Tag Archives: @TaraMDent

May 12, 2016 · 2:51 pm

New U.S. Class for International Students

Prepare for USA College and University!

young man using tablet

Take Your First U.S. University Class Online with a U.S. Professor

Class Name: U.S. Academics and Culture

Class Topics:  Western Academics, Culture and Communication, Professional Readiness

Student Rewards:  U.S. Transcript Record with 3 Class Credits, Letter of Recommendation, Certificate of Completion

Class Introduction Video: https://youtu.be/fdtVvKSHqew

Website: www.USAclass.online

Who should enroll?

  • Students who want to prepare for U.S. study
  • Students who want to become more competitive
  • Students 14 years old, or older who can complete the class in English

What do students learn?

  • Success strategies for U.S. study and cultural adjustment
  • Western interaction and communication styles
  • Professional development and networking skills
  • Western student responsibilities
  • University communication, readiness, & socialization skills

When to enroll?

  • A new class starts the first Monday of every month
  • Upcoming class start dates:
    • June 6, July 4, Aug 1, Sept 5, Oct 3, Nov 7, Dec 5
  • Students must complete the class within 12 weeks from the official class start date
  • Students finish class at their pace

Why students enroll?

  • To become ready for U.S.education and western culture
  • To earn a letter of recommendation (in English) from a U.S. Professor
  • To earn a Certificate of Completion for resumes and school applications
  • To earn 3 U.S. university credits towards an undergraduate degree
  • To save money online compared to taking the class in the U.S.
  • To complete their first university class at their pace, conveniently online

 

Student Quotes:

“Knowing culture before coming to U.S. decreases anxiety for adjusting to new country. Just for my culture, I think it’s really mandatory, before.”

— Minjae L., Seoul, South Korea

“Knowing culture gave me confidence to talk, get involved, and participate.”

— Wayne L. Beijing, China

“It is helpful to learn American subjects using the class videos. I feel more able to express myself when I get to the California school.”

— Jackie Wang

“This study is helpful for me. It helped mentally prepare me studying and to meeting new friends.”

— Wei C., Shanghai, China

Contact US

www.USAclass.online

USA  Academics and Culture Facbook

@SNCTahoe Global Facebook

 

 

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September 12, 2015 · 6:16 am

FREE WEBINAR: International Students Earn 3 College Credits on U.S. College Transcript (September 15)

Your Opportunity to Start U.S. College Online, Prepare for U.S. Study, & Graduate Faster!

Register at http://www.thestudyabroadportal.com/hlsl-institute/earn-u-s-college-credits-online-and-graduate-sooner?w2palt=2

Are you a high school or college student preparing to study in the United States? 

If yes, you may qualify for the world’s first U.S. college preparation course: “U.S. Academics & Culture”!  Join us on Tuesday, September 15 to learn how this online, 3 college credit class can help you learn U.S. success skills before their first semester.

There’s no need to apply and wait for U.S. college acceptance… take our class and start today! Pass the class and earn a U.S. college transcript accepted at accredited U.S. colleges and universities!

Students who pass “U.S. Academics & Culture” will earn:

  • Greater knowledge of U.S. success skills for study, communication, work, and socialization
  • U.S. college transcript with 3 course credits
  • Letter of recommendation from Ph.D. Professor for college applications and resumes
  • Certificate of competition for college applications and resumes
  • Acceptance into an elite 4-year private U.S. college (for high school seniors and older)
  • Entry into select scholarships (high school seniors and older)

Moreover, this course SAVES YOU MONEY!

cost comparison

Class space is limited due to high interest from students from all over the world.  Learn more on Tuesday’s webinar about the world’s first U.S. college prep course worth U.S. college credits!

During this webinar you will learn about:

  • Great benefits of passing this online, self-paced “U.S. Academics and Culture” Course
  • How to successfully enroll and pass the online course
  • Reasons why U.S. universities want you to enroll and pass this course
  • Reasons why global employers want you to enroll and pass this course
  • Ways you can help other students prepare for U.S. study and earn money

The Need for Early Preparation for U.S. Study

Many international students struggle with understanding and adjusting to U.S. academics and culture after they arrive for school.  It can negatively impact their grades, health, communication and socialization, professional development, and home country relationships(Video Example: Research).

AVOID the hardships by learning key transition and success strategies from the comfort of your home country. Our faculty (Ph.D. and MBA Professors) are the best in the world and specialize in the cross-cultural skills you need.

