Hi everyone!

First, I'd like to say how pleased I am that so many people are reading this blog and commenting and emailing me...I think this sort of thing would have been really helpful when I was going through the admissions process last year, so I'm glad that I have been able to help!

Keep the questions and comments coming!!

Second, can you say THESIS??? That is pretty much all that I've been talking about, thinking about, dreaming (more like nightmares!) about for the past week or two! I realize that I have already blogged about my thesis, but I'm sorry--you will just have to deal with it for at least one more week! My first draft is due this Friday. I'm writing about a topic that really interests me, but it has been a lot harder than I thought. There is so much that I want to cover yet when I'm writing I have a hard time getting it all out. I have read so much about my topic (the effects of September 11th and globalization on the flow of students between the U.S. and other nations) and I have read a lot about writing literature reviews, yet when it comes down to it this is HARD!

Luckily, the final draft is not due until late April and I will already have my first draft complete by the end of this week! That will give me plenty of time to meet with my peer group and instructors to get suggestions for revisions. The anxiety level of most of my classmates is at an all-time high right now. We have been researching our topics since early October but this is now the "real deal." Even though our instructors have stressed the fact that this is a first draft and there will be plenty of revisions, I can not help but be a little bit nervous.

With that being said, it is time for me to get back to work! I apologize for the brief nature of this post--I promise to shed a different light on the happenings at GSE next week after my first draft is submitted and out of mind, for a short while at least! Please continue to get in touch with me, I love hearing from prospective students!!

~Lezlie

Debate

Today I'm preparing for a debate that I'm having in one of my classes this afternoon. The class is called Globalization and the University and so far I really enjoy it. There are about 10-15 students in the class so it's very intimate and discussion driven. Our professor is extremely knowledgeable in the field as he has worked for a number of universities in Australia, Asia, Europe and the U.S. in addition to working for the World Bank. I could sit and listen to the fascinating stories that he has to tell all day!

For this particular assignment my group has to take the position of a higher education institution and decide whether or not we are going to "join the global market" and then defend our position when our classmates and professor try to find holes in our argument. For me, this seems like a very practical (if not a little bit stressful) exercise because we truly have to think about our own positions on these kinds of issues as opposed to just memorizing what we feel the professor wants us to learn. There are no wrong answers, but at the same time this is not an easy assignment.

I believe that students who study abroad gain a very valuable experience by doing so. In addition, I feel that international students add to the diversity of U.S. campuses in a unique way. While I hold these beliefs, this assignment has really made me think about WHY? Why do I believe this to be true?

As an undergrad I studied abroad for a year in Ireland and it was one of the best experiences of my life. I met amazing people from all over the world, I learned a lot about other cultures and I really grew as a person as I developed my beliefs and values. Likewise, the interactions that I've had with international students here in the U.S. have been enriching and memorable.

I'm heading to South Africa this summer with students from GSE and it only seems natural that I'm adding an international element to my graduate studies. Ultimately, I believe that my educational experiences have been shaped by my exposure to cultures different from my own and I appreciate the fact that I’ve had these opportunities.

Wish me luck on my debate!!

My first post!

Hello everyone out there in blog-land! This is my very first post and I have to say that I'm a bit nervous! I'm new to this, so please be kind :)

So if you read my bio you know that I'm a Master's student in the Education, Culture and Society program here at Penn. The Spring semester started less than three weeks ago and I'm already super busy. That is mainly because I have my Master's thesis looming! The great thing about the thesis though is that we actually have a class each week that prepares us for writing the thesis and my professor is extremely knowledgeable and approachable. It is still a daunting task though. So far I've put together a proposal and I've read a good deal of the literature...but there is still the whole writing of the 40 pages that I need to do! It will get done though, but I can tell this will be another busy semester. Before I know it I will be graduating and looking back on my time at Penn. I invite you to join me through my adventures this semester!!


I think these blogs will be a great resource for prospective students so please feel free to get in touch with me if you have any questions.