My life in the US

Today is important to me because I had a meeting with Takeo Suzuki, who is the executive officer of international student office. And because I have got my first internship, I am sitting here to write about myself. 

Coming to Fort Smith was my father’s idea, but I really like it. Here is the place where I spent my first winter, enjoyed the heavy snow, and joined Vietnamese club with so many activities. And I loved it.

When I first came to UAFS, my first impression was the huge and beautiful campus. I was also informed that more than one thousand species of plants are planted in the campus. That sounds interesting to me. I came to UAFS last Fall semester, and it is almost one year and a half. When I first took my classes, I knew that my favorite part is Balman Spear building, where I am spending most of my time on the assignments, which are called "creatively abstract works". 

Here, I can enjoy making funny stuffs. My favorite classes are 2D and 3D design. I took 2D last Spring semester, and it was funny since we made a lot of cutting paper designs. 3D is about making sculpture, and I am taking this Fall semester.

Can you guess which one is mine since I am Vietnamese?

One thing I wish I could have done before coming to the US is learning English. The plan of studying abroad came to me when I finished high school in Vietnam. No preparation of English, all I have was my dream, which I had when I was a child, came true. Thus, my father had to send me to Singapore to get the foundation of English. Six months studying in Singapore, got the accepted letter, came the US, and spent four months in ELS, it seemed to be so fast and not enough for me to communicate with American people. However, I love the time when I was in ELS, and these dark skin and crazy Saudi guys were so friendly.

 This is the trip with ELS students to Memphis, hometown of Elvis Presley.

There are many surprising stuffs such as: no skyscraper or subway, squires, and gun ownership. My host has a gun in her wardrobe, and I just do not know which wardrobe is in her bedroom. She may shoot me if I do something wrong. That is scary.  

I also have a lot of misunderstanding. For example, when my host said “Don’t let the bug bed bite,” and smiled at me, I did not understand. “Don’t let the bug bed bite” is an American slang for good night, and it became not funny at all when she had to stop and explain it to me. One more thing is we have many rugs for cleaning up the kitchen, but one is never used. She said: “It is a beautiful fabric” not a rug, and she just hangs it there for decoration. I have no idea with her.

During the first year, I have learned about Christmas gifts. Christmas seems to be an important American event, and one of my friends suggested me buying a gift for my host. I bought her a status of a Snowman, and she really loved it. She also gave me some biscuits, a scarf, and some warm clothes. This year, she gave me a hat and two pair of gloves. She wanted them to be given in the Christmas Eve, but it is getting cold now. Thus she wants me to have something to cover my “empty head”.   

One of the restaurants I really like is Golden dragon. It is the Chinese buffet in Fayetteville. My favorite food are crawfish, crabs, sushi, and clams. Another good one is Green Papaya, a Vietnamese restaurant. Fried rice on Midland is also my favorite one.

My proudest accomplishment was my shadow puppet in 2D class last semester. When I first got the idea, I asked my instructor how to make it. He responded: “You need to find the way by yourself.” Finally, somehow, it was done and I was so proud of it. 

Now the answer is

              

Driving in Fort Smith/ Manejando en Fort Smith

Arkansan driver's license

Driving in Fort Smith

Living in Arkansas, you will notice that things are pretty spread out compared to other big cities (like Chicago or New York). If you live in a city like Fort Smith, you are lucky to only have to drive about 5 miles to the nearest Wal-Mart super-center. On the other hand, if you live in a small town (like my hometown of Hartford, AR) you may have to drive as far as 25-30 miles to the nearest super-center. Because of this, most people in small towns start learning to drive as early as 13 and receiving their driver’s permit at 14. After they are 16, teenagers can get their license and be able to drive on their own. All of the tests and the permit are free, the only time you pay a fee is when you get the actual card of the license, but even then it is only about 20 dollars.

Now of course, everything seems normal to you until you find out that things are different in other places. I thought this was the average age for people to learn to drive… until I talked to the international students from Spain, Niger, and Japan. Out of those three Niger is the least expensive place to get your driver’s license, with about $100 in fees. The second most expensive is Japan, where it can cost between $200 and $300 to get your license. By far the most expensive though is Spain. Between the lessons you have to take along with the two different test, you can spend anywhere from $1,000 to $2,000!! Who would have thought it could be so expensive?!