“This on-line course will provide the keys to success for studies in the United States.  From how to effectively apply to your school of choice to strategies of how to integrate on campus when  you first arrive, Tara and her team will guide you through the entire process.” Susie Askew, Director at the University of Nevada, Reno  Office of International Students and Scholars

“Knowing culture before coming to U.S. decreases anxiety for adjusting to new country. Just for my culture, I think it’s really mandatory, before.” — Minjae L., Seoul, South Korea

“This study is helpful for me. It helped mentally prepare me studying and to meeting new friends.” — Wei C., Shanghai, China

“Knowing culture gave me confidence to talk, get involved, and participate.” — Wayne L., Beijing, China

International Student video testimonies about U.S. study and transitions:

1 (China), 2 (Graduate Student; China), 3 (London), 4 (China), 5 (Senegal) , 6 (Greece), 7 (Mexico), 8 (Japan), 9 (Congo, South Africa), 10 (Bangkok, Thailand), 11 (Vietnam), 12 (China), 13 (France), 14 (Vietnam), 15 (Turkey). See more at http://www.taramaddendent.com.

HLSL Institute is an international education service providing pre-departure cultural training and preparation for international students and scholars.

MISSION: We improve the quality of life for international students by teaching U.S. academics and culture.  By taking our class, international students are more able to navigate U.S. college and university classrooms, campuses, and social networks to achieve academic, social, and professional goals.  Through cultural education, we’re connecting the world, one person at a time.

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April 28, 2015 · 3:00 am

3 Min Research Intro: New Pre-departure Course for International Students which also Recruits and Retains

Interested in learning why U.S. higher education is now offering pre-departure academic and cultural college prep courses to international students in foreign countries? Student success, international recruitment, and retention rates are definitely some benefits.

This video provides a 3 minute introduction to the research that led to today’s revolutionary international study abroad prep-classes.

First tested at a U.S. research university, then applied to HLSL Institute’s 2014 International Education Tour in South Korea and China, and now offered at U.S. schools, “U.S. Academics and Culture”, is an online or hybrid pre-departure school readiness class that strengthens academic performance, communication skills, and cultural adjustment. This student support effort also helps international students be healthier, safer, happier, and more professionally prepared in the U.S.

Because this classes teaches international students more accurate expectations about study, life, language, and work during first year experiences in the USA, high schools and universities can provide it simultaneously address recruitment, integration, and retention issues. Research findings indicated that international students are more confident (less stressed) to leave home and study in the USA, gain U.S. cultural knowledge and U.S. academic skills, better communicate with US natives and build more U.S. friendships, gain networking and small-talk skills, and better understand the importance for campus engagement and support resources.

U.S. institutions are now offering and/or requiring this class to prospective and newly admitted international students and domestic students before study abroad.  Sierra Nevada College was the first private college who made the online class available to any international student in efforts to welcome and encourage them to the USA.

P.s.  This class can also be effective for first-year international students who are already in the U.S. to aid with their transition, adjustment, and integration.

Contact me to learn how your U.S. high school or university can offer a pre-departure class like “U.S. Academics and Culture”.

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March 11, 2015 · 10:49 am

Preparing East Asian Undergraduates for the Cultural Challenges of U.S. Study

One of my publications, “Preparing East Asian Undergraduates for the Cultural Challenges of Study in the U.S.”, is a policy white paper discussing how a pre-departure cultural preparation treatment influenced a group of international students’ experiences before, during, and after their first semester at a western U.S. research university.  This topic is key to 21st century international education and I see it becoming the next wave of expected coursework for international students.

In this research study, although all participants wished they had taken a formal course about U.S. culture and academic systems while they lived in their home country, not one participant had received or even heard about organized cultural training or U.S. college preparation classes for study abroad before they arrived in the U.S.!  This is significant since research indicates that cultural knowledge, realistic expectations, and adjustment management skills speed up cross-cultural adaptation, increases student success, and fosters student engagement (increases student retention rates).

Dr. Dent Team DI found that eastern Asian students are eager to learn about the U.S. culture and academic systems prior to leaving home for U.S. study during my 2014 International Education Tour in South Korea and China last fall.  Many parents, schools, businesses, and government organizations have asked me to return this year… so I am!

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In addition to teaching eastern Asian students about U.S. culture and academic systems, this year’s 2015 International Education tour will also share the research findings from my forthcoming publication entitled, “International Student Support Services Index” (ISSSI).

ISSSI organizes internationally related services by school and ranks institutions in relationship to other U.S. campuses. The index is grounded on five key research indicators that make up cross-cultural adjustment best practices to foster international (inbound and outbound) student success from pre-departure to repatriation/re-entry stages. 

Teaching U.S. College Preparation Skills in Seoul, South Korea, 2014

ISSSI’s research findings are made available through a free internationally circulated online publication used by domestic and international students, parents, study abroad organizations/placement services, recruiters, government organizations, secondary schools, and post-secondary international programs to better understand the U.S. international climate and individual campus internationalization efforts.

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For more information, contact:

www.hlslinstitute.org or see www.taramaddendent.com

HLSL Institute provides educational services to international students, expatriates, international programs, and government organizations that bridge cultural gaps and connect the world, one person at a time. 

HLSLinstituteLOGO

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July 14, 2014 · 1:36 pm

2014 International Education Tour in Seoul & Beijing: August – October

gradiStock_000020829404_SmallStudent: “What’s up Doc? Have any plans now that your dissertation is finished?” 

Me:  “I’m teaching my research in Korea and China.  My participants supported me and now I will support them.” 

Many people are surprised that I am not pursuing a traditional tenure-track career and instead, doing something completely foreign… literally foreign.  I’m teaching my research overseas on a 2014 International Education Tour in Seoul, South Korea and Beijing, China.  By partnering with Eastern Asian schools, colleges, and universities, I’m offering seminars about U.S. college success skills and cultural competencies to prepare students for United States studies.

 “There’s plenty of intelligence in the world, but the courage to do things differently is in short supply.” ~Marily Vos Savant

Typically U.S. colleges teach international students about U.S. culture and academic systems during the first week of school.  It’s often difficult learning during this time since students are already overwhelmed with moving into a new apartment, finding transportation, completing course placement tests, and buying textbooks while feeling jet lagged, knowing little English, and being alone in a foreign county.  The coolest part of teaching across the world will be seeing Korean and Chinese students learn how to succeed in the U.S. BEFORE they leave their homes.

My 2014 international education tour will help Korean and Chinese students prepare for life and studies the U.S. and thus, adjust to the academic and community culture faster.  These students will gain the knowledge, skills, and confidence to fully receive a quality, safe, and fun U.S. college experience.  Participants will be better prepared to earn higher grades, meet new U.S. friends, network with faculty, develop English skills, and avoid unnecessary acculturation stresses during their initial transition.

The tour’s theme is the “10 Best Strategies to Adjust and Succeed in the United States”.  For example, one of my seminars will be hosted at the prestigious Sookmyung Women’s University located in Seoul, South Korea.  I’m thrilled to collaborate with the Asia Institute and the HLSL Institute to teach 100 students in a three hour seminar consisting of traditional lecture, common U.S. classroom activities, guest speakers, group work, student and faculty videos, and an interactive workbook.  Together, we will provide these students with the elite preparation (knowledge and skills) to become excellent students in the U.S.

Study in the U.S.A.

Study in the U.S.A.

“미국대학에적응하고성공하기위한 10가지전략”

이세미나는학생들이미국대학에서또는다른교육기관에서공부할때미국의문화로적응하고, 건강, 안전, 성적, 전문적기술, 영어능력등을향상시키는것을준비하도록도와줍니다.

학생들은연구조사, 시범설명, 강의, 활동, 인터액티브워크북(Interactive Workbook), 초청연사, 학생, 학생경험담, 질의응답의순서로세미나를접하게됩니다.

성공적인유학을위해대단히중요하고유용한시간이될것입니다.

Visit www.studyusaseminar.eventbrite.com to enroll in the Seoul seminar on September 15, 2014 6-9 pm.

Schools or agencies in Beijing, China and Seoul, South Korea are invited to contact Dr. Tara Madden-Dent about collaborating during the 2014 tour and future tours (i.e. school visits, lectures, and seminars, etc). 

“Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson.

 

 

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December 30, 2013 · 3:10 am

Video Interview: International Student from Japan in Reno, NV

Thanks to my student Kristen VanCitters for conducting an interview with Moe Orihara, an international student from Tokyo, Japan,.  Moe revealed many interesting topics and challenges that one faces when traveling to the United States from another country. These cross-cultural challenges bring many opportunities for new programs and ideas to help ease the transition into our very unique culture.

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December 23, 2013 · 3:04 am

International Ph.D. Student Talks About Transition into Reno, NV

Filiz Gozenman, a Ph.D. student from Turkey shares about her transitional experience into Reno, NV.

3 short videos:

 

 

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December 13, 2013 · 12:42 pm

My Interview with TeachingTraveling.com about HLSL Insitute

How fun is it to participate with Lillie Marshall (@WorldLillie) on www.TeachingTraveling.com?!!  It’s a blast!

As a featured guest, my interview discusses how I can teach from anywhere while expanding How Leaders Should Lead Institute. We discuss how HLSL Institute helps people from all around the world, how educators can become more culturally competent, and introduces cultural education.

Check out A Job Teaching International Students About American Culture to read the interview and share your thoughts.

As an international educator and University Instructor, I’m thrilled to be a part of the diverse global dialog about culture and education.

 HLSL Institute Featured Article

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