Exchange Report: Miami University Table of Content Part I Part II Part III Activity Log General Exchange Information Checklist Spring 2014 Carol, XIA Yicong BSc in Economics and Finance Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, 15’ 1 Part I Activity Log January I arrived at Cincinnati on Jan.21st, as recommended by the university. I lived in Double Tree Hotel, which is near the airport, for one night, and went on the bus arranged by the school the next morning. The hotel provided a discount to Miami University (MU) students, and the bus fee was $30/person . There were only 16 exchange students there, and the rest of us were all full-­‐time international students who were enrolled in spring semester, and most of them were from China. I was added to the Chinese students’ QQ and wechat group, so I found people who would go on the same flight with me. At first I was a bit worried, since I was the only one from HKUST, but later I got to know a lot of people and made good friends with them. I talked to people from Brazil, United Arabian Emirates (UAE), Germany, France, Netherland and Korea. The orientation lasted for a week, and the schedule was quite routine but not tight. This winter was abnormally cold, with -­‐20 Celsius degrees for almost the whole day and snow stacks everywhere, and the campus tour was even changed to an indoor introduction of the university. We didn’t have much to do, and we were not able to go out, so we basically walked around the school, went skating at Goggin Ice Center and went uptown, which was a place with a lot of restaurants and bars, to have some fun. We went to Kenwood Mall in Cincinnati on a Saturday, which was organized by International Students and Scholars Office. It was pretty big, and many friends went there for their winter clothes. A quick reminder here: DO bring heavy coats and rain boots. February I officially became a member of the collegiate chorale! I was added 3 weeks after the semester starts, and I felt lucky, because they do not usually allow it. I thought maybe it’s my passion towards music and singing which impressed the professor. Although theoretically, exchange students were only allowed to take 15 credits, I actually took 16. There was nothing exciting going on in this month. I spent the Spring Festival with a group of full-­‐time Chinese students whom I met in my class there, and I celebrated the Lantern Festival with most of the exchange students from China. I’d never cooked before until I came to America. Besides, I went to Cincinnati for performance with my chorale. I also went there for shopping at Tri-­‐County Mall and Jungle Jim Market. There was Asian food in Jungle Jim, and I bought a lot of Chinese sauces there. I wasn’t really used to the American food, so the food there helped a lot. I got to know that there was a Chinese supermarket one hour away from the school, and I went there with Chinese Students’ Association. I also made some really good friends in chorale, and one of them was learning Chinese. He took me to Hamilton, a town near Oxford, to have Chinese buffet, 2 March Exams came together in March, and arranging for the spring break is another big thing, so it’s really important to effectively make use of your time and be sure about your priority. I made it to balance my academic work and entertainment. I gradually got into different groups, and we went to party during weekends sometimes. I also watched the Miami’s ice hockey team at Goggin Ice Center. I was told that we were proud of it, but they lost all the games that I watched. A bit disappointing, though, I still enjoyed the game, and I cheered up for my team with all MU students at the stadium. Our chorale had the first performance, together with the orchestra and chamber singing group, with the theme in memory of Mozart. It was the biggest musical performance for the university in spring, and we devoted a huge amount of time to make it perfect. The hall was full that night, and the performance was really successful. The spring break that I had been looking forward to for a long time started on 21st, and I came back in the early morning of 31st. I travelled to Washington DC, New York, Boston and Chicago with my friends from UST at other exchange universities. Actually I had been there before when I was still a child, but I didn’t remember much, so it was kind of refreshing my memory. Our first stop is DC. We were expecting to see the cherry blossom, and it usually occurs at the same time every year. However, since it was abnormally cold this year, the blossom was delayed, to our disappointment. We visited the capitol, the white house, memorial places and museums, and we had pretty yummy Chinese hot pot at a town in Virginia, which is quite close to DC. Then we drove to New York, the metropolitan of the world. We went on top to the Empire Building of States, to look down around the whole city. We took pictures at Wall Street, visited Columbia university, watched Broadway show The Phantom of the Opera and shopped crazily at Woodburry Outlet near NY. The city was not that spectacular as we expected, indeed, it was dirty and a bit chaotic. The Time Square is somewhat similar to Causeway Bay or Mong Kok in HK, or in other words, the city made me feel that I was actually in HK. The next stop is Boston, and we pretty much love the city. We visited Harvard and MIT, the Walden Pool, and had a decent lobster dinner near MIT. The stay is short, but I really fell in love with this city. The final stop is Chicago. I lived in Hostelling International of Chicago, which costs only $40 per day. I shared the room with 2 other girls, and both were students at other universities or other countries. It was located at the downtown area of Chicago, which was extremely convenient for me to tour around. I went to Navy Pier, the Museum of Art, the Cloud gate, Willis Tower, the United Center, which is home to Chicago Oxes, and Chinatown. Chicago was probably the city that I love most among the above 4, but there were a lot of homeless people on the streets. It is said that it is really dangerous to go out along in Chicago, or it is dangerous outside the downtown area. Just go with more friends with you and be careful. 