Spanish driver's license

After speaking with other students, I also noticed how different cultures put different amounts of emphasis on the importance of driving. For instance, in the US getting your driving license is almost considered a rite of passage. It is a stepping stone to becoming an independent adult. In Spain, it is a traditional high school graduation gift for your parents to pay for your license.. Although I’m sure not every family has that type of money. In Japan, you would only get your license if you live in a rural area where there isn't a lot of public transportation available (like the subway). In Niger, the majority of people take taxis to wherever they need to go because of the cheap rates. In the US, the only time you would need public transportation is if your car breaks down or you’re in a big city like New York, Chicago, L.A., etc. (Just a little FYI for prospective students… our public transit buses here in Fort Smith are awful, because hardly anyone uses them).

Anyway, I just thought it was interesting to compare the transportation systems between different countries. I hope this can clear up some of the bad reputation that Americans have for “being lazy and driving everywhere.” 

Manejando en Fort Smith

Viviendo en Arkansas, notará que los lugares están más esparcidos en comparación con otras ciudades grandes (como Chicago o Nueva York). Si vive en una ciudad como Fort Smith, tiene suerte si solo tiene que manejar 5 millas al hipermercado Wal-Mart más cercano. Por otra parte, si vive en un pueblo pequeño (como mi ciudad natal de Hartford, AR) es posible que tenga que manejar hasta 25-30 millas al mercado más cercano. Debido a esto, la mayoría de la gente en pueblos pequeños comienza a aprender cómo manejar en cuanto cumple 13 años y recibe su permiso de conducir cuando tiene 14 años. Después de cumplir 16 años, los adolescentes pueden obtener su carné de conducir para manejar solos. Todos de los exámenes y el permiso son gratis, lo único que tiene que pagar es el carné físico, pero aún entonces solo cuesta $20 más o menos. 

Por supuesto, todo parece normal hasta que se descubre que las cosas son diferentes en otros lugares. Pensaba que esa era la edad media para aprender cómo manejar… hasta que hablé con estudiantes internacionales de España, Níger, y Japón. De esos tres, Níger es el lugar menos caro para recibir su carné de conducir, con precios cercanos a $100. El segundo más caro es Japón, donde cuesta entre $200 y $300 obtener su carné. Sin embargo, el lugar más caro es España. ¡Con las lecciones que tiene que tomar y los dos exámenes diferentes, puede gastar entre $1.000 y $2.000! ¿Quién hubiera pensado que sería tan caro?!

Japanese driver's license

Después de hablar con los otros estudiantes, también noté cómo culturas diferentes ponen diferente énfasis en la importancia de manejar. Por ejemplo, en los Estados Unidos obtener su carné de conducir es casi considerado un rito de iniciación. Es un punto de inflexión para madurar. En España, es un regalo tradicional de graduación de secundaria que sus padres paguen su carné. Aunque no pienso que todas las personas tienen tanto dinero. En Japón, solo obtiene su carné si vive en un área rural donde no existe transporte público (como el metro). En Níger, la mayoría de la gente toma taxis para ir a donde necesita porque los taxis tienen precios baratos. En los EEUU, la única vez que necesita el transporte público es cuando su carro se avería o si está en una ciudad grande como Nueva York, Chicago, L.A., etc. (Un pequeño aviso para los futuros alumnos… nuestros autobuses aquí en Fort Smith son terribles, porque casi nadie los usa).

De todas maneras, pensé que era interesante comparar los sistemas de transporte entre países diferentes. Espero que eso pueda aclarar un poco la  reputación mala que tienen los americanos por “ser perezosos y manejar a todos lados.” 

Nigerien driver's license

A Day of a Graphic Design Major

Since there are 12 months in a year, 4 weeks in a month, 7 days in a week and only 24 hours in a day, I wouldn't want everyday to be the same... As ordinary and boring as the title of my first blog *hurray* is, but trust me, it is anything BUT those two words. Although I do have to deal with the fact that I'm bound by my class schedule, I try as hard as possible to make the best out of every single day. To be honest, I’m not the type of person who writes about his life and put everything in the little book that everyone likes to call “Diary”. However, on this special occasion, I will break the rule and show you guys an example of my day, pictures included, YIPPEE!!!!

Ok! We will start with the embarrassing things first: Back when I was in Vietnam, I usually wake up around 6 am every morning to get ready for school. But ever since I got here, that time got quite “flexible”. There were days that I actually slept the whole morning because I didn’t have any morning classes on those days, but it’s always 8 am on Tuesdays :P

                                     After that, I went down the Cafeteria to get breakfast! :D

From 11 am to 12.15 pm is my first class – Sociology. This class is mostly about society in general, how it’s changing and we get to look into examples of modern people.

