PARENTS’ LEAGUE NEWSLETTER FALL 2017
October 26 – November 1 Academic Advising for Spring Semester
December 14 – 20 Fall Semester Finals
October 28 Liberal Arts Family Weekend Breakfast, Open House, and Mini-Classes with Faculty
December 21 Residence Halls Close December 21 – January 11 Winter Break
October 30 – November 10 Registration for Spring Classes
For more event information, please visit the Liberal Arts website
November 7 Deadline Day (Last day to withdraw, drop a class, or change it to pass/fail) November 22-24 Thanksgiving Holiday (University Closed) December 11 Last Fall Class Day
A PARENT’S GUIDE TO STUDY ABROAD Lia Haisley Senior Academic Advisor, International Relations & Global Studies, College of Liberal Arts As a parent, the last several years undoubtedly have been filled with many milestones. You supported your son or daughter as they navigated the college application process and tearfully watched as they walked across the stage at high school graduation. Now, they’re settled on campus and you’re finally getting used to their newfound independence. But what happens if someday soon they tell you they want to study abroad? You may react with some trepidation, or question why they want to study abroad. After all, they’ve already enrolled in one of the top ranking public universities in the country, which is located in a city known world-wide as a hub for arts, culture, and technology. Although this is true, study abroad provides a unique opportunity to develop a global mindset that encourages students to see and understand the world from a perspective that is difficult to achieve in a domestic classroom setting. Students also get the opportunity to develop highly marketable skills and experiences that can set them apart when they begin their job search or transition to graduate school. These skills include improved foreign language proficiency, crosscultural communication ability, flexibility, and greater adaptability in challenging situations. The experience may even help your son or daughter identify specific academic or career goals. Once the idea of study abroad begins to sink in, you’ll want to know more about the study abroad programs that your son or daughter is considering. Currently, UT Austin students can choose from over 400 programs in 80 countries and there are options for every major, budget, language proficiency, GPA, and interest. Short term programs are generally offered in
the summer and range in length from four weeks to a full summer. Many of these programs are led by UT Austin faculty and are academically geared towards students in the College of Liberal Arts. Semester and full year programs offer a more immersive experience and the opportunity to enroll at some of the best academic institutions worldwide. UT Austin has long been recognized as a leader in innovation in study abroad programming, and with more than 3,000 Longhorns abroad each year, the University is ranked third in the country for the number of students abroad. All students considering a study abroad program are encouraged to spend plenty of time researching options, and the earlier the better.A good first step for students and parents alike is to visit the UT Study Abroad Office website at world.utexas.edu/abroad. Here you’ll find a searchable program database, a step-by-step application guide, scholarship and financial aid resources, and comprehensive information about student health and safety. One-on-one study abroad advising sessions are also available, both on a walk-in and appointments basis. Lastly, students are encouraged to meet with their Liberal Arts academic advisor as early as possible in the planning process to begin discussing their study abroad coursework. Finally, how can you as a parent best support your son or daughter throughout their study abroad experience? Family support is a crucial part of the process, but it is important for students to take the lead. Spend some time learning more about study abroad on the websites listed below, but direct your questions to your son or daughter and let them investigate and provide you with the answers. While abroad, be available to your son or daughter, but give them space. They may be homesick in the beginning and call you every week, but as time goes on you may hear from them less frequently. When they return, help them process the experience by listening to their stories, asking questions about their time abroad, and letting them know how proud you are of their accomplishment. Resources for parents: UT Study Abroad Website - world.utexas.edu/abroad Liberal Arts Study Abroad Website - liberalarts.utexas.edu/student-affairs/study-abroad/ getting-started.php
LIBERAL ARTS ABROAD: GOVERNMENT SENIOR TRAVELS TO IZMIR, TURKEY Emily Nielsen PA Specialist, Liberal Arts Public Affairs Six weeks of living in another country is a significant way that Liberal Arts students can apply their education to the world around them. Elizabeth Nelson, a government senior with a minor in Turkish, traveled to Izmir, Turkey, this summer, immersing herself in the language and culture of the country. Nelson is from Denver, Pennsylvania, which has a population of less than 4,000. “It is the definition of small town and to be honest, I never thought I would be in Texas, let alone go to Turkey,” Nelson said. With funding from the humanities honors program, as well as the Halide Edip scholarship, Nelson was able to study at a language offshoot of Ankara University called Tömer and experience the Turkish community firsthand. Read more about Nelson’s experiences in Turkey in the Q&A below. What was your experience in Turkey like? Not to be cheesy but it was really life changing. I had done solo-travel before but this was nothing like that. I was in an entirely different country by myself. Of course, they have programs that offer more assistance, but I enjoy solo-travel. I wanted this experience without tour guides, and I’m glad I did it this way. I definitely missed out on some history lessons, but going by myself let me tailor my trip to me. How did the culture differ? Turkey is a Muslim country, but it is not as different as a lot of people said it would be. I went during Ramadan and everyone told me it was going to be a ghost town, but it really wasn’t. My advice to those interested in Middle Eastern studies is leave your preconceptions on the tarmac. What were your courses at Tömer like? They were definitely a different learning experience for me. I learned a lot of personal responsibility in my education. I’ve always participated in class but these classes were largely mandatory answers. You were called on, you didn’t raise your hand. This was hard for me at first, but I learned a bunch about my own strengths and weaknesses.