3 April April cannot be more exciting for me. I’ll list all the things happened here: 1. Cleveland Research Company-­‐Stock Pitch Competition. I heard about this competition from my finance professor, and I formed a team with many sophomore students. It was our first time to participate in a stock pitch competition, and we didn’t make it into the finals. However, we learned about how to pick up a stock, do analysis and valuation and make a pitch. There were 4 members in our team, with 4 different backgrounds. We joked that we might win the prize for Most Diverse Team if there was one for it. 2. Part-­‐time Job. I began to take a part-­‐time job at Armstrong Student Center. Normally there were no longer new jobs posted for spring semester after the first month, but I heard from a friend that ASC was badly in need for student workers because this center was newly opened in this semester and there were a lot of dining places in it. I worked at Sundial Pizza and Miami Ice, for 10-­‐15 hours per week. I later quit the pizza place because I still have classes after I finish my shift there and I don’t want to go to class smelling like a giant pizza. 3. Parties. I went to a dancing party organized by International Students’ Organization. I thought it was a prom, but it turned out to be another party. But this one is held on campus, and alcohol is prohibited. 4. NBA. I went to Indianapolis to watch an NBA game, Pacers with Thunder. Ohio has its own team in Cleveland, but it’s farther away from Oxford than Indianapolis, and, Pacers ranked No.2 in eastern while Ohio’s team ranked in the bottom. It was an amazing game, but the ticket was super expensive though. They were both top teams, and it was the last game at Pacers’ home during regular season, and they won. After the game, the players were extremely excited so they signed on their basketballs, shoes, socks and whatever, and threw it to the audiences. I was among the audiences trying to get one, but it was so difficult. I then waited at the exit of the court and hi-­‐fived with some stars like Bynum and Stephenson. 5. Social Networking I went to listen to a business symposium, and met the former prime minister of Southern Korea. He was a Miami alumnus, and I heard from my Korean friends that he was considered as the “smartest person” in Korea. We took a picture. 6. Leadership Experience. I was the leader for Global Buddy Program, a platform for domestic and international students to get together and share their culture. We set up a booth to promote our program and activities. 7. Deloitte Speech Competition. I joined the Deloitte Speech Competition. I was notified about this 4 competition when I was taking a class and saw the time and venue for its information session on the blackboard. I happened to have nothing to do after that class so I stayed for the information session, and after which, I decided to participate. There were two rounds, and I was the only non-­‐U.S. participant to make enter the final round, where I met the president of the university. I didn’t got the prize but I felt good when people whom I didn’t know came to me and said that I impressed them. 8. Singing Competition. I joined the singing competition by Chinese Students’ Association, and I got the third prize. It was a pity though, because the audiences did not know me so that they did not vote for me. It was still a meaningful experience. 9. Chorale’s Spring Concert It was held on the last Friday and Saturday of April, in Kumler Chapel. The chapel was really beautiful, and the chords and singings sound fantastic there. Many Miami couples got married in that chapel. 10. Outlet Shopping There was a small outlet called Cincinnati Premium Outlet, but it was small and the discount was not much. 11. Thanks-­‐Giving Day I was invited to one of my American friends’ house to celebrate Thanks-­‐Giving Day together with her family. We had a decent lunch, and we did present time and egg hunting at the yard. It was my first time to celebrate this festival in local traditions. May It is the final month: final for exams and final for my stay in MU. I felt really sad that time flies and I’d be soon leaving. There were many farewell parties. I got flowers from the officers, rewarding my “special contribution” to the chorale at the banquet. I believe I did a great thing. Since I participate in Connect’s service learning trip to Cambodia back in HKUST, I was thinking about get more people involved, not only from UST and also from other countries, and I started with Miami. I sent emails to professor about request for presentation to the