From 12.30 pm to 3.20 pm, I had 2D Design (yes, it’s a 3 hours long class!!) with Prof. Steiner. This is one of my favorite classes for many reasons. First, I’m a Graphic Design Major, it’s obvious that I love my art classes! Second, my professor’s a really nice guy, very encouraging and passionate. And finally, my classmates are awesome and crazily talented!

  

After 2D Design, I have about 2 hours to relax until the last class of the day. Usually, Frisbee with the guys in the Green – the big area in front of the Bell Tower - is what I’ll do. 

Then I get a to go set in the Lion’s Den Cafeteria at 5 pm. And yes, to go sets are my best friends :P

My last class on Tuesday starts from 5.30 to 8.15 pm. It’s my 3D Design class with professor Greer Farris. It’s a small class with just 7 people, but to me, it’s just as fun. In this class, we get to make sculptures out any materials that we have and can collect, like cardboard, wood, plaster etc. We also have fieldtrips to places inside and outside of Fort Smith along with other fun stuff, this is like the coolest class ever!!

@Van Buren Dam

 @Crystal Bridges Museum of America

After a long long day like that, to be able to go home and take a relaxing shower is the best thing that you can imagine. Then I took my clothes to the laundry room, where there’s a “party” every night, to wash off all those plaster from 3D xD

The thing that I probably like to do the most in my leisure time, is to get together with my friends, play music and jam out, do covers that we like and basically relax, stress out and truly enjoy my college life J

And then I realized that it’s already 12.30 am and I was gonna have a class at 8 am tomorrow morning.
Good night guys!!! Thanks for bearing with me for the whole day!!! ^^

Secrets of the South

I don’t know about you, but before my arrival to Arkansas, whenever I thought about the South I immediately pictured in my head the vast deserts of Texas. I wouldn’t have imagined in a million years that the South of the United States comprises the so-called “Natural State.”

This area of Arkansas is absolutely the opposite of a desert: hickory, fern and oak woods surround Fort Smith and give its inhabitants the opportunity to enjoy many outdoors activities.

Some of the international students and I, thanks to our dearly missed Sam, could experience this magnificent display of nature in our trip to Mount Magazine, the tallest mountain in the state. Mount Magazine is in the midst of the Ozark National Forest, and it is the home of several beautiful hiking trails. 

I'm looking forward to other day discovering the many wonders of Arkansas, such as the Northwest Arkansas and Little Rock trips. I can't wait!

------ o ------

No sé vosotros, pero antes de llegar a Arkansas, siempre que pensaba sobre el sur de Estados Unidos imaginaba inmediatamente los vastos desiertos de Texas. Nunca me hubiera imaginado que el sur también incluye lo que llaman el “Natural State”, el estado natural o de la naturaleza.

Esta zona de Arkansas es totalmente lo contrario a un desierto: bosques de nogales, helechos y robles rodean Fort Smith y ofrecen a sus habitantes la oportunidad de disfrutar de infinidad de actividades al aire libre.

Algunos de los estudiantes internacionales y yo, gracias a nuestro añorado Sam, pudimos ser testigos de este magnífico despliegue de la naturaleza en nuestra excursión a Mount Magazine, la montaña más alta del estado. Mount Magazine está en medio del parque nacional de Ozark, donde se encuentran varias rutas de senderismo preciosas.

Estoy deseando que llegue el momento de hacer otras excursiones para descubrir las miles de maravillas que ofrece Arkansas, como el noroeste del estado o su capital, Little Rock. ¡Viva Arkansas!

Culture Shock

I think many people already experienced few culture shocks in here. I experienced many culture shocks since I arrived in USA. Though, my most shocking thing was about "Gay."

One night I was talking with my roommates. Well, whenever girls get together and start talking it gets to "Girls Talk." They started to ask me about who I think sweet so far.

My roommates were so excited and I just had to talk about it. I said two names. Then, my roommates made serious faces. I was confused because they were just excited before I said those names. Quiet time passed. One of my roommates said. "Oh, honey. You didn't know. He's gay." I was so surprised that I couldn't react for few minutes. Actually, one was gay but other one was straight. Although, I was just surprised that I kind of "like liked" gay. I knew few stories about like this in Japan and I never thought I am going to experience this situation.

However, he is now a really good friend of me and I love him so much! I think I am going to experience more culture shock and I am kind of excited about it because I can learn new things:)

UAFS Campus

Why do you like UAFS? What do you enjoy most about the UAFS campus? My favorite part of UAFS is…

Here comes the big issue,'what do i like most about the UAFS campus? Now i have to storm through every single thing that i like  about the campus and find what i like most about the campus. From the food, yes don't judge me am human and i have to eat to the fact that the lecturers are understanding and work towards