to my study at UW-Stout. When my cousin got a scholarship to study at UW-Stout College, I knew it was an opening door for me too. As such, I began to change my reading culture to match the international standards since my cousin kept reminding me of the need to learn English. I knew that if I do not learn English, it would be difficult to grasp instructions from the tutors. Moreover, it would be a challenge interacting with other students and lecturers. Bhattacharjee asserts that bilinguals are adept at “solving certain kind of mental puzzle than monolinguals (1). Therefore, by learning English, I am better placed than the home students. However, by living and studying in the same university with my cousin, I knew it would be easier to adapt and learn English.

It’s worth noting that at twenty-five years, I had obtained a diploma in Office Management from Technical College in Saudi Arabia. Therefore, coming to the UW-Stout College would help me pursue an undergraduate degree in Business Administration. The objective of Technical College is to ensure that its students make efforts and become efficient administrators in future. The urge to become qualified and efficient administrator pushed me to seek for further studies in the US.

The fact that UW-Stout provides balanced curriculum whereby students learn both the American way of life and profession was good for my future career. I believed that learning the American way of life would assist me during transition despite the language barrier. In fact, UW-Stout presented an opportunity where I can learn things I never received in Arabia. For example, tutors encourage students to learn in groups to facilitate understanding. The school has a well-upgraded library with detailed technology that I need for my studies and any other relevant research work. The fact that the school accepts many international students, it helped me interact with people from different cultures and ideology. As such, I benefited from personal counseling, social customs, and anything of personal concern that might affect my studies.

The cost of attending UW-Stout is relatively fair. Based on the revised 2016-2017 academic year, “the cost per academic year is $18,598” (University of Winsconsin Stout 1) which does not include on-campus cost The total fee is inclusive of the cost of attendance, the amount of tuition, room for foreign students, books, and any other relevant supplies that the school provides. The affordability makes it convenient to obtain quality learning compared to my home country. Saudi Arabia requires quality recruits to work in their industries and institutions. That is why Dr. Ahmed bin Fahad partner “with Lincoln College in order to lead generation of specialized trainers” required in Saudi Arabia (TVTC 1). Therefore, learning abroad offers me the quality skills and knowledge required in my country. For example, I gain knowledge such as business etiquette and foreign diplomacy.

Learning at UW-Stout is offered favorable environment unlike back home. Winterrowd et al. assert that UW-Stout has facilities which promote “interpersonal learning and academic outcome” for all students (291). For example, there are availability of numerous materials and infrastructure such as the library and virtual space. The materials come in different forms like videos, periodicals, and books for the sake of better understanding. The lecturers’ attendant is encouraging since they are concerned about the student’s welfare. According to Blumer et al., the UW-Stout minds the student’s welfare through the network they have created to “support their programs and innovations” through the Dean of Students office (8). With all these facilities and services at UW-Stout College, I chose to develop skills in Business Administration. I believe that when I go back home, I would convince the Al-Qassim bin Fahad that I have adequate skills to run different businesses in the region.

The transition from home and studying in the US was challenging. That is, there are challenges of adapting to a new environment apart from having new friends. Although this is not part of training, it helps me adapt to the changing working environment. For example, the culture of Americans concerning politics and society are different from what I used to believe when I was home. In fact, I can help people from diversified ethnic groups to achieve their goals through business. Thus, I can perceive things from other people’s perspective. Therefore, my study in UW-Stout has proved productive and I believe I have a brighter career after me graduation.

Works Cited

Bhattacharjee Yudhijit. “Why Bilinguals are Smarter”. The New York Times, 17 March 2012. http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/18/opinion/sunday/the-benefits-of bilingualism.html. Accessed 27 March 2017.

Blumer, Markie LC, Elizabeth A. Buchanan, and Jenny Klucarich. "Perceptions of the Culture, Productivity, and Dissemination Of research at the University of Wisconsin-Stout." Menomonie, WI: University of Wisconsin-Stout Center for Applied Ethics, 2014. Print.

Technical and Vocational Training Corporation. Al-Fuhaid: We Are Keen to Take Advantages from International Experiences to Qualify Trainers. 2017. < http://www.tvtc.gov.sa/English/MediaCenter/News/Pages/867564.aspx > Accessed 27 March 2017.

University of Wisconsin Stout. Costs. University of Winsconsin Stout, 2017. < http://www.uwstout.edu/esl/costs.cfm Accessed 31 March 2017.

Winterrowd, Erin, Stacy J. Priniski, John Achter, and Joseph J. Abhold. "Correlates of Satisfaction, Intrapersonal Learning, and Academic Outcomes at Counseling Centers in a University System." College Student Journal, vol.50, no. 2, 2016, pp. 288-301.