class at their lectures, and they all approved. I spoke to the class, telling them about Cambodian kids and what we did, and invited them to write some encouraging words for the Cambodian kids on the small cards. I felt great when I saw them really take it serious and decorate their cards, and warmth in heart when I read what they wrote. I collected hundreds of cards and would send them back to Cambodia. We finished our class on 9th, and the final exam started on 12th. There was no study break for it, and it was indeed pretty tough since most exams were cumulative. After final exams, I stayed in Oxford for a week, touring around in my friends’ car and saying goodbye to all the people. And then I began my exciting tour. I went to Yellow Stone National Park and met my friends there. We travelled 5 together there for 3 days. Then I went to San Diego in California alone to meet my high school friends there. We went to Sea World, several islands, beaches and cliffs. San Diego is a rich city with sunshine all year round. And finally I went to Seattle. It was because of a movie, Sleepless in Seattle. It was beautiful city, amazing for residing. We went to Space Needle, Museum of Flight, EMP Museum, Aquarium, Argosy Cruise, University of Washington, Gas Works Park and upper-­‐level seafood restaurant. I got really sleepless at the last night Seattle, and also the last night in America. My exchange life was, just perfect. Part II General Exchange Information 1. Visa Procedures The package arrived quite late compared with other exchange universities. I went to the US consultancy in December during the final period. There were a lot of filings and forms, but the instruction provided by MU was quite clear. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions during application. 2. Orientation Activities There were a few activities that charged, including a blood test. There was additional accommodation fee during orientation, for about $25/night if you live on campus. Some activities were for free, like the trip to Kenwood Mall and a free movie ticket. 3. International Services and Activities There was a special session for exchange students by School of Business, before the semester starts, to ensure that you are OK with all your registered courses, and to show you how to use Miami system. There was also a gathering, with the previous exchange-­‐out Miami students and the current exchange-­‐in students from other universities at Miami, to share information. ISSS of MU is very important to you. It is basically in charge of all your procedures and documental work throughout your whole exchange period. They will remind you before and during your exchange period, about what you should prepare, what you should submit and what kind of vaccination you should have in order to get registered. There were also a lot of interesting activities for international students. NationaliTea is regularly held on Monday, in which you could know more international students and different cultures. There were also “spotlight activities” like a bus trip to different shopping malls, zoo, and outlet. I heard that they used to organized bus trips to watch Pacers’ NBA game, or the Kings Island Amusement Park, but unfortunately it did not happen during my stay. Several important contacts: Jenni Kim for issues regarding course registration and any business school-­‐specific questions. Karla Guinigundo and Jennifer Ward for any visa or general questions like working eligibility in the U.S. 4. Accommodation I lived on campus, which costs around $2400, together with a compulsory 6 meal plan. But there was an unreasonable fee, $1700, which could not be waived. I heard that it was a “construction fee” for all the students who live on campus. My hall, Swing, is only 5-­‐minute walk to both the Farmer School of Business and the main library. The double room is bigger than UST, but you can hear clearly what people in neighbor rooms are talking about clearly. If you choose to live off-­‐campus, you can turn to me for relevant information. It is usually cheaper than a school dorm, but it is really annoying if it snows in a -­‐20℃ winter when there is no school bus! Then it will be the longest way for you going to school without a car. 5. Course Registration I submitted a course registration form late September when there was still half a year to go before my exchange semester. Exchange students were only allowed to take at most 3 business courses, and the credit upper limit is 15. You filled in that course form with 10 choices of all your 5 courses. After you submit a vaccination form online and meet their vaccination requirement, the coordinator there would help you register. Most of the time you can be enrolled in the courses that you chose on that form. If you want to swap some courses, then in the “special session” before the semester starts, you can tell the coordinator and they will try their best to help you if there is still vacancy in the course that you want to swap to. Just a reminder, the seats in finance courses are usually very limited. When I wanted to change one of my business course the day before the semester starts, I could still find seats in all the business departments except finance. There is also “force add/drop”, though I didn’t try. You could still drop a course when half of the semester already passes, which allows higher possibility for you to get good