What was your favorite moment of your time abroad? I had this moment in the Atatürk airport in Istanbul. I was late for a flight to Izmir. I was running through the airport to catch my plane, and I realized that I was 22 years old by myself in Turkey with a year of Turkish under my belt. It changed who I am fundamentally. What was the most challenging part of your trip? The most challenging part of this trip was the first night. I had a bit of a freak out when I went to the corner store and tried talking to the attendant. We couldn’t understand each other, and I got really upset. I returned to where I was staying, head low. When I finally asked one of my Turkish housemates about it a week or so later, she explained that the man was from Iran and that she sometimes couldn’t understand him either! How did your experiences abroad change your outlook? I fell in love with solo-travel. I had done it before, but this trip solidified my love for it. I really recommend it to any adventure seekers out there. Educationally, I feel a lot more confident speaking, laughing, arguing, and even singing in Turkish. I’m also trying to do next semester—my final semester before graduation—at Boağziçi University in Istanbul. I spent most of my education wondering how I can combine my passions and my skills. Study abroad helped me fuse the two into a real possible career path. How do you think study abroad factors into a liberal arts education? If the goal of a liberal arts education is to spark a fire and make a well-rounded graduate, study abroad adds fuel to that fire. It made me step out of my pre-conceptions of the area I was studying, the language I was speaking and who I am. To learn more about study abroad opportunities for Liberal Arts students, visit the Liberal Arts Frontiers study abroad page and the UT Austin International Office’s website.
WHAT MIGHT YOUR LIBERAL ARTS STUDENT DO AFTER GRADUATION, AND HOW CAN THEY PREPARE? Robert Vega Director, Liberal Arts Career Services In the big picture, students are well prepared for diverse career directions. Liberal Arts students are trained to be analytical, evidence-based problem solvers; they are given the space and tools to develop their natural abilities as effective communicators, creative thinkers, and curious learners; and they are inherently interested in the human context that bridges societal needs with the advancement of high-tech products and solutions. To that end, Liberal Arts majors – who actively pursue internships and professional development while at UT Austin – are well prepared for the job market of today, and of the future. Liberal Arts students are highly individualistic with diverse interests, skills, and goals. With this in mind, when your student comes to Liberal Arts Career Services for help, we work with them in a highly personalized way. We do not try to fit them into a path; instead, we provide the support, knowledge and resources to help them explore and articulate their professional interests. In a closer perspective, students may be inclined to follow common career paths. Below are the four most typical paths taken by students after graduation. Careers Below are typical career sectors for Liberal Arts students. • Business/Corporate/For-Profit: From investment banking to consulting and marketing to UX design, we help strategize an approach to building the business skills needed to succeed. • Nonprofit: Whether students are interested in experience-based roles – such as grant writing or community relations – or if they are interested in mission-specific organizations, we help them build their network and map their values and experiences to the goals of these organizations. • Government/Public Sector: Students might be interested in city, state, or federal government, a combination of these, or in public support offices and agencies – we help students describe their interest in public service through their experiences and application materials. • Teaching: We help students interested in teaching careers explore their options, seek out opportunities and connect with teaching-related resources – such as UTeach and the College of Education.
