Tag Archives: Nevada

December 4, 2014 · 3:00 am

Relocating to the United States?

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Oftentimes, people new to a city struggle with adjusting to the unfamiliar resources, laws, language, school systems, transportation, etc.  In fact, if a person is from another country and/or doesn’t speak English, it can be a challenge doing daily tasks such as laundry, buying groceries, going to the doctor, or even mailing something at the post office.

To make relocation and transition easier, HLSL Institute offers a guided City Day Tour that teaches people how to relocate and transition into a new U.S. city faster and safer so they can live happier and healthier as members of their community. With a trained local Relocation Expert, clients visit local businesses, restaurants, schools, grocery stores, banks, recreational services, transportation centers, language services, etc. so that they learn the insider’s knowledge about the city’s resources, history, laws, traditions, calendar events, seasonal weather, political systems, and spiritual and intellectual resources.  No need to worry about transportation, the Relocation Expert is qualified to drive clients in our BMW X5 SUV’s regardless of rain, snow, or sunny conditions.

The 5-hour City Day Tour beginning at 10:00 am includes a delicious lunch at a downtown restaurant and a city guidebook with relocation tips including networking groups and contacts, transportation resources, local coupons and discounts, information about when and where to go for seasonal events and fun activities, and helpful online resources and videos.

Save yourself lots of time and money by learning everything you need in only one amazingly fun and educational tour instead of weeks or even months.  We look forward to welcoming you to your new home.  For more information visit HLSL Institute or request more information about the tours at http://hlslinstitute.org/contact-hlsl/

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September 7, 2014 · 2:37 pm

Why Am I Teaching in Seoul, Shanghai, & Beijing? Read My Newest Publication “Preparing East Asian Undergraduates for the Cultural Challenges of Study in the U.S.”

Helping educate prospective students before they travel across the world to relocate in an unfamiliar culture with  little language skills is the most rewarding opportunity I have had thus far.  As demonstrated by research, the more cultural knowledge and experience a student has prior to study abroad, the more successful they will be with their academics, social life, communication, health, safety, and professional development in a new culture.

 

My newest publication, “Preparing East Asian Undergraduates for the Cultural Challenges of Study in the U.S.” is a condensed paper sharing how international students perceive U.S. cultural knowledge in regards to their preparation, transition, and adjustment during their first semester of U.S. study.  Ironically, although all participants wished they had been offered more formal lessons about U.S. culture prior to leaving their home country, not one had received or even heard about organized cultural training for study abroad!  YIKES!

 

THUS, for 5 1/2 weeks, my three objectives on the 2014 International Education Tour (Seoul, Shanghai, Beijing) is to:

1. Teach pre-departure U.S. college student success skills (U.S. culture, study skills, networking skills, language skills, and professional development skills) to students interested in U.S. study abroad.

2. Teach college student success strategies to students interested in improving their academic, social, language, and professional skills for NEVADA colleges and universities.

3. Apply my pre-departure and post-arrival relocation and adjustment curriculum to my own (first-time) stay in Asia to feel and experience a glimpse of what my international students endure before, during, and immediately after relocating to a culturally rough (different) environment with little (to no) language skills, resources, or local contacts for support.

INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION IS AWESOME!!!!

With the right preparation and guidance, cultural transition and relocation can be MUCH EASIER.  Saving time, money, stress, and energy can produce GREATER OUTCOMES while reducing negative culture shock symptoms. Contact me to learn more about this subject or post a comment/question below.  Thanks for stopping by my blog.

Na-jung-e bwae-yo!   나중에 봬요!

Tara Madden-Dent, Ph.D. is an international education consultation, teacher, and speaker.  She is available at:

          Twitter (@DrTaraMDent)     Facebook       HLSL Institute        LinkedIn       Academia.edu

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April 7, 2013 · 10:04 pm

New Nevada Higher Education Funding Formula: Making International Students More of a Priority

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There are two aspects of the new Nevada higher education funding formula that will contribute towards a stronger demand for international students.  The first involves how Nevada college and university revenue will be calculated.  The traditional formula was based on student enrollment (colleges received funding based on the number of students who enrolled in courses).  The new funding formula is based on student completion rates (colleges receive funding based on the number of students who pass their courses). This change means that colleges and universities only get paid if the students are successful and pass a class.

(old) Enrollment rates    —>    (new) weighted student course    +   completion rates  =  Pay for performance model

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This is a good change if Nevada’s colleges have high performing students who pass all their classes.  Unfortunately, research demonstrates that this is not always the case.  Out of seven public colleges and universities and a handful of private colleges in the state, in-state (resident) students only demonstrate approximately 50% graduation rates within 6 years; whereas, non-resident aliens (out-of-state/international) students demonstrate approximately 70% graduation rates.  This means that the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) will collect approximately 20% more revenue from international and out-of-state students.

The second aspect of the new NV higher education funding formula that contributes towards a stronger demand for international students includes how student tuition/fees are kept on campus.  You see, in-state (resident) students pay approximately $6,500 per year whereas; non-resident aliens (out-of-state/international) students pay approximately $20,000 per year.  Nevada higher education institutions will be able to keep more of their out-of-state student tuition/fees compared to the in-state student tuition/fees based on this new formula.

Remember, higher education is a business.  If international students bring in more out-of-state tuition/revenue and are more likely to pass their courses (hence, more money), colleges and universities will undoubtedly favor and invest in international student recruitment, retention, and graduation.  This is a significant change for Nevada since for many years institutions have under-appreciated the vast diversity and globalization benefits that international students contribute to campuses and communities.  Hopefully, the unintended consequences of this new funding formula will ultimately stimulate greater research, cross-cultural support services, and international partnerships in Nevada.

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March 1, 2012 · 2:37 pm

Knowing the Politics behind your Success

“Knowing the Politics behind your Success” is a PowerPoint tutorial that provides instructional steps to 1) conveniently access your Nevada Legislature’s meetings during a LIVE INTERNET BROADCAST and 2) easily contact your Legislative Representative and include them into your professional network.

Your Legislatures are voting on legal issues that directly impact your current and future professional success.  Become politically savvy to predict and prepare for future trends, needs, and business opportunities in your society and workplace.

This Screenr PowerPoint tutorial gives an example of how current legislation is impacting Higher Education for those working or studying at a college or university.

Try the two strategies presented in “Knowing the Politics behind your Success” and share your thoughts and/or experiences to this blog.  I appreciate the feedback about how you increase your professional competitiveness through political awareness.

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