grades. Just be aware of the credit minimum requirement is 12, below which it’d be illegal for you to stay in the U.S. ! Course Taken I love all the courses that I took there, and I enjoy talking with the professors. ACC 222-­‐Introduction to Managerial Accounting -­‐Mr. Ronald G. Collins The accounting department is the best in FSB. Although I am not an ACCT student, I think accounting is always useful for a business student. This course is much easier than UST ACCT, and the instructor, Mr. Collins is a nice and interesting man. He always welcomes questions, and he is extremely patient. ECO344-­‐ International Economic Relations -­‐Mr. Michael Marron It’s easy to get an A in this course, but it is relatively boring. Many students in this course are from other schools, and they take it only for graduation requirement. The attendance is usually no more than 30% of the students. FIN417-­‐ International Business Finance -­‐Dr. David G. Shrider 7 This is definitely the best course I took in Miami, and the professor is one of the best ones that I’ve ever met. He has a wide range of professional knowledge in finance, and together with his various experience in financial industry, he could provide you with deep insights. You’ll gain a basic understanding about how international finance works, like how stocks, bonds, forwards, futures and options are traded in international financial world. You’ll also know how the international corporations and banks are related. POL102-­‐ Global Politics and Issues -­‐Dr. Cyril Daddieh This is the first political science class that I’ve ever taken for my life, and I am really glad that I got an A+. Many doctrines and theories were covered in this course. The professor for my session is from Ghana, so ha always talked about global balance and the third world. The average grade for this course is C+, but as long as you covered all the materials for required reading and had your essay polished and you’ll be fine. STA401-­‐Probability -­‐Dr. Emily Murphree This course is not under my course requirement, and I chose it only because I wanted to learn more statistics. This is one of the hardest one for math and statistics students, but I didn’t think it’s a big challenge for me though I didn’t even have a math background. The professor is really devoted to teaching, and she could even remember where I made a mistake for a small assignment, but she is not that kind-­‐hearted to students. I scored the highest for almost all the exams and quizzes, except for an abnormally bad final, which resulted only an A-­‐ for this course. MUS100-­‐Collegiate Chorale -­‐Dr. Jeremy Jones I required a “force add” for this course because when I found it, it was already the third week of the semester. I felt lucky to be permitted to join the collegiate chorale, and I do have made a lot of friends in this group. 6. Teaching & Assessment Methods The grade is distributed through an F to A+ system, which is the same with UST. But the GPA for an A+ is 4.0, and the highest GPA is also 4.0. There is an online platform similar to lmes called “niihka site”. There is a session for every course that you take on that site, and your part-­‐time or school competition session is there, too. 7. Sports & Recreation Facilities. Miami provides great sports facilities, such as the “Rec” which is a big work-­‐out center, and all kinds of gymnasiums. 8. Cost & Expenses (All estimated in USD) Accommodation: $2500 Mealplan + Charge for Use: $2500 Flight Ticket: $3000 Shopping: $2000 8 Miscellaneous: $1000 Total: $11000 9. Weather Weather is what I want to address. The weather in Ohio is too fickle: it snows in April; it changed from -­‐20℃ yesterday to 20℃ today; winter and summer can occur
on the same day… Just be prepared.
10. Food There is a wide range to choose from in the dining halls. I don’t like burgers or pizzas, so I always go for stir fries, which is Asian style. An “Asian Corner” is located in the cafeteria in FSB, where dumplings can be found. A lot of Asian food restaurants are uptown, which is not a long-­‐time walk. 11. Transportation Many local friends said that “Miami is in the middle of nowhere”, and it is even harder to go out if you don’t have a car. My “survival tips” are as follows: 1)Make use of any bus trip provided by ISSS. 2)http://miamioh.edu/about-­‐miami/visiting-­‐miami/transportation/ I always go by barons bus. It connects to the nearby greyhound bus stations. Like when I went to Indianapolis to watch the NBA, the bus go directly to the stadium from the campus. 3)Just make more friends there and ask them to drive you☺ There are school buses of 7 routes, taking you to the buildings on campus and residential commons off campus. They are for free. 12. Others I opened a bank account because the operation fee is high for a credit card issued in HK for use in the U.S.. I bought a sim card there, because of a lot of documents you filled require a U.S. number. Part III Items to Bring Adapter Clothes for cold winter Medicine PC Kettle (If you need hot water) Rain boots Suits Cash *I suggest buying the electronic appliances such as hairdryer and a lamp, because some of HK-­‐produced electronic appliances cannot work well in the U.S. due to the difference level of voltage provided. ** If you have any question during your preparation for exchange, just feel free to ask me. I am more than willing to provide help and share my experience:) 9