• Entrepreneurship: The University offers a number of programs and resources to students interested in entrepreneurship. We help students research this ecosystem, connect with resources, and network within the startup community. Law School Law School is a popular path for Liberal Arts students. The law school admissions coach at Liberal Arts Career Services helps students research legal careers, explore their interest in and knowledge about law school, prepare a strong application (including the resume, statement of purpose, and essays), and decide between law school and scholarship offers. Graduate School A number of Liberal Arts students go on to graduate or professional schools. The graduate school admissions coach at Liberal Arts Career Services helps students evaluate their options and compile targeted application materials that showcase their research interests. This path most typically includes master’s or doctorate programs in liberal arts disciplines; however, students also seek professional degrees in such areas as public policy and architecture and health-related degrees in such areas as medicine, dentistry, and pharmacy. Gap Year/National Service Many students opt for a gap experience following graduation. A gap experience is typically a oneto two-year experience undertaken prior to engaging with their career or to enrolling in a graduate or professional school. We help students explore their interests, connect with experiences (such as the Peace Corps, Teach for America, and teaching abroad), and prepare for the career search following the gap experience. What can my student do to prepare for post-graduation success? If you’re looking for one thing your student can do to prepare for success, it is to visit Liberal Arts Career Services early in their academic careers. We can help students explore their interests, gain experience (whether from internships, research, study abroad, leadership, or community service), strategize their options and job search, and prepare tailored and professional application materials. We’re your student’s advocate. While helping them with career preparation, we provide a positive space where they can feel comfortable asking questions and exploring their interests and career potential. Your student can get started by visiting: liberalarts.utexas.edu/lacs/students/overview.php
IMPORTANT THINGS TO REMEMBER AS YOUR CHILD TRANSITIONS TO COLLEGE Aaron Evans, LPC CARE Counselor, College of Liberal Arts Remember that your son or daughter's transition to college is a transition for you as well. The transition to college can be a stressful experience for parents, especially if your son or daughter hasn't lived away from home before. During this important time of transition for the family, many parents put their own feelings and reactions "on hold" while helping their child prepare for university life; however, attending to your own emotional needs will go a long way toward helping everyone feel comfortable with the challenges that college presents. Recognize that feelings of ambivalence, anxiety, and excitement about your child leaving home are normal. You may feel a variety of emotions as your son or daughter prepares to leave for home for the first time. While ambivalence and anxiety are common during this period of transition, it is also normal to look forward to the relative peace and quiet of having your active older adolescent out of the house. You may be excited to have the place to yourself, or to have more time to spend with your spouse and/or younger children. Remember that coming to the university is a tremendously important developmental step toward full adulthood. Going to college represents the culmination of 18 years or so of learning, much of which has been geared toward assuming a productive place in the world. This is the time when your hard work as a parent will show itself as your son or daughter begins to make independent choices. Many parents find that it helps to focus on the fact that providing their son or daughter with this opportunity is a priceless gift. Be proud of yourself! What Can I Do to Help My Child from a Distance? Of course, you are still a parent, and your son or daughter still needs your support and guidance during the college years. Here are some ways you can express your caring and enhance his or her experience at UT Austin. Stay in touch. Even though your son or daughter is experimenting with independent choices, s/he still needs to know that you're there and available to discuss both normal events and difficult issues. Make arrangements to write, email, or call on a regular basis. It may be helpful to have a conversation about how often s/he would like you to check-in.
Allow your son or daughter to set the agenda for some of your conversations. If s/he needs help or support, the subject is more likely to come up if you aren't asking pointedly about what time s/he came in last night! Be realistic about financial matters. Students should come to school with a fairly detailed plan about who will pay for tuition, fees, books, and room and board, and what the family's expectations are about spending money. Being specific at the outset may help avoid misunderstandings later. Don't forget about the costs of social activities, which are an important part of the college experience. Be realistic about academic achievement and grades. The University attracts bright students from all over the world, and not every student who excelled academically in high school will be a straight-A student at UT Austin. Developing or refining the capacity to work independently and consistently, and to demonstrate mastery, can be as important as grades, as long as the student meets the basic academic requirements set out by the University. Again, these are choices that each individual student makes, though certainly it is appropriate to help your child set his or her own long-term goals. If your son or daughter experiences difficulties at UT Austin, encourage him or her to take advantage of the wealth of resources available to students. For academic issues, talking with the professor, teaching assistant, or academic advisor is probably the first step, but the Learning Skills Center and Career Exploration Center are also available to help. In addition, the Office of the Dean of Students can assist with a variety of concerns. Any health concerns should be directed to the University Health Services. If your son or daughter could benefit from counseling, the Counseling and Mental Health Center is located on campus and can be accessed by telephone: 512-471-3515 (M-F, 8am-4pm). UT Austin is a big place, but you can help your son or daughter by reminding him or her of the many resources available here.
REGISTRATION GOALS Rachel Smith Senior Academic Advisor, Liberal Arts Student Division
It seems as if we have only just started to enjoy our pumpkin spice lattes and other signs of fall (although let’s face it, probably while still wearing shorts and flip-flops) when it is time for students to start thinking about spring. More specifically, to start thinking about course registration for the spring semester, as registration begins on October 30. Course selection can feel like an overwhelming task, but it doesn’t have to be! Students should schedule an appointment with their major advisor to review their degree plans and discuss course options. Before the appointment, it is a good idea for a student to have reviewed the course schedule so they already know which courses are being offered and which ones may fit into their chosen degree plan. Registration is also a good time for a student to pause and reflect. For those early in their academic careers, it can be an opportunity to consider their chosen major. Is it still of interest? Have they learned of a new field of study they would rather pursue instead? Undeclared students may contemplate which classes have been the most interesting and which major they want to declare. For students who are further along in their academic careers and settled in their majors, it can be a chance to think about whether writing a thesis, pursuing an internship for credit, or studying abroad fits into their plans. Regardless, it is also a wise idea to check in with their advisor and make sure they are on track to graduate. With each semester completed, students will receive more favorable registration times. It can be encouraging to know that the interesting-but-random elective that was already closed during registration freshman year will most likely be attainable in a later semester. By the time we’re sitting down to enjoy pumpkin pie at Thanksgiving, your student will have registered for spring courses. The cycle will repeat in April, but for now they can return their focus to enjoying all the great things about fall (and